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Ralph Abraham on Families & Children |
Gov. John EDWARDS: The President is looking at banning the flavoring of the cigarettes, and I happen to think that that's probably a smart thing to do.
Rep. ABRAHAM: Well, let's just pause for a minute. I know we're talking mostly young people here and we have lost three LSU students in the last two weeks. So thoughts and prayers; anything other than oxygen that you put in your lungs is not good. As a physician, I can tell you that. On the e-cigarettes, the vaping--I've seen the pathology reports. And they do cause damage. Now, it's a personal choice. Certainly if you're over 21, you smoke a cigarette, I don't recommend it. If you do e-cigarettes, I certainly don't recommend that either. But it is a personal choice. Below 21, I think we need to put the regulation that we have on other cigarettes in place, if the data drives us to a more concrete conclusion, then we follow the data.
EEddie RISPONE: I'd do everything I could to discourage you from using e-cigarettes just like regular cigarettes; both of them are very harmful to their health.
Gov. John Bel EDWARDS: Part of the problem is many people believe it is a safer alternative, when in fact it is not. And certainly the flavorings lend themselves to children being attractive, but I would tell them, please not to do that.
Rep. Ralph ABRAHAM: Look, an optic is worth 1000 words literally. And even though they're young, my grandchildren, I would show them a lung that has been damaged not only by cigarettes, but by e-cigarettes too. I've seen them and it's impressive. So they would get the picture literally.
