[ Just paste broken links shown in purple directly into your browser - the extra line doesn't matter. Pls. PM me if you have more recent info. about proposed/actual legislation, if you think I've missed an important story, or if you want more tweaks to the formatting program. ]
At the end of a very busy U.S. legislative week at the state and local level (especially in California municipalies), the action here both in the states and world-wide has suddenly shifted to the science surrounding vaping by minors. A controversial study just released by tobacco Control researchers Dutra & Glantz concludes thatvaping is "aggravating rather than ameliorating the tobacco epidemic among youths."
For all practical purposes, the authors claim that vaping is a gateway to tobacco burning for minors.
At the end of this post, I'll list (and partly review) three types of responses: (a) critical analyses, which are also listed in the first section; (b) critical coverage by the mainstream media; and (c) coverage by the mainstream media which assumes that the authors' conclusions are legitimately based on the data.
Readers should also be aware that the context has shifted in the US, insofar as virtually every mainstream media story appears to assume that minors are being explictly targeted by the vaping industry with both advertising and options provided to consumers.
In other related developments, two additional studies were released this week by the Tobacco Control Industry (see first section).
Coverage: France, US States: NY, NH, NM, WA
Also: Gary Cox on the role of vaping lounges and a genuinely despicable opinion in UK's HuffPo which makes the case that smokers (and by extension, vapers) pose a realistic threat to the physical health of others by their mere presence in close proximity, even if no vaping or smoking is ocurring.
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BLOGS, STUDIES, ETC.
Title: Conclusion of New Glantz Study on Electronic Cigarettes is Junk Science [also listed below for convenience]
(Dr. Siegel's Blog) http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/03/conclusion-of-new-glantz-study-on.html
Link to Glantz's study included
Title: Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway 'study' [also listed below for convenience]
(C.V. Phillips' blog) Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway “study” | Anti-THR Lies and related topics
Title: UCSF Study Falsely Links E-Cigarettes to Smoking [also listed below for convenience]
(Dr. Rodu's blog) http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com/2014/03/ucsf-study-falsely-links-e-cigarettes.html
Title: Philly Gets Vape Lounge
(ECF's InfoZone) Philly Gets Vape Lounge - ECF InfoZone
Gary Cox describes the critical role of vape lounges in the vaping community.
Title: Impact of tobacco outlet density and proximity on smoking cessation: A longitudinal observational study in two English cities
(UK Med. Jrnl Health & Place) http://www.sciencedirect
.com/science/article/pii/S1353829214000100
Not surprisingly, this study found a small difference between the (negligible) quit rates of a very small number (611) of analog smokers who lived in two different cities with distinct average distances to outlets that sell cigarettes (Bristol and Birmingham). The key observation here for vapers is this: once governments shut down internet sales to require face-to-face transactions in order to allegedly protect minors, and once vaping supplies can only be offered for sale in B&M stores that sell tobacco cigarettes, then regulators may seek to gradually reduce the number of such outlets.
Title: "Smoking Revolution" - A Content Analysis of Electronic Cigarette Retail Websites
(American Journal of Preventive Medicine) http://www.ajpmonline
.org/webfiles/images/journals/amepre/AMEPRE_3992-with_embargo_stamp.pdf
Search engine results were used to catalog claims made by web sites that sell PVs. This will be used along with another recent Legacy Foundation study when the US Congress considers whether to ban intenet sales of PVs and e-liquid (ostensibly to protect minors, but other justifications will doubtless be used): http://www.ncbi
.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24532710?dopt=Abstract
Note entry in Glant'z blog: http://www.tobacco
.ucsf.edu/grana-and-ling-e-cigs-being-promoted-unsupported-health-claims
***
WORLD
Title: Why Smokers Must Be Shamed
(HuffPo UK, but effectively world) http://www.huffingtonpost
.co.uk/jemma-wayne/smoking-ban-uk-_b_4895623.html
This is an absolutely brilliant piece of propaganda. Read the last paragraph closely: it argues that smokers truly are lepers (and this includes vapers, since the writer lumps us together). In particular, smokers (including vapers) expose everyone else to physical danger merely by coming into contact with them, long after any vaping and/or smoking has ceased. The trick here is that both smokers and vapers have THS (third-hand smoke) on their clothes and persons, and therefore all others who come into contact with smokers and vapers are physically endangered.
***
FRANCE
Title: E-cigarettes factor in smoking decline
(Blu's Tobacco Industry Amagam site) http://www.tobaccoreporter
.com/2014/03/e-cigarettes-factor-in-smoking-decline/
French analog sales down 7% in 2013 according to gov't monitoring agency, overall tobacco product sales down. But PV sales are growing (no statistics cited).
***
US NATIONAL
Title: U.S. e-cigarette sales up 31.3 percent
(Blu's Tobacco Industry Amagam site) http://www.tobaccoreporter
.com/2014/03/us-e-cigarette-sales-up-31-3-per-cent/
Brief junk-free report indicates that Logic is still #2 in the US all-in-one ("cigAlike") market with about 20%, after NJOY.
Title: Are e-cigarettes a tobacco product? L.A. regulation called 'short-sighted.'
(US Nat'l paper) http://www.csmonitor
.com/USA/2014/0305/Are-e-cigarettes-a-tobacco-product-L.A.-regulation-called-short-sighted.-video
The carefully-chosen attention to statistics involving minor vaping in this piece is noteworthy, if only because it came out before today's JAMA study. Clearly the argument that vaping will create a whole new generation of tobacco smokers was an integral part of Tuesday's decision in LA. It appears that the reporter has carefully studied her Tobacco Control press release.
---
US: NEW YORK
Title: Teens and e-cigarettes
(Rochester NY US NBC affiliate) http://www.whec
.com/article/stories/s3352283.shtml
I was expecting the standard NBC coverage of the JAMA artice, but apparently this affiliate decided to put their own unique stamp on it. It doesn't contain the interview clip with Dutra that all the other NBC affiliate stories do, instead it simply repeats the gateway allegation, citing the study. The emphasis seems to be about equally on the possibility that minors are using vaping equipment as a delivery system for illegal drugs, although none in particular is referenced. This otherwise-boilerplate story contains few facts other than the CDC minor junk, and features an interview with a local HS principal, who warns parents to be "very concerned."
[ NY has a vaping=smoking bill indoor ban now in the legislature. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-e-cigs-contain-tobacco-all-workplaces.html also tax bill: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-tax-e-cig-cartridges-75-wholesale-price.html ]
---
US: NEW HAMPSHIRE
Title: Are regulations necessary for e-cigarettes?
(Manchester NH US bus. paper) http://www.nhbr
.com/March-7-2014/Are-regulations-necessary-for-e-cigarettes/
This is a refreshingly balanced piece, which contains very little of the usual junk, other than citations to ANTZ who insist that nothing of consequence is known about vaping. Features a local vape store owner who appears to be very proactive when it comes to educating the surrounding community. Good for him!
[ NH passed a simple minor sales ban in 2010. If you know of any legislation pending during this session, please PM me. ]
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US: NEW MEXICO
Title: Santa Fe makes a bold move on e-cigarettes
(SF NM US local paper) http://www.abqjournal
.com/364063/north/santa-fe-makes-a-bold-move-on-e-cigarettes.html
As readers of this space know, Santa Fe ammended its clean air act on the 13th of last month to define vaping as smoking both indoors and outdoors. This piece is a near-perfect classic professionally-done ANTZ hit job piece written by the Exec. Dir. of GASP. The only thing missing is "THV" (third-hand vapor). Sadly, there appeas to be only one comment - and that seems to be supportive of the piece. It's possible that this article was placed because NM currently only has a simple minor sales ban in the legislature, and has not yet began to tax vaping or define vaping as smoking for purposes of its statewide indoor clean air act.
[ NM's HB15 is out of the house, and ready for the sen. CASAA supports: CASAA: Call to Action New Mexico: URGENT! Support HB 15 Ban on Sales to Minors as Introduced with no Amendments ]
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US: WASHINGTON (STATE)
Title: Editorial: Put heat on e-cigarettes and ‘vaping'
(Seattle WA US local paper) http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2023067176_editecigarettesxml
.html
This dreadful Seattle Times editorial presumes that vaping is being marketed to children (okay, not a big surprise), and mentions that 12% of H.S. seniors in King County smoked tobacco cigarettes, while 5% vaped. Ergo: "A national prevention strategy is badly needed, to combat marketing such as the sexy e-cigarette ad in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition." (Catch the logic there - more than twice as many H.S. seniors smoke, but the problem is vaping advertising??) Editorial goes on to say that vaping should be taxed because: "Adults claim e-cigarettes are healthier than cigarettes, and should get a tax break. That’s like arguing a cheeseburger is more healthful than a double cheeseburger. As long as taxpayers are helping pay the tab for an addictive vice, users should pay for the sin." In other words, vapers are adding to public health costs, and would be getting a tax break if they didn't have to pay additional taxes. (Especially those who have stopped smoking.) This piece deserves some e-mail from Seattle-area vapers.
[ Washington's HB 2795 has been incorporated into the budget, will impose a 95% tax. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-cigs-95-referred-senate-ways-means-cmte.html and CASAA: Call to Action! Washington Bill to Impose Excessive 95% Tax on E-Cigarettes text of 2795: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House Bills/2795.pdf ]
Title: E-Cigarettes Bring Heavy Breathing to Statehouse - House D Tax Proposal Would Nearly Double the Cost
(Ind. WA US political blog site) http://washingtonstatewire
.com/blog/e-cigarettes-bring-heavy-breathing-to-statehouse-house-d-tax-proposal-would-nearly-double-the-cost/
I have no idea who Erik Smith is, but this site appears to basically be his blog, dressed up as a legitimate political 'zine. That said, he's clearly not a vaper, and it was downright delightful - for once - to read a piece replete with fresh, elegantly-edgy novelty. The writer is also fairly good with his facts, although apparently something short of an expert (since he doesn't seem to understand how FDA regulation might work in this context). 100% junk-free non-partisan insight into the situation in WA's state legislature features extensive comments by vapers (no ANTZ were interviewed). Your humble correspondent sometimes slogs through as many as 1K "news" stories in a week, most churned out by allegedly-professional journalists who possess the brains of a small rodent, the originality of a Big Mac, and the education level of a street-level dealer. Very rarely does he venture upon something that's genuinely original, largerly nonpartisan, and well-written to boot. Who knows, perhaps we'll see Erik Smith's byline in a national publication at some point in the not-too-distant future.
Title: The great e-cig debate
(Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA US) http://www.fhcrc
.org/en/news/center-news/2014/03/the-great-e-cig-debate.html
Not much of a "debate," it seems. I was looking for some substantial junk in this story, and was surprised to find that many of the usual suspects (e.g. FDA '09 or the "nanoparticles" canard) were omitted. I was also initially going to throw this into one of the two categories below, when I saw the Dutra/Glantz JAMA study referenced. However it turns out that the only "debate" is between one ANTZ and another, despite a citation suggesting that vaping is safer than smoking (this is never asserted in a simple declaratory sentence). After making my way thorugh several paragraphs of "fears, concerns and unknowns" which should be familiar to any cub reporter, I came across a conclusion that surprised me nary a whit: "The bottom line? Both Bricker and Manders suggest sticking with tested methods to kick the smoking habit - and to rely on science, even if it’s slow in coming. Now that's what I call a debate. (At least they want smokers to play it "safe," by continuing to smoke, if none of the FDA-approved methods work for them.)
***
COLLECTION: JAMA PAPER BY DUTRA & GLANTZ
As many of you already know, a second "study" was published this week in the Journal of the American Medical ...'n's Pediatrics collection. Pre-existing CDC data from 2011 and 2012 was re-analyzed to try to ascertain whether there is any "gateway effect" for minors between PVs and analog smoking.
This is going to be all over the news for a long time, and may have a staying power cooparable to FDA '09. For the nonce, I'm collecting articles in three categories: (a) alalytical critiques that take it apart; (b) thoughtful pieces; and (c) brain-dead parroting.
I'll begin by listing this UPI story:
Title: E-cigarettes not discouraging use of conventional cigarettes
(United Press Int'l) http://www.upi
.com/Health_News/2014/03/06/E-cigarettes-not-discouraging-use-of-conventional-cigarettes/UPI-75791394143332/
I'm putting this one up front as an example of a piece that straddles the line between a somewhat skeptical job of describing the study as compared with the far more common articles that imply or assume or explicitly state that there's a causal link between minors who smoke regularly, and those whose first exposure to nicotine was in the form of vaping. This UPI piece contains a sentence which is similar to one that you'll find in many stories written in the last 2-3 weeks or so, since we seem to now be in an environment in which it's presumed that vaping is intentionally being marketed to children: "However, e-cigarettes are sold in flavors such as strawberry, licorice and chocolate that appeal to young people." This story ends with the disclaimer that Glantz & Dutra included regarding the lack of causality in the data (despite the fact that there are other places in the paper in which they appear to contradict themselves ... also see the video snippet that NBC affiliates as well as national NBC seem to be using from Dutra below in the "brain dead" subsection.)
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JAMA PAPER: TAKING IT APART (CRITICAL ANALYSES)
Title: Conclusion of New Glantz Study on Electronic Cigarettes is Junk Science [also listed above for convenience]
(Dr. Siegel's Blog) http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/03/conclusion-of-new-glantz-study-on.html
Link to JAMA paper included
Title: Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway 'study' [also listed above for convenience]
(C.V. Phillips' blog) Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway “study” | Anti-THR Lies and related topics
Title: UCSF Study Falsely Links E-Cigarettes to Smoking [also listed below for convenience]
(Dr. Rodu's blog) http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot
.com/2014/03/ucsf-study-falsely-links-e-cigarettes.html
Title: The Moral Panic Over E-Cigarettes Intensifies
(US Nat'l news web site) http://www.slate
.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/05/e_cigarettes_are_all_the_rage_with_kids_these_days_what_else_to_do_but_panic.html
Another no-holds-barred critical look at yesterday's NYT article concerning "vape pens," and "e-hookahs" etc.
Title: E-Cigarettes Are Bad Because They Look Like Cigarettes; E-Hookahs Are Worse Because They Don't
(US Nat'l Business) http://www.forbes
.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/03/05/e-cigarettes-are-bad-because-they-look-like-cigarettes-e-hookahs-are-worse-because-they-dont/
Another fun piece by Jacob Sullen, makes fun of the internal inconsistencies in the ANTZ arguments. Also pubished here, under another title: Title: If Smokers Vape, Does That Prove Vaping Causes Smoking? - Hit & Run : Reason.com
http://reason
.com/blog/2014/03/06/is-smokers-vape-does-that-prove-vaping-c
---
JAMA PAPER: SOMEWHAT THOUGHTFUL (I.E. LESS THAN 100% CREDULOUS) REPORING
Title: E-Cigarettes May Encourage Use of Conventional Cigarettes Among Teens
(NEJM Journal Watch - US) http://www.jwatch
.org/fw108567/2014/03/07/e-cigarettes-may-encourage-use-conventional-cigarettes#sthash.Me90f3Ff.dpuf
Noteworthy mainly because of the source. Very short piece quotes Dutra/Glantz as saying that vaping is an "aggravating" factor in teen analog smoking, but then cites Abrams' quote in the NYT (below).
Title: Young Using E-Cigarettes Smoke Too, Study Finds
(US Nat'l Paper) http://www.nytimes
.com/2014/03/07/health/young-users-of-e-cigarettes-less-likely-to-quit-smoking-study-finds.html?_r=0
Remarkably skeptical coverage, but note that the author is Sabrina Tavernise, who also did the Sunday Times piece a couple of weeks ago w/ Siegel and Glantz. Note that there are other syndicated copies floating around, but I haven't bothered to collect them. Just look for Sabrina Tavernise as the author. Note that some local papers, such as The Columbus (OH) Dispatch have put misleading titles on this piece (e.g.: "E-cigarettes lead young folks to the real thing").
Title: Should E-Cigarettes Be Regulated? Study Finds Teens That Use E-Cigs Likely To Smoke, But Can't Prove Gateway Theory
(Int'l Bus. web site) http://www.ibtimes
.com/should-e-cigarettes-be-regulated-study-finds-teens-use-e-cigs-likely-smoke-cant-prove-gateway-theory
This is a very well-written piece. I was so impressed that I added this site into my large collection of news bookmarks.
Title: U.S. teens' e-cigarette use associated with smoking: study
(Reuters) http://www.reuters
.com/article/2014/03/06/us-ecigs-smoking-study-idUSBREA251JX20140306 http://news.yahoo
.com/u-teens-e-cigarette-associated-smoking-study-160959434--sector.html
At least this piece cites Dr. Siegel.
Title: Researchers claim electronic cigarettes "gateway" to real smoking but experts unsure
(CBS Nat'l) http://www.cbsnews
.com/news/researchers-claim-electronic-cigarettes-gateway-to-real-smoking-but-experts-unsure/
Also quotes Dr. Siegel. Here's an unexpected surprise: "'The data in this study do not allow many of the broad conclusions that it draws,' [said] Thomas J. Glynn, a researcher at the American Cancer Society." [boldface added]
Title: E-Cigarette Use Doubles Among U.S. Teens -- But What's The Connection With Cigarette Smoking?
(US Nat'l news site) http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/2014/03/06/e-cigarette-use-teens_n_4908986.html?utm_hp_ref=chicago&ir=Chicago
And again, the cause-and-effect relationship in this study is questioned: "David Abrams, Ph.D., the executive director of the Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at the anti-smoking advocacy group Legacy, disputes Dutra's conclusion and says the study doesn't hold up.[para. break omitted] 'We need balance and the rationality of science to dominate over biased ideology,' Abrams said to The Huffington Post. 'There is absolutely no evidence that using e-cigarettes makes [teens] more likely to use cigarettes.'"
Title: E-cigarettes 'do not discourage, and may encourage' young people's smoking
(UK Nat'l Paper) http://www.independent
.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/ecigarettes-do-not-discourage-and-may-encourage-young-peoples-smoking-9174532.html
---
JAMA PAPER: UNCRITICAL COVERAGE [THE NEW DOMINANT NARRATIVE]
A quick comparison of the press release and some of these articles indicates that a few of these reporters simply paraphrased (or in some cases just copied over) relevant sentences and in other cases entire paragraphs:
Title: Original Press Release
(Glantz's blog) http://www.tobacco
.ucsf.edu/us-kids-who-use-e-cigs-more-likely-progress-experimentation-established-smoking-less-likely-quit-smo
Title: [LEAD AUTHOR:] Doctor "Concerned" By Rising Use of E-Cigarettes Among Teens
(LA CA US NBC affiliate) http://www.nbclosangeles
.com/news/local/E-Cigarettes-Electronic-Tobacco-Smoking-Vaping-Teens-Health-School-Students-248928061.html
The lead author herself, caught on camera, making the cause-and-effect suggestion, without directly saying so. (see video starting at 1:03): "We also saw that the kids who had used e-cigarettes were more likely to progress from experimenting with conventional tobacco cigarettes to becoming regular tobacco cigarette users." Very shrewdly put. To this affiliate's credit, the voice-over following the snip says: "This doesn't prove that e-cigarette usage leads to tobacco smoking, but experts say the nicotine delivered through the devices can alter the teen brain." (Assuming, of course, there was nicotine to begin with.)
Title: Today at 5PM: E-Cigarette Effects
(NoLa US NBC affiliate) http://www.wdsu
.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/Today-at-5PM-E-Cigarette-Effects/24851224
No video clip here, but this is probably going to be the same clip as above.
Title: Growing teen use of e-cigarettes raising health concerns
(ID Falls ID US NBC? affiliate) http://www.king5
.com/health/Rising-use-of-e-cigarettes-by-teens-raises-health-concerns--248926471.html
Title: E-cigarette use on the rise in teens
(Rochester NY US ABC news affiliate) http://www.13wham
.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/ecigarette-use-rise-teens-10096.shtml
Title: Are e-cigarettes encouraging conventional cigarette smoking in adolescents?
(Questionable US medical "news" site) http://www.medicalnewstoday
.com/articles/273619.php
Clone site of the above: http://www.news-medical
.net/news/20140307/E-cigarettes-New-route-to-conventional-smoking-and-nicotine-addiction-for-teenagers.aspx
Title: Study: Teen E-Cigarette Use Is a Gateway to Traditional Smoking
(BP-funded US health site for lay readers) http://www.healthline
.com/health-news/addiction-e-cigarettes-lead-to-smoking-030614
Amazingly, Richard Carmona is on the board. This article is even worse than the rest, because the subtitle asserts that the study shows that vaping leads to smoking. No "may" or "fears"/"concerns" etc. here.
Title: E-Cigarette Use Linked to Conventional Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescents
(ACS) http://www.cancer
.org/cancer/news/news/e-cigarette-use-linked-to-conventional-cigarette-smoking-among-adolescents
Here's the same allegation of cause-and-effect as above. But what do you expect from the ACS?
Title: E-Cigarettes Don’t Discourage Smoking Among Teens
(US Nat'l Gen'l) http://time
.com/14260/e-cigarettes-dont-discourage-smoking-among-teens/
Title: Nicotine Branded Made-in-Switzerland Gets E-Cig Boost
(US Nat'l Bus/Tech) http://www.bloomberg
.com/news/2014-03-06/nicotine-branded-made-in-switzerland-gets-e-cig-boost.html
Title: Teenage E-Cigarette Use Likely Gateway to Smoking
(US Nat'l Bus.) http://www.bloomberg
.com/news/2014-03-06/teenage-e-cigarette-use-likely-gateway-to-smoking.html
Same story in the Chi. Trib. but w/ slightly diffo. title: Title: Teen e-cigarette a possible gateway to smoking, researcher says
http://www.chicagotribune
.com/news/sns-wp-blm-news-bc-smoking06-20140306,0,1239432.story
Title: Teens Who Try E-Cigarettes Are More Likely To Try Tobacco, Too
(US Nat'l Radio) http://www.npr
.org/blogs/health/2014/03/06/286416362/teens-who-try-e-cigarettes-are-more-likely-to-try-tobacco-too
Title: Rising E-Cigarette Use Tied to More Smoking in Teens
(Philladelpha PA US ind. web site) http://www.philly
.com/philly/health/kidshealth/HealthDay685565_20140306_Rising_E-Cigarette_Use_Tied_to_More_Smoking_in_Teens.html
Title: Pre-teens and teens who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke the conventional kind, too, study shows
(Cleveland OH US local paper) http://www.cleveland
.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2014/03/pre-teens_and_teens_who_use_e-.html
Title: E-Cigarette Usage More Popular among Teens
(NBC nat'l US news) http://www.texomashomepage
.com/story/d/story/e-cigarette-usage-more-popular-among-teens/34370/xdHAxxwC7ECTQglHzCK35w
Title: E-cigarette use linked to higher smoking odds
(AFP/Reuters) http://news.yahoo
.com/e-cigarette-linked-higher-smoking-odds-185726614.html
This story is somewhat light on the brain-dead aspects, but could hardly be called "skeptical" coverage.
Title: E-Cigarettes Don't Curb Regular Cigarette Use in Teens
(US ALA/AHA partner site) http://www.care2
.com/greenliving/e-cigarettes-dont-curb-regular-cigarette-use-in-teens.html
Title: Young e-cig users more likely to smoke, study finds
(US H/C business trade 'zine) http://www.modernhealthcare
.com/article/20140306/NEWS/303069940/young-e-cig-users-more-likely-to-smoke-study-finds
Title: Study Suggests E-Cigarettes Tied To Youth Smoking
(SF CA US PBS) http://www.kpbs
.org/news/2014/mar/06/study-suggests-e-cigarettes-tied-youth-smoking/
Title: E-cigarettes: Gateway to nicotine addiction for US teens, says UCSF study
(Some weird site that claims to be powered by AI) http://esciencenews.com/articles/2014/03/07/e
.cigarettes.gateway.nicotine.addiction.us.teens.says.ucsf.study
In reality, this is a verbatim, unattributed copy of the article from UCSF's own web site. For some interesting reason, neither the link back to the original page, nor the author's name is provided. I guess this is what passes for "intelligence" these days in web journalism.
Title: E-cigarette use turns teens into nicotine addicts
(India Nat'l Paper) http://timesofindia.indiatimes
.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/E-cigarette-use-turns-teens-into-nicotine-addicts/articleshow/31606759.cms
A remarkably pathetic piece, even by TOI standards.
Title: E-cigarettes are 'encouraging a new generation to become hooked on nicotine'
http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/health/article-2575758/E-cigarettes-responsible-new-generation-hooked-nicotine-research-suggests.html#ixzz2vJkRP7vV
Virtually copied from UCSF's press release.
***
Google Tips
to see whether there are bad things happening where you live, try this Google search (example for Rhode Island) -
rhode site:casaa.org
(Replace rhode with a single word that describes your city, county, or state. For ex., if you live in Eau Claire, WI - you might use "Claire" to see if something is being proposed at the city level. Don't forget the : (colon), and be sure that there's nothing before or after the colon (not even spaces or tabs.)
You can also try replacing site:casaa.org with e-cigarette to find out what the media is reporting in your area. This is usually most helpful if you use the search tools to search by date. (CASAA doesn't generally issue calls or alerts until a bill is out of a state legislative committee, or is scheduled for a local city or county hearing.)
At the end of a very busy U.S. legislative week at the state and local level (especially in California municipalies), the action here both in the states and world-wide has suddenly shifted to the science surrounding vaping by minors. A controversial study just released by tobacco Control researchers Dutra & Glantz concludes thatvaping is "aggravating rather than ameliorating the tobacco epidemic among youths."
For all practical purposes, the authors claim that vaping is a gateway to tobacco burning for minors.
At the end of this post, I'll list (and partly review) three types of responses: (a) critical analyses, which are also listed in the first section; (b) critical coverage by the mainstream media; and (c) coverage by the mainstream media which assumes that the authors' conclusions are legitimately based on the data.
Readers should also be aware that the context has shifted in the US, insofar as virtually every mainstream media story appears to assume that minors are being explictly targeted by the vaping industry with both advertising and options provided to consumers.
In other related developments, two additional studies were released this week by the Tobacco Control Industry (see first section).
Coverage: France, US States: NY, NH, NM, WA
Also: Gary Cox on the role of vaping lounges and a genuinely despicable opinion in UK's HuffPo which makes the case that smokers (and by extension, vapers) pose a realistic threat to the physical health of others by their mere presence in close proximity, even if no vaping or smoking is ocurring.
***
BLOGS, STUDIES, ETC.
Title: Conclusion of New Glantz Study on Electronic Cigarettes is Junk Science [also listed below for convenience]
(Dr. Siegel's Blog) http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/03/conclusion-of-new-glantz-study-on.html
Link to Glantz's study included
Title: Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway 'study' [also listed below for convenience]
(C.V. Phillips' blog) Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway “study” | Anti-THR Lies and related topics
Title: UCSF Study Falsely Links E-Cigarettes to Smoking [also listed below for convenience]
(Dr. Rodu's blog) http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com/2014/03/ucsf-study-falsely-links-e-cigarettes.html
Title: Philly Gets Vape Lounge
(ECF's InfoZone) Philly Gets Vape Lounge - ECF InfoZone
Gary Cox describes the critical role of vape lounges in the vaping community.
Title: Impact of tobacco outlet density and proximity on smoking cessation: A longitudinal observational study in two English cities
(UK Med. Jrnl Health & Place) http://www.sciencedirect
.com/science/article/pii/S1353829214000100
Not surprisingly, this study found a small difference between the (negligible) quit rates of a very small number (611) of analog smokers who lived in two different cities with distinct average distances to outlets that sell cigarettes (Bristol and Birmingham). The key observation here for vapers is this: once governments shut down internet sales to require face-to-face transactions in order to allegedly protect minors, and once vaping supplies can only be offered for sale in B&M stores that sell tobacco cigarettes, then regulators may seek to gradually reduce the number of such outlets.
Title: "Smoking Revolution" - A Content Analysis of Electronic Cigarette Retail Websites
(American Journal of Preventive Medicine) http://www.ajpmonline
.org/webfiles/images/journals/amepre/AMEPRE_3992-with_embargo_stamp.pdf
Search engine results were used to catalog claims made by web sites that sell PVs. This will be used along with another recent Legacy Foundation study when the US Congress considers whether to ban intenet sales of PVs and e-liquid (ostensibly to protect minors, but other justifications will doubtless be used): http://www.ncbi
.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24532710?dopt=Abstract
Note entry in Glant'z blog: http://www.tobacco
.ucsf.edu/grana-and-ling-e-cigs-being-promoted-unsupported-health-claims
***
WORLD
Title: Why Smokers Must Be Shamed
(HuffPo UK, but effectively world) http://www.huffingtonpost
.co.uk/jemma-wayne/smoking-ban-uk-_b_4895623.html
This is an absolutely brilliant piece of propaganda. Read the last paragraph closely: it argues that smokers truly are lepers (and this includes vapers, since the writer lumps us together). In particular, smokers (including vapers) expose everyone else to physical danger merely by coming into contact with them, long after any vaping and/or smoking has ceased. The trick here is that both smokers and vapers have THS (third-hand smoke) on their clothes and persons, and therefore all others who come into contact with smokers and vapers are physically endangered.
***
FRANCE
Title: E-cigarettes factor in smoking decline
(Blu's Tobacco Industry Amagam site) http://www.tobaccoreporter
.com/2014/03/e-cigarettes-factor-in-smoking-decline/
French analog sales down 7% in 2013 according to gov't monitoring agency, overall tobacco product sales down. But PV sales are growing (no statistics cited).
***
US NATIONAL
Title: U.S. e-cigarette sales up 31.3 percent
(Blu's Tobacco Industry Amagam site) http://www.tobaccoreporter
.com/2014/03/us-e-cigarette-sales-up-31-3-per-cent/
Brief junk-free report indicates that Logic is still #2 in the US all-in-one ("cigAlike") market with about 20%, after NJOY.
Title: Are e-cigarettes a tobacco product? L.A. regulation called 'short-sighted.'
(US Nat'l paper) http://www.csmonitor
.com/USA/2014/0305/Are-e-cigarettes-a-tobacco-product-L.A.-regulation-called-short-sighted.-video
The carefully-chosen attention to statistics involving minor vaping in this piece is noteworthy, if only because it came out before today's JAMA study. Clearly the argument that vaping will create a whole new generation of tobacco smokers was an integral part of Tuesday's decision in LA. It appears that the reporter has carefully studied her Tobacco Control press release.
---
US: NEW YORK
Title: Teens and e-cigarettes
(Rochester NY US NBC affiliate) http://www.whec
.com/article/stories/s3352283.shtml
I was expecting the standard NBC coverage of the JAMA artice, but apparently this affiliate decided to put their own unique stamp on it. It doesn't contain the interview clip with Dutra that all the other NBC affiliate stories do, instead it simply repeats the gateway allegation, citing the study. The emphasis seems to be about equally on the possibility that minors are using vaping equipment as a delivery system for illegal drugs, although none in particular is referenced. This otherwise-boilerplate story contains few facts other than the CDC minor junk, and features an interview with a local HS principal, who warns parents to be "very concerned."
[ NY has a vaping=smoking bill indoor ban now in the legislature. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-e-cigs-contain-tobacco-all-workplaces.html also tax bill: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-tax-e-cig-cartridges-75-wholesale-price.html ]
---
US: NEW HAMPSHIRE
Title: Are regulations necessary for e-cigarettes?
(Manchester NH US bus. paper) http://www.nhbr
.com/March-7-2014/Are-regulations-necessary-for-e-cigarettes/
This is a refreshingly balanced piece, which contains very little of the usual junk, other than citations to ANTZ who insist that nothing of consequence is known about vaping. Features a local vape store owner who appears to be very proactive when it comes to educating the surrounding community. Good for him!
[ NH passed a simple minor sales ban in 2010. If you know of any legislation pending during this session, please PM me. ]
---
US: NEW MEXICO
Title: Santa Fe makes a bold move on e-cigarettes
(SF NM US local paper) http://www.abqjournal
.com/364063/north/santa-fe-makes-a-bold-move-on-e-cigarettes.html
As readers of this space know, Santa Fe ammended its clean air act on the 13th of last month to define vaping as smoking both indoors and outdoors. This piece is a near-perfect classic professionally-done ANTZ hit job piece written by the Exec. Dir. of GASP. The only thing missing is "THV" (third-hand vapor). Sadly, there appeas to be only one comment - and that seems to be supportive of the piece. It's possible that this article was placed because NM currently only has a simple minor sales ban in the legislature, and has not yet began to tax vaping or define vaping as smoking for purposes of its statewide indoor clean air act.
[ NM's HB15 is out of the house, and ready for the sen. CASAA supports: CASAA: Call to Action New Mexico: URGENT! Support HB 15 Ban on Sales to Minors as Introduced with no Amendments ]
---
US: WASHINGTON (STATE)
Title: Editorial: Put heat on e-cigarettes and ‘vaping'
(Seattle WA US local paper) http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2023067176_editecigarettesxml
.html
This dreadful Seattle Times editorial presumes that vaping is being marketed to children (okay, not a big surprise), and mentions that 12% of H.S. seniors in King County smoked tobacco cigarettes, while 5% vaped. Ergo: "A national prevention strategy is badly needed, to combat marketing such as the sexy e-cigarette ad in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition." (Catch the logic there - more than twice as many H.S. seniors smoke, but the problem is vaping advertising??) Editorial goes on to say that vaping should be taxed because: "Adults claim e-cigarettes are healthier than cigarettes, and should get a tax break. That’s like arguing a cheeseburger is more healthful than a double cheeseburger. As long as taxpayers are helping pay the tab for an addictive vice, users should pay for the sin." In other words, vapers are adding to public health costs, and would be getting a tax break if they didn't have to pay additional taxes. (Especially those who have stopped smoking.) This piece deserves some e-mail from Seattle-area vapers.
[ Washington's HB 2795 has been incorporated into the budget, will impose a 95% tax. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-cigs-95-referred-senate-ways-means-cmte.html and CASAA: Call to Action! Washington Bill to Impose Excessive 95% Tax on E-Cigarettes text of 2795: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House Bills/2795.pdf ]
Title: E-Cigarettes Bring Heavy Breathing to Statehouse - House D Tax Proposal Would Nearly Double the Cost
(Ind. WA US political blog site) http://washingtonstatewire
.com/blog/e-cigarettes-bring-heavy-breathing-to-statehouse-house-d-tax-proposal-would-nearly-double-the-cost/
I have no idea who Erik Smith is, but this site appears to basically be his blog, dressed up as a legitimate political 'zine. That said, he's clearly not a vaper, and it was downright delightful - for once - to read a piece replete with fresh, elegantly-edgy novelty. The writer is also fairly good with his facts, although apparently something short of an expert (since he doesn't seem to understand how FDA regulation might work in this context). 100% junk-free non-partisan insight into the situation in WA's state legislature features extensive comments by vapers (no ANTZ were interviewed). Your humble correspondent sometimes slogs through as many as 1K "news" stories in a week, most churned out by allegedly-professional journalists who possess the brains of a small rodent, the originality of a Big Mac, and the education level of a street-level dealer. Very rarely does he venture upon something that's genuinely original, largerly nonpartisan, and well-written to boot. Who knows, perhaps we'll see Erik Smith's byline in a national publication at some point in the not-too-distant future.
Title: The great e-cig debate
(Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA US) http://www.fhcrc
.org/en/news/center-news/2014/03/the-great-e-cig-debate.html
Not much of a "debate," it seems. I was looking for some substantial junk in this story, and was surprised to find that many of the usual suspects (e.g. FDA '09 or the "nanoparticles" canard) were omitted. I was also initially going to throw this into one of the two categories below, when I saw the Dutra/Glantz JAMA study referenced. However it turns out that the only "debate" is between one ANTZ and another, despite a citation suggesting that vaping is safer than smoking (this is never asserted in a simple declaratory sentence). After making my way thorugh several paragraphs of "fears, concerns and unknowns" which should be familiar to any cub reporter, I came across a conclusion that surprised me nary a whit: "The bottom line? Both Bricker and Manders suggest sticking with tested methods to kick the smoking habit - and to rely on science, even if it’s slow in coming. Now that's what I call a debate. (At least they want smokers to play it "safe," by continuing to smoke, if none of the FDA-approved methods work for them.)
***
COLLECTION: JAMA PAPER BY DUTRA & GLANTZ
As many of you already know, a second "study" was published this week in the Journal of the American Medical ...'n's Pediatrics collection. Pre-existing CDC data from 2011 and 2012 was re-analyzed to try to ascertain whether there is any "gateway effect" for minors between PVs and analog smoking.
This is going to be all over the news for a long time, and may have a staying power cooparable to FDA '09. For the nonce, I'm collecting articles in three categories: (a) alalytical critiques that take it apart; (b) thoughtful pieces; and (c) brain-dead parroting.
I'll begin by listing this UPI story:
Title: E-cigarettes not discouraging use of conventional cigarettes
(United Press Int'l) http://www.upi
.com/Health_News/2014/03/06/E-cigarettes-not-discouraging-use-of-conventional-cigarettes/UPI-75791394143332/
I'm putting this one up front as an example of a piece that straddles the line between a somewhat skeptical job of describing the study as compared with the far more common articles that imply or assume or explicitly state that there's a causal link between minors who smoke regularly, and those whose first exposure to nicotine was in the form of vaping. This UPI piece contains a sentence which is similar to one that you'll find in many stories written in the last 2-3 weeks or so, since we seem to now be in an environment in which it's presumed that vaping is intentionally being marketed to children: "However, e-cigarettes are sold in flavors such as strawberry, licorice and chocolate that appeal to young people." This story ends with the disclaimer that Glantz & Dutra included regarding the lack of causality in the data (despite the fact that there are other places in the paper in which they appear to contradict themselves ... also see the video snippet that NBC affiliates as well as national NBC seem to be using from Dutra below in the "brain dead" subsection.)
---
JAMA PAPER: TAKING IT APART (CRITICAL ANALYSES)
Title: Conclusion of New Glantz Study on Electronic Cigarettes is Junk Science [also listed above for convenience]
(Dr. Siegel's Blog) http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/03/conclusion-of-new-glantz-study-on.html
Link to JAMA paper included
Title: Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway 'study' [also listed above for convenience]
(C.V. Phillips' blog) Stanton Glantz is such a liar that even the ACS balks: his latest ecig gateway “study” | Anti-THR Lies and related topics
Title: UCSF Study Falsely Links E-Cigarettes to Smoking [also listed below for convenience]
(Dr. Rodu's blog) http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot
.com/2014/03/ucsf-study-falsely-links-e-cigarettes.html
Title: The Moral Panic Over E-Cigarettes Intensifies
(US Nat'l news web site) http://www.slate
.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/05/e_cigarettes_are_all_the_rage_with_kids_these_days_what_else_to_do_but_panic.html
Another no-holds-barred critical look at yesterday's NYT article concerning "vape pens," and "e-hookahs" etc.
Title: E-Cigarettes Are Bad Because They Look Like Cigarettes; E-Hookahs Are Worse Because They Don't
(US Nat'l Business) http://www.forbes
.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/03/05/e-cigarettes-are-bad-because-they-look-like-cigarettes-e-hookahs-are-worse-because-they-dont/
Another fun piece by Jacob Sullen, makes fun of the internal inconsistencies in the ANTZ arguments. Also pubished here, under another title: Title: If Smokers Vape, Does That Prove Vaping Causes Smoking? - Hit & Run : Reason.com
http://reason
.com/blog/2014/03/06/is-smokers-vape-does-that-prove-vaping-c
---
JAMA PAPER: SOMEWHAT THOUGHTFUL (I.E. LESS THAN 100% CREDULOUS) REPORING
Title: E-Cigarettes May Encourage Use of Conventional Cigarettes Among Teens
(NEJM Journal Watch - US) http://www.jwatch
.org/fw108567/2014/03/07/e-cigarettes-may-encourage-use-conventional-cigarettes#sthash.Me90f3Ff.dpuf
Noteworthy mainly because of the source. Very short piece quotes Dutra/Glantz as saying that vaping is an "aggravating" factor in teen analog smoking, but then cites Abrams' quote in the NYT (below).
Title: Young Using E-Cigarettes Smoke Too, Study Finds
(US Nat'l Paper) http://www.nytimes
.com/2014/03/07/health/young-users-of-e-cigarettes-less-likely-to-quit-smoking-study-finds.html?_r=0
Remarkably skeptical coverage, but note that the author is Sabrina Tavernise, who also did the Sunday Times piece a couple of weeks ago w/ Siegel and Glantz. Note that there are other syndicated copies floating around, but I haven't bothered to collect them. Just look for Sabrina Tavernise as the author. Note that some local papers, such as The Columbus (OH) Dispatch have put misleading titles on this piece (e.g.: "E-cigarettes lead young folks to the real thing").
Title: Should E-Cigarettes Be Regulated? Study Finds Teens That Use E-Cigs Likely To Smoke, But Can't Prove Gateway Theory
(Int'l Bus. web site) http://www.ibtimes
.com/should-e-cigarettes-be-regulated-study-finds-teens-use-e-cigs-likely-smoke-cant-prove-gateway-theory
This is a very well-written piece. I was so impressed that I added this site into my large collection of news bookmarks.
Title: U.S. teens' e-cigarette use associated with smoking: study
(Reuters) http://www.reuters
.com/article/2014/03/06/us-ecigs-smoking-study-idUSBREA251JX20140306 http://news.yahoo
.com/u-teens-e-cigarette-associated-smoking-study-160959434--sector.html
At least this piece cites Dr. Siegel.
Title: Researchers claim electronic cigarettes "gateway" to real smoking but experts unsure
(CBS Nat'l) http://www.cbsnews
.com/news/researchers-claim-electronic-cigarettes-gateway-to-real-smoking-but-experts-unsure/
Also quotes Dr. Siegel. Here's an unexpected surprise: "'The data in this study do not allow many of the broad conclusions that it draws,' [said] Thomas J. Glynn, a researcher at the American Cancer Society." [boldface added]
Title: E-Cigarette Use Doubles Among U.S. Teens -- But What's The Connection With Cigarette Smoking?
(US Nat'l news site) http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/2014/03/06/e-cigarette-use-teens_n_4908986.html?utm_hp_ref=chicago&ir=Chicago
And again, the cause-and-effect relationship in this study is questioned: "David Abrams, Ph.D., the executive director of the Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at the anti-smoking advocacy group Legacy, disputes Dutra's conclusion and says the study doesn't hold up.[para. break omitted] 'We need balance and the rationality of science to dominate over biased ideology,' Abrams said to The Huffington Post. 'There is absolutely no evidence that using e-cigarettes makes [teens] more likely to use cigarettes.'"
Title: E-cigarettes 'do not discourage, and may encourage' young people's smoking
(UK Nat'l Paper) http://www.independent
.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/ecigarettes-do-not-discourage-and-may-encourage-young-peoples-smoking-9174532.html
---
JAMA PAPER: UNCRITICAL COVERAGE [THE NEW DOMINANT NARRATIVE]
A quick comparison of the press release and some of these articles indicates that a few of these reporters simply paraphrased (or in some cases just copied over) relevant sentences and in other cases entire paragraphs:
Title: Original Press Release
(Glantz's blog) http://www.tobacco
.ucsf.edu/us-kids-who-use-e-cigs-more-likely-progress-experimentation-established-smoking-less-likely-quit-smo
Title: [LEAD AUTHOR:] Doctor "Concerned" By Rising Use of E-Cigarettes Among Teens
(LA CA US NBC affiliate) http://www.nbclosangeles
.com/news/local/E-Cigarettes-Electronic-Tobacco-Smoking-Vaping-Teens-Health-School-Students-248928061.html
The lead author herself, caught on camera, making the cause-and-effect suggestion, without directly saying so. (see video starting at 1:03): "We also saw that the kids who had used e-cigarettes were more likely to progress from experimenting with conventional tobacco cigarettes to becoming regular tobacco cigarette users." Very shrewdly put. To this affiliate's credit, the voice-over following the snip says: "This doesn't prove that e-cigarette usage leads to tobacco smoking, but experts say the nicotine delivered through the devices can alter the teen brain." (Assuming, of course, there was nicotine to begin with.)
Title: Today at 5PM: E-Cigarette Effects
(NoLa US NBC affiliate) http://www.wdsu
.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/Today-at-5PM-E-Cigarette-Effects/24851224
No video clip here, but this is probably going to be the same clip as above.
Title: Growing teen use of e-cigarettes raising health concerns
(ID Falls ID US NBC? affiliate) http://www.king5
.com/health/Rising-use-of-e-cigarettes-by-teens-raises-health-concerns--248926471.html
Title: E-cigarette use on the rise in teens
(Rochester NY US ABC news affiliate) http://www.13wham
.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/ecigarette-use-rise-teens-10096.shtml
Title: Are e-cigarettes encouraging conventional cigarette smoking in adolescents?
(Questionable US medical "news" site) http://www.medicalnewstoday
.com/articles/273619.php
Clone site of the above: http://www.news-medical
.net/news/20140307/E-cigarettes-New-route-to-conventional-smoking-and-nicotine-addiction-for-teenagers.aspx
Title: Study: Teen E-Cigarette Use Is a Gateway to Traditional Smoking
(BP-funded US health site for lay readers) http://www.healthline
.com/health-news/addiction-e-cigarettes-lead-to-smoking-030614
Amazingly, Richard Carmona is on the board. This article is even worse than the rest, because the subtitle asserts that the study shows that vaping leads to smoking. No "may" or "fears"/"concerns" etc. here.
Title: E-Cigarette Use Linked to Conventional Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescents
(ACS) http://www.cancer
.org/cancer/news/news/e-cigarette-use-linked-to-conventional-cigarette-smoking-among-adolescents
Here's the same allegation of cause-and-effect as above. But what do you expect from the ACS?
Title: E-Cigarettes Don’t Discourage Smoking Among Teens
(US Nat'l Gen'l) http://time
.com/14260/e-cigarettes-dont-discourage-smoking-among-teens/
Title: Nicotine Branded Made-in-Switzerland Gets E-Cig Boost
(US Nat'l Bus/Tech) http://www.bloomberg
.com/news/2014-03-06/nicotine-branded-made-in-switzerland-gets-e-cig-boost.html
Title: Teenage E-Cigarette Use Likely Gateway to Smoking
(US Nat'l Bus.) http://www.bloomberg
.com/news/2014-03-06/teenage-e-cigarette-use-likely-gateway-to-smoking.html
Same story in the Chi. Trib. but w/ slightly diffo. title: Title: Teen e-cigarette a possible gateway to smoking, researcher says
http://www.chicagotribune
.com/news/sns-wp-blm-news-bc-smoking06-20140306,0,1239432.story
Title: Teens Who Try E-Cigarettes Are More Likely To Try Tobacco, Too
(US Nat'l Radio) http://www.npr
.org/blogs/health/2014/03/06/286416362/teens-who-try-e-cigarettes-are-more-likely-to-try-tobacco-too
Title: Rising E-Cigarette Use Tied to More Smoking in Teens
(Philladelpha PA US ind. web site) http://www.philly
.com/philly/health/kidshealth/HealthDay685565_20140306_Rising_E-Cigarette_Use_Tied_to_More_Smoking_in_Teens.html
Title: Pre-teens and teens who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke the conventional kind, too, study shows
(Cleveland OH US local paper) http://www.cleveland
.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2014/03/pre-teens_and_teens_who_use_e-.html
Title: E-Cigarette Usage More Popular among Teens
(NBC nat'l US news) http://www.texomashomepage
.com/story/d/story/e-cigarette-usage-more-popular-among-teens/34370/xdHAxxwC7ECTQglHzCK35w
Title: E-cigarette use linked to higher smoking odds
(AFP/Reuters) http://news.yahoo
.com/e-cigarette-linked-higher-smoking-odds-185726614.html
This story is somewhat light on the brain-dead aspects, but could hardly be called "skeptical" coverage.
Title: E-Cigarettes Don't Curb Regular Cigarette Use in Teens
(US ALA/AHA partner site) http://www.care2
.com/greenliving/e-cigarettes-dont-curb-regular-cigarette-use-in-teens.html
Title: Young e-cig users more likely to smoke, study finds
(US H/C business trade 'zine) http://www.modernhealthcare
.com/article/20140306/NEWS/303069940/young-e-cig-users-more-likely-to-smoke-study-finds
Title: Study Suggests E-Cigarettes Tied To Youth Smoking
(SF CA US PBS) http://www.kpbs
.org/news/2014/mar/06/study-suggests-e-cigarettes-tied-youth-smoking/
Title: E-cigarettes: Gateway to nicotine addiction for US teens, says UCSF study
(Some weird site that claims to be powered by AI) http://esciencenews.com/articles/2014/03/07/e
.cigarettes.gateway.nicotine.addiction.us.teens.says.ucsf.study
In reality, this is a verbatim, unattributed copy of the article from UCSF's own web site. For some interesting reason, neither the link back to the original page, nor the author's name is provided. I guess this is what passes for "intelligence" these days in web journalism.
Title: E-cigarette use turns teens into nicotine addicts
(India Nat'l Paper) http://timesofindia.indiatimes
.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/E-cigarette-use-turns-teens-into-nicotine-addicts/articleshow/31606759.cms
A remarkably pathetic piece, even by TOI standards.
Title: E-cigarettes are 'encouraging a new generation to become hooked on nicotine'
http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/health/article-2575758/E-cigarettes-responsible-new-generation-hooked-nicotine-research-suggests.html#ixzz2vJkRP7vV
Virtually copied from UCSF's press release.
***
Google Tips
to see whether there are bad things happening where you live, try this Google search (example for Rhode Island) -
rhode site:casaa.org
(Replace rhode with a single word that describes your city, county, or state. For ex., if you live in Eau Claire, WI - you might use "Claire" to see if something is being proposed at the city level. Don't forget the : (colon), and be sure that there's nothing before or after the colon (not even spaces or tabs.)
You can also try replacing site:casaa.org with e-cigarette to find out what the media is reporting in your area. This is usually most helpful if you use the search tools to search by date. (CASAA doesn't generally issue calls or alerts until a bill is out of a state legislative committee, or is scheduled for a local city or county hearing.)
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