A touch of the vapers
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Earlier this year I invited comments about e-cigarettes, which I knew very little about. Within hours the responses (over 100) were rolling in. I was surprised, but I discovered that there is not only a thriving industry selling e-cigs but an active (and enthusiastic) "vaping" community.
What amazed me, though, was the remarkably heated debate, bordering on open warfare, that the subject provoked.
There seem to be three distinct groups. On one side are smokers who regard e-cigs as an abomination designed to wean them off tobacco. If anyone so much as touches an e-cig they are accused of "selling out" and succumbing to the Devil.
One the other side are ex-smokers who have become evangelists for vaping and consider their former fellow smokers to be stupid or dinosaurs or both.
In the middle (and my sympathies lie firmly with this group) are those for whom e-cigs offer a useful alternative in places where smoking tobacco is prohibited.
Anyway, I was prompted to mention the subject again after reading Dick Puddlecote's latest post which concludes:
My motive for taking up vaping isn't altruistic or self-preservatory, I don't intend to give up smoking (that vague notion evaporated on July 1st 2007). I just want to be firmly in the opposition trench when the righteous come gunning for vapers. Anti-smokers (or anything that looks like smoking) get their jollies from ordering people around, I derive mine from telling them to fuck off.
Full post HERE.
Reader Comments (9)
E cigarettes have been referred to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA). Early indications appear that they will be effectively banned, see link. To be able to sell them legally in this country they will have to be evaluated by a team of scientists and go through exhaustive trialing, an expensive and time consuming process.
So it seems our Lords and masters have bowed to the pharmaceutical industry. While some vapers are sanctimonious ex smokers, most recognise they have a common cause with smokers in a dislike of ASH, junk science and the nanny state.
The anti smoking industry in this country is a disgrace.
http://vapersnetwork.org/Kate/MHRA%20banning%20letter.pdf
The thought of using an Ecig makes me puke.
However, like Dick Puddlecote, if I thought it would bug the Antis I will definitely be seen with one in my gob.
Given that e-cigs can be 'smoked' without nicotine, it will be interesting to hear the grounds on which they will be banned which, of course, they will be since Pharma won't be getting revenue from them.
It was a delight to see GSK's tricks re Avandia being exposed on Panorama
Being in the middle camp, it can be awkward and puzzling. You sum up the camps quite well.
Even if Pubs/Clubs do get indoor smoking facilities, it is less likely that more general workplaces will. At least until fashion changes again. So the choice of vaping in those circumstances is welcome.
The use of PVs (e-cigs) also exposes the words of some of these so called health groups, charities and people as a sham., as DPs blog seems to show.
The 'eagerly awaited' MHRA decision is due soon. It will be interesting to see what is decided and especially what they do about zero nic and herbal vapourisers.
" I derive mine from telling them to fuck off.............................."
Ten out of ten for the sentiment, Dick.
But might I be presumptuous enough to suggest a little more courtesy - even to our enemies ?
Telling them to KINDLY fuck off strikes about the right sort of balance between Noble Anger and Common Politeness, I think.
(And the same advice applies to ANYONE who dares to even MENTION 'split infinitives' !)
@ Martin V
I think that you should stop showing off if you want definitely to stop actually splitting infinitives. Do you not know that ASH are shortly to conduct a survey on this subject? I confidently expect 90% agreement - erm........is splitting an infinitive similar to splitting a smoker? Anyway, I agree with ASH.
I find that an E-Cig is quite useful in terms of driving. I drive trucks and, as we know, these are deemed workplaces and therefore are Smoke Free!
When in need of a smoke to help maintain concentration on a long haul up or down a motorway, stuck at 56mph I, as many other drivers do, often succumb to a smoke. However, I always have my E-cig to hand and a reasonably strong air freshener/odour eliminator in the cab. Should anyone wish to make a complaint to the company for whom I am working on any particular occasion I can produce my E-cig and say that as they were passing me whilst driving they must have been mistaken, it was my E-cig that I was puffing on.
Could anyone prove different in such circumstances?
I also have a Butt Tub which is designed to for easy and quick disposal of cig butts, is enclosed and reasonably hidden if kept in the door pocket and can be stowed in my bag.
As for trying to outlaw these devices, most people I have spoken to say they are far better than the pharmaceutical equivalents (that look nothing like cigarettes) as they do not give a sore and dry throat!
Heaven help us if these devices are outlawed as well!
Way to go Lyn outwit them every time, thats all we can do. . . .for now.
I guess if you had snorted up on crac or shot up on heroin at your last truck stop PC49 would wave you on and tell you to have a nice day!
What a crazy world Nanny has introduced us to!
Totally crazy, Ann; so crazy in fact I don't even think it would be believable in a Hollywood movie!
Still, they say fact is stranger than fiction, pity this sort of stupidity could not be just plain fiction. Perhaps we will all wake up one day and find it was all a nightmare!
Well, we can at least hope!