E-Cigarettes Under Fire--WebMD Article

[Oldnamenomore]

xkcd - A Webcomic - Duty Calls

So...back to the article (if anyone still cares about it).

I went looking for Michael Erisksen who was quoted twice on page 3, indicating he was highly skeptical that people would switch entirely away from tobacco with e-cigs, and suspected people would dangerously increase their intake of nicotine.

It took me about ten seconds to find his contact details and two minute to write a brief story (I bought it just to use in smoke-ban areas, liked it so much I quit smoking entirely. Don't feel like I'm taking in significantly more nicotine than before, and since my GP says my BP/pulse/heart-sounds are 'perfect' I'm probably right).

He wrote back saying "Thank you for your time! I appreciate your feedback and am encouraged by your experience. The next step that is needed is to try to scientifically documet that your experience (or something similar) is happening on a widescale basis and that there [aren't any] untoward experiences."

I shouldn't have to spell it out that polite emails of positive experiences to folks like Dr Eriksen can sway them from being ambivalent and skeptical to cautiously optimistic about e-cigs. And it's a better use of one's time than arguing about...stuff.

First that comic is my desktop backround and has happened more times then I can count.

second care to post his info?

 

[Hangar]

Hangar... you have been to my place.. we talked. I know you play the Devil's Advocate because you find it beneficial to have both sides of the story. I agree. But you would not go to the "Bon Jovi Fan Club" website and start saying Bon Jovi is a fake and can't sing and wears a hair piece (well u might.. I wouldn't lol!) cause people there LIKE him and would be ......! So all I am saying is if you are here for debate... go on.. by all means... but if you are here for conversation? This is the e-cig fan club... so change the topic lol

By the way... next Vapers Club meeting date is set... hope you can make it next time.

I grew sick of reading this after 5 pages.

Simply put...

We know nothing about vaping.

We know plenty about smoking.

We know about smoking cause our grandparents smoked for 40 years and then someone studied them. No one VOLUNTEERED for a study that they were TOLD might give them cancer!!!They smoked. They got cancer. They were studied.

In 40-50 years... if any of us are still alive... we will be studied. Then we will know if vaping is safe.

In the meantime.. F u all.. I am doin it

Viva la Vaping!!! Woohoo!!!

PS.. second day with zero nic... only cheated ONE time!!!! So YES.. many people DO cut back with this.. not take in MORE nic!

PS.. I wish this article were anywhere BUT WebMD... I really thought they were unbiased.. but MAKE kids smoke? Come on!!! If they want to smoke.. they won't vape.. they will buy a freakin pack of cigs for $10!

LOL on the taste-o-... comment re:analogs... I agree... never again!!!!

Yea, yea i know Spikey...you're right about that fan club thing...just trying to do my duty as a concerned smoker and vaporer ...i was willing to step into the fire thinking that maybe it might help someone or some thing along the way, hehe. Doing the good thing...or the right thing is not always easy as proven here, lol!

im just concerned that new people coming here for info shouldnt have smoke blown up their asses without also having a chance to know what if any possible risks there might be.

...yes i know...i spoke a little to BLue today on the forum..seems like a nice guy and looking forward to seeing you again if we can manage the new date and time, etc.

 

[Oldnamenomore]

playing devils advocate only works if you know the counter arguments well enough to state that point of view intelligently. If you want to play devils advocate, learn the ins and outs of both sides of the argument, otherwise you come off, as you have here, as a complete douche bag who doesn't know what he is talking about.

 

[Kendra]

...and here's a mirror.

My God...some of you are just unbelievable.

Yes, but it's not who you think.

 

[strayling]

He wrote back saying "Thank you for your time! I appreciate your feedback and am encouraged by your experience. The next step that is needed is to try to scientifically documet that your experience (or something similar) is happening on a widescale basis and that there [aren't any] untoward experiences."

Kudos for getting that response. I'm noticing the tide of the wider debate shifting in most news articles at the moment as people seem to be moving past their initial incredulity and suspicion to accepting that there may be something good in this technology. Even the FDA's Rita Chapelle seems to be backing off a little:

"The Nicotrol inhaler is an approved smoking cessation device," says the FDA's Chapelle. "Because these e-cigarette products haven't been reviewed by the agency, their labeling has to be reviewed, their intended use has to be reviewed, and all of their ingredients and components have to be reviewed."​

That's only a small step from saying "Don't make any claims and we'll leave you alone until we've finished testing".

 

[yvilla]

K.P., I second strayling's kudos for your very constructive actions!

 

[Spikey]

Yea, yea i know Spikey...you're right about that fan club thing...just trying to do my duty as a concerned smoker and vaporer ...i was willing to step into the fire thinking that maybe it might help someone or some thing along the way, hehe. Doing the good thing...or the right thing is not always easy as proven here, lol!

im just concerned that new people coming here for info shouldnt have smoke blown up their asses without also having a chance to know what if any possible risks there might be.

...yes i know...i spoke a little to BLue today on the forum..seems like a nice guy and looking forward to seeing you again if we can manage the new date and time, etc.

I applaud you for "taking one for the team" But you will see that many who agree with you are newer members and the disagreeing people have been around longer. Remember what I said to you when we talked that day... I was a skeptic (and still am to some extent) at the beginning too. Go check out my first few posts. I was like... "I feel sick" are we sure this is good for us?" , "is it better than analogs?". (then I realized I was allergic to PG lol!)

We are all skeptical in the beginning. I think it is partially the "too easy to work without some heavy negatives" or "too good to be true" thing. Give it a little more time... as you start to feel your body heal from the tobacco... you will see why we all believe so strongly even without proof.

Had to keep the meeting for a Fri night again... but hope you will try to make it anyway.

Kudos for getting that response. I'm noticing the tide of the wider debate shifting in most news articles at the moment as people seem to be moving past their initial incredulity and suspicion to accepting that there may be something good in this technology. Even the FDA's Rita Chapelle seems to be backing off a little:

"The Nicotrol inhaler is an approved smoking cessation device," says the FDA's Chapelle. "Because these e-cigarette products haven't been reviewed by the agency, their labeling has to be reviewed, their intended use has to be reviewed, and all of their ingredients and components have to be reviewed."
​

That's only a small step from saying "Don't make any claims and we'll leave you alone until we've finished testing".

Does seem like a step in the right direction.

 

[antok]

@Hangar: If you'll notice, my comments toward/about you had less to do with what you said and more to do with how you said it. Open discussion and dissenting viewpoints are fine and welcome and I see numerous examples all over the forum. You, on the other hand, come across as haughty, superior, and very closed-minded in your viewpoints and continually belittle others whose opinions differ from your own.

If you wish to "enlighten" others and "do the right thing" as you claim, start by showing a modicum of respect for those whose opinions differ from your own as you try to make your point. And then understand and realize that others can and will sometimes have a completely different view and conclusion, even based on the same information. Respecting, or at the very least, debating them on a level platform invites open discussion. The way you come across invites the exact opposite. Pot calling the kettle black??
I wouldn't have responded at all based on just this thread, but I've seen the same attitude from you in a few threads, all with the same type superior tone. You assume WAY too much about the intentions, intelligence, and motivation of others. Quit trying to be a crusading rebel leader and try being a member for a change. People come here for information, discussion, debate, support. Not to be told what to do, how to do it, etc. as you seem wont to do.

 

[StratOvation]

K.P., I second strayling's kudos for your very constructive actions!

DITTO


BTW....Great Cartoon!!! LMAO!!!

 

[K.P.]

His staff page at Georgia State University is Institute of Public Health - Michael P. Eriksen, Professor and Director and contains his email address.

He is quoted in the article a) as being skeptical that people would actually stop smoking tobacco as a result of using an e-cig as they are marketed to evade smoking bans and b) worried that people would dangerously increase their nicotine intake either with the e-cig alone or with e-cig plus regular cigarettes but c) stated anyone who actually did switch entirely from smoking tobacco to using an e-cig would be a good thing.

Based on his reply to me I believe he would be interested in hearing from others in brief, polite, friendly and informative emails addressing those points.

1) What gets a person to put down the cash to try an e-cig
2) If a person actually quits smoking tobacco, or significantly reduces real smoking--and why, and what the quitting/reduction experience is like (perhaps compared to other quitting methods)--or not as the case may be
3) How a person subjectively believes it has affected their nicotine consumption
4) More objective verification of #3 (ie a visit to your GP, or monitoring your own blood pressure at home)

 

[harmony gardens]

It seems like everything that gains approval comes with a list of side effects warnings that sound almost as bad as the problem they are used to treat.

Do eCigarettes need to be 100% safe in order to not be banned??

 

[nitewriter]

His staff page at Georgia State University is Institute of Public Health - Michael P. Eriksen, Professor and Director and contains his email address.

He is quoted in the article a) as being skeptical that people would actually stop smoking tobacco as a result of using an e-cig as they are marketed to evade smoking bans and b) worried that people would dangerously increase their nicotine intake either with the e-cig alone or with e-cig plus regular cigarettes but c) stated anyone who actually did switch entirely from smoking tobacco to using an e-cig would be a good thing.

Based on his reply to me I believe he would be interested in hearing from others in brief, polite, friendly and informative emails addressing those points.

1) What gets a person to put down the cash to try an e-ig
2) If a person actually quits smoking tobacco, or significantly reduces real smoking--and why, and what the quitting/reduction experience is like (perhaps compared to other quitting methods)--or not as the case may be
3) How a person subjectively believes it has affected their nicotine consumption
4) More objective verification of #3 (ie a visit to your GP, or monitoring your own blood pressure at home)

Would it do any good to direct him to the survey? There are over 4000 testimonials compiled there.

 

[Kate]

Which survey do you mean Nite?

 

[StratOvation]

I assume he mean't the petition...In which case I'd agree would be an excellent idea

 

[Oldnamenomore]

Hey guys I am working on an e-mail directed towards Dr. Light (the guy at the end of the article saying they are a ploy to get kids smoking) I am admittedly not the best writer so I would like some input before I send it. its in quotes

Dear Dr. Light,

I am contacting you regarding your statements in the article "e-cigarettes under fire" ("It will be easy for kids to get the product," Light tells WebMD. "It could be a way to get kids into the nicotine habit to get them to smoke. It is a ploy.") I understand your concern about kids getting a hold of these. As hard as we try we cannot prevent kids from doing what they want to do. I started smoking when I was 12 years old, I am 25 now and maintained a pack a day habit for the majority of that time. I got cigarettes very easily, I got marijana easily, and I got alcohol pretty easily. Even with all the safety mesures we can think of if a person wants something they will find a way to get it reguardless of the steps taken to prevent it, just look at the "war on drugs".

To say that these are a ploy to get kids smoking is iresponisble. These for the most part are sold on-line which requires pay-pal or a credit card to order, both of which require you to be 18. The upfront cost is $50-150, just like I remember how easy it was to get cigarettes as a kid, I remember how hard it was to get $50 let alone $150. Who is in charge of this ploy to get kids to use these then convert to cigarettes? Big tabbaco? I dont think so they stand to lose the most if these things take off and they aren't the ones making them.

Like I said earlier I have smoked since I was 12, I got my e-cig kit 3 weeks ago this saterday, since then I have had 2 cigarettes one when I first got it during the time I charged the batteries, the 2nd was the next day just to see if I would like it more(I didn't). I haven't had a single cigarette since. How are these a bad thing? I think lots of testing needs to be done but they shouldn't be taken off the market while this is happening.

Please do me, and the thousands of other converts to e-cigarettes a favor and look deeply at the issue and resist the kneejerk responses.

Sincerly,
Marcus Bell

 

[nitewriter]

Which survey do you mean Nite?

I meant the petition. ...sorry, ...blonde moment.

 

[Oldnamenomore]

Which survey do you mean Nite?

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...hensive-electronic-cigarette-user-survey.html

I think is what he is referring to

 

[Kate]

Ah, I see, thanks Strat and Nite.

It would be great if a medic would do some blood testing to see how much nicotine we really are absorbing. It's a bit of a controversial subject but nothing conclusive can be said because it's so subjective.

EDIT
Unfortunately that survey was sabotaged and the results are now unreliable Marc.

 

[nitewriter]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...hensive-electronic-cigarette-user-survey.html

I think is what he is referring to

...That's the one!

If he needs personal experiences it seems he could surely find them there. (Along with our letters.)

...Oh, and I'm a "she".

 

[strayling]

Hey guys I am working on an e-mail directed towards Dr. Light (the guy at the end of the article saying they are a ploy to get kids smoking) I am admittedly not the best writer so I would like some input before I send it. its in quotes

I see what you're getting at, but I'd avoid calling him irresponsible. Start with your positive story of quitting analogs, make the point about availability while testing is carried out, then finish with a note that age verification is the accepted way to deal with things which shouldn't be in the hands of children. In my opinion, conflating e-cigs with currently illegal drugs is likely to make him switch off his brain, so I'd avoid doing that.

So, a little reordering and restraint and I think you have a winner