The Suffolk County Legislature heard from the public Tuesday on whether to ban electronic cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are gaining popularity among minors, and parents are growing concerned. Electronic cigarettes look like cigarettes and taste like cigarettes but don?t contain tobacco. Therefore, the county law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18 doesn?t apply. E-cigarettes do contain liquid nicotine.

"I smoke it, I get my nicotine in me, I feel fine after,? says Ronkonkoma resident Nicole Frey. ? It's a lot better than [regular cigarettes].? She says she thinks they should be legal but that anyone under 18 should not be allowed to buy them.

Former smoker Dennis McSweeney, of Smithtown, agrees they?re dangerous for children and says the county should do ?anything to keep kids away from any kind of smoking. Once it's imitated then they'll figure it doesn't bother them and then they'll start going for the real cigarettes.?

Suffolk Legislator Jon Cooper introduced legislation to ban the sale of the devices in the county until they are regulated by the FDA. The full legislature is expected to vote on it June 9.