Banned e-cigarettes on sale in Regina stores

Electronic cigarettes are illegal and unreliable as a quit-smoking tool, according to Health Canada, but theyre still easy to buy in Regina stores.

The cigarettes, commonly callede-cigarettes, contain cartridges offlavoured liquid that is vapourized and inhaled. They're marketed as an alternative to smoking tobacco.

E-cigarettes areavailable online, although Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulate thecigarettes as drugs, have not approved them for sale.

In Regina,smoke-shop owner Ashok Brahmania says he sells about 15 e-cigarette kits a week. He also say hes been assured theyre legal.

"It has to be approved by Health Canada, and it seems to me I asked our supplier," he said. "This one is approved by Health Canada."

In fact,Health Canada says it doesnt approve any form of electronic cigarette for sale in Canada.And there is no proofe-cigarettes help smokers give up tobacco, the department says.

Janice Burgess of Regina, who helps people quit smoking, says not enough research has been done on electronic cigarettes. She worries the vapour is a risk to others, just as second-hand tobacco smoke is.

"People around the person using the e-cigarette will be exposed to whatever is in the liquid cartridge," she said.