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A brand new Charlotte company is doing very well for itself. Blu sells something known as electronic cigarettes. An e-cigarette looks like and can deliver nicotine like a traditional one without the harmful tobacco. But a growing public health debate over the safety of e-cigarettes means Blu's hot start may not last. WFAE's Scott Graf has more:

Adam Dellinger is a 27-year-old bartender at Boardwalk Billy's in the University City area. Up until today, he's never even heard of electronic cigarettes. But he's up for trying one. He takes two drags and studies the taste.

"It's got a nice flavor to it," he says. "It does what I thought it was going to do I guess. Which was give me some kind of sensation in my lungs, which it does do. But it's not as powerful as a regular cigarette."

Dellinger is smoking a Blu brand cigarette. With help from 10 investors, Australian Jason Healy started Blu 3 months ago in Charlotte. Healy says within a matter of weeks, sales had quadrupled to 2,000 kits a day, at $60 a pop. Blu's investors made their money back in the first month.

"The response was so overwhelming," Healy says, "and the product's in such high demand that at the moment we can't keep up with the sales we've got."

Blu is adding manufacturing space at its plant in China. By fall, Blu's production capabilities will be four times larger than in May. So Healy should be optimistic about Blu's future in the US, right? Not really.

"Unfortunately, and as disappointing as it is I wouldn't bet the farm on it, that we'll be around in 5 years."

Healy is confident of Blu's future overseas. But here, he's worried because the FDA says e-cigarettes are potentially dangerous. Even groups like the American Lung Association are against the products. Healy guesses Blu has about 50 competitors and most work the same way. They're shaped like regular cigarettes, and use a battery to ignite a small foil pack inside. A chemical reaction creates a vapor that users inhale and exhale, and then it quickly dissipates. What's in that vapor though, is what worries the FDA. Judy Leon, a spokeswoman, says more testing is needed.
"We just don't know what's in them," Leon says. "And neither do the American consumers. And until the FDA can evaluate them, nobody knows what's in them."

One thing that is in most is nicotine. And the FDA says it has jurisdiction over e-cigarettes for that reason. It's blocked two brands from the entering the country. That led to a lawsuit that will likely determine the FDA's authority over e-cigarettes. Keeping a very close eye on it all is Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor in Boston University's School of Public Health.

"It boggles my mind why public health agencies, including anti-smoking groups would want to take this product off the market because of concerns that there is some, very small, hypothetical risk that this product could be doing harm."

Siegel says the research he's seen on e-cigarettes shows they're safer than traditional cigarettes. And he thinks they're perfect for people who have tried but can't stop smoking tobacco. He says if the FDA someday bans products like Blu, then it's doing so only for political reasons.

"Here you have a product, tobacco products, which kill 400,000 people a year, we know they kill 400,000 people a year," he says. "There's no need for testing. They've already been tested. Yet, here's a product that's helping to keep people off the deadly one, and they're talking about possibly taking it off the market."

E-cigarettes have generated debate among doctors. Dr. Thomas Stern treats emphysema patients at Carolinas Healthcare System in Charlotte. He says an e-cigarette is the best stop-smoking tool he's seen.

"Because it addresses two issues: One, is the nicotine replacement issue. And then the other is (the) behavioral issue. The gums, the patches, the inhalers do not have the same feel, look, quality of the device so that it would help with the behavioral aspects of smoking cessation."

Stern wants to see more testing done on e-cigarettes, and thinks a year's worth of research is all it would take. Healy, the president of Blu, says he wants to work with the government to get FDA approval. But he also wants to be able to sell his product in the meantime.

"And ultimately this should be a regulated industry in some way," Healy says. "We don’t mind that. We want to get it to that stage. But the more we go along it appears we may not even be allowed to get it to that stage."

If the FDA wins in court, Siegel - the professor in Boston - worries the agency's approval process could take upwards of a decade. And he says that means hundreds of thousands of people who are using e-cigarettes now to smoke fewer conventional ones, may be forced to return to their old habit full time.

Electronic cigarettes are a really good product, I bought some products www.onlyecig.com feeling very good.

The gov.t. or any of its health agencies do not want any competition to the tobacco industry taking away the millions of dollars annually they take in from tobacco taxes. If they can find a way to recover those taxes (or more) from e-cigs, then they may allow them.

I have smoked every day for 25 years before finally trying the blu e-cig. I've tried acupuncture, the patch, the gum, welbutrin, and hypnosis to no avail. It's been one week to the day that I have had my e-cig. Not only have I not smoked a single cigarette, but I could care less if I ever see, smell, or smoke one ever again. If the FDA bans e-cigs, I will find them somewhere else. Period...

I am not a smoker of any kind, but after reading up on this and doing the research that i can, the FDA would be nothing but stupid to discontinue this product. I have friends that smoke that i know would love to stop if they could. These eCigs are some of the least harmful alternatives i've ever heard of or read about.

I've been usign the e cigerette for 2 weeks now and haven't smoked for almost a week. I love the fact that I can use this around my family without the harmful side effects to them and the kids are so happy that I am no longer smoking. Why doesn't the FDA do their studies and listen to what ex-smokers are saying? Big money is why...they are no longer getting the taxes from those using this product and somewhere in there is big Tobacco. If there are so worried about cancers and such - looks at what some of the medications can do to you... strokes, heart attacks, cancers... I don't understand why they would want to take something off the market that is helping thousands become ex-smokers!

I got my blu and I am happy... I've smoked for years and this is the best alternative I've found that makes me happy, those around me happy, so I really could care less if FDA isn't happy. What happened to free country and a free choice for those of us who want one? Wasn't the big deal that we were smoking around others and thus harming them The whole "second hand smoke scenario" as well as cancer and so on? Well, this stops the harm to us and others... so issue resolved... let the e-cig live on!

The FDA always finds a way to ruin the good things. Please dont let them take away my blu!!!!!

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I got my Blu Cigs in the mail three weeks ago, and I have not smoked a real cigarette since. If the FDA takes this product off the markets it would be ludachris ;0/

I've been using the Blu cig for a day.It's a very real substitute for tobacco cigarettes. I've quit smoking regular cigs before for up to a year on nicotine gum and chantix. Both worked for me, (chantix with some wicked side effects) but I still missed the activity of smoking, especially when it's happy hour! The tobacco industry may end up being the big losers in this, and I'm sorry if jobs are lost there, but can't we manufacture these wonderful devices in this country and re-create some jobs? As the popularity of e cigs grows, those of us who are using them might ought to start making some noise and letting our government know that we think it's a viable alternative to regular cigarettes, and we'd like to see them stick around!

I got a set for my wife and she's extremely happy with the ecig.

I have been trying for this entire day to order the Blucigs online. It isn't giving me a chance to place an order. Any ideas? I've tried every website Blucigs has.

my son ordered a blu cig starter kit a couple of weeks ago. i was skeptical about the whole concept and never would have spent 60 bucks on something like this without trying it out first. so when my son's order arrived, he allowed me to give it a try. it's not exactly the same as smoking a real cig, but it's close enough. within a week i've stopped smoking regular cigarettes and my breathing has already shown signs of imprivement.

I've been using a volcano e-cig (L88B, same model as Blu with larger carts)...I haven't smoked a traditional cigarette now for over 4 weeks. I would recommend this to anyone...www.volcanoecigs.com...super fast shipping, fantastic customer service, highest BBB rating of any e-cig company, great online forum for help & info on anything "e-cig".

hears what it is anti-smokers want nicotine gone they don't care how safe the system is they just hate it which is why they are trying to kill this wonderful product when its in its infant stage

My husband and I have been using blu for a couple of months and absolutly love them. I think the FDA needs to stay out of it. I alone smoked three packs of cigs a day until we got blu cig, now I SMOKE about one pack a day. They are better for your health than regular cigs are. You don't have all that tar going into your lungs. Why can't people leave us smokers alone?

great product

I've just ordered Blue today and cannot wait to try it! I've been a smoker since I was 16yrs old.. I've tried all methods of quiting, the urge to hold my best friend in my fingers was part of my adiction.. I am praying this is the solution, cigarette taste and the physical comfort. I refuse to try Chantex as I know from personal friends, it caused them mental problems, I do not need that in my life! Thankyou for developing this product, I wish it came FED-X overnight!

blu is a good product. it is simple to use. another product just like blu, but a little less expensive and more options is www.vaporlites.com Those guys are ex-smokers and they have a Support Team to help you with any questions about using an ecig, including how to quit.

I just ordered my starter kit.I hope its not a disapointment. I'm lookin forward to it. I've heard good things. I hear they take a long time to arrive. Thats my main concern right now cause i would like to not have to buy anymore "real" cigs...

www.yunyantech.com the world cheapest and good quality e-cigarettes available

If you find out I would like to know, warriorlax58@gmail.com

I want to know who these 10 investors are, I've been looking around and the names aren't mentioned anywhere.

Jerry, i am Amy from topsee, i sent the email to you for several time, but return back, please advise if you have another email box, i will send the email to you again! amyhu@e-smoke.com.cn

Yes... we ALL know that the FDA is pimping our health for the money they make. They have been trying to more strictly "regulate" nutritional supplements for years... why? Because they make hundreds of thousands of dollars in "testing" processes. If they are going to take eCigs off the market, then they need to take regular Cigs off the market too. eCigs are obviously less dangerous than a patch. I've tried the patches and almost OD'd from them. By the time you realize you had too much nicotine, it's too late. With eCigs you are going to smoke for about the same time you'd smoke a regular cig... after all, it's boring after a few minutes. I think the biggest risk of an eCig is simply the germs you get from all the people in the bar that want to try it.

As to when to stop/ avoid poisoning. First, you already have a sense of timing for how long a tobacco cigarette lasts. Second, as a smoker, at times you probably have chain-smoked. Either something came up that stopped the chain, or your body started to react and you stopped. It's the exact same thing. To truly poison yourself, you'd have to be trying. (Not counting the various levels available, down to Zero-nicotine) What's often not considered are those times where you really only want a few puffs, or maybe half a tobacco cigarette. Many people end up smoking the entire thing, either because they do not want to waste the rest of the cigarette as they don't feel the rest of the cigarette is worth saving, or because once started, they just go ahead and finish. With an E-cig, you can take one drag or 50 with no difference. And lastly, no fire hazard. How many house fires have started from tobacco cigarettes? How many wildfires have been started from tobacco cigarettes? I do not sell them, nor do I have any investment in a company. I'm a smoker that just switched to E-Cigs. I was a 25-30 tobacco cigarette/day smoker. I've had 3 since last Mon. It already has changed my life. Once I've completely dropped tobacco from my life, I plan on completely cleaning my house, car, life, of all the tar and garbage clinging to every surface. Glorious.

If u google it there is a forum that has a lot of great info on e-cigarettes. read up and make an informed decision. Personally I have no doubt it is healthier for me than regular cigarettes.

It's all about one thing when it comes to the FDA ... M-O-N-E-Y. Anyone with half a brain can see that our health is the last thing on their minds. They'll have to pry my e-cig out of my hands. I'm smoke free for 2 months now. Now I only vape. By the way, if you are looking for (or just want to learn about them) I have ecigs for sale. 401's and 510's. Ecigs39@aol.com Very low stock but will be re stocking.

There is no actual chemical reaction involved in creating vapor. PG + heat = vapor. IIRC, Aeros Smokeless Cigarettes rely on chemical reaction to create vapor.

The FDA needs to take a step back and evaluate where they're headed. They used to be a science based, publicly trusted organization producing objective and neutral publications.

I have been a pack a day smoker for 20 years and have tried everything (cept Chantix). I switched to e-cigs and quit smoking about 3 months ago. Since then I have tapered off nicotine and now use the nicotine-free solutions. This is my new 10 min "smoke break" at work. :D Oh, I use Blu Cigs too (I hear there are better ones out there), but the carts that comes with it are only good for emptying out and using your own fluid (3rd party fluid produces more vapor and lets you top-off the partially used cartridges).

Try a Crown7-better quality and better product.

I've been using Blu for a couple months now. I got my kit when the product first came out. I had a friend who was talking about them (he knows someone who works for Blu) and I ordered mine right away. I ordered a bunch of cartridges, but I haven't even used them all yet. I have been trying to quit regular cigs and this is great to help me cut down on that. Mostly its the size and how easy it is to smoke at bars and clubs.

I'm interested and wanna try. No smoke but I know when a traditional cigarette is out its time to stop smoking. each nicotine cartridge is equal to 5 cigarettes I feel the concerns about nicotine poisoning are legitimate. But i will try any way cause the patch can give you poisoning.

I'm a blu man! love the product and I hope the media and customers can make enough noise about blu and how its a lifesaver so the FDA can't stomp them out!