On the usefulness of RCTs for vaping research

[DrMA]

This infamous precedent is so relevant to vaping, I just had to post it:

Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to gravitational challenge: systematic review of randomised controlled trials | The BMJ

Conclusions As with many interventions intended to prevent ill health, the effectiveness of parachutes has not been subjected to rigorous evaluation by using randomised controlled trials. Advocates of evidence based medicine have criticised the adoption of interventions evaluated by using only observational data. We think that everyone might benefit if the most radical protagonists of evidence based medicine organised and participated in a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, crossover trial of the parachute.

Tongue-in-cheek response to the article - of course it had to be somebody from the ban-happy State of CA :

Thank you for this study. Subsequent to publication, the use of
parachutes by hang glider pilots in Southern California has been
abandoned. Many of us felt they were bulky anyway, and recognition of the
lack of randomized trials opened our eyes. Most hang glider pilots here
subscribe only to the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA, so we came
very near missing this paper. Upon considering the hegenomy of the
Parachute Industry, perhaps the suppression of information was not
accidental.

 

[granolaboy]

Absolutely brilliant!!

thanks so much

 

[Kent C]

Someone copying my posts

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...demonstrates-antz-desperate.html#post14485038

 

[DrMA]

LOL. Note this study predates Kent's post by more than a decade

 

[Kent C]

LOL. Note this study predates Kent's post by more than a decade

Oh.... so 'pre-cognition' ...eh?

 

[DrMA]

Quite apart from the satire, this highlights the ANTZ insanity of dismissing millions of vapers as "anecdotes" and insisting that vaping be banned pending definitive evidence of safety and effectiveness. Apply the same logic to the parachute example....

 

[granolaboy]

Quite apart from the satire, this highlights the ANTZ insanity of dismissing millions of vapers as "anecdotes" and insisting that vaping be banned pending definitive evidence of safety and effectiveness. Apply the same logic to the parachute example....

I'm pretty sure one only needs basic high school chemistry to hazard a guess at whether it's less harmful. Combustion of tobacco vs. vaporization of e-juice. Do the math.

 

[DC2]

This upsets me...

In the last few years I have learned that I'm not invincible.
And so I have taken to wearing a parachute around the house in case my wife pushes me down the stairs.

It appears my thinking on this matter was misguided.

 

[Nate760]

And so I have taken to wearing a parachute around the house in case my wife pushes me down the stairs.

I don't even need stairs. My wife has a demonstrated ability to break her leg in the act of exiting the front door (love you, honey).

 

[Anjaffm]

Bwaaahaaahaa! Great article