In the interests of conveying a positive tobacco Harm Reduction message to smokers, the public at large and those that are meant to represent us, I believe the time might be right to consider an official day where thoughts around the world can be directed towards celebrating alternatives to smoking cigarettes.
Please join in on a discussion on what goals should be be sought whilst celebrating such a day and what a good date for that day should be. (suggest April 1 may not be available as the 'quit or die' crowd have there eye on that one!)
I'll start the ball rolling with a few suggestions...
date... some time in August, as there are not many health-related international days in that month.
International Days ? United Nations Observances
2013 World Days List, International Days, World Days Calendar, United Nations Days.
Activities on such a day could include...
- Handing out ITHRD cards to smokers you see in the street or outside buildings advising them that alternatives like snus and e-cigs exist.
- Educating the public that the words tobacco and Cigarette should not be used interchangeably, as there are safe ways to consume tobacco but not many safe ways to consume cigarettes.
- Educating the public regarding Nicotine and its roll when used for lifestyle purposes in products such as the e-Cigarette along with the benefits attributed to it and its widespread existence in foods we may eat.
- Educating the public that the term 'dual use' means someone is being courageous and is trying to get off cigarettes by alternating their use with a safer product, not because someone has an obscene wish to get junked up on nicotine!
Not only could such a day provide information for people to pass onto smokers whom they may be concerned about, but education could be delivered to counter the unfounded negative approaches some interest groups and governments have taken towards Tobacco Harm Reduction.
Please join in on a discussion on what goals should be be sought whilst celebrating such a day and what a good date for that day should be. (suggest April 1 may not be available as the 'quit or die' crowd have there eye on that one!)
I'll start the ball rolling with a few suggestions...
date... some time in August, as there are not many health-related international days in that month.
International Days ? United Nations Observances
2013 World Days List, International Days, World Days Calendar, United Nations Days.
Activities on such a day could include...
- Handing out ITHRD cards to smokers you see in the street or outside buildings advising them that alternatives like snus and e-cigs exist.
- Educating the public that the words tobacco and Cigarette should not be used interchangeably, as there are safe ways to consume tobacco but not many safe ways to consume cigarettes.
- Educating the public regarding Nicotine and its roll when used for lifestyle purposes in products such as the e-Cigarette along with the benefits attributed to it and its widespread existence in foods we may eat.
- Educating the public that the term 'dual use' means someone is being courageous and is trying to get off cigarettes by alternating their use with a safer product, not because someone has an obscene wish to get junked up on nicotine!
Not only could such a day provide information for people to pass onto smokers whom they may be concerned about, but education could be delivered to counter the unfounded negative approaches some interest groups and governments have taken towards Tobacco Harm Reduction.
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