The EU are debating the WHO Tobacco Control directives on the 25th of
this month (February) I don't smoke. But I do use electronic
cigarettes.
The WHO directive, though, is also about electronic
cigarettes, not banning electronic cigarettes outright, but wants the
nicotine content of electronic cigarette e liquid to be set at 4mg of
nicotine and become medical devices, which in effect bans them as they
are used now. This will seriously affect the electronic cigarette
community who are now almost a million in the UK of which I am one.
I smoked for 50 years and the more we became marginalised by
legislation and public opinion was turned against smokers, the more
determined I became never to give up smoking. In 2011 I started "vaping"
ie. using an electronic device, and the habit of smoking simply fell
away from me - a miracle! Since then, I have promoted vaping as a
solution for devoted smokers like me to change to a less harmful habit.
My life has changed. I am physically better. The dentist is impressed.
The doctor is impressed. My family is impressed. I am impressed.
The recommendations from the EU will be taken on by our Parliament
(because they have to). WHO is working to the beat of Tobacco Control's
drum and the huge investment that Drug Companies have made to profit
from Patches, Gums, Sprays to stop people smoking. The fact is that
electronic cigarettes are far more successful in getting people to quit
entirely or - like me - to continue with nicotine usage in a less
harmful manner.
I hope you find time to investigate the phenomenon of elecronic
"vaping" that is leading to smoking reduction in millions of people
worldwide. They have done this, and are doing it, all by themselves
without force, without any lobby group pushing them or manipulation from
the State.
It is important that electronic Cigarettes are NOT made medical
devices, or legislated against in anyway but by the "lightest touch"
otherwise those lives that are being saved, will be lost - mine
included.
If you know about "vaping" - properly know - you will become an
empowered spokesperson for me. I will need to rely on you. You are my
voice.
Thank you,
Yours sincerely,
The only way I would support legislation against vaping, would be if the govt also legislated against all tobacco products, and alcohol.
ReplyDeleteVaping has improved my health hugely and, for the first time, I feel that I have a real chance of giving up smoking.
Trouble is - if the Govt legislated against all tobacco products and alcohol it would simply go underground. People have been drinking and smoking since we became people! Do you think love or sex would stop if the Govt legislated against it? We need less legislation, not more. that's my opinion. In my lifetime the "war on drugs" has produced a massively profitable industry - and there are more drugs now - not less!
DeleteI think it's wonderful that vaping is helping you - everyone should have that chance in the future too.
Well said. I'm from the North West and must send the MEP an email. I've been vaping now for almost 2 months after 30 years smoking. It's hard to explain but the day I starting vaping cigarettes became meaningless. Now after 2 months I can smell and taste. I have no early morning cough and I can run again with my 4 year old son.
ReplyDeleteI vape 18mg but I fear if eliquid is restricted to 5mg I will return to smoking.