Electronic vapor cigarettes have made their way to Hollywood. Several stars have recently been spotted using the devices, which deliver nicotine to the body with vapor instead of the smoke. More than 5 million e-cigarettes were sold in 2012, a significant increase over the paltry 50,000 sold in 2008. These numbers suggest that both celebrities and the people who idolize them are looking for an alternative to traditional tobacco. Medical experts remain divided on whether electronic cigarettes are the safe alternative that manufacturers suggest, but it's inarguable that the devices have made a big red-carpet appearance.
- Katherine Heigl - Perhaps the most notable celebrity seen using e-cigarettes is Katherine Heigl, one of the actors from the hit movie "Knocked Up." The actress puffed on an electronic cigarette during a 2010 appearance on the "Late Show With David Letterman." She told Letterman and the audience that she could "smoke" on the show's set without harming herself or anyone else.
- Charlie Sheen - Charlie Sheen has made the switch from conventional cigarettes to their electric equivalents with a blaze of glory. Sheen is spotted using e-cigarettes nearly everywhere in public. He even started an electronic vapor cigarette company named NicoSheen in 2011, although the product website has since gone dark.
- Lindsay Lohan - Actress Lindsay Lohan has also hopped onto the vapor bandwagon. Lohan was photographed with electronic vapor cigarettes during a month-long stint of house arrest, suggesting that she was trying to curb a bad smoking habit while atoning for bad behavior.
While movie stars get their nicotine fixes using electronic cigarettes, it should be noted that the devices present pitfalls for the children and teens who look up to these media personalities. Parents should know that exposure to these devices can cause youth to experiment with other forms of nicotine and tobacco, including actual cigarettes. Talking with teens about the dangers of addiction and tobacco use is encouraged, especially when electronic cigarettes make guest appearances on television and in tabloids.
