Until yesterday I had remained oblivious about the new killer app: electronic cigarettes. Although I recognize that e-cigarettes could create a good market for LEDs and associated components, the whole concept doesn’t appeal to me.

Today, William Saletan writing in Slate tells me I’m off base. Regarding efforts to restrict the devices, he says, “Let's be blunt about what's going on here. We tolerated smoking until science proved it was harmful to nonsmokers. As momentum grew, the war on smoking became cultural, with disapproval and ostracism of anyone who lit up. Electronic cigarettes have removed the war's scientific basis, but our cultural revulsion persists. Therefore, so does our prohibition and condemnation.”

I don’t know—I’m not too keen on inhaling second-hand nicotine/propylene-glycol mist.

What do you think?