It's the Brian Laird Show on WNYC.

Welcome back everybody.

I'm Kusha Navidar.

I'm filling in for Brian today.

Now let's revisit one of the most debated topics in public health at the moment.

It's the safety of vaping.

On one hand, trading in your pack of Newport's for a swanky jewel could be a good idea.

You're likely to avoid the major illnesses associated with regular extended cigarette use.

Vaping could also help you quit cigarettes more effectively than other interventions,

and if you did quit smoking, you'd lessen your chances of severe disease, and you wouldn't be

alone, one in 20 people vape in this country. But the jury is still very much out on whether it's safe

or even like how dangerous e-cigarettes are in their own right. It doesn't help that in the

context of science and research, e-cigarettes are still new. We haven't had time to see how

long-term vape usage affects the body. And then there's the lack of regulation in the market. Local

bodegas serve a seemingly endless variety of colorful vapes, most of which

lack FDA authorization. These flavored vapes are illegal, and in recent months we've seen

the NYPD cracking down on smoke shops for carrying them. But if you know where to look, you can

definitely get a blue raz ice elf bar. A few weeks ago, we on the show,

had a segment delving into the weeds of the vape market. A lot of you called in with questions

about your health and seeking help with quitting. And we thought it might be helpful to do a

segment on that specifically. So joining me now to answer your medical questions about vaping

and offer advice on how to break the habit is Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felcher, Professor of Pediatrics

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