The Dangers of Pipes and Cigars

[Vocalek]

This article in today's Parade magazine is a wonderful example of distorted reporting.

The Dangers of Pipes and Cigars | Parade.com

It opens with "Do you think that smoking a cigar or pipe is less harmful than smoking cigarettes?"

No, Dr. Mishori, I don't think so, I happen to know so.

Dr. Mishor iuses the same tactics employed by the spin doctors at the FDA. If you carefully examine every word, no outright lies have been told; however both FDA and Dr. Mishroi quite cleverly mislead the readers.

In my comment I point out that the study being reviewed does not compare continuing smokers to those who switched to cigars and pipes.

I also cite previous research showing that switching cuts disease risks in half. While I was at it, I put in a plug for smoke-free alternatives (90 to 90% safer) such as snus and inhaling vaporized nicotine.

 

[Janetda]

Your comments are always right on the money. This is another. Great job!

 

[JerryRM]

Elaine, I was talking to my niece (non-smoker), the other day, about my e-cig and I also mentioned snus to her. Her comment was that she had seen a guy on tv talking about snus and he said it was just as dangerous and cancer causing as cigarettes. I had to set her straight on that.

The propaganda is flying from all directions.

 

[TropicalBob]

This made me so mad I could not shut up all day. Just how many smokers will such distorted journalism kill? I was outraged, and remember that I devoted my adult career to journalism, back when it WAS honest, fair and accurate.

 

[JerryRM]

This made me so mad I could not shut up all day. Just how many smokers will such distorted journalism kill? I was outraged, and remember that I devoted my adult career to journalism, back when it WAS honest, fair and accurate.

Bob, today journalism is biased entertainment with an occasional real news story thrown in. Where are Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Morrow, we need you guys.

 

[PaulB]

It must have been a shock for the Parade people to encounter a well-reasoned challenge to their anti-tobacco fare. Heck, any challenge is rare, and always has been since the anti-smoking juggernaut set sail. And that's part of why we are where we are today: I think smokers are a guilt-ridden lot, and not wont to speak out on these issues. A lesson of sorts for the e-smoking community?

 

[AlexTM]

That unhealthy feeling of guilt is one reason the antis don't like vapers and smokeless users alike - not only do we feel far less guilty, we are often finding out only now that we had been lied to badly. I mean, who ever had the nerve to dig into those stories of "second-hand smoke" and other BS? Now we have, and I am not the only one who is slightly annoyed.

 

[Vocalek]

TBob: Mishori is not a journalist; she is an MD. I guess it is OK for those who took the oath "First, do nor harm" to practice what they used to call "yellow journalism."

 

[Kate51]

"yellow journalism" exactly right. I am starting to think that all studies are also biased to show the preconceived end results as well. Is any study actually done with the end result not built into the data collected, I don't think so.
I'm also beginning to think that people in all once respected fields are born with a certain cleanliness code that they perceive all people should live under. Don't let your kids get dirty, keep all surfaces sanitary and germ free, on and on. Sterilization of the earth and all inhabitants is underway, and will eventually kill us all, humanity will be wiped out by common bacteria or killed by the side-effects of allergy meds.
People believe they are performing a huge service to mankind by pointing out the evil of germs in our houses, and nasty smelly things like a nice pipe or cigar tobacco. Or a PV. I have no idea how my grandparents and parents lived to such a ripe old age, eating fats, drinking whole milk and smoking! I think we must have grown up in a very abusive world, being led to believe most people were actually honest.