[FONT="]New products, especially ones which have the potential to attract customers away from powerful, established providers, usually generate a certain amount of controversy, whether justified or not. Electronic cigarettes will seriously affect the profits of both the tobacco and pharmaceutical manufacturers, along with the “public health” groups these industries fund, and the politicians who have come to depend on their contributions before the next election.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The introduction of a safe, smokeless and economical replacement for traditional cigarettes is more than just great news for consumers. It is the answer to many prayers, with a reported 70% success rate helping cigarette smokers quit. It will save many millions of lives over the next several decades, greatly reduce the incidence of smoking-related house fires, suffering and disease, and lessen the burden of healthcare costs for families, employers, insurance companies, and related state and federal government programs.[/FONT]
[FONT="]But again, the many benefits made possible by the smokeless electronic cigarette will threaten the profits of other powerful healthcare related groups. Fewer sick and dying Americans mean fewer medical bills paid to doctors, hospitals, and fewer grants to medical research facilities. And it will mean fewer donations to certain politicians and “public health” advocacy groups. Ex-smokers living longer will also mean that they will receive company pensions and social security over a longer period of time. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Will the costs outweigh the savings? Is that a question that can be answered, or even that we dare ask ourselves?[/FONT]
[FONT="]The introduction of a safe, smokeless and economical replacement for traditional cigarettes is more than just great news for consumers. It is the answer to many prayers, with a reported 70% success rate helping cigarette smokers quit. It will save many millions of lives over the next several decades, greatly reduce the incidence of smoking-related house fires, suffering and disease, and lessen the burden of healthcare costs for families, employers, insurance companies, and related state and federal government programs.[/FONT]
[FONT="]But again, the many benefits made possible by the smokeless electronic cigarette will threaten the profits of other powerful healthcare related groups. Fewer sick and dying Americans mean fewer medical bills paid to doctors, hospitals, and fewer grants to medical research facilities. And it will mean fewer donations to certain politicians and “public health” advocacy groups. Ex-smokers living longer will also mean that they will receive company pensions and social security over a longer period of time. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Will the costs outweigh the savings? Is that a question that can be answered, or even that we dare ask ourselves?[/FONT]
