Electronic Cigarettes are bad because it is still smoking.

Tobacco company Lorillard Technologies, known for making Newport cigarettes and creator of the blu e-cigarette , is using commercials to advertise vaporized nicotine. 

E-cigarettes still contain nicotine and create a smoke-like vapor, not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The lack of this regulation allows these ads to be aired on major TV networks and this new cigarette is being misrepresented.

Jenny McCarthy aired a commercial Aug. 6 promoting the freedom of the blu e-cigarette and is part of a group of celebrity representatives and supporters including Stephen Dorff, Leonardo DiCaprio, Katherine Heigl and Lindsay Lohan.

It is important for those with influence to consider the health impacts of the products that they advertise, said Sacramento State health educator Amelia Stults.

The ad’s slogan advertises, “Freedom to have a cigarette without guilt.” This freedom they are touting about allows smokers indoors again, but non-smokers still do not want to be around it. 

Child development major Brittany Gonzales-Chang said the only time the e-vapor bothers her is when it is blown in her face.

McCarthy expounds the virtues of the e-cigarette as being more hygienic stating relief that now she does not  have to smell like cigarettes, but some might find this a trivial point in the campaign. 

Marketing professor Dennis Tootelian said e-cigarette companies advertise to more than one market.

“They really would be after two markets,” Tootelian said. “Either smokers thinking of converting or non-smokers that want to try them out.” 

The issue with the second market of non-smokers is commercials were banned in the ‘70s to stop marketing cigarettes and now these ads are airing again and possibly enticing people to start smoking. 

Sacramento State is on the right track on dealing with preventing e-cigarettes. Even though e-cigarettes do not produce smoke, the administration, students and staff are still joining together to make the change. 

Communication studies major Nicole Edgars, who is part of the social media team on Hornets for a Healthy Hive explained the campaign, for a 100 percent tobacco-free campus, includes e-cigarette as well. 

Hornets for a Healthy Hive are not waiting for FDA regulations to come out to start banning e-cigarettes on campus. And their number one campaign goal is to ban all tobacco related products on campus. 

Vapour House, located in downtown Sacramento and occupies the backroom of Pour House, is an electric cigarette shop, bar and lounge. blu e-cigarettes are available, but this lounge also offers vaporizers , which are rechargeable and reusable. 

“We make our own house blend and juices come with or without nicotine. We know what is in our juice and this is for enjoyment,” said Vapour House Manager Erik Bell.

Bell also said that employees at the Vapour House are not health professionals, but do offer information on TV screens in the lounge regarding the differences between smoking a cigarette and smoking a vaporizer.  

Shops like Vapour House are taking a step in the right direction to educate their customers on the use of electronic cigarettes.

Quicker regulations, better education and maybe an e-cigarette that comes without nicotine would be the solution to making e-cigarettes better. 

Cigarette commercials were banned for a reason and the portrayal of guilt-free smoking and freedom to smoke anywhere, is unrealistic. Society should dictate that – not tobacco companies.