Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Deadly agency nominated for award ~ Lessons From the Public Health Responses to the US Outbreak of Vaping-Related Lung Injury ~ A Look Back at CDC’s Award-Nominated “EVALI” Response ~ Cigarette sales are rising in the middle of a pandemic ~ Nicotine Policy Should Not Be Exempt From Science ~ How ASH turned the views of just SIX smokers into a headline-grabbing 300k ~ Speaking of government math ~ What’s that? Juul and Pave? ~ Survey: ‘Cool’ factor, not flavor, drives teens to vape ~ Dependence on e-cigarettes and cigarettes in a cross-sectional study of US adults.
Deadly agency nominated for award
Because you need to pat yourselves on the back for a pseudo-job well done. You have work to do with those states banning ‘our’ products on false pretenses. Now you have the tools.
Human beings died while we eluded to something else causing the problem – and that assumption caused cities and states to ban nicotine vaping products.
We’re still confusing the public. We’ll mention it, but we’re not going to blow the same budget resources admitting or rectifying blatant misconduct. But hey, look at us! We’re a finalist for an award!
Congrats to CDC’s Dr. Briss & 2019 Lung Injury Response Team for being #Sammies2020 Science & Environment finalist! They identified the chemical compound responsible for the outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI): https://t.co/fiwSBUwD23
— Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) May 4, 2020
Lessons From the Public Health Responses to the US Outbreak of Vaping-Related Lung Injury
You have work to do with those states banning ‘our’ products on false pretenses. Now you have the tools.
“The CDC’s public advice and the media were slow to report the evidence on the role of cannabis vaping. Popular government regulatory proposals – bans on sales of nicotine flavours and vaporisers – were based on the assumption that nicotine vaping was the cause of the outbreak.”
If one person is tested three-times and all three tests come back positive, it counts as three instead of one https://t.co/lAW8C1N9Er
— Rogue1-the Jeff Faria Project (@PatriotsOfMars) May 5, 2020
What’s that? Juul and Pave?
This 60 second snippet from PAVE has them telling the truth (and then distorting it). Not that that's news to anyone, I'm sure, but they did FINALLY admit the "JUUL rep" (in the school) wasn't a "JUUL rep". pic.twitter.com/Sy5cqYvxnh
What Carl said, and the video Jerry is in was “produced at taxpayer expense”.
What type of person refers to himself using a seldom-used unjustly flattering nickname? (Hint: Pretty much anyone who is part of our basket case governing cabal.) https://t.co/2q3hTIT8IA
United States of America. The only country in the world to deem a blue screwdriver a tobacco product per @FDATobacco … When are you going to wake up America? Your government is lying to you about vaping and ecigs! Do not let them hand over the industry to BT. #firetheSGpic.twitter.com/04VokflIqW
Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
Is There a Role for E-Cigarettes in Smoking Cessation for Patients With Cancer? ~ The E-Cigarette Debate: What Counts as Evidence? ~ RCM Supports Vaping ~ Teen vapers are using eBay to dodge age restrictions – And cigarettes, too ~ How Big Is the So-Called Teen Vaping Epidemic? ~ The American Liars Association ~ Gang Related ~ Flavor Bans Are Good for Smoking
Is There a Role for E-Cigarettes in Smoking Cessation for Patients With Cancer?
I’d like to ask the question: Is there a reason this is a question?
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Teen vapers are using eBay to dodge age restrictions – And cigarettes, too
Imagine the ability of children™ to illegally obtain things they are not legally allowed to possesspurchase. We can’t blame eBay alone, I’m sure there are parents who are unaware of secret groups and sites all over the internet to gain access to illegal things. Illegally.
If you want to scare parents, think of Elvis. Loretta Lynn. George Carlin. The PMRC. When parents look for an excuse – any scapegoat is acceptable, really, except the children™ . Except the parents. When looking to change perceptions, you arm yourselves with children™ , duck behind them and aim directly toward anyone willing to be shocked and dismayed.
DON’T blame the children™ – and whatever you do, don’t blame the parents. {Insert other smart-ass comments from me here}.
Flavor Bans Are Good for Smoking
When someone stops smoking, food not only tastes better, sense of smell improves. The olfactory nerves from taste to smell are in overdrive within a few days.
You could take my word for it, or see their examples they themselves ignore:
Those in control are power tripping all over themselves trying to ban flavors in vaping products. Once a smoker, you shall never deserve pleasure derived from a less harmful alternative while you’re bullied to quit smoking their way by the same peoplehaving you by your short-hairs. Flavor bans are good for smoking.
Do they want less smoking?
Do “they” truly want less smoking, or control? The choice to impose any flavor ban is a choice to protect income derived from smokers (NOT tobacco companies as public health likes to imply) in the form of predicted and lucrative revenue in accordance with the Master Settlement Agreement.
Why would anyone want to ban or tax a less harmful alternative to smoking? Why would you ban adult choice?
What do they know?
When someone stops smoking, food not only tastes better, sense of smell improves. The olfactory nerves from taste to smell are in overdrive within a few days. Senators, for example, are trying to ban flavors, but have enjoyed a “candy desk” since 1965. Really. In fact, surprise, now there are TWO.
With most, if not all examples of “stop smoking” programs comes the fact that taste buds return and will enhance the perception of flavors. That means flavors are pleasurable in the journey of a smoker choosing not to smoke. That means flavor bans are good for smoking.
You could take my word for it, or find examples of
“suggesting that the effects of smoking on olfaction may be reversible” here.
“The ability of olfactory stimuli to uniquely alter craving states and cognitive processes associated with smoking, and disrupt well-learned smoking routines, would offer a distinct and novel method for reducing cravings” here.
“Your damaged taste buds will recover relatively quickly and your ability to relish delicious food will be among the greatest rewards you will get for your efforts in quitting smoking.” here
“In two days, the blunted senses of smell and taste begin to sharpen again” here.
“Did u know quitting smoking can make food taste & smell better? Yum!” from National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) “SmokeFreeUS” here.
“A few days after someone quits smoking, their taste buds kick back in. Celebrate those strong taste buds with some delicious healthy treats!” (Another) found from NCI here.
” Quitting smoking can help improve your sense of taste! Celebrate #NationalWatermelonDay by enjoying a smokefree afternoon & the delicious taste of watermelon.” from the Centers for Disease Control here.
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69,233 Former Smokers Show:
“Fruit and dessert/pastry/bakery flavors were the most prevalent choices of the adult established, dedicated US e-cigarette users who participated to this study. The same flavors were also considered particularly important in their effort to quit smoking and to prevent relapse to smoking.“
“However, this doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of peer-reviewed evidence that they’re invaluable tools. In fact, a new report concluded e-liquid flavors help adult smokers fight the urge to start smoking again far better than tobacco flavored e-liquids do.”
Is the number one priority actually reducing smoking rates? Either they want less harm, or they don’t. Either they want less smoking, or they don’t. Smoking rates for teens and adults are the lowestin history. Is that bothering them?
It’s clear “public health” has made their decision. They want to have fewer flavors – but keep “tobacco” flavor. Think about that. That means flavor bans are good for smoking. They want to ban choices that work at any cost.
To pretend banning flavors will not protect cigarette revenues means you live in a fantasy world. You can ponder that statement at one of over 30,000 Starbucks – while enjoying one or more of your 80,000 available flavors.
“Morals are standards set by those who want their standards met by others.”
After all, smokers, and former smokers do not deserve motivation or pleasure – only defeat, disapproval, and shame. How’s that feel?
The public officials (all) bleating they want less smoking is irony in control. They are still asserting their “authority” while trying to hold what little control they have left.
Less smoking, after all, really isn’t their goal. Quietly mentioning lowering nicotine on occasion, burying within press releases, without much fanfare, they are INVESTING over 100 Million Dollars for more cigarettes….. Flavor bans are good for smoking.
At the risk of sounding sound redundant, repetitive and repeating myself: Do they want less smoking? Those in controlare power tripping all over themselves trying to ban flavors.
“Good public health policy must recognize this continuum and leverage this knowledge to move continuing smokers, as rapidly as possible, toward less harmful nicotine delivery products while simultaneously preventing the adoption of all nicotine containing or tobacco products among youth.“
Last evening I recognized Manipulation of the Truth. While all in the wording, the Truth Manipulative ® is strong. Everything is not as truthful as it appears, and should make you skeptical at best to the information allowed to be filtered to the public by the end of this blog.
It may surprise you, this isn’t just about vaping products. It’s about choice, and population levelharm reduction. It’s as if they’ve taken everything (we’ve) known and packaged it into one PDF. Then, they deleted it, repackaged it and manipulated the truth.
Among other things quoted below, the organization and original PDF recognizes and mentions Nicotine Without Smoke from “Royal College of Physicians (RCP) (Royal College of Physicians, 2016).
This report recognizes and mentions smokeless tobacco and snus..
“The best evidence comes from cohort studies in Sweden, where a low-nitrosamine snus product has been heavily used for more than 50 years.”
It goes further:
“This is particularly reassuring because if nicotine promoted cancer generally, these studies would have identified oral cavity cancer risk“.
I’ll call this the unfiltered version. Final draft, if you will. While I wouldn’t call it ‘perfect’, (there are general statements I disagree with), it highlights the importance of reducing harm from combustible tobacco. Imagine if they took that path.
Why would Truth Initiative remove an original PDF from consumer view?
This PDF asks:
“What policies and regulations can ensure that harm from nicotine use are minimized while simultaneously moving the entire population away from deadly combustible tobacco products?“
This PDF admits:
“While animal models suggest possible concerns for humans, more research is required to demonstrate if, and at what dosage and duration of exposure, nicotine might have possible adverse effects during adolescent and young adult brain development.”
This PDF explains:
“There are large differences in the response and degree of dependence to nicotine within a population. At the two extremes, some may find nicotine has little effect or may even be aversive, while others find it very appealing and become heavily dependent “
What are they trying to hide?
It also recognizes:
“…options to improve consumer-informed decision making by ensuring that accurate information is available …“
It states:
“The evidence available so far suggests that levels of biomarkers of exposure to toxicants related to use of these devices is significantly lower than for smoked cigarettes.“
It KNOWS:
“Good public health policy must recognize this continuum and leverage this knowledge to move continuing smokers, as rapidly as possible, toward less harmful nicotine delivery products while simultaneously preventing the adoption of all nicotine containing or tobacco products among youth.“
Amazingly, the title of this PDF is “Re-thinking nicotine and its effects“. It is authored by Raymond Niaura, PhD, Director of Science and Training, The Steven A. Schroeder National Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative.
I hope you ponder why they took the time and initiative to put this all together, and why they chose to delete it. Imagine if this organization just stuck to the “truth”. Imagine the impact it could have.
It was there I found the final edited version of their Truth Manipulative ® . A stark, filtered version (I crack me up) with large and very distracting graphics. Oh, there’s speckled, peppered, tucked and reworded truth within.
What are they trying to hide?
While all in the wording, the Truth Manipulative ® is strong and sprinkled between facts and distracting graphics…and I realized I’d been on this page before. In fact, I’ve quoted some of it!
I can only come to the conclusion those who read the original wanted it filtered to their narrative. To coincide with a manipulation of the Truth.
Their narrative. Their snippets.
With a “download report” button at the top, here is their filtered version.
Their final released statement shows:
“More research is needed to understand how e-cigarettes might help smokers completely switch from combustible tobacco products.“
It claims:
“Currently, most adults who use e-cigarettes continue to smoke combustible cigarettes. If this pattern holds, it will substantially limit potential positive health impacts from e-cigarettes.“
Why are they manipulating the truth?
Shockingly – in part – it states:
“Furthermore, any public health benefit from e-cigarettes will not be fully realized in an unregulated environment. The FDA must regulate and carefully review these products to ensure that they meet the public health standard established by the Tobacco Control Act. Only then will consumers, health care providers and public health officials be able to reliably evaluate and identify products that are of the highest quality and are most likely to help smokers completely switch from cigarettes.
Truth Manipulation:
“…adding e-cigarettes to the market may yield some benefit, but will likely save fewer than 2 percent of lives that otherwise would have been lost to smoking…”
WHY would they remove the original PDF? Seemed – even by my standards, – not perfect, but reasonable and truthful.
I’d like to thank A.J. Moll for resurfacing this subject in a tweet for me to find, along with this tweet from Edward Hubert linking to the (unfamiliar to me) PDF from Truth Manipulative ®, and Jukka for being on the ball as well.
Added 6/13/2020:
Truth Initiative Presentation Template:
David B. Abrams, Ph.D., while a part of John Hopkins, he also was at Truth Initiative at one time and is no longer there. He wrote thisin 2014.
Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
It’s time to stop confusing the public with sensationalist rhetoric on e-cigarettes ~ CDC Quit-Smoking Ads Lack Real-World Solutions We Could Vape our Way to Health—if the Government Gets out of the Way ~ Taxing LESS smoking ~ USA 2019 E-Cigarette Summit Video Presentations
It’s time to stop confusing the public with sensationalist rhetoric on e-cigarettes
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Our friend, Dr, Gardner
With all the rhetoric since DECEMBER, In the “youth use” arena, this chart came up… with “never smoking” adolescents in the U.S.A..
They asked and separated daily use. Why are they still withholding pertinent information while basing an “epidemic” on incomplete and unreleased information?
Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
Researchers Try Nicotine To Treat Memory Loss ~ Federal Communications Commission and the children™ ~ CDC Misleads by calling E-cigarettes a ‘Tobacco Product’ ~ Vape Radio ~ The Arrogance of Public Health Advocacy ~ Vaping Taxes ~ Vaping Hit by Double Tragedy ~ Respiratory Study Fail ~ Surgeon General Watch: Data, Snippets, and Narratives ~ Vaping in the Mic
Researchers Try Nicotine To Treat Memory Loss
More positive involvement using the word, (and the chemical) “nicotine”. This is good. This makes people who know better nervous. Excellent. More research I say! Think about it… if kids thought nicotine is good for you, they would avoid it like… oh never mind. I also secretly hope there is a use for those patches taking up shelf space.
Speaking of “The Children™”, ‘one’ Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to stop less harmful products being advertised because of no other reason: “even if they are targeted at kids”.
Meet Jessica Rosenworcel. Jessica is an “Impatient optimist. Mom, wife,” and of all things an “inveterate coffee drinker.” Huh.
CDC Misleads by calling E-cigarettes a ‘Tobacco Product’
No kidding. Already established abroad, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has incorrectly defined…. oh never mind. I am grateful for the American Council on Science and Health taking this on.
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Vape Radio
Vape Radio has had a fundraiser up for about a month. (I completely missed it!) In my opinion, Rod and his team are like this blog. They get the word out. They contribute to and talk about advocacy. They’re #LOUDER.
The Vaping Legion had him on here last week. If you are able to contribute, wonderful, If not, please share.
Let’s see… covered misleading, covered the children™. How about some arrogance? Are you like what is described as the “average American” who is “resentful toward those who tell him or her how to live”? So am I.
This is an eye-opening perspective from a Doctor, in proper form:
From across the pond, Dave Cross (another I admire) at Planet Of The Vapes has taken on the task of informing our community of two heartbreaking deaths.
Surgeon General Watch: Data, Snippets, and Narratives
As we slip into the third week of my one-man #SGWatch on Twitter, I took a harder look at what Dr. Adams says, and does, on his personal account – and what he doesn’t on his professional account as U.S. Surgeon General. Oh, and confusion. A general mess. That’s covered as well:
Then, because Mike started it, I spent over an hour on the 34th episode of Vaping and the Mic (and even showed my face) to discuss snippets, narratives and data…
Is access to public data an unreasonable request? What will the complete data reveal? Are snippets of data the best way to inform the public? If the full spectrum of the data is withheld, what is real, what is contrived?
“If you repeat a lieoften enough, it becomes the truth.”
The problem with research misconduct must be of epidemic proportions. So much so, the Department of Health and Human Services has its own division defining such misconduct called the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), and a definition of said misconduct.
“Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.”
“Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.”
It would seem all data would be required to have a clear picture of the information being displayed presented to make an informed case, decision, or outcome. The authority in charge has no business writing or promoting a narrative, when data can and shall speak for itself.
Instead, snippets become headlines, and headlines create the story narrative.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth“
In the case of e-cigarettes, and the latest “data” on youth use, it is to present manipulate the claim of an ‘epidemic’ in order to willfully threaten legal adult choices, using snippets of data designed to “fit a narrative” as my friend, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams has done, and has accused.
It’s backward. Snippets (subliminal or not) can sell ideas. Create campaigns. Change public opinion.
Mining for data can be useful. Depending on the criteria, displaying data to ones liking is misleading. Similar to Stanton Glantz below, that is propaganda.
Skewed data is…well, you can make anything look like you want it to look for your own purposes. I think I am afraid of both films Nicolas Cage appears in, and pools. Why? I’m not sure what I’m afraid of, Nicolas Cage isn’t his real name, but looking at data tells me I should… Oh never mind.
In this blog, I will attempt to demonstrate two things. First, the following tweets and subtweets can be confusing. Second, if I can post things in here properly and explain, you won’t be confused. Either way, they are snippets, and you’ll probably be confused.
It started with (well, not really, I’m using my interpretation of the data) a question to the highest “ranking” Medical Doctor from Mike Peterson:
In this tweet, the Surgeon General clearlyseems to has “doubts” that Mike “really wanted this information”. Surgeon General Adams must not look away from his snippets accomplishments on his “I love me” wall and must be suspicious of anyone questioning his integrity my snippet. Shame on you, Mike!
Oh, I think Mike wanted the information. That’s alright, Dr. Adams. You don’t require my assurance adults are looking harder than you are for any detrimental outcomes of any facet of e-cigarettes.
It’s not as if we’re a large and growing community of consumers including Doctors like yourself, Lawyers, Teachers, Nurses, Statisticians, Scientists, Cooks, Truck Drivers, and other professionals, along with lovers of data and science. And math. In fact, one of us is a… nope… my narrative, so further down the data hole you go.
I’ll insert a quick snippet from my personal life. The words from a Neurologist to my wife was:
“We’re setting up testing for onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
Is that a snippet of a much greater assessment? Can you discern from the quote she, in fact, has Alzheimer’s or dementia? Do you have enough data to make the determination? You really don’t know. I’m saving it for a different blog.
Note the words ” in the interest of correcting misunderstandings”. Misunderstandings are snippets, Dr. Adams. Vape shops aren’t included in “this” analysis is correct, by stating “equally high violation rate”, you overstepped your ego, data, or knowledge, position narrative.
I know I said I wasn’t going to comment but in the interest of correcting misunderstandings, this looked at retail chains. Most all vape shops are independent, so they aren’t included in this analysis- but fact is some independent vape shops have an equally high violation rate.
— Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) February 9, 2019
He’s right. Snippet. The statement just above was “they aren’t included in this analysis” and “shops have an equally high violation rate“, and refers to this graphic he posted below:
I proudly show you my snippet! Go ahead, click on it, it’ll enlarge.
Because he was prompted by – anyone’s comments – and saw my amateur hour cut/paste of his just above, below he explains how narrative and roles to play suddenly are important. His data went from “equally high violation rate” to some vape shops. Also, he displays his knack of interacting with the public quite… well, I’ll let you come to your own conclusions. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
“It’s easy to cut & paste snippets”…because the whole picture isn’t a narrative, I just couldn’t let that one go. If data and information is explained properly, there is no need for “snippets”. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
Here, I’m not sure if he’s being condescending on purpose, or if he just doesn’t know he’s tweeting to a known impugner. I am also an uneducated “backwards backwoodsman from one of the colonies.” (Thanks, Alan, I knew that would come in handy eventually! ) Oh, go on, there’s something I was determined to take out of context. Damn me. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
To further reiterate his position snippet, he grabs some more data from his cuff and explains some gibberish about technical stuff I probably wouldn’t understand anyway… something about this does look like a high ranking public health official explaining a snippet narrative, maybe it’s just me. We’ve gone from … well, this data thing just isn’t my forte’.
Well, Mike (he’s mentioned above), and Jake got data. In fact, they mined the data. Turns out twenty-one money penalties were assessed. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
To “That Damned Ninga, he agrees. Vape shops are “doing much better”… he also wants everyone else to agree. I often forget I’m constantly asked to agree with something because it will fit a narrative. I wonder what happens when the public just nods their head in agreement when a public official says to. Couldn’t be all bad, I suppose. Either way, he wants everyone to agree. By golly, I’m almost going to agr…. nope. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
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Trusting the highest doctor in the land to provide competent, well-constructed answers to convey issues with facts, when he, in fact, won’t do it seems futile. Instead, he has chosen to act on authority, instinct, and sticks to the data (dammit) script.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
Then, addressing (you and me) the public as if we’re a bunch of nine-year-olds is pretty – well, idiotic. Starting at about the time I could talk, I’ve questioned authority and integrity a long time. Pre-loaded answers come with loaded questions where I come from – the backwoods of one of the original colonies.
In fact, I’ll use your “It’s easy to cut & paste snippets” own sarcastic words against you, Dr. Adams. Also, I have repeatedly asked for data. So much so, it’s redundant, repetitive and repeats itself. It should, could, may, might or even would, speak for itself.
The reason I keep asking the same questions over and over?
Dr. Adams own words:
In the meantime, if you’re approaching a city, township, county, or state hearing about sales to minors, or that vape shops are contributing to the delinquency of minors, I highly suggest these two graphics to use at your disposal, just as the Heart, Lung, Cancer, and other healthorganizations will. Let them sort it out with facts, not preconceivednotions and media sound bitessnippets (dammit) data.
Here’s the chart from Jake Jacobsen: According to data, if you click on it, it’ll get bigger!
Here is the chart alone from Mike Peterson: Yep, click:
Bring your nose a bit closer to the screen – at a second glance, this is what you may have missed: Wait, back up, just click!
The overall narrative is to put big scary numbers out, fueling the fire of an epidemic. I (we, vapers paying attention) want the truth. I don’t for one minute think any of us want anything less, good or bad. We’re adults, we can take the snippets data.
When looking at inspections just above, there is no “epidemic”, and the fact is, in 2018:
There were 146,376 inspections.
There were 17,456 total violations
Of 17,456 violations, 2,060 were “ends and e-liquid.
Of those violations, 229 were vape shops. (Vape shops: STOP that.)
Things that make you go hmmmm…..
And Juul? If you believe their “epidemic” data, Vuse was the front runner of underage sales violations at 1,729… so, they should have at least tried harder at purchasing Juul to complete the narrative.
Silly data makers. Go ahead, scroll back up if you need to. I’ll wait.
Sounds as if you’re still confused. I apologize for torturing you, but I feed a mouse cheese just to do my math for me.
This an enforcement issue all the way around. Underage sales at vape shops are NOT a contributing factor to an epidemic, which is still a snippet of the overall message portrayed. Kids stealing from their parents like they did cigarettes? Probably. Straw purchases? Likely.
Illegal sales – meeting the “definition” of an ‘epidemic’? Doubtful.
Snippet alert:
Found in my previous “Nod In Agreement” blog here.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
On to the “epidemic”.
If, after reading this blog, you are still confused, I will conclude, from snippets, and so shall you, that confusion is intentional. The snippet below is a confusing mess, by design. The bottom right tweet on his personal account, in a “non-official” capacity, was just a few days before he announced as Surgeon General there indeed “is” an epidemic. I hope we can all agree, the data is in the contrived details. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
“Morals are standards set by those who want their standards met by others.”
I don’t want situational ethics, nor do I want morals and feelings mixed into the narrative. Here is what I want. I want the law to be obeyed. I want parents to be aware, not act on “reefer madness” type propaganda, and ultimately, parents to parent.
Specifically, I want the data to speak for itself. Both for adults looking for a safer alternative to smoking, and the narrative of an “epidemic” to be scrutinized, specifically when a public HEALTH official is threatening adult choices for less harmful products – unless we agree with his narrative. Jim McDonald says it best.
We won't tell smokers that vaping is safer until a few vapers on Twitter admit that a large increase in occasional use constitutes an epidemic of addiction.
No kidding, that's exactly what he's saying. It's a threat, and it's not appropriate for a public health official. https://t.co/5k0IMDiSmr
Unless you suffer from cognitive dissonance, I want the data as it stands, not as it fits my narrative “out of context” with some silly twitter snippets, Dr. Adams. I don’t want to hear about plausible deniability. I don’t want proof by assertion. Confirmation bias is unnecessary.
I want the public to be aware of the best information available rather than striking panic in the streets.
So, what’s the snippet? What’s the truth? Still confused? So are adults looking for answers to a less harmful alternative.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
I am a consumer, while I try to be a voice for consumers, I don’t speak for “all” consumers. I have a higher standard for medical and government officials. The Surgeon General of the United States (or any public official) should not rely on “googlesearches” (in a personal or public capacity) to fill a narrative.
In my assessment, Dr. Adams should post facts. Period.
Snippet Alert!
The Surgeon General should resign or be fired. Immediately. That’s my narrative. That’s my snippet.
With that, no high ranking publicemployee official has no business writing, or tweeting, or sharing an opinion, or narrative, when data shall speak for itself.
I’ll stick to my guns, check on my wife, and keep my #SGWatch up to see when comprehensive information to adults has been displayed with half the attention the ‘epidemic’ has received.
I’ll readily and publicly admit I’m wrong, but until that happens, Dr. Adams has to answer these questions concerning the ‘epidemic’:
What users were of legal age?
What users didn’t use nicotine?
How many were smoking & switched?
Why is marijuana included with “any vaping“?
Why is “use” defined as in the past thirty days, not daily?
Until that happens, I’ll keep pointing out discrepancies in the narrative of an alleged epidemic, or one of you can convince me why I shouldn’t.
For balance, after the release of and tagging him in this blog: (Coincidence? Doesn’t matter. Snippets.)
Important study, with important caveats: 1) This was done in UK (diff legal/ regulatory environment) in motivated quitters who presented to clinic & 2) trial accompanied meds with behavioral support -> so was Cadillac scenario 3) OK for adults DOESNT mean ecigs are safe for kids.
— Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) February 13, 2019
Oh, that’s right, I’ve got that screenshot snippet from a Dr. Girgis… wait a second… it’s… Yes, legal and regulatory environments. That’s right. No guidelines. Except when.
Snippet alert: showing “restraint”.
I highly recommend what Clive Bates has to say on the alleged U.S. “epidemic“.
THIS one is an eye-openingmust-read for ANY aspect of public health. Your opinions aren’t about your needs. Stop being nannies.
“The average American is like my patient: resentful toward those who tell him or her how to live.”
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
You Don’t Know Nicotine ~ The great American youth vaping epidemic. Really? ~ The FDA hearing that wasn’t ~ The Impact of E-Cigarette Warnings ~ Burning Sub-Ohm ~ Bucking Bad Legislation in the Buckeye State ~ Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions (U.S.A.) 2009 – 2016 ~ A Meme
You Don’t Know Nicotine
Aaron Biebert, Director of A Billion Lives, announced his new project during his visit in Oklahoma City at Vapers Carnivale:
If you’re interested, you can pitch in as little as $5.00 or much more, with levels and rewards being different, up to and including the “Tater Tot” level!
With the lack of being a professional statistician or researcher, I did my improvisational best covering the Surgeon General’s affirmation of the U.S. teen ‘epidemic’. I questioned the absence of daily data and babbled about it as I do.
Here, Clive Bates, someone I admire, explains what I could not, well beyond my expectations.
Speaking of curing children, and a fraudulent epidemic, the FDA took it upon itself to hold a public hearing on the youth vaping “epidemic”. Instead of a balanced conversation between harm reduction proponents and anti-tobacco activists, the hearing became a one-sided stage for fanatics.
Next up… contrived epidemic. Our friend Chris just below explains the “epidemic” was a plot (graphic below found here) to start with from this tweet in November of last year.
I’m not sure what to call this study. Note it was submitted on the 21st of September 2018. In the theme of warnings, something the ‘epidemic’ was based on, this short paper shows an “online experiment” and ‘“brain” and “chemicals” warnings’ were higher discouraging youth from e-cigarettes.
Paul puts common sense down so even I can understand it. I don’t sub-ohm. I’m certainly no mathematician, but I do understand researchers must have fire extinguishers ready at all times.
Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions (U.S.A.) 2009 – 2016
“Reports of 195 separate e-cigarette fire and explosion incidents in the U.S. were found, dating from January 2009 to Dec 31, 2016. In 68 percent of these incidents, 133 acute injuries were reported. No deaths were reported during the study period.”
Over the course of time, I’ve made my share of amateur graphics, “memes”. In the spirit and need for ALL of us to change the conversation, I asked Chris Hughes if I could use his photos for this blog in 2016, and again below.
Thanks to you who’ve shared it. It seems to have hit a nerve.
I invested a bit of thought for the title of this particular blog. It is my intent is to both entertain and educate. With clowns to the left of me, research to the right, on average, I trust I can reach my goal.
Normally I spend about two or three hours on any blog. While some flow naturally in under an hour – some take time. Depending on my schedule, some take a day or two.
While I’m pretty wordy, this one will be short – at least for me.
I’ll let this video below speak for itself.
Go ahead, click on it. You know you want to. It’ll take under a minute.
Send In The Clowns
I hope you enjoyed that. I did. Share it all you like. Or not.
Send In The Research!
Next, I’d like to share this video. It’s about struggles you may have experienced. It’s a bit longer at 2:11.
I hope you enjoyed that. I did. Share it all you like. Or not.
It’s been noted by a few about sharing and liking posts, calls to action, meme’s, videos, hand checks and such.
It’s all in good fun. Some things need to be shared with the right people, right away.
Like legislation, restrictions, bans, etc.
Some things are meant to make you think. Some things are downright funny. Some things are meant to engage you in serious thought. Some, like this specific post, is meant to be all of that.
The clown video above was inspired by this tweet by our friend DrMA:
There’s no such thing as SEIS, ENDS, or ENNDS. Everything else is #quackery and you’re a clown— DrMA (@mihotep) December 20, 2018
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The second video was inspired – believe it or not – from a deletedtweet (YES I wish I had an attention-grabbing screen-shot of it) from someone showing a photograph of a *guess who* ad similar to this I made.
In her tweet, shewas concerned about someone under age seeing that ad. The top had the gratuitous nicotine warning, the bottom was the company name and the link to the study printed in black and white, with no child-enticing photos… in a newspaper. After my tweet to her here…
…I got home the next day, I though – DAMN IT, GENIUS marketing! As I went back to take a screen-shot of her (I assume she thought twice about it -and deleted it) tweet, it was gone.
Sheer brilliance. It takes an average of thirty tries. They had typed it thirty times. They got away with using (a study/research/truth) without saying a word. Brilliance.
I couldn’t read the study the ad referred to but believe it was this one.
We should absolutely pay attention to what is shared in respective networks and groups. More importantly, what, like below, was not. Thanks to Ed for finding the link below from the Moffit Center from February……2018.
Why wasn’t this next link plastered all over mainstream media?
James Jarvis, President of the Ohio Vapor Trade Association
VAPING: “Let’s get this out of the way for 2019”.
In a recent post, James Jarvis discussed common myths about vaping, stating “Let’s get this out of the way for 2019.”
Not only is James Jarvis is President of Ohio Vapor Trade Association (OHVTA), he’s also a consumer. I’ve been to Columbus a couple times to see him, and I’ll describe James simply as good people. He cares about smokers having proper information and he cares about the industry.
To the point, a post on his Facebook page got me to thinking… if some vapers genuinely don’t know or are confused about information, how can the public know?
Let’s change that. Now. Let’s get this out of the way: Educators and legislators must learn.
On Public Record.
With the battle preconceived and one-sided (predetermined in some instances) for power and funding, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) of their respective township, town, city, and state must be made aware of all sides of this issue in their communities.
If an opportunity arises for three minutes at a podium, this can be read, memorized – as is – or modified, printed to dispel myths about vaping products and nicotine.
Politely – and directly engaging each concern immediately in front of decision-makers, with proper sources for authorities given the task of deciding the fate of (your) regulations, restrictions, taxes, and bans shows a proactive approach to their concerns no matter what the opposition.
I saw his list and was inspired. I have provided his points about vaping (numbered) from his post and link(s) to each point made.
James said: “Let’s get this out of the way for 2019″… ” I agree.
Let’s get this out of the way
1. Popcorn Lung is not caused from vapor products
From Dr Farsalinos, Brad Rodu, Dr. Siegel and more, a collection of evidence to the contrary:
The changes being recommended by FDA include a removal of the warning that consumers should not use an NRT product if they are still smoking, chewing tobacco, using snuff or any other product that contains nicotine—including another NRT.”
4. Tomato, Eggplant, and all nightshade veggies contain nicotine
“Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae), predominantly in tobacco, and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant (aubergine), and green pepper. Nicotine alkaloids are also found in the leaves of the coca plant.”
Nicotine has no association with cancer. There is no supportable evidence to link nicotine with cancer, and a vast amount of evidence (and irrefutable facts) that there is no such link.
11. While youth use of the product Juul has risen, It is far from epidemic proportions. What is a youth epidemic you ask? Alcohol,Opioids and other drugs.
James closes with his post adding “I hope this helps you understand what Vapor is and is not…. any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
In addition to the statements James made above, I’ve added more points commonly brought forth and used by jurisdictions when trying to regulate, restrict, tax and ban businesses below.
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Let’s get this out of the way
There’s more.
12. Tobacco 21
A movement in the United States is raising the age of sale of tobacco to 21. While valiant in effort, it both restricts 18-year-old adults from products (e-cigs, snus, etc.) that can help them quit smoking and shows little progress to reduce smoking rates.
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke Free Alternatives Association (CASAA) released this statement about “Tobacco 21” laws:
Here, a study showed “Increasing the minimum legal purchase age (MLPA) to 21 years in NYC did not accelerate reductions in youth tobacco use any more rapidly than declines observed in comparison sites.”
“Beginning in 1997, Washington required states to report underage sales via the Synar Program (here). The latest Synar data shows that 9.6% of retailers were noncompliant in 2013. The FDA also conducts compliance checks of tobacco retailers. In 2016, the FDA reported a noncompliance rate of 11% (here). The FDA should focus on this far more dangerous illegal cigarette sales issue, rather than obsessing over e-cigarettes. “
Being restricted by law (I’m not as a consumer) is not an easy task for shops to contend with. Shops cannot say e-cigarettes could help ‘quit smoking’, or they’re safer than…
“We argue that omitting key health relevant information for current or prospective consumers represents a kind of quarantine of health-relevant information”
Ignored since 2011, Hanan Frenk and Reuven Dar submitted this to the Harm Reduction Journal:
“We show that the nicotine addiction model presented in this chapter, which closely resembles its 22 years old predecessor, could only be sustained by systematically ignoring all contradictory evidence.”
This shows “The effects of nicotine on the brain are similar to those of sugar, salt, exercise, and other harmless substances and events. “There are so many findings that conflict so starkly with the view that nicotine is addictive that it increasingly appears that adhering to the nicotine addiction thesis is only defensible on extra-scientific grounds.”
A new study shows higher nicotine levels are safe – “nicotine on its own, outside of tobacco products, has limited addictive potential, and that higher doses are safe and well tolerated”
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health :
“We evaluated concerns about exposure to vaping-related chemicals in a vape shop. Exposure to flavoring chemicals (diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, acetaldehyde), formaldehyde, nicotine, and propylene glycol were all below occupational exposure limits.”
It is not anti-freeze. Simply absurd. As of the publishing of this post, the well respected American Academy of Pediatrics is still eluding to ‘anti-freeze’ as an ingredient on their ‘quick facts’ section here.
Vaping Links And More 