American Lung Association urging smokers to ‘Quit, Don’t Switch’

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – With the New Year fast approaching, thousands of Rhode Islanders are resolving to quit smoking in 2020.

But this year the American Lung Association is urging people not to turn to e-cigarettes or vaping but to quit by other means.

 The ALA wants the public to know that using e–cigarettes or vaping does not mean they are quitting smoking.

Some, however, disagree.

“It actually works,” said former smoker Jesse Killeen. “It gets you away from the cigarettes, you can wean yourself down easily, you can quit smoking.”

The FDA still has not found e–cigarettes to be a safe way to quit smoking. But Killeen, who owns The Juice Box in North Smithfield, says he’s watched more than a thousand customers successfully quit – including himself.

“I smoked four packs everyday,” said Killeen. “And this is what actually did it for me.”

The ALA says the recent deaths and illnesses linked to vaping THC cartridges shows that vaping is just as dangerous as smoking.

“The misinformation of the health risks of vaping is rampant,” said Director of Advocacy for the ALA Jennifer Wall. “The simple truth is that e–cigarettes are tobacco products.”

Killeen says, to that point, he agrees.

“I’m not a fan of e–cigarettes,” said Killeen. “I don’t like them. I think the nicotine levels are way too high.”

However he thinks vaping can be beneficial. The Juice Box is even known to customers as the ‘stop smoking headquarters.’

“I don’t vape any nicotine anymore,” said Killeen. “I haven’t touched nicotine in probably about five years now.”

Killeen also told me he knows many customers have gone back to cigarettes since the ban on flavored vaping products.

The ALA wants people to instead try medication or counseling to quit smoking.

They are offering a discount on their ‘Freedom from Smoking’ program in the new year.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019