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meow2u3

(24,930 posts)
Mon Dec 21, 2015, 10:01 PM Dec 2015

E-Cigs' Inconvenient Truth: It's Much Safer to Vape (long read)

Daniel Walsh was first drawn to electronic cigarettes for the same reason millions of smokers have taken up the devices. "I was a guy who could work 20 hour days and juggle a number of complex projects, but I couldn't quit," says Walsh. "It was my greatest deficit." The quixotic promise that have made e-cigs the subject of endless controversy — that smoking cessation and smoking as recreation can coexist — resonated with Walsh. After successfully making the switch, he was so enamored by the product that he left his job developing artificial intelligence in San Francisco, decamped to Michigan and launched Purebacco, a manufacturer of the flavored, nicotine-laced liquid that are battery-heated into an inhalable vapor inside e-cigs. With over 30 employees, satellite offices in San Francisco and London, and plans to expand into a 40,000-square-foot headquarters, Purebacco's growth is a microcosm of the industry as a whole, which is estimated to do $3.5 billion in sales this year. "There is so much anecdotal evidence out there supporting the idea that people like me have helped hundreds of thousands of smokers quit," says Walsh, who is known to colleagues as the High Priest of Vaping, a fitting nickname for an enigmatic scientist with a mane of blond dreadlocks who works long hours in his sleek laboratory. "Yet as an e-cig CEO, I'm not really supposed to say that, since current rules prohibit us from marketing our products as anything but another vice."

In August, when British health officials released what was billed as a "landmark review" of electronic cigarettes, Walsh savored a moment of vindication. Describing the devices in headline-grabbing language — "around 95 percent safer than smoking" — the study encouraged e-cigs to be labeled as an effective means of helping smokers curb and kick the deadly habit: a nicotine delivery system with the "potential to make a significant contribution to the endgame for tobacco," as the report boldly stated, that should be embraced as a public health breakthrough rather than shunned as a novel evil undermining the crusade against smoking. "It was what I've been preaching for years!" says Walsh. "Maybe we're seeing a shift where people like me don't sound so fringe and crazy."

In England, perhaps. In America, the dominant message regarding e-cigs is that they are a menace. They have been placed under similar restrictions as tobacco products in the U.S., despite the fact that they contain no tobacco, long understood to be the source of the carcinogens that make smoking the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Campaigns by anti-smoking groups have successfully fostered the perception that the risks of e-cigs are interchangeable from ordinary cigarettes, and the mainstream media has largely followed in step, with much of the reporting on e-cigs focused on the sensational (exploding devices!) and the apocalyptic (worse than tobacco!). What makes this all particularly confounding is that most American public health officials agree with the core claim of the British report: namely, that puffing an e-cig is significantly less harmful than a tobacco cigarette. Maybe not a provocative 95 percent safer — the research remains spotty, open to interpretation, and e-cigs are too new to be the subject of any longitudinal studies — but at the very least free of the most pernicious toxins released when tobacco is burned. So why the reluctance to make this clear, when 480,000 Americans die from smoking each year?

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/e-cigs-inconvenient-truth-its-much-safer-to-vape-20151221#ixzz3v0zFloBM
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Take that, nicotine nazis!

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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E-Cigs' Inconvenient Truth: It's Much Safer to Vape (long read) (Original Post) meow2u3 Dec 2015 OP
I stopped smoking before vaping appeared but... TreasonousBastard Dec 2015 #1
And how many don't die from smoking each year? rationalcalgarian Dec 2015 #2
You do understand, I hope, that your grandfather's living to 95 PoindexterOglethorpe Aug 2016 #9
I think we agree in principle rationalcalgarian Sep 2016 #10
19 days now cigarette free. Cassiopeia Feb 2016 #3
Great for you meow2u3 Feb 2016 #4
I started at 12mg Cassiopeia Feb 2016 #5
I started at 24 and went to 18 a month later meow2u3 Feb 2016 #6
I've looked into rebuildable Cassiopeia Feb 2016 #7
Have at least 3 devices on hand meow2u3 Feb 2016 #8
ecigs dillydally2510 Oct 2016 #13
ecigs dillydally2510 Oct 2016 #14
Interesting TheFa11en Sep 2016 #11
ecigs dillydally2510 Oct 2016 #12
I was at 3 packs a day, and wished my cigs were as long as Pinocchio's nose on a bad day angstlessk Jan 2017 #15

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
1. I stopped smoking before vaping appeared but...
Mon Dec 21, 2015, 10:14 PM
Dec 2015

it sure would have made it easier. Or maybe I wouldn't have stopped at all if the risks were largely removed.

Vaping reduces most of the toxins of smoke, does not fill the air with smoke injuring or at least annoying everyone else, and has little risk of fire.

So, the only real reason to be adamantly against it is as a moral crusade.

nicotine nazis, indeed

rationalcalgarian

(295 posts)
2. And how many don't die from smoking each year?
Tue Dec 22, 2015, 02:18 AM
Dec 2015

Let me preface this by saying that I do not advocate smoking and I am in no way associated with the tobacco industry.

I have noticed that little attention is paid to people who have smoked all their lives and die in their 80's and 90's after long happy lives. In 2010 there was a story of a woman in Britain who celebrated her 115th birthday by lighting her cigarette on her birthday cake candle. She smoked with "the lads" as she gave them tea and scones while they waited to board the train on their way to France.
My grandfather died in 1974 at the age of 95, a smoker his entire life.
I will be 60 next year. I have smoked since I was 14. My doctor tells me I have the heart of a bull.

Again, I want to emphasis that I do NOT encourage anyone to pick up the habit (addiction). I believe and hope that smoking will die out out in the next generation or two. But, in the meantime, can we not use nicotine addiction as a political football? Politicians will pretend to be oh so concerned about health and advocate the raising of taxes on tobacco, but make this toxic substance illegal? Oops, they are not prepared to go that far. Besides, they get political points by disparaging a group of people and collecting taxes from them.

When smoking in movie theatres was outlawed, I thought "Yeah, that makes sense." Even as a smoker, the smell of someone else's cigarette annoyed me. I felt the same when they progressed to the next level and banned cigarettes from restaurants. That made perfect sense to me! Who needs cigarette smoke drifting across your expensive dinner? I agree! And I can keep my smokes in my pocket until I'm out on the street.

Then they banned smoking in bars. And I thought "Wait. What? In bars?" Since when do we go to bars for our health? There was that bullshit meme going around that bar owners found they could make more money by going smokeless. My response was, if so, why do we need to legislate it? Wouldn't bar owners just naturally go smokeless if there was more money? Why do we need laws to make bar owners make more money? I recall a bar opening up in a trendy part of town that advertised it was 100% smokeless. It lasted two months.

Needless to say, I haven't been to a bar in years. I buy my beer at the store, take it home for one-quarter of the price, smoke at my place, and no one is playing ABBA on the jukebox. (Different rant... some other time)

There is a veterans' hospital here that houses men in their last stages. They are admitted, these veterans of WWII and Korea, when they are at the last stages of their lives. They are then imposed upon by the current anti-nicotine laws and cannot smoke. There is no place these gallant men who served their country can go and enjoy their smokes. At this stage in their lives, who cares? Let them smoke, dammit!

That's my rant. Yes, I agree, smoking is bad. You don't need to turn me on that. In fact, I would love to go to the boardroom of a tobacco company and fire up a smoke just to watch them dive for cover! But could we please stop this demonization of smokers and, by extension, vapers? We have bigger problems.

Out. Peace. Flame if ya have to.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,764 posts)
9. You do understand, I hope, that your grandfather's living to 95
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 04:04 AM
Aug 2016

having been a smoker his entire life, is unusual? What's far more usual is the shortened life span, the heart disease, the shortness of breath, the early deaths, of smokers.

I'm incredibly grateful that smoking is outlawed in many public places. I'm old enough to recall people smoking in grocery stores, in hospitals, essentially everywhere. Both of my parents smoked, and in my young adulthood "everyone" smoked, and so the odor of cigarettes was common and accepted. I'm one of six children, and I'm the only one who not only didn't ever smoke but also didn't have a spouse who was a smoker, and is it sheer coincidence that I'm by far the healthiest? I was recently at a milestone class reunion (a fiftieth) and it was stunningly clear who were the smokers and who'd never smoked. Not to mention the smokers who'd passed on in recent years. Heck, if I were to design an anti-smoking campaign I'd include at least one ad that takes place at a 50th high school reunion. Not only would you get to see the glaringly obvious differences between the smokers and the never smokers, but the list of those who'd died and their smoking history would be clear evidence of why no one should smoke.

I have a sister, only 18 months older than me. She started smoking at age thirteen. A while back, the subject of how old she and I were came up in the presence of my nieces -- the daughters of our youngest sister. They were completely unbelieving that we were so close in age. Again, the difference between a life long smoker and a life long non smoker.

On the other hand, I suppose I can thank all the smokers for contributing to my Social Security into the distant future. I do have plans to live to my 97th birthday (a solar eclipse I'm planning to see), and I will need all the financial help I can get.

rationalcalgarian

(295 posts)
10. I think we agree in principle
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 09:53 PM
Sep 2016

No one should smoke and I would never encourage it.
But we do have a generation of people who grew up with it during a time when it was accepted and a normal part of everyday life. Yes, that generation is dying out, whether by smoking or just naturally. We bought into the lifestyle that advertising and culture portrayed but now, in a more enlightened world, we are being punished for it.
My complaint is that politicians make smokers a convenient football to kick around but enjoy the taxes they reap from this deadly, legal substance. Make the suggestion to your local politician that tobacco be made illegal and watch them back track and squirm. You might as well be asking them to make alcohol illegal. Because alcohol never hurt anyone, right?
I'm not arguing with you, PoinDexter, because you are absolutely right. There have been countless lives lost over the past couple of centuries because of tobacco but that trend is changing for the better. I just hate the game that's being played by politicians and governments that reap the financial benefits form from tobacco while condemning it with the same breath. What of the people who bought into it who are now in their later years? I say give them a break, give them some comfort, don't subject them to this new reality; just let them have a smoke. If they have to go outside to do it, then so be it but let them do it. Better yet, provide them with an area where they don't have to suffer the added indignity of being seen to be so desperate, so needy as to suffer the elements for their addiction.
On a sidenote, if it isn't already obvious, I am a smoker. And I wish I had the guts and fortitude to break the addiction, but I don't. As long as I am independent and free like this, I will continue to live my life as I see fit. I never smoke in public, but if you're in my house, it's my rules. (smiley face)
Thanks for your comment, PoinDexter. It was quite enlightening.

Cassiopeia

(2,603 posts)
3. 19 days now cigarette free.
Thu Feb 18, 2016, 09:28 PM
Feb 2016

I switched to vaping.

7 days in I cut my nicotine level in half. I plan to do so again on about day 28. Hopefully by day 60 I'll be at the lowest nicotine level available and be done with nicotine. If not, I'll still be in a safer position than a 40 to 50 cigarette a day habit.

meow2u3

(24,930 posts)
4. Great for you
Thu Feb 18, 2016, 09:33 PM
Feb 2016

What's your nicotine level?

Over time, you're not going to need as much nicotine. I've been vaping for 2 years and my current nic level is 6mg for use in tanks and 3mg when direct dripping.

Cassiopeia

(2,603 posts)
5. I started at 12mg
Thu Feb 18, 2016, 09:37 PM
Feb 2016

I'm currently at 6mg. The first few days at that level and I was using more, but now I'm back to the original amount of liquid I was using at 12mg.

I'm only using a tank, no dripping. .9 ohm vaporesso coil.

meow2u3

(24,930 posts)
6. I started at 24 and went to 18 a month later
Thu Feb 18, 2016, 09:40 PM
Feb 2016

That was over 2 years ago. I gradually stepped down.

I'm going to have to step down to 3 both in dripping and in tanks. I have 1 Kayfun, 1 dual coil Orchid rebuildable tank atty, and 4 drippers.

Cassiopeia

(2,603 posts)
7. I've looked into rebuildable
Thu Feb 18, 2016, 10:01 PM
Feb 2016

and decided against it. I love to tinker and already read a lot about vaping etc. I'm looking to quit, not replace though so the less I associate "fun" with vaping the better.

If a year in I just can't put it down I'll get fully involved. Like I said, it's still safer than smoking. and cheaper, even buying all the startup stuff, buying new stuff after reading more, then well just a few more things just to make sure a breakdown doesn't send me to 7-11 for a pack of smokes.

meow2u3

(24,930 posts)
8. Have at least 3 devices on hand
Fri Feb 19, 2016, 08:15 AM
Feb 2016

Or, if you're into mods, have at least 2 batteries: one to use and one to recharge for a backup.

Or, if all else fails and your gear breaks down, you can always go for a disposable cigalike instead of a pack of smokes.

dillydally2510

(6 posts)
13. ecigs
Thu Oct 13, 2016, 05:07 PM
Oct 2016

hi new member from England on UK vapers its great this smoking malarky. I've noticed in america theyve to get rid of them in UK they are encouraged and even recognised as a smoking aid along the likes of nic patches.

dillydally2510

(6 posts)
12. ecigs
Thu Oct 13, 2016, 04:57 PM
Oct 2016

hi I'm a new member from UK been vaping for 3 years in the UK they are positive about vaping 95% safer than smoking from health authority is correct. the lies from California about vaping is incredible and also the fda. I know why they are protecting or trying to protect tob taxes at all cost as some states will go bust because they have invested too heavily in tob shares. we vapers know better than the lies because it will kill the next gen of vapers by restricting vapers. just imagine saying smoking is better than vaping is incredible and the sad thing is people will believe them. what the situation in america concerning the new fda vaping rules is mutiny in the air.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
15. I was at 3 packs a day, and wished my cigs were as long as Pinocchio's nose on a bad day
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 04:51 AM
Jan 2017

then I got bronchitis and quit smoking for about a month or so...but I had cigs unsmoked,,,so being the addict I was, I smoked.

Then that nasty bronchitis revisited me...and I discovered e-cigs.

E-Cigs have saved me...

I used to cough all night..depriving me of sleep...now I sleep through the night!

If a battery erupts and disfigures me...so be it!

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