ecig.JPG

Also known as "e-cigarettes," most electronic cigarettes do not burn tobacco. Instead, a lithium battery heats a liquid nicotine solution, which creates a vapor inhaled by the user. Proponents say the devices allow users to satisfy nicotine addiction and partake in smoking behaviors without consuming the chemicals in real cigarettes.

(The Associated Press)

SALEM -- A panel of Oregon lawmakers received an impromptu demonstration of vaping Wednesday.

The demonstration of a vanilla-flavored electronic cigarette came during hearings in the

, which is considering two bills on the devices. House Bills

and

would both

. House Bill 4115 would go a step further to include e-cigarettes in the

.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that allow users to inhale a vapor mix consisting of nicotine, flavor additives and other chemicals. They do not contain tobacco and, in Oregon, are not subject to age restrictions or cigarette taxes that apply to traditional cigarettes.

All of the people who testified Wednesday supported banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, though many of the vapor shop owners and e-cigarette users opposed adding the devices to Oregon's indoor smoking ban.

Paul Bates, owner of

in Portland, said that House Bill 4115 "misses the point" on vaping. He likened vaping to boiling water, which produces steam and does not set off smoke alarms.

"It is a different process, so completely different that you need proper background studies to build your own law rather than tacking onto something that's a smoking law," he said.

Dozens of vaping supporters also said the devices helped them to lower their nicotine intake or to quit smoking entirely. Store owners in particular objected to language in the original bill that would have barred demonstrating how to use the devices. An amendment is in the works that would allow the demonstrations to continue.

Unsurprisingly, public health advocates praised the possible addition of e-cigarettes to the indoor smoking ban.

"Without that inclusion, we are creating an environment where vaping is considered acceptable behavior and could become a normative culture for youth," said Adelle Adams, who works in tobacco prevention and education at Multnomah County.

Both bills are scheduled for another public hearing and possible work sessions on Friday, when they could be moved to the House floor.

-- Yuxing Zheng