E-Cigs on Today Show (05/09/09)
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I think the major networks and other new agencies are getting their information from areas where warehouses are distributing these to stores or kiosks. Then they find a person who has bought one of the locally available e-cigs and talk to them. I know that is what happened in my town. A Minneapolis/St. Paul station KSTP did a story after finding out about the company that is distributing them. They came to town, went to a bar that sold them, and talked to a customer at the bar. These happen to be Smoke51 users that probably have no idea that their are other brands and styles available.
The news agencies do not know that one e-cig user has less knowledge than another. I've only been vaping for a little over month, and I have been trying to learn what I can from this site, but I don't think I would be a great person to interview about e-cigs.
We do seem to have some members who have the knowledge to be able to give a good interview. Unfortunately, these people would have to contact the news agencies about doing a story.
Maybe the moderators on this site would be able to put together a media section that media outlets could look at when wanting to do a story. Once a media section is available, we could try to get the major news shows to look at the site by emailing them. I believe most of their websites have email address to submit story ideas.
Teens thought it was cool when we were growing up. Teens think alcohol is cool....no idea what the relevance would be.
There's an age limit. Period.
Then you must be dismissing the political mandate that will drive the vote on the Waxman/Kennedy bill: NOT ONE MORE GENERATION ADDICTED TO tobacco.
Of course, the SE lawsuit attempts to get e-cigs defined as a tobacco product. So there you go.
The "for the kids" sentiment is massive in political circles. Never belittle it. It will rise up and bite you when votes are taken. Count how many times you read that phrase in all stories relating to e-cigs and/or tobacco control ... You bet it's relevant! We better have a good response when the issue is raised. Something better than "there is an age limit. Period."
Of course, the SE lawsuit attempts to get e-cigs defined as a tobacco product. So there you go.
The "for the kids" sentiment is massive in political circles. Never belittle it. It will rise up and bite you when votes are taken. Count how many times you read that phrase in all stories relating to e-cigs and/or tobacco control ... You bet it's relevant! We better have a good response when the issue is raised. Something better than "there is an age limit. Period."
TB--I made that point 4 months ago and eveyone thought I was off the wall--maybe time is changing that sediment I had about their agenda being to not have another generation hooked on nicotine. The SE hearing on May 15th will put a lot of things to rest IMO very quicky----Sun
it seems to me that we - esmokers -
need a spokesperson,
someone who knows the product inside and out,
someone who can speak for,
and about, the products,
someone who really knows how to debate,
someone who is articulate and intelligent.
this person could be called apon, for interviews, news stories,
debates, etc.
the president of the eca seems a likely choice,
after watching his vid intro the other day.....
he seems to qualify on all above points.
Electronic Cigarette Association
why not send his vid to all parties for and against,
and invite them to discuss further with him,
both publicly and privately.
Di ........
need a spokesperson,
someone who knows the product inside and out,
someone who can speak for,
and about, the products,
someone who really knows how to debate,
someone who is articulate and intelligent.
this person could be called apon, for interviews, news stories,
debates, etc.
the president of the eca seems a likely choice,
after watching his vid intro the other day.....
he seems to qualify on all above points.
Electronic Cigarette Association
why not send his vid to all parties for and against,
and invite them to discuss further with him,
both publicly and privately.
Di ........
Well teens are a very determined lot. If they want something, they will get it. Again, no one lambasts the liquor industry for making all the "candy" flavored vodkas, brandies, etc. I would also like to know where the ecigs are being "marketed". Haven't seen a commercial or ad for them yet. Let alone one listing all the "flavors" that will entice a child. The story also didn't mention just how much these things cost. Not like they can go to 7-Eleven and grab a pack of them for $5.
I agree TB and Sun we should take that issue seriously. We need to help the other side to look at it realistically also. We are in for a long fight and we need to be smart about it and think things thru before we shoot our mouths off. This forum is great for all of us to bring up points we should be careful talking about. Wording is everything.
Idahojo: I hope it is a long fight. The way things are going these days, they could shut it down tomorrow with very little push back and no one to slow anything down.
Being fairly new to the e-cig concept, the most compelling rebuttal to the "for the children" battering ram seems to be the high cost of entry. I was 15 once. I knew a lot of 15 year olds at the time. I don't remember a one of them having $100 to shell out as a substitute for something that could easily be had for $4.
Related, I'm not seeing what the appeal to a 15 or 16 year old would be. I see it for us older smokers. We're starting to think about our health, for one. Is avoiding lung cancer or heart disease really foremost in the mind of your average teen? We also want something nicotine related for when we're out at bars or at work. Again, not huge teen issues.
Another lesser but still valid argument is the way these things are purchased. For the most part, it's credit card and Internet based. Know a lot of teens with credit cards where no adult is looking at / paying the bill? I don't. Assuming a store owner would even let a kid do it, these aren't locally available to the point that you could just walk into a store and lay down a Franklin for a kit in any widespread fashion.
Not a compelling argument but just a little venting on my part: How many rights and privileges of adulthood do we have to friggin give away in the name of "the children?"
Being fairly new to the e-cig concept, the most compelling rebuttal to the "for the children" battering ram seems to be the high cost of entry. I was 15 once. I knew a lot of 15 year olds at the time. I don't remember a one of them having $100 to shell out as a substitute for something that could easily be had for $4.
Related, I'm not seeing what the appeal to a 15 or 16 year old would be. I see it for us older smokers. We're starting to think about our health, for one. Is avoiding lung cancer or heart disease really foremost in the mind of your average teen? We also want something nicotine related for when we're out at bars or at work. Again, not huge teen issues.
Another lesser but still valid argument is the way these things are purchased. For the most part, it's credit card and Internet based. Know a lot of teens with credit cards where no adult is looking at / paying the bill? I don't. Assuming a store owner would even let a kid do it, these aren't locally available to the point that you could just walk into a store and lay down a Franklin for a kit in any widespread fashion.
Not a compelling argument but just a little venting on my part: How many rights and privileges of adulthood do we have to friggin give away in the name of "the children?"
I agree in the "save the children" statement you made. I am so tired of not being able to make adult decissions because the children might use the e-cigs, this seems to be the excuse for anything that someone dosent like. I wish they would keep out of our business. Ive been smoking since I was 11yrs old, I never heard of a teen dying from lung cancer from smoking, they end up becoming an addicted adult, which is the result of their decission and their right to deal with it how they want later in life. The Today's show was pandering to anti-smoker's.
I didn't think it was too bad a piece as far as coverage so far! I bet there were a good few hundred smokers watching that and are now looking around to buy!
Why do we - as vapers, need to babysit someone elses teenager? Why do our suppliers need to babysit for parents who couldn't care less?
Why do we - as vapers, need to babysit someone elses teenager? Why do our suppliers need to babysit for parents who couldn't care less?
The point the "for the children" people are missing... is that first off you have to pony up a rather large amount for the e-cigg.
Second, WHERE do teenagers GET analogs? Why, they swipe them from mummy and daddy.
When I was a teen... grandma used to just put them in the cart with hers.
(OHH were my parents MAD when they found THAT little bit of info out... and grandma told them to shut up. I could smoke if I wished.)
Now... if little 'Johnny' is swipeing your analogs... and you buy them by the carton, you might not notice.
I actually didn't notice my daughter was stealing MINE, until she smoked the last of a pack... and it was the last pack on hand.
The average adult is going to NOTICE if their expensive toy goes missing.
Not to mention, that the charging devices are probably kept in the adult's room... which means not only does 'Johnny' have to figure out how to make off with an e-cigg... he ALSO has to figure out how to recharge it without getting caught.
That will leave children LESS apt to get thier hands on the product than a pack of analogs.
I'm sure someone can spin doctor this better than I can... but... "It's for the children, switch to an e-cigg, they are harder to swipe, not to mention the little monsters can't smoke the butts."
Katt
Second, WHERE do teenagers GET analogs? Why, they swipe them from mummy and daddy.
When I was a teen... grandma used to just put them in the cart with hers.
(OHH were my parents MAD when they found THAT little bit of info out... and grandma told them to shut up. I could smoke if I wished.)
Now... if little 'Johnny' is swipeing your analogs... and you buy them by the carton, you might not notice.
I actually didn't notice my daughter was stealing MINE, until she smoked the last of a pack... and it was the last pack on hand.
The average adult is going to NOTICE if their expensive toy goes missing.
Not to mention, that the charging devices are probably kept in the adult's room... which means not only does 'Johnny' have to figure out how to make off with an e-cigg... he ALSO has to figure out how to recharge it without getting caught.
That will leave children LESS apt to get thier hands on the product than a pack of analogs.
I'm sure someone can spin doctor this better than I can... but... "It's for the children, switch to an e-cigg, they are harder to swipe, not to mention the little monsters can't smoke the butts."
Katt
"....potential to be a public health crisis if not regulated..."
umm, really??
ecigs are the new swine flu, just fyi.
those two chicks really want to sell their nicotine replacement products, it seems. of course...no mention of the success rate of patches and gum.
umm, really??
ecigs are the new swine flu, just fyi.
those two chicks really want to sell their nicotine replacement products, it seems. of course...no mention of the success rate of patches and gum.
Katt,
Well said that is exactly how I started smoking. Swiping them from the step dad.
Here is the flip side of that. The main reason I quit after 30 years, was that I was sick of my 14 year old (on the way to Hockey games) How's that quiting coming along DAD? as I fired up another.
What will I tell the kid when I start again.
If they ban them, I think we need (my parent quit campaign). My son will lead the charge. Trust me.
I have hit the 1 month analog free milestone.
Bill
Well said that is exactly how I started smoking. Swiping them from the step dad.
Here is the flip side of that. The main reason I quit after 30 years, was that I was sick of my 14 year old (on the way to Hockey games) How's that quiting coming along DAD? as I fired up another.
What will I tell the kid when I start again.
If they ban them, I think we need (my parent quit campaign). My son will lead the charge. Trust me.
I have hit the 1 month analog free milestone.
Bill
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My only observation is that the interviewer has two anti-smoking advocates and noone to address the opposing viewpoint. Neither of the "guests" directly address the question asked "Are E-cigarettes safer than smoking?" They say they need more data and studies, as if they haven't studied nicotine down to it's most minute molecule over the last 50 years that they've been trying to eliminate smoking. They have the data...look at it.
For anyone who wants the direct link to the video:
Today Show Video Player
For anyone who wants the direct link to the video:
Today Show Video Player
Part of being a teen involves finding out who you are. Declaring independence. It involves trying all things perceived as "adult". Drugs, alcohol, sex, tobacco, risk-taking behavior. Bright kids do these things. They learn from their experiments. They gather knowledge they'll use to become tomorrow's adult citizen. It's normal.
I worry, in fact, about any teen who swears by abstinence, follows a rigid religious doctrine, does not question conventional wisdom and authority. That's avoiding the kind of independent thinking the world will need from wise adults.
I began smoking as a teen. I liked it right from the beginning. I became so addicted that I learned to avoid other addictive behaviors like drinking and drugs. I knew I would love them -- and that they'd end up hurting me.
But for those who have no concern about this "save the children" issue, I will point out without linking that we had a thread here some months ago about affluent high school teens taking to e-cigarettes and using them on school grounds. No smoke smell on clothes or breath. Nic hit. Cooooool. Now that could be our ultimate downfall if the practice spreads. All e-smoking needs is one photo published in a newspaper of teens e-smoking in a school parking lot! Further, we do our cause no good by referring to e-cigars as "blings", liquid as "juice" and making this seem glamorous in any way.
We don't want children thinking e-smoking is really a great thing to do. That would result in our death sentence.
I worry, in fact, about any teen who swears by abstinence, follows a rigid religious doctrine, does not question conventional wisdom and authority. That's avoiding the kind of independent thinking the world will need from wise adults.
I began smoking as a teen. I liked it right from the beginning. I became so addicted that I learned to avoid other addictive behaviors like drinking and drugs. I knew I would love them -- and that they'd end up hurting me.
But for those who have no concern about this "save the children" issue, I will point out without linking that we had a thread here some months ago about affluent high school teens taking to e-cigarettes and using them on school grounds. No smoke smell on clothes or breath. Nic hit. Cooooool. Now that could be our ultimate downfall if the practice spreads. All e-smoking needs is one photo published in a newspaper of teens e-smoking in a school parking lot! Further, we do our cause no good by referring to e-cigars as "blings", liquid as "juice" and making this seem glamorous in any way.
We don't want children thinking e-smoking is really a great thing to do. That would result in our death sentence.
Yesterday I went to a mall to buy a new Smoke 51 while on travel. Outside the mall were no less than about 10 teens smoking and chatting. All I thought was if they were vaping instead of analoging they could save themselves a lot of health issues down the road.
I agree it would be an e-cig death sentence to have photos of teens vaping, but it seems to be more of a death sentence to force them to smoke analogs, or other drugs. Teens are going to do these things no matter how much the gov't restricts us adults and takes away our "flavors" or anything that tastes good because kids may also like it.
I don't have a point other than to state that this is a much bigger issue, and the powers that be should be looking at all sides, not just trying to kill e-cigs because the big tobacco lobbies tell them to.
And for the record, I do agree with you. Like someone pointed out, we do need a spokesperson to help get all the facts out, not just the "it's healthier than analogs" angle.
Randy
I sent them an email to the show, since I couldn't locate any comments associated with the web video for the report. It's rather lengthy, so I posted it to my blog here, if any of you wish to read it.
And with that, I slowly move from researcher, to lurker, to user of e-cigs, to advocate.
Ivisi
And with that, I slowly move from researcher, to lurker, to user of e-cigs, to advocate.
Ivisi
Ivisi, I just read your letter to the Today Show, and want to thank you and say what a great letter it is!
I applaud you. "The children" and all that it invokes is gagging me. Give me a break
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