Posted on 21st Mar 2011 @ 10:39 AM

Smoking is hard enough to quit. There are few things as cruel as leading an addict to believe that you are providing something that may make it possible for him to become smoke free, only to mislead him about what your product can or will do. 

E cigarettes are a safe alternative to tobacco. People who want to quit are often discouraged by the discomfort caused by nicotine withdrawal. The gum works, , but chewing it isn't always practical. People with dental work  simply can't use it. The lozenges are also useful, but, like the gum,  they do not give the whole smoking experience, and thus aren't as satisfying.

The E cigarette is a great alternative. Not only does it deliver the nicotine that addicts crave, but it does so in a way that lets them enjoy the same sensations that smoking provides. It is like smoking a cigarette without the nasty side effects. Your clothes won't smell, your family won't complain, and you can use an e-cigarette anywhere without disturbing a soul. You can even "light up" in a hospital or library without giving offense.

In short, the E-cigarette is a dream come true for smokers who want to quit inhaling the over 1000 carcinogens contained in a tobacco cigarette. A smoker can free himself of the health risks associated with smoking without placing himself at the mercy of cravings he can't control. He can do it almost anywhere, without hurting himself or bothering others.

However, you do have to be careful when you purchase your e-cigarette. Not all vendors are honest about what they are selling. You can find yourself in an expensive contract with a very unscrupulous provider.

The attorney General's office of Arizona has received reports about a company whose dealings with desperate smokers are less than honorable. Smoke Freely, LLC, an Arizona limited liability corporation offered a free trial period for its products. Smokers were told that they could try Smoke Freely's e-cigarette for 2 weeks. If the consumer found that the Smoke Freely product didn't meet their needs, they were supposed to be able to return it for a full refund. Of course, no one could complain about that deal. It would be a safe way for smokers to see if there truly was a miracle to help them cope with what is a terribly difficult addiction.  

Professional Marketing Associates, Inc. (“PMA”), a Massachusetts corporation, provides fulfillment services for Smoke Freely. This means that they fill Smoke Freely's orders for them, and help them deliver the product to their customers. It also appears that they assist Smoke Freely in deceiving the smoking public. Smoke freely says that the device is not a smoking cessation product. Strictly speaking, it wouldn't be, as it's function has not been certified by the United States' Food and drug administration. PMA didn't seem to care about that nicety, and has been happily claiming the product is, indeed officially approved for its intended use. 

Smoke Freely has taken their little fraud one step further. Consumers who sign up for the free trial often don't get the product until the "trial period" is up. This means that they find themselves embroiled in a $90.00 a month contract, for purchase of an expensive product before they have a chance to decide if it will help them quit. This is the cruelty I mentioned in the first paragraph.

Smoke Freely's "Prado" e-Cig may work like it should, but this writer has doubts. Why would the company need to trick consumers into using its product if it was a good one? Smokers would be loyal, continuous customers for anything that would help them avoid both the danger of tobacco and the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal. There would be no need to keep selling them on something that they already knew worked, and worked well.  Most smokers want to quit. It is a hungry market just waiting for a safe, pain free solution to a vexing addiction.

Just consider what health risks smokers are facing. Lung cancer and heart disease are just two of the things nicotine addicts can expect if they can't find an effective alternative to cigarettes. Telling them that you will let them check out something that could literally save their lives before they have to lay out money for its purchase is just plain mean if you're lying. Not only could such a dishonest approach to sales cost Smoke Freely customers money they weren't ready to commit, but it could discourage them from trusting another vendor. 

Fortunately, not all E-cig vendors are out to take advantage of people who are trying to give up tobacco. "Vaping", or inhaling nicotine vapor instead of smoke, will only increase in popularity as smokers realize there is a safe alternative to filling their bodies with noxious chemicals. Since more and more places ban smoking, the electronic cigarette will have even more adherents. A vendor who recognizes the need, and treats their customer base with respect, can look forward to years of prosperity. Not only that, but they can be proud of what they are doing. Helping smokers avoid the health dangers associated with this invidious pastime is nothing short of a public service.  

As a customer of E-CigaretteDirect.com, you can always be assured that we don't have tiny fine print or any free e-cigarette trial scams.  Thank you for doing business with us.  We are proud to be one of the only PCI compliant E-Cigarette Companies, ensuring a secure and honest transaction.