Winning Hearts and Minds
Powerful pro-vaping words are being written if you can peer through the acres of misinformed coverage of dubious research.
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by Dave Cross
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Vapers feel a sense of detachment and frustration when faced with news such as the recent formaldehyde debacle. Although not related to electronic cigarettes, the interview given by Lord Monkton demonstrates how weaving half-truths and outright lies makes for a compelling argument for those who want to hear the message:
How can it be possible for individuals to totally misrepresent the science and how can we get the facts about vaping over to the public and decision makers? A solution could be for vapers to drip feed the media positive news stories.
Nick Green, writing in the Guardian, told his tale of how electronic cigarettes changed his life. He recalled how, in 2009, the vape community was a small collection of excited individuals who knew they were at the vanguard of something new with the potential to save millions of lives.
Nick said that it is the “sense of camaraderie is what I believe keep us strong in the face of relentless attacks from the mainstream media, as well as government bodies like the FDA and World Health Organisation.”
His message was something that all vapers can relate to. “If I could stress one thing to anyone, it would be the incredibly important point that e-cigarette use is not about being 100% safe and harmless; it is about harm reduction. It's about being safer than the alternative. It's actually comparable to clicking on a seat belt when you get in the car. For former smokers, it's about feeling better about yourself, not smelling like an ashtray, and being excited about not using tobacco,” he added.
Writing an honest and open account in the paper is a method of communication that has been continued by Stephanie Rafanelli. “How e-cigarettes changed my life,” proclaims the headline.
Stephanie tells a familiar story of repeated failed attempts to give up smoking, with nicotine and the physical act of using a cigarette causing her to relapse. “Then, in 2010, came the electric light bulb moment - quite literally. On a trip to New York, I was given an early version of the e-cigarette.”
She cited Sarah Wollaston, a GP and Conservative MP for Totnes, who challenged public health officials' advice that people trying to stop smoking should stick to patches and gum, instead of e-cigarettes. "I think they are a very important addition to the armoury; we have patches and nicotine tablets but they don't suit everybody. If there is a product out there that for some people is going to be better for them, I don't think we should turn our backs on that."
It’s been a while since these types of stories have featured in the press, maybe you could weave your yarn?
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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