Studies say electric cigarettes are not what they seem

Hollywood got Freda Souligny smoking at just 13. Now 81, she had a pack-a-day habit for 61 years.

She stopped when emphysema led her to electric cigarettes two months ago. Battery-operated, they deliver nicotine vapor through an adjustable cartridge, and cost about 60 bucks to start.

Freda kicked her habit by slowly cutting the nicotine dose over several weeks. However, Professor Tom Eissenberg says e-cigs are misleading.

A pair of studies found while real cigarettes deliver nicotine, e-cigs do not - despite claiming to do so. He says smoking an e-cig is just like puffing on an unlit cigarette - no nicotine, no tobacco , nothing.

Freda doesn't agree.

The studies do say e-cigs can cut the urge to smoke by nearly half. So Freda's mind may be tricking her body - but she doesn't care.

Miraculous, or smoke-and-mirrors? It really doesn't matter as long as you quit.