Let's clarify that this is Marc Siegel, who either a) knows nothing whatsoever about
tobacco harm reduction (THR) or b) knows about THR but insists that smokers only have the "quit or die" option. He believes e-cigarettes should be a prescription medication so as to prevent people from using them on an extended basis. He wants them only to be used temporarily, like NRTs. I don't suppose it has occurred to him that they certainly can be used in this way, but if they are used in this way they will become just as effective as NRTs....somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 - 5%. And then the 95 to 98% for whom this didn't work relapse and starts inhaling smoke again. Good plan! (Yes, that's sarcasm.)
He desperately needs to read the 2001 Institute of Medicine Report, "Clearing the Smoke: The Science Base for
tobacco Harm Reduction" and the 2007 report from the UK's Royal College of Physicians, "Harm Reduction in Nicotine Addiction: Helping People Who Can't Quit."
Clearing the Smoke: The Science Base for Tobacco Harm Reduction - Institute of Medicine
http://www.tobaccoprogram.org/pdf/4fc74817-64c5-4105-951e-38239b09c5db.pdf
Obviously he has never seen an e-cigarette first-hand or talked with anyone who uses one. He believes that e-cigarettes are ignited and that users inhale smoke.
Marc Siegel should not be confused with Dr. Michael Siegel of Boston University School of Public Health who authored the review of 16 toxicology studies on e-cigarettes and who has conducted research on e-cigarette users.
