Sales of e-cigarettes soar into million-dollar business in Greater New Haven

Sales of e-cigarettes are soaring and under the spotlight as more people choose what is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to conventional cigarettes.

And while anti-smoking advocates question their safety and recent studies have suggested electronic cigarettes may expose others to nicotine involuntarily when used indoors, e-cigarette store owners are defending the product and raving about its success rate.

Maciej Goniewiz of Roswell Park Cancer Institute recently found that e-cigarettes, which are designed to generate nicotine aerosol, or vapor, without burning tobacco, do release a significant amount of nicotine (but not carbon monoxide or other toxic elements).

E-cigarettes produce “significantly lower” amounts of nicotine than regular tobacco cigarettes, however, according to Goniewiz.

Users call it “vaping,” not smoking, since the devices’ nicotine solution — sometimes candy-flavored — is usually heated by a coil and turned into vapor.

Goniewiz’s results showed the amounts of nicotine emitted into the air “depended on the e-cigarette brand.”

Craig Keller, owner of The Steam Co. in Orange, and Ted Szabo, one of three owners of E-Six in Branford, stand behind the devices.

“My interpretation of the study is that there was nothing significant about the exhale vapor,” Keller said.

Keller, who once smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, said he wasn’t able to find anything that enticed him to stop, until e-cigarettes.

“I think people are catching on that they can still have their nicotine and not be so at risk,” Keller said.

With more smokers catching on, Keller said his business is doing well.

“The industry is booming right now. This is the only product that has given cigarette companies a run for their money,” Keller said.

And Szabo agreed.

Szabo said his store was the first of its kind in the state, and business is doing well.

“Within the first year of being opened, we’ve done about $1 million in sales,” Szabo said.

Szabo, who smoked for more than 30 years, said the products are “extremely beneficial.”

“I wish there were studies out to compare its (e-cigarettes) effectiveness with the patch or Nicorette gum, but there isn’t. I think people are resistant to that,” Szabo said, acknowledging e-cigarettes do leave traces of nicotine in the air.

Szabo does note there are limitations to where the devices can be used.

“I understand that if you’re eating at a restaurant, it would be inappropriate to pull out an e-cigarette or if there are children in the room, I don’t suggest that,” Szabo said.

And to those looking to ban e-cigarettes, Szabo said it’s being done out of ignorance.

State Sen. Edward Meyer, D-Guilford, has said legislators are currently asking if the definition of smoking real cigarettes should be expanded to the electronic devices.

“What isn’t in question is the medical testimony,” Meyer said. “We’re getting information that they are a health risk.”

But Szabo isn’t buying it.

“It’s upsetting. These laws are being made out of ignorance, not on hard research,” Szabo said.

By Ebony Walmsley, New Haven Register Call Ebony Walmsley at 203-789-5734. Have questions, feedback or ideas about our news coverage? Connect directly with the editors of the New Haven Register at AskTheRegister.com.

Sales of e-cigarettes soar into million-dollar business in Greater New Haven