No Smoking Day Busting Ecig Myths
A surge of support for ecigs displayed on the lead up to March 9th helps smokers make informed choices.
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by Dave Cross
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“So, it has come to this. A public health agency in our largest state is pursuing a course that will discourage its own citizens from using an effective means to stop smoking, while enriching itself on tobacco tax revenue, and being cheered on by mindless zealots,” said Michael D. Shaw when writing about the forthcoming Billion Lives film on HealthNewsDigest.
It’s not just some burghers of California waging a campaign of disinformation. We’ve grown accustomed to seeing the outpourings of inanity and disingenuous nonsense from people like Martin McKee – to the extent that people might wonder if he would prefer smokers remained with cigarettes and the related poisons.
This isn’t the case in a recent Guardian article where they asked the salient question: “Does a tobacco-free world need to be nicotine free?” Not only does the author amplify the fact that even without data, the absence of tobacco in electronic cigarettes means they are safer than the traditional alternative. Added to that, and flying in the face of hysterical coverage elsewhere, the paper points out that although nicotine is toxic, “deaths from nicotine are very rare.”
While it goes on to cast light onto the daft practises of some councils and organisations treating vaping like smoking and compelling vapers to stand outside with smokers, such actions stand in contrast with the laudable action taken by Bristol City Council.
While speaking about the push the council would be making for the day, Fiona Hance, Bristol’s assistant mayor, pointed out: “E-cigarettes are a much better option than smoking tobacco – and they can be an effective quitting tool. E-cigarettes still provide nicotine, which is what people smoke for, but without the damaging tar, toxic substances and carbon monoxide, which cause the serious health problems.”
The council and the Bristol Post tackled some of the rumours and myths surrounding vaping head on. Under a section labeled “E-cig myths busted” they countered claims that vaping normalises smoking, acts as a gateway for non-smokers, is as damaging as cigarettes or offer high risks of blowing up.
It all boils down to how the Guardian finishes its piece: “Meanwhile the vaping community, somewhat disillusioned by the academic spats that have sometimes spilled over in to the media, are continuing to vape, and seemingly to quit smoking. And good luck to them!”
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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