Official complaint to the BBC

[rolygate]

I have made an official complaint to the BBC about this news item and the text is reproduced here:

____________________________

BBC North - news item on the death of a man in Gateshead that was claimed to have been due to use of an electronic cigarette.

BBC North ran a news item which can not only be described as having extreme bias, but probably assisted a doctor with a private agenda to further his aims. The most important facts were omitted, and despite advice given that the claims being made were not just unlikely but unique and highly improbable, the BBC did not do the most basic research to investigate whether in fact there was any truth to the version they broadcast.

All the crucial facts were omitted, and a totally unacceptable slant was given to the news item that in the end bordered on hysteria. E-cigarettes have been used by millions of people, worldwide, for many years, and there is not one single case of morbidity or mortality associated with their use. In addition, there is in fact a wealth of research on the ingredients and use, by many eminent researchers and clinicians, all of which confirm that harm due to e-cigarette use is extremely unlikely. The BBC chose not to look at this research or to ignore its content.

The news item, with a more complete commentary, is discussed here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...al-biased-untruthful-reporting-bbc-north.html

...and here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...attempts-implicate-e-cigarettes-uk-death.html

It appears very much as if the BBC has been manipulated by a doctor with an agenda. It is a great shame that the BBC did not take the opportunity to check his wild claims with doctors of greater seniority such as Drs. Laugesen, Phillips, Nitzkin, Rodu et al. They would have been able to immediately demolish this person's statements and been able to give the medical reasons why.

In conclusion, I expect a full public statement on this issue from you, and the reasons why such biased and inaccurate reporting was allowed to occur.

Signed,
ECF Manager and e-cigarette consumer community representative

 

[rolygate]

Here is the BBC's report:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWizH6ZYvtA

If you wish to complain, this is the URL to visit:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/

 

[Placebo Effect]

I also sent in a complaint to the BBC

 

[JerryRM]

I posted a link to this thread and the discussion thread, in the All About e-cigarettes forum.

Well done, Chris. !!!

 

[mwa102464]

I too sent in a complaint, it's pretty unbelievable how the BBC reporters contradict themselves in there reporting.!!

 

[Placebo Effect]

As always, when complaining please be respectful. If a news organization thinks they've lost a viewer forever, there's no reason to try to placate the person. I phrased my letter in a way that I was saying, "I typically watch BBC because I've always thought BBC exhibited more professionalism and less bias in their reporting than the American stations, and thus I was very disappointed to see [info about the report]."

 

[Vocalek]

UK Lung Specialist Claims Man Should Have Continued Smoking

Gateshead, UK - Noted pulmonologist, Dr. Rob Allcock today announced that Terence Miller would still be alive today if only he had continued smoking, instead of stopping in October 2009. Mr. Miller died in August, 2010 at Gateshead Hospital while being treated by Dr. Allcott.

The results of a coroner's inquest were announced on Monday. Rather than attributing the manner of death to any shoddy treatment Mr. Miller might have received at Gateshead, the results of the inquest were an "open verdict." It is reported that the lung specialist protested, "It sure wasn't my fault!" Dr. Allcock also stated that the oily residue found in Mr. Miller's lungs, although not unheard of in patients that have chronic bronchial obstruction, was most likely due to the fact that Miller no longer smoked.

"He switched to one of those new-fangled e-ciggie thingies," stated the doctor. "We have years of research on the effects of inhaling smoke, but not on these e-cigs. Maybe when you take away the tar, the particles of ash, and the thousands of toxins found in smoke, that's harder on the lungs. The lungs have to adjust to only getting pharmaceutical-grade nicotine and a few other substances that the US Food and Drug Administration claims are generally recognized as safe.

"How do we know the FDA isn't telling a whopper about that?" he demanded. "They have been known to bend the truth before."

"And how do we know," the doctor continued, "that the Missus didn't slip something oily into his e-juice? That could have caused it."

Dr. Allcock continued to protest his complete lack of any culpability in the death of Mr. Miller and pointed out once again that Mr. Miller might still be alive if he had continued smoking.

 

[IanK1968]

There is proof that inhaling or ingesting oils can cause Exogenous lipoid pneumonia. This scared me, but I want more proof that this "oily residue" was infact from e-juice

Lipoid Pneumonia : Lipoid Pneumonia Causes

 

[Vocalek]

There is proof that inhaling or ingesting oils can cause Exogenous lipoid pneumonia. This scared me, but I want more proof that this "oily residue" was infact from e-juice

Lipoid Pneumonia : Lipoid Pneumonia Causes

As I said in the other thread going on this topic:

I have heard that there is a very easy way to tell if there is oil in your e-juice.

Your atomizer dies.

Which makes it very suspect that Mr. Miller was inhaling "large quantities of the substitutes" that "seemed to involve a mixture of nicotine and some oil."

 

[IanK1968]

As I said in the other thread going on this topic:

yeah I just was doing a little research and my findings are on the other thread about this. You inhale oils from aromatherapy and smoking, but blame it on the e-cigs cuz it has to do with smoking and making people quit.

 

[CJsKee]

I think Elaine is right...the good doc is trying to cover his own ...! There's truth in her spoof

 

[rothenbj]

That was a spoof? I was looking all over for the link, ROTFLMAO.

 

[IanK1968]

OMG I couldnt treat this guy, what do I do, what do I do, what do I do, hmmm blame it on tobacco? no cant do that. Hes old, maybe I can blame it on natural causes because thats what it is. I know I will blame it on e-cigs, no one will investigate, I can cover my own malpractice using e-cigs. BBC will buy it, they never investigate their stories. Lets go with it. BBC I have a story for you.

 

[nonmalum]

Don't $h|+ on them too hard just yet. For a long time analog cigarettes were 'considered' and 'advertised' as healthy or not terribly damaging, in almost exactly the same way ecigs are now often advertised.

Research needs to be done. I believe in ecigs, but science must be done, and although this story is slanted, it is of high public interest and raises the visibility and standards of ecigs.

 

[nonmalum]

Not to be a doubleposter, but heck, I will. Remember that some people attempt to extract tobacco juices using oils. As well as other 'smokable' products.

 

[IanK1968]

we are not saying its safe, its safer. no tar, no chemicals, how cna you compare ecigs to cigs?

 

[rolygate]

The problem here is that the doctor is now known to be a member of a certain group of people with a specific agenda. The BBC were foolish enough to swallow it hook, line, and sinker. That is what they must be brought to task for.

 

[ec!gg]

This is crazy, complaint also sent to BBC.

 

[rothenbj]

Don't $h|+ on them too hard just yet. For a long time analog cigarettes were 'considered' and 'advertised' as healthy or not terribly damaging, in almost exactly the same way ecigs are now often advertised.

Research needs to be done. I believe in ecigs, but science must be done, and although this story is slanted, it is of high public interest and raises the visibility and standards of ecigs.

I'll bet there's a Cali researcher that could do the job too. Where's Prue when you need her?

 

[cookiebun]

Rolygate:
Thanks for sending the complaint. I saw that story on Google News U.K. and thought to myself "oh great, we vapers really need this". The complaints will probably mean more if they come from people in the U.K. It's their money funding the BBC.

The guy was elderly and pretty sick. He's only been using the ecig a couple of weeks.
Maybe it was just his time to go.

Edit.
The story I read on the front page of the BBC News site said the guy was 71, had emphysema, and had only been using the egig for about 3 weeks. Sheesh! That was Sunday or Monday morning.