New from Steve K's Vaping World:
Welcome to another action-packed news roundup. It’s been quite an interesting week with moves both in the States and in Europe. Stories were all over the map and ranged from infuriating to genuine happy news. So, sit back, relax and let’s get our e-cigarette news on.
Number of Scientists "Misunderstood" by EU TPD Commission Grows
The number of scientists who claim their work was misinterpreted by committees behind putting harsh e-cigarette restrictions into the EU’s TPD is growing. According to a report in the New Scientist, the number of researchers with beef against the EU has now grown to 15.
Science ‘wrong’ in EU’s proposed e-cigarette law
Don’t worry, I’m sure now that the researchers have come out, and this has gotten publicity the EU commission will be sure to start over and admit they were mistaken. After all the EU is all about consulting with experts and stakeholders before making a move. Why are all the Europeans reading this laughing now?
Advanced Gear Starting to Displace Traditional eCigs
It seemed natural that the simple mathematics of traditional and disposable e-cigarettes being found in so many retail locations gave them an advantage. Well, those devices may still be in the majority, but one analyst notes that tank systems and “open” systems sold via local vape shops are starting to put a dent in the c-store sales of ecigs.
Vapor Migration Causes Cigarette Volume Declines to Accelerate
Oh, and also, both e-cigs and open vaporizer systems are taking a bigger chunk out of traditional cigarette sales than expected by analysts. So there’s that. I wonder if that will eventually put big tobacco back into the fight.
A Look at e-Cigarette Social Media Trends
Convenience store industry publication CSNews commissioned a study of social media and e-cigarettes. The study found that much of the conversation around e-cigarettes, at least for consumers, did not focus on legislative issues. A lot of the conversations seemed to be about quitting smoking. Also tons of affiliate spam, apparently.
In a study conducted exclusively for Convenience Store News, Brand Chorus, a social intelligence practice and brand identity firm in New York City, performed a deep-dive analysis of all social media chatter around electronic cigarettes over a one-month period for a comprehensive online snapshot of consumers’ thoughts and concerns about this tobacco segment.
“Very quickly, it became clear that if we separated all of the media chatter, which is almost entirely around the issues of legislation and health, an entire consumer universe of conversations having nothing to do with these subjects revealed itself,” said Bradley Nix, Brand Chorus partner. “It is inside this world that consumer insights reside.”
via What Consumers Are Saying About E-Cigarettes – Special Features – Convenience Store News.
I have a feeling this report might have more insight than what was in this brief article. I’m not sure if CSNews ever plans on releasing the full report, but I bet it would make for some interesting reading.
Another Blow to the eCig Gateway Theory
A recent article in Forbes pokes holes in prohibitionists’ favorite conspiracy. This isn’t particularly new news as many in the harm reduction field were quick to point out when the CDC finally released its smoking numbers. But the difference is now that large media outlets are finally starting to also pick up on logic.
Note, too, that the rate of youth smoking (defined by the CDC as “ever tried” within the past month) continues to decline. In 2011, the last year for which there were data, 18.1% had tried a cigarette within the last month. Combined with trends in e-cigarette experimentation/use, these data suggest that electronic cigarettes may even be aiding teens in reducing smoking. At the very least, it shows no correlation between increased exposure to vaping and increased rates of smoking – which is the pattern you’d expect if electronic cigarettes were serving a gateway function.
via Are Hollywood Starlets Glamorizing Smoking By Using E-Cigarettes? – Forbes.
To maintain everyone’s low opinion of mainstream media, fear not. The article did infer that NYC and Chicago only implemented age restrictions and not the overreaching nanny bans they really were.
ITV Teasing Upcoming eCig Special with Fear
ITV released a series of teaser spots on its website to promote a special on e-cigarettes they will be airing tonight. Based on the content of the teasers, I wonder just how much of the e-cigarette story will actually be told. Or if it will be all stuff like this.
“The science around the safety of E-cigarettes has not been demonstrated,” the World Health Organisation’s Glenn Thomas told ITV’s Tonight.
“We still need more research to know and understand what sort of impact on health.. these E-cigarettes are having.”
“We know that a lot of the toxins which are consumed through E-cigarettes have not been adequately researched,” he added.
via E-cigarette toxins ‘not adequately researched’ – ITV News.
Other features include overseas manufactures disparaging one another. It should make for fascinating TV watching.
Canadian Prohibitionists Not Interested in Public Debate
What happens when you arrange a public debate and nobody shows up? That’s what happened at the open forum set up by the Lung Association of Nova Scotia. Despite inviting just about every opposition group they could find, none bothered to come relying instead to let their websites do the talking.
“I think (opponents) missed an opportunity,” said Louis Brill, the CEO and president of the association. It had contacted several different organizations such as the provincial health department and Smoke Free Nova Scotia to participate, hoping the diversity would spark a lively, educated debate. Brill said opponents of the issue declined the invitation or backed out earlier in the day.
Krista McMullin, Tobacco Reduction Strategy Co-ordinator for Smoke Free Nova Scotia, declined to say why the organization refused to participate but said it “had issued a position statement” on its website.
A document on the organization’s site states that vaporizers “have not gone through the consumer safety testing processes” and their effectiveness “has not been adequately scientifically demonstrated.”
via Electronic cigarette debate has one-sided turnout | UNews.
I think if the other side doesn’t show, you should get to say anything you want. Perhaps they should have said the other groups were too busy kicking puppies and harnessing the tears of children.
Oklahoma Hearing on eCigs and What to Do
Oklahoma senators and representatives of the joint health committee held hearings on electronic cigarettes. Industry, consumers and prohibitionists were all present for the meeting. I listened to part of it today, and it was quite informative. The lawmakers had a number of good questions, and for the prohibitionists they seemed particularly skeptical. Which is why perhaps some of them have gone from a “ban them now” to a wait-and-see attitude.
Sen. Ralph Shortey said, “I’m glad we’re having this study. I’m glad it’s being hashed out. I’m glad both sides can present and I’m glad there’s this kind of interest in it because it does affect a lot of people.”
Lawmakers say there needs to be regulation of the e-cigarette and vapor industry, specifically restricting anyone under the age of 18 from buying the products.
The American Cancer Society says they encourage Oklahoma lawmakers to be careful moving forward on this issue.
They also recommend waiting on some of the regulation until the FDA has had a chance to outline its rules on the issue.
via Lawmakers say change is needed after hearing benefits of e-cigarettes | KFOR.com.
Most likely it seems that attitude comes from Oklahoma simply wanting to pass an underage restriction. Of course prohibition groups want to keep kids vaping so they can tell gateway horror stories.
Forbes (the Guy) Disagrees with Vaping Bans
A brief, but very clear op-ed piece made its way into Forbes recently. The piece was actually written by Steve Forbes himself. Not much else to add since the short article was pretty much to the point.
So why the moves to ban them? Because using e-cigarettes sort of looks like smoking, although anyone who isn’t blind can easily see that these aren’t the real deal. Prohibitionists also cry that there needs to be more scientific study, even though there isn’t a scintilla of evidence that e-cigs are as harmful as inhaling smoke. Until there is definitive proof of adverse consequences we should leave e-cigs alone. After all, they are ideal for smokers working to break the habit or trying to avoid going back to it. They’re a tool in the fight against cigarettes.
via E-Cig Bans Should Go Up In Smoke – Forbes.
Apparently not everyone with a media outlet named after them wants to ban everything. I had no idea.
New England Prohibitionists Pat Each Other on the Back
A medical and parenting advice column turned into a prohibitionist three-way love fest. The writer praised MA senator Markey for demanding the Golden Globes stop doing jokes. At the same time she also gave a shout out to whatever terrible anti-ecig regulation Massachusetts is cooking up this week. All in the name of, who else, but the kids.
That’s why we need to speak up, like Senator Markey did. Even more, we need to take real action to protect our youth from e-cigarettes. At the Massachusetts State House, Representative Jeffrey Sanchez (D-Jamaica Plain) has proposed legislation HB3726 that would do just that. It would:
Create a comprehensive definition of tobacco products. It’s not just e-cigs–there are all sorts of “emerging tobacco products” that sometimes sneak under the legal radar.
Restrict sales to minors. Seems like a “duh” thing to do, but until you make the law, anybody can go buy the stuff.
Restrict manufacturers from distributing samples of tobacco products. E-cigarettes come in flavors like chocolate and bubble gum. Handing them out could be like handing out candy…and a bad habit is begun.
Prohibit the use of smoking and electronic cigarettes in places where the smoke-free workplace law applies. Let’s get rid of the loopholes. And truly, we don’t know that the vapor from e-cigarettes is safe, even if it isn’t the same as regular cigarette smoke. For all we know, it’s got its own set of toxins.
via Thank you, Senator Markey, for calling out NBC on e-cigarettes – MD Mama – Boston.com.
You can’t argue when anything is for the kids. Therefore, I demand that I be given a million dollars. For the kids!
Big Hearing in Oklahoma Underway (Press Release)
Today seems to be a big day for press releases showing up in my inbox. Oklahoma is having a big hearing on the future of e-cigarettes featuring prohibitionists, THR advocates and vapers alike. The proceedings are underway as I type this. You can follow @GregTHR for live tweeting. Meanwhile, here’s what Jeff Stier from the National Center for Public Policy Research will have to say about the subject (via a proxy, he’s snowed in).
National Center’s Jeff Stier, Though Caught in Snowstorm, Will Testify
Before Special Committee of Oklahoma Legislature on Tobacco Harm Reduction
Measures and E-Cigarette Regulation
Testimony Comes as Major U.S. Cities Consider Banning Public Use of
E-Cigarettes Despite Their Proven Ability to Help Tobacco Smokers Quit
Washington, D.C. – National Center Risk Analysis Division head Jeff Stier
will testify Wednesday before a joint study committee of the Oklahoma State
Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives on e-cigarette regulation and
tobacco harm reduction methods.
Stier’s testimony comes as various states and localities are considering
policies regarding the public use of e-cigarettes, the smoke-free
nicotine-delivery device that has helped many quit smoking cancer-causing
tobacco cigarettes.
New York and Chicago recently banned the use of e-cigarettes in public, and
the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as the State of
California, also are expected to soon consider e-cigarette legislation.
Stier’s testimony will be presented in writing, as the northeastern
snowstorm stranded him in Connecticut Tuesday after he sought in vain to fly
to Oklahoma from Hartford after his New York City flight was cancelled.
Stier says:
New York and Chicago were wrong for banning e-cigarettes wherever cigarette
smoking is banned. I’m hopeful that this week’s hearing in Oklahoma will
shed additional light on why that’s the case, and that Oklahoma will begin
turning the tide towards more rational public health policy with regard to
E-cigarettes.
At the hearing in Oklahoma, via my written testimony, I’m explaining why
e-cigarettes don’t normalize smoking, they, in fact, normalize not smoking.
I’ll also present information on the state of the science on second-hand
exposure to e-cigarettes.
In addition, I’m presenting evidence why banning e-cigarette flavors
undermines the public health goal of having fewer people smoke cigarettes.
The flavors in e-cigarettes do not make the products dangerous. Flavors make
e-cigarettes a more appealing and more palatable alternative to the
dramatically more dangerous cigarettes. Anything that is done to make
e-cigarettes less appealing, harder to get, or more expensive is bad for
public health. Critics argue, as they often do when left with no other
rationale, “it’s for the children.” They suggest that flavors such as bubble
gum or cotton candy are meant to appeal to children. But many adults enjoy
these flavors too, and have quit smoking as a result of having access to
enjoyable flavored e-cigarettes. So what about the children? We don’t
believe children should use e-cigarettes and we support a complete ban on
the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. We believe the ban on sales to minors
should be passed immediately and enforced strictly. No other bans are
necessary or justified by public health considerations.
Stier has testified at FDA scientific meetings, met with members of Congress
and their staff about science policy, met with OMB/OIRA officials, and has
submitted testimony to state government legislative hearings. Most recently,
he testified before the science committee of the New York City Council about
that city’s ban on public smoking of e-cigarettes.
New York City-based Jeff Stier is a Senior Fellow at the National Center for
Public Policy Research in Washington, D.C., and heads its Risk Analysis
Division. Stier is a frequent guest on CNBC, and has addressed health policy
on CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, as well as network newscasts. Stier’s
National Center op-eds have been published in top outlets, including the Los
Angeles Times, the New York Post, Newsday, Forbes, the Washington Examiner
and National Review Online.
The National Center for Public Policy Research, founded in 1982, is a
non-partisan, free-market, independent conservative think-tank. Ninety-four
percent of its support comes from individuals, less than four percent from
foundations, and less than two percent from corporations. It receives over
350,000 individual contributions a year from over 96,000 active recent
contributors.
Some Canadian Officials Worry About Pretending to Smoke
The gateway theory has always been a pet peeve of mine. This story out of Canada takes the whole idea up to the next level. Now they are claiming e-cigarettes without nicotine are also a gateway. To what, exactly I’m not sure.
Worse still, Van Buynder suggested non-nicotine flavoured e-cigarette vaporizers could be a gateway to smoking tobacco.
Flavoured e-cigarettes are clearly aimed at the teenage market and pose a danger to the progress made against smoking cessation.
“It’s going to make children used to holding cigarettes, sucking on cigarettes,” he said. “This is a very retrograde step and a huge risk to our tobacco control programs.”
via Medical health officer calls for e-cigarette ban – South Delta Leader.
I have to say I do agree. These groups have made a lot of progress AGAINST smoking cessation. Interesting Freudian slip there.
Independent eCig Companies, SFATA Not Willing to Cave to EU like TVECA
The TVECA’s move to put their weight behind the EU‘s article 18 addition to the TPD has caused quite a stir among European Vapers. Despite the TVECA’s claims of being the industry’s mouthpiece, a growing number of European e-cigarette companies have released a statement opposing article 18′s inclusion in the overall TPD for very specific reasons.
For the European e-cigarette industry, the specific problem issues within the current text are:
Nicotine limits – as the key scientists in the field of tobacco and e-cigarettes have identified in their 16 January 2014 declaration (attached), a 20mg/ml nicotine content is proven as insufficient for smokers using e-cigarettes as a substitute for cigarettes
Advertising ban – preventing consumers from finding out about products products recognised as safer than cigarettes and the industry from informing them in a responsible manner
Pharmaceutical style product standards – requirements for consistent dosing (same puff always delivers the same amount of nicotine), pharmacokinetic testing, leak free refilling and post-market pharmacovigilance – which appear to be copied from medicinal regulation and are not achievable for the majority of existing products
Refillables – provision to extend ban across EU if three Member States apply a ban
National Governments’ ability to ban cross border sales and maintain status quo to classify e-cigarettes as medicinal products
via Joint declaration of the e-cigarette Industry – the regulation of e-cigarettes « The counterfactual.
Competing industry group SFATA has also issued a statement similar to the one by independent European businesses. That statement is available here.
Italian Vapers to Protest eCig Injustices (Press Release)
I got a copy of this press release in my inbox this morning from some friends over in Italy. They have a protest arranged for this weekend and wanted me to share it to raise awareness.
Download (PDF, 328KB)
And Now for Some Good News, Small Victory for eCigs in Arlington.
It seems that all we read about these days are crazy e-cigarette bans thanks to cities like New York and Chicago. Arlington, Texas decided to maybe think about what they were doing before flat-out banning e-cigarette use in public. This is despite there being some pretty chuckle-worthy questions surrounding e-cigarettes.
District 1 council man Charlie Parker questioned whether illegal substances could be put into e-cigarettes.
“Our research did not lead us into that direction,” Roger Venables, assistant director of community development and planning said.
Police Chief Will Johnson added that the police department has received reports that some people may be using e-cigarettes to smoke “synthetic marijuana.” But to what degree the habit has infiltrated the community is unclear.
via Council backs away from regulating “vaping” | ArlingtonVoice.com.
They also found that robots were not abusing e-cigarettes at higher rates than the rest of the population.
What? A Pro eCig Article in HuffPo? Has the World Gone Mad?
Apparently, the HuffPo has some sort of plea-bargain in place that requires them to occasionally post stuff from the opposing viewpoint. HuffPo has been pretty anti-ecig in the past, but a recent opt-ed writer called out the strange habit of calling for the legalization of marijuana while trying to stuff e-cigarettes into a prohibition box.
Apparently, when the jury is still out on an activity the left supports, like the smoking of wacky-tabaccy, the rule is to ask questions later; when the jury is still out on an activity the left opposes, like the “vaping” of zappy-tabaccy, the rule is to ban immediately and end debate now and forever.
via Smoke and Mirrors | Gregory T. Angelo.
This particular debate was framed as a liberal issue. Sometimes it seems that way, but for me the battle lines are a little bit wavy with there being both stupidity and clarity on both sides of the aisle, but it does seem some of the more publicized moves come from the left side of the aisle as of late.
Big Tobacco Spends Big on Smokeless Marketing
NACS, the industry group for convenience stores posted some interest points on a study that was conduced on Big Tobacco advertising. Interestingly, it seems that tobacco companies are still pouring more resources into snus using old-fashioned mailing campaigns. Of course e-cigarette advertising is still far more high profile.
The greatest spend was on snus advertising with more than $9.6 million. Camel Snus was the most heavily advertised product among this group. Direct mail, most of which included promotional coupons, was the primary advertising channel for snus-related promotions.
E-cigarette ads were the most widely circulated; with the products primarily advertised through print, and television (television is a medium off- limits to advertisements for traditional tobacco products). Although there were a higher number of unique ads for smokeless products as compared to e-cigarettes, e-cigarette ads had the highest number of observations.
via Tobacco Concentrates on Promoting Non-Combustible Products | NACS Online – News & Media Center – News Archive.
I guess this goes to show that TV advertising still can’t be beat for getting eyeballs on products. You’d think since Big Tobacco is pressing for harsh e-cigarette regulations, they’d get as much TV airtime as possible before that happens.
E-Cigarettes: What Prohibitionists Don’t Know Could Hurt You
You know what we haven’t seen in a while? A good old-fashioned hit piece on e-cigarettes based on the 2009 FDA propaganda. Most prohibitionists have moved on to much more vague issues like gateways and flavors, and now celebrities. But, not apparently in Oklahoma. They like to keep things real. Real stupid that is.
One study found cancer-causing compounds in some e-cigarette cartridges, including diethylene glycol—a toxic chemical used in antifreeze.
“Nicotine is used by doctors in patches and gum to help ease smokers into quitting,” she said. “But patches and gum are also low-profile. No one knows you’re using them. E-cigarettes, which often look just like real cigarettes, are fighting the hard-won stigma against tobacco use.”
E-cigarettes aren’t used solely as a tobacco-cessation aid but are marketed as a cool new product for everyone, Chakravarty said.
via E-Cigarettes: What you don’t know could hurt you | KFOR.com.
That’s just one of the highlights there. Their guest prohibitionist was all over the map with everything from nicotine can increase cholesterol to users vaporizing too much nicotine. It’s apparently the throw it all against the wall and see what sticks method.
eCig Company's Resistance to Big T Gone from Plucky to Creepy
There has been an ongoing battle between RJ Reynolds and a tiny e-cigarette company out of Colorado. The Tobacco maker claims the company is infringing on the Marlboro brand. Most e-cigarette companies when faced with these challenges may put out a snarky press release or two, but then acquiesce out of fear of being squashed like a bug. Not Addison, who’s been defiant for the past year or so. Now it’s gone a little past defiant.
The Reynolds complaint said that Addison is wasting court time with “incomprehensible, nonsensical and irrelevant documents” and creating additional unnecessary expenses to manage his mailings, emails and phone calls.
For example, in an email sent Dec. 19 to Bryner and entered as a court document, Addison said, “Have you noticed yet that I am genuinely enjoying this? It really has been more than fun, buddy, so much so that this little project has now become my new obsession.”
“If you had bothered to do any research on me before your thoroughly documented strategic error, you would have noticed it is impossible to find an example of me quitting anything once my teeth were ‘buried in the reward.’ ” He signed the email, “see you soon, love, Chance.”
via Judge orders maker of e-cigs to stop harassing law firm – Winston-Salem Journal: Local Business.
You have to admire someone who wants to stand up to Big Tobacco. But, at some point, you realize there’s indeed a fine line between rebellious and certifiable.
TVECA Welcomes its European Overlords
Despite fervent opposition to the EU’s latest iteration of the TPD, one industry group stands out from the crowd. Despite a set of rules that would seriously limit the innovation of e-cigarettes in the EU market, the TVCA has, with some minor exceptions, thrown their full support behind the rather unfriendly set of new rules.
However, TVECA, also on behalf of the national associations (CACE, VdeH, SEEHT, ANAFE, Ecigbond, STEP, and ANCE) as representatives of the majority of the European electronic cigarettes industry appreciate that compromise is necessary, and we would like to express our full support to regulating electronic cigarettes within the framework of the TPD while we will continue to strive for achieving improvements of the regulatory requirements where possible. Our joint efforts should now be directed to ensure harmonised and consistent implementation of the Directive, its provisions and standards in all Member States to ensure fair treatment, foster a competitive environment and give European smokers every opportunity to change to a less harmful alternative if they choose to do so.
via Confused e-cigarette trade association supports e-cigarette regulation it opposes « The counterfactual.
The TVECA did come out against some of the more onerous rules, but in general was more than happy to get behind a set of regulations that will likely benefit its member merchants over public health and consumer freedom. Then again, it’s not like this is a radical departure in the TVECA’s worldview.
Taiwan: Authorities Claim e-Cigarette Laced with Meth
Authorities in Taiwan are on alert for e-cigarettes being imported into that country. Importing e-cigarettes is already forbidden there, but residents often purchase and import products directly from China. In one case, police apparently found one e-cigarette contained more than nicotine.
According to the Chinese-language United Daily News, police tested an e-cigarette being smoked in Taipei after being alerted to its smell and found that it contained methamphetamine, a Category 2 narcotic specified by the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (毒品危害防制條例).
The man, surnamed Wen (溫), denied that he was knowingly using the drug and was quoted in the report as telling the police that he purchased the “green-apple-flavored” e-cigarettes on a Chinese shopping Web site earlier this month, because he wanted to kick his smoking habit.
He found his urge for cigarettes decreased, along with acquiring an increased alertness, after using the device for a week.
via ‘E-cig team’ to target drug contamination – Taipei Times.
I have no idea how to verify the merits of such a claim. However, it does point out the dangers of banning something useful. A black market will emerge, and sometimes bad things happen in black markets.
Quebec Smoking Decline Flattens. Better Dismiss Thing that can Fix it
Quebec released a statement on smoking and cancer rates on the heels of the US Surgeon General’s report . The Quebec Council for Tobacco and Health stated that the decline of smoking has slowed to a halt while cancer goes up. Yet a product has come on the market that has great potential to get the world’s quit rates over their plateau.
Electronic cigarettes are touted as a less-offensive, lower nicotine alternative to cigarette smoking. But unlike cigarettes, they are allowed in bars and restaurants. And rather than being used as a way to kick a smoking habit, analysts worry it could be an avenue into developing one.
via E-cigarettes, cancer rates concern tobacco opponents – Montreal | Globalnews.ca.
First of all, the gateway thing is just as asinine as always. But, why has it not occurred to these dolts that the one way to prevent this boogeyman they invented can be vanquished simply be embracing e-cigarettes. The only reason someone might start vaping then drop it for smoking is because “experts” denounce e-cigarettes.
Cut the Vapers a Break, Already
From Massachusetts, land of the vaping bans comes this interesting op-ed piece. In the piece the author questions the wisdom of applying the social banishment smokers suffer to those who are using e-cigarettes instead. The central question being is this really based on public health or zealotry.
It’s also indisputably true that e-cigarettes are less dangerous than tobacco cigarettes. Public health advocates should care about scientific truth. Only zealots find the truth to be dangerous.
The zealots wrap their opposition in concern for the children, of course. Teenagers will get hooked on e-cigarettes, they warn, then go on to the real thing. Why they would assume kids would switch to a nicotine delivery system that costs eight times as much as the e-cigarette cartridges is hard to say, but we really don’t know what will happen when e-cig use becomes widespread.
via E-cigarettes: savior or menace? – Wareham, MA – Wicked Local Wareham.
It seems to me whenever you use kids as a human shield, you just don’t have a real argument to support your worldview.
Legacy Easing up on eCigs? That Can't be Right
NPR ran a story on the current Surgeon General’s Report on smoking which is a reboot of the original 1964 report and now links smoking to a huge swath of new maladies. The report also has a section on harm reduction, largely penned by Legacy, a staunch prohibitionist group.
Abrams helped write the report’s last chapter on “the changing landscape of tobacco control.” He works for Legacy for Health, an anti-tobacco group set up as part of a 1998 legal settlement with the tobacco industry.
Abrams thinks e-cigarettes could help wean millions away from cigarettes. “For the first time in a century,” he says, “we have an appealing alternative way to give addicted current smokers a satisfying way to give up their combusted products.”
He calls this a harm-reduction strategy that would be a big change from the total-abstinence approach of current tobacco control efforts. It’s sort of like condoms or clean-needle exchanges to prevent HIV infection.
via Surgeon General Adds New Risks To Long List Of Smoking’s Harms : Shots – Health News : NPR.
I kept waiting to see the punch line to this, but there wasn’t one. I’m pretty sure Legacy has no intention of endorsing e-cigarettes as they stand, all not handed over to their Big Pharma buddies and all. Fortunately, we can count on the CDC to hold the line as Frieden reiterated his grave concerns.
Why this Poor Sap Won't Vape in His Own House
Here’s a story that I simply can’t figure out how I feel about it. It comes to us from Digital Trends and is an op-ed piece about how the author’s fiance guilted him into a self-imposed vaping ban. On the one hand, you can’t really argue with what a private person does. That’s the job of the prohibitionists. On the other hand, I think the level of caution is unwarranted as it seems like he’s bought into the “not enough science” rhetoric.
Trouble is, that’s true. I know that I feel a bazillion times better using e-cigarettes than I did when I smoked. I know that my doctor smiled approvingly when I told her I vape. I know that I can run up a hill faster than Jennifer – and she does freakin’ yoga. What nobody knows, however, is what the long-term effects of vaping will be. The number of studies is too few, and the technology has existed for too short a time for the medical and scientific communities to say definitely, “Andrew Couts, you are right about the safety of e-cigarettes, and Jennifer is totally wrong. She should be embarrassed for making a big deal about this.” Or, you know, the other way around.
via E-Cigarettes Are Banned … In My House – And That’s The Right Thing | Digital Trends.
I guess the question is at what point do you decide there is enough information out there? It doesn’t seem like some people will ever be convinced.
Don't Worry, Prohibitionists Say that about Everything
I ran across this article, which admittedly only mentions e-cigarettes in the title. It’s an article out of India that’s about this clinic that claims to get people to quit smoking by sending small jolts of electricity to their ear. Sort of like e-acupuncture I suppose. The reason I’m even bothering to mention this is the striking similarity to e-cigarette articles.
Independent medical experts, however, are sceptical as there has been no “randomised control trial” to gauge the efficacy of electro-auriculotherapy and its possible side effects. “Even though the current used is very small, it is given quite close to the head and we are not aware of the potential harms it can cause. The physiology and neurology of the process need to be studied,” says Dr Surendra Shastri, who heads the de-addiction clinic at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital.
via Moving from e-cigarettes to e-currents – The Times of India.
Wow, that sure sounds familiar doesn’t it? The only difference is, as far as I can tell, there isn’t much in the way of studies about shocking yourself in the ear to quit smoking. Still, I suppose old habits die hard in the prohibition set.
More People Recognize Busybody Nature of Prohibitionists
An opinion piece in the Hill took the senators who blasted e-cigarettes at the Golden Globes to task. It seems that the moves of the prohibitionist camp are becoming more and more bizarre to observers. Some (like the author) even go far as comparing these people to fascists.
Every one of these people is a winner. Society is a winner. Even the budget is a winner, because e-cigs lower healthcare spending compared to cigarettes. To those who criticize Louis-Dreyfus, I say, give me a break. Get lost. There is an attitude of some on the anti-smoking side that moves beyond health protection, and even beyond the nanny-state mentality.
There is a kind of crypto-fascism in some of these folks. They want to stop the behavior of others even if it does not affect them. On these matters, I am a libertarian. If you want to smoke an e-cig, go for it. And for those who don’t like it, don’t smoke them.
via The e-cigarette-denouncing, nanny, anti-smoking, crypto-fascist anti-libertarians | TheHill.
It won’t be long until someone invokes Godwin’s Law in a major media outlet.
Deal of the Moment
BOGO eGo and EVOD Kits at Apollo
Apollo is blowing out their holiday eGo kits. Now through the end of the month, you can get two of the special holiday eGo or EVOD kit