Clearly now that the Tobacco Industry
has embraced this product, we can
assume that they see it as the stopgap
for the decreasing numbers of smokers
now fascinated by the new tech toy
that delivers nicotine. It keeps the
gestures of the addiction to smoking
firmly in place. It encourages the
perpetuation of the habit.
Almost no regulation of the nicotine-
based product is in place; yet numerous
big cities (Boston, Chicago, New York,
L.A., etc.) have banned public e cig use
in the same manner that tobacco
products are banned. Many towns
across the western world are following
suit. Yet the companies and advocates
who are promoting e cigs are quick to
claim that they must be okay and safe
since over a million people are now
using them.
Is that like guns are safe because
myriads of people shoot them?
There are wild claims that electronic
cigarettes are helping millions of
people to quit smoking. Using screen
stars and rockers to swagger with an
arrogance about the right to use just
seems like a lot of folks are getting
paid off to say all of this is okay. Just
like 40's and 50's cigarette advertising.
Try pressing any doctors who are vocal
e cig proponents, and we may find that
they are also financially invested in
seeing this product succeed; those who
are pushing what some might call
"magical science". It's all part of the
strategy to reframe and re-profitize
"the habit". E cigarette lobbyists are
particularly creepy in their cavalier
proselytizing. Like a Fox News smile.
Those who have argued the benefits
and have attacked my opinion
directly grow eerily silent when I
ask them which e cigarette company
they work for. I look forward to the
day when I am invited to hold forth
with my point of view on a world
stage; but I doubt the Industry has
the stomach for that sort of
embarrassment.
It's knowing that something's toxic,
but seeing the fast money that stands
to be made.
In my research, which includes very
little magical thinking, most of the
electronic cigarette users I've spoken
with also smoke tobacco...and are very
touchy about being asked about this.
It's a 20 something hipster thing; yet
many flavors appeal to teens and
tweens. They discuss the "hipness"
of the particular style, color and form
of their e cigarettes and proclaim the
product's safety, having not really
researched it at all. Like their IPhone
or Android, it's part of their "Tech
Collection". They don't want to
hear what's wrong with the picture.
hear what's wrong with the picture.
I have a new name for an e cigarette
brand. IMMORAL.
Because it's not about the truth; it's
about telling you what you want to
hear...because when it comes to
smoking, people are desperate to
believe anything. We're safe!
Like I said...organic carrots, honey
roasted peanuts, pistachios, crackers
and cheese...break the bond...
After all...candy cigarettes ARE
what all my buddies and I started on.
what all my buddies and I started on.
Now go outside and take a deep
breath of fresh spring air...
repeat as necessary...
