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blu Cigs President Applauds North Myrtle Beach for Eliminating E-Cigs from Smoking Ban

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, the North Myrtle Beach City Council in South Carolina passed the second and final reading of a new ordinance to regulate smoking within city limits, effective March 7. Noticeably absent from the ordinance were electronic cigarettes, which were expressly removed by council members before the vote. As public officials and lawmakers across the country continue to push for bans and tax hikes on e-cigarettes, blu Cigs commends the North Myrtle Beach council for its decision and for doing its own due diligence, and not letting misinformed public opinion or political posturing influence a rash choice.

"This latest news is a step in the right direction, and we can only hope that many more councils across the country will follow suit," commented Jason Healy, President of blu Cigs, the market leader of e-cig brands. "We encourage other law makers to do the same and take a closer look at the available studies on e-cigs in order to make a fair and informed decision. We hope councils do not simply get caught up in the 'herd mentality' of other cities, which have prematurely passed legislation of e-cigarette bans without all of the available facts."

blu Cigs maintains that proposed state-wide bans and tax hikes blatantly impede consumers' freedom-of-choice and are in direct opposition to consumer health advocacy. Electronic cigarettes are void of the tar, ash, smell and second-hand smoke present in traditional cigarettes, instead emitting a smoke-free vapor "puff". A recent study co-authored by Dr. Michael Siegel of Boston University's School of Public Health titled, "Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control: A step forward or a repeat of past mistakes?" determined that e-cigarettes are a safer option than tobacco cigarettes, and even have the potential to become a smoking cessation device.

blu encourages city council members to learn the facts, and consider the impact of banning smoking alternatives before making a decision affecting the freedom and health of the community. For more information on blu Cigs, go to www.blucigs.com, or for more information on the current issues surrounding e-cigs, visit blu's blog at www.blu.net.

About blu Cigs

blu Cigs is the innovator of electronic cigarettes in the U.S., offering an alternative to smoking. blu's high-tech "e-cigs" look and feel just like traditional cigarettes - without the smoke, smell, tar and ash. blu Cigs are battery-operated - creating a smoke-free vapor "puff" that evaporates within seconds. blu Cigs are available in convenient disposables or rechargeable packs for continuous daily use, with or without nicotine and in a variety of flavors. blu Cigs have been featured in the presenter gift bags at the Grammy Awards and other celebrity events, and are used by a number of A-list actors, musicians, and athletes. Based in Charlotte, NC - at the heart of tobacco road - blu Cigs is the only e-cigarette provider whose ingestible contents are 100% made in the USA. For more, visit www.blucigs.com.

SOURCE blu Cigs