Dr. Whelan Speaks Out - Washington Times

[Vocalek]

There is a fabulous article in today's Washington Times by Dr. Elizabeth Whelan FDA smoke screen on e-cigarettes - Washington Times

The headline is
FDA smoke screen on e-cigarettes

Cigarette substitute produces no deadly smoke


The first sentence reads:
"At a time when the government is ostensibly trying to cut health costs, why is it trying to ban something that might help people quit smoking tobacco, perhaps the most devastating health problem in the U.S.?"

Dr. Whelan calls the FDA report a "distorted, incomplete, and misleading statement." She provided some background info on the history of cigarettes that I found interesting. I learned something new.

I love her closing paragraph:
"Any alternative acceptable to addicted smokers should be taken seriously. Instead of condemning the e-cigarette, the FDA should be sponsoring studies to evaluate its safety and efficacy -- leaving it on the market in the interim. "

 

[eplanet]

That is a GREAT article...thanks

 

[Vapor Pete]

Love it. Now lets see if it gets us anywhere.

My best,
-VP

 

[legalsea]

Good article that I am busy sending to others.

 

[Two-A-T]

This is a GREAT story and she stops just short of outright calling the FDA liars! EVERYONE on here needs to forward this story to their local media and post it on their facebook, myspace and twitter!!

BigJim... this is another great one for you!!

 

[catlvr]

Wonderful way to end my day! I'm going to bed now with a little more hope.

 

[catlvr]

BigJimW for President!!!

 

[klyn211]

I've been "smoke free" for the first time in 25 years. And have tried everything else in the past to accomplish that. I know I'm impressed with the e-cigs, why isn't the FDA??

 

[pbusardo]

Wow, excellent article! Thanks for posting!

 

[UptownRiot]

There are a couple of really important things to note here.

1) This is not something posted on some random personal website, or on blogspot, this is in a reputable and well established newspaper.

2) Dr. Elizabeth Whelan is president of the American Council on Science and Health, and not an industry insider, or discredited researcher.

We are really starting to build some momentum with rallying outsiders to our cause. Spreading the word with things like this to those that are either uninformed, or misinformed by what other media outlets have been regurgitating from the FDA.

 

[tannerk]

Oh yes, ACSH has been a long time advocate for "realistic" alternatives and strong critic for politically driven bias. Back on in '08 ACSH countered WHO statements with this:

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently criticized electronic cigarettes, or nicotine-delivery devices that simulate the act of smoking. "The WHO is arguing that they haven't been assessed for safety and they might not help people quit smoking real cigarettes," Dr. Whelan says. "In any case, it seems like there are far better ways to get a nicotine hit."

Stier counters, "We need to give people as many tools as possible to help them quit smoking. Electronic cigarettes could be a valuable harm reduction tool" -- and harm reduction options are something ACSH consistently advocates. Dr. Ross adds, "Doesn't the WHO have more important things to do than to criticize this rarely-used technology whose only possible effect would be to reduce the consumption of lethal cigarettes among addicted smokers?"

 

[pbusardo]

I really really really hope that the ECF if running full sprint with this article and not just posting in on their website.

 

[let_there_be_vaping]

So wonderful to read some actual good news for a change!

 

[tannerk]

Since ACSH is more than relevant to this thread, here is their position on smokeless tobacco. Keep in mind that this publication is almost 3 years old.


Helping Smokers Quit: A Role for Smokeless Tobacco? > Publications > ACSH

 

[Vocalek]

I just posted a review of the article on Digg. If you don't have an account, it only takes a few seconds to register and costs nothing. This link should take you to the listing:
Search for "FDA smoke screen"

Then all you need to do is click the "Digg" button. Hurry before the Anti-Nic Nazis see this and click the "Bury" button.

I guess a 63-year old grandmother isn't too old to learn a new technology trick or two.

 

[Two-A-T]

There are a couple of really important things to note here.

1) This is not something posted on some random personal website, or on blogspot, this is in a reputable and well established newspaper.

2) Dr. Elizabeth Whelan is president of the American Council on Science and Health, and not an industry insider, or discredited researcher.

We are really starting to build some momentum with rallying outsiders to our cause. Spreading the word with things like this to those that are either uninformed, or misinformed by what other media outlets have been regurgitating from the FDA.

I completely agree which is why WE all need to be forwarding this article to our local media (targeting TV stations and other newspapers that have run negative stories on ecigs) and cross-posting it on our blogs, myspace, facebook, twitter, etc because the source lends more credibility! The article has share it options at the end (look for the "Share" button) for easy emailing and cross-posting

PS - anyone else having problems with Twitter today??

 

[tannerk]

I guess a 63-year old grandmother isn't too old to learn a new technology trick or two.

Haha... done, thanks grandma

----

 

[UptownRiot]

I completely agree which is why WE all need to be forwarding this article to our local media (targeting TV stations and other newspapers that have run negative stories on ecigs) and cross-posting it on our blogs, myspace, facebook, twitter, etc because the source lends more credibility! The article has share it options at the end (look for the "Share" button) for easy emailing and cross-posting

PS - anyone else having problems with Twitter today??

I've been using the articles posted here to educate the people I work with, and have converted a few already, with many more very interested.

 

[tannerk]

...and the Iowa Attorney General's office is beginning to take a look at electronic cigarettes to see if there are any legal issues with using them in public.

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/52391727.html

 

[tannerk]

PS - anyone else having problems with Twitter today??

Yeap...twitter is down for me too.