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Let’s change the conversation about the myths surrounding nicotine and vaping.

The government resists ignores the opportunity to correct myths surrounding nicotine, vaping, and snus. Most things shared in mainstream media is full of multi-layered bias. There are difficulties explaining admitting vaping products and nicotine (and snus) are a safer, less harmful alternative to smoking, and the government continues to mislead the public.

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Let’s change the conversation.

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Myth:

Vaping does not work.

Truth:

Vaping does work.

Current nicotine cessation products show smoking cessation rates below 7% at 1 year.

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However, what you’re not being told they won’t admit: Without question, e-cigarettes have shown extremely high success rates. A survey conducted by the Moffitt Cancer Center funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) showed as far back as 2013: 79% had completely quit smoking cigarettes

An immediate transition

42% quit switched in one day. 75% stopped smoking switched within a month in (my) global survey of 7,238 participants. While some ‘experts’ believe this is bias because vapers participated, this shows ‘real world’ beneficial bias. I found their experience similar to mine and wanted the world to know. So did they.

This more recent survey shows “real world” results as well..

Flavors: This United States survey, the largest survey ever performed on e-cigarette use in terms of sample size with 69,233, shows flavors was associated with significantly higher odds of adults having quit switched with vaping products and was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA has not published or utilized these findings to my knowledge.

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“They want to regulate, restrict, tax and ban less smoking.”

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Consider this:

Did you know “it may take 30 or more quit attempts before being successful” They DO.

I do.

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Myth:

“We just don’t know enough”, there’s not enough research.

Truth:

There’s plenty of research.

There are over 200 pages of research found here.

56 more demonstrating vaping products are less harmful than cigarettes or are effective to switch can be found here.

Dr. Farsalinos “has been conducting laboratory and clinical research on e-cigarettes as a principal investigator since 2011” has his research found here.

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Point To Ponder:

The FDA experimented with Chantix on 12-16-year-olds. “The study failed to meet the main goal”. You read that right. It’s here.

Fun Fact: They are encouraging more smoking.

According to this press release: “Agencies of the U.S. federal government have invested more than $100 million in independent clinical research with SPECTRUM cigarettes”

Dr. Gottlieb, along with the majority of non-profit “health” organizations are excited to support more combustible cigarettes (with “lower nicotine“) entering the market.

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There’s More:

This February 2018 article from Moffit Cancer Center, where Thomas H. Brandon, Moffit’s Director of Tobacco Research and Intervention Program is in the middle of “a large national study” and states “my perspective that e-cigarettes represent the most important change in the landscape of tobacco use during my 36 years in this field. We need to harness this change to maximize the public health benefit“.

Dr. Brandon acknowledges quitting takes “several serious attempts” and smokers should make use of the seven products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and adds: “And yes, e-cigarettes, whatever works!” (Article.)

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Let’s change the conversation.

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It’s time for public health and politicians to

make a decision:

You want less smoking, or you don’t.

You want less harm, or you don’t.

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Not the only one wanting to change the conversation with public perception, Dr. David Abrams of New York University agrees with Public Health England’s 2015 report.

According to this article, he knows vaping products are “substantially less harmful than cigarettes“.

Again, changing the conversation is paramount to “reframe societal views of nicotine use” and stressed the need to “get out the latest accurate information about reduced harm”, along with the need for “ethics and integrity in responsibly interpreting the scientific evidence with rigor” is a necessity in this Annual Reviews of Public Health.

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Consider this:

YOU are CASAA. The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives has been changing the conversation since 2009. There are thousands of real-world testimonials here, and it is free to be a member and I encourage you to join here.

Tobacco Harm Reduction 4 Life (THR4Life) is another consumer group. THR4Life wants to change the conversation by supporting and educating consumers.

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WHY are government officials withholding information on legal consumer nicotine/tobacco products from the public?

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Here’s a great deal from Lunar Rover!

LUNAR ROVER | Premium eLiquid

Simply use “vapinglinks” at checkout for 15% off your entire cart!

Please visit my proud sponsor

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Myth:

E-liquid is a tobacco product

Truth:

As of August 8th, 2016, e-liquid (with or without nicotine) and vaping products are “deemed” (looked on, or to regard or consider in a specified way) tobacco products for the sole purpose of then regulating, restricting, taxing (like cigarettes) and even banning them.

Sources for nicotine patches, gums, inhalers, and e-liquid all come from the same source. While some e-liquids do contain nicotine extracted from the tobacco plant, it can also be synthetic.

Exempt? Nicotine patches, gums, inhalers

It’s the same nicotine. “Nicotine can also be purchased in many other forms including patches, chewing gum, and liquid extract formula.” That’s here.

Are E-Cigarettes Tobacco Products?

Schrodinger’s Nicotine: Not Derived From Tobacco

American Cancer Society on vaping: Nicotine is not tobacco

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DEFINITIONS matter: “An almond doesn’t lactate, I will confess,” Dr. Gottlieb said. It doesn’t meet “standards of identity” in this article.

Definitions matter, evidently. Gottlieb says non-dairy products like “almond milk” and “soy” are not “milk”.

(Article reference, video reference)

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Myth:

Vaping products and nicotine replacements like patches contain nicotine, I’m trading one addiction for another. Vaping is just like smoking.

Truth:

No. These products are different and the likelihood of addiction is very low.

While the nicotine itself is the same nicotine, these products deliver nicotine differently and have a much lower risk of addiction than cigarettes.

“To debate a comparison of e-cigarettes to combustible tobacco is gross negligence or voluntary incompetence.”

There are other chemicals in cigarettes, like ammonia, for enhancing nicotine delivery. There is much more to it. “Research is showing that nicotine may not be the only ingredient in tobacco that affects its addictive potential” and “…likely caused by some as-yet-unidentified ingredient in tobacco smoke other than nicotine.”

You can see more about this hidden at the bottom of the page in purple from drugfacts.org here.

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There’s More:

I understand your skepticism about nicotine. In fact, despite what you’ve heard since the 1988 Surgeon General’s report, there is no proof nicotine addiction exists.

This, from Hanan Frenk and Reuven Dar, says claiming nicotine addiction “could only be sustained by systematically ignoring all contradictory evidence” and “is remarkably biased and misleading.”.

That’s explained here:

If the data contradicts the theory, throw out the data. 

It is also explained very well by Chris Price here:

Is Nicotine ‘Addictive’?

Still not convinced? I still understand your skepticism.

Consider this:

This is ground-breaking research on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Paul Newhouse is director of Vanderbilt University’s Center for Cognitive Medicine.

“…and nobody started smoking cigarettes.”

“It seems very safe even in nonsmokers,” he said. “In our studies we find it actually reduces blood pressure chronically. And there were no addiction or withdrawal problems, and nobody started smoking cigarettes. The risk of addiction to nicotine alone is virtually nil.”

Study finds nicotine safe, helps in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s

And this:

The effects of nicotine itself are similar to that other popular drug, caffeine. There is no evidence that nicotine causes any substantial risk for cancer, and the research shows that the risk for cardiovascular disease is minimal. The confusion about nicotine comes from anti-smoking activists talking about nicotine and smoking as if they were the same.

This website also has information about smokeless tobacco including snus.

All about Nicotine (and Addiction)

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Let’s change the conversation.

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Consider this:

In Florida, Dr. Lee, faced with a five-year-old (at the time) experiencing “20 seizures a night” with a rare form of epilepsy decided to administer nicotine via a patch. Dr. Lee also “found evidence that a nicotine patch helped stopped seizures in an adult”.

Stunned? That’s here: Nicotine patch ends seizures for 5-year-old girl

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No one has proven themselves right with criteria provided in my “Nicotine Addiction: An Open 30-Day Public Health Challenge“.

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Myth:

There are no side effects from vaping products.

Truth:

An important point for someone considering vaping as an alternative, Vaping 360 has some astounding information on their website. One example is ‘The Potential Side Effects from Vaping“.

Also, some have experienced allergic reactions to propylene glycol.

Myth:

If I use vaping products, I will experience no withdrawal symptoms or cravings quitting smoking during my transition.

Truth:

Vaping products reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with cigarette smoking.

In fact, many (mentioned in the survey linked above) experienced little or no withdrawal symptoms during their transition. Nicotine strength is essential.

Let’s change the conversation in the next myth below.

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Myth:

If I start vaping, nicotine strength should be reduced as soon as possible.

Truth:

You should not limit your nicotine strength.

During your transition, the strength of nicotine you choose mimics the throat hit you experienced while smoking. It’s your pleasure. If you decide to switch, it is recommended nicotine strength matches to make the transition easier. There are also nicotine calculators to estimate your nicotine strength.

As an example, if you smoke heavily, your nicotine strength should be 12, 16, 18, or 24mg. Strengths do go higher, (36, 54 and even as high as 72mg). If you are a light smoker, it may only be 0, 3, 6 or 9mg nicotine strength you would be satisfied with. Start higher, and over time you can lower your nicotine if you feel you should. Your local vape shop should be able to determine your needs.

Since myths of nicotine have been ingrained into the public and culture so long, finding this study showing higher nicotine strengths was intriguing.

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Myth:

Nicotine causes cancer.

Truth:

Nicotine does NOT cause cancer.

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There’s More:

World renowned cardiologist Dr. Farsalinos explains in this article: “Nicotine does not cause cancer“, he goes on to say “All medical experts around the world know this to be a true fact. And yet, many continue making the mistake of associating nicotine with cancer.”

Chris Price also explains it well here:

Nicotine And Cancer – Is There Any Link?

There’s MORE:

In fact, the Royal Society for Public Health DOES say “nicotine is no more harmful than caffeine”, here.

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Myth:

Only healthy people can use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), or nicotine.

Truth:

The effects of NRT and vaping products on the body is not “fully known”, but these products are safer than cigarettes. By using vaping products to switch from smoking, “you reduce your exposure to many chemicals found in tobacco smoke.”

In fact, 85% of the medical professionals in this survey said they are safer than combustible cigarettes.

If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor before doing so. Some find as patients, they are educating their doctors.

Under the direction of your doctor, most people can use NRT. Generally, NRT and vaping products can be safely used by people with diabetes or high blood pressure and does not increase the risk of heart attacks.

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“Think of the children™.”

It is an appeal to emotion designed to create moral panic.

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Myth:

E-cigarettes are “an epidemic among children”

Truth:

No, there is no “epidemic”. With bold being my emphasis, It may surprise you to see this via Clive Bates:

“Applying this proportion to the 2018 data would suggest about 4% of high school students are daily users (this compares to the headline 20.8% use in the past 30-days).”

That’s here: The great American youth vaping epidemic. Really?

Added 4/04/2019:

Some FDA Claims About Teen Vaping Confirmed, Others Evaporate

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Points to ponder:

It is illegal to purchase these products for anyone under 18 21. (Trump amended the law in December of 2019).

That fact is on page 13 of the 499 page document found here.

Did you know?

Since 1992, retailers must “achieve a noncompliance rate of no more than 20%” selling tobacco to minors (80% is acceptable in accordance with the Synar Amendment)

That fact is here and is tied to funding: Synar Amendment

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Myth:

E-cigarettes are “marketed to children”.

Truth:

This short video featuring Dr. Steven J. Allen from Capital Research explains:

It may also surprise you to see this:

“Anybody who tells you Juul is a panic or an epidemic in America is deceiving you”~ Iowa Attorney General ~ Tom Miller

Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids Market E-cigarettes and Tobacco to Children.

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Myth:

Only children like flavors.

Truth:

Surely you can answer for yourself if you like flavors (coffee, cake, cookies, candy, Grandma’s pies, etc.). While the myth of flavors being a ‘gateway‘ to smoking for teens (it is not), it is noted flavors like fruit and desserts, pastry and other flavors are extremely important in your transition.

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Myth:

E-cigarettes are a “gateway” to smoking.

Truth:

More truthful information across the board = less harm.

“If our primary concern is population-level trends in youth and young adult smoking, which we believe is appropriate, then vaping has not shown to be a serious cause for concern”.

That statement can be found here:

Examining the relationship of vaping to smoking initiation among US youth and young adults: a reality check

Two other studies, one here, and one from Yale shows “as a result of these bans, more teenagers are using conventional cigarettes than otherwise would have done so“, here.

Also: Gateway Effects: Why the Cited Evidence Does Not Support Their Existence

Also: Gateway effects and electronic cigarettes.

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Myth:

There’s “anti-freeze” in e-cigarettes, and I’ve heard about “popcorn lung”.

Truth:

Blatantly lying, there is no “anti-freeze” in e-liquid. This statement is simply manipulative and absurd. As of the publishing of this post, the well respected American Academy of Pediatrics is still alluding to ‘anti-freeze’ as an ingredient in their ‘quick facts’ section here.

A twist of words on an ingredient, “facts” by various health groups and professionals. This article from Lee Johnson will ease your mind about this subject:

Propylene Glycol in E-Cigarettes – Is PG Dangerous to Inhale?

Popcorn lung is also false. From Dr Farsalinos, Brad Rodu, Dr. Siegel and more, a collection of evidence to the contrary:

A Bucket Full of Popcorn

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Myth:

What about “second-hand” vapor?

Truth:

A valid concern. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health took that quite a bit further in a vape shop, where more than one person would be using these products.

“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.”

That”s here: HHE Report No. 2015-0107-3279

Also see: “Results indicate e-cigarette secondhand exposures are sources of elevated nicotine and propylene glycol exposures. Secondhand exposures to e-cigarettes did not contain consistently elevated concentrations of formaldehyde or acetaldehyde.”
That’s here:

Air monitoring at large public electronic cigarette events.

And here from Clive Bates:

Public health snoopers detect vapour aerosol at vape conference and fake a particulates scare

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If you’re interested:

• They do this at ice rinks.
• Laundry pods and air fresheners
• Scented Candles and Air Fresheners
• They do this at indoor motor-cross events

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There’s More:

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Linda Bauld: “despite the lack of data of safety in pregnancy, we can be relatively confident that if the choice is between continued smoking and use of an e-cigarette (‘vaping’) then vaping is the safer option.”

Are e-cigarettes safe to use in pregnancy?

Linda Bauld: “the benefits of e-cigarettes for smokers have been shown to far outweigh the harms”

E-Cigarettes Could Help Control Weight Gain in Smokers Trying to Quit

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Also, Dr. Robert L. Cranfield, MD:

“E-cigarette users with 3 or more years of use were found to have a 96% reduction in reported adverse health events after initiation use, and a resolution of 61.8% of the measured existing health problems that developed while smoking.”

A Comparison of Health Events in Previous Smokers With Three or more years of Electronic Cigarette Experience.

“You can smoke and vape. In fact, I encourage it.”

If you are a smoker choosing to switch to vaping products, do it for your own reasons. If you smoke and vape – just to try it, that’s called “dual use“.

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Should vaping products be designated as a “medical device”? Swedish courts found: “the product must have the function of preventing or treating an ailment” and are not medical devices.

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From my point of view, this is about proper information and choice.

Dr. Glover: “We need a new way to deal with smoking, and shaming current smokers into submission is NOT it…”

Smoke Shaming Has Gone Too Far – How I “Deprogrammed” Myself

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“They want to regulate, restrict, tax and ban less smoking.”

There’s More:

What about regulations? Well, Clive Bates answers some very important questions here:

Rethinking nicotine: FDA asks six questions about the future of nicotine regulation

Many more points here.

After everything you’ve learned so far, and before you go on, there’s a quiz (I love to hate to love) from Clive Bates:

Rethinking nicotine – a quiz

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FDA’s Mitch Zeller, Director, Center for Tobacco Products knows vaping and snus doeswork:

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration knows vaping works:

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Points to ponder

Nicotine “addiction” is blamed solely on “nicotine”. Why are teens not using patches and gums to hide their addiction?

At what age is a smoker considered a smoker?

Immature Manipulative Data

While smoking among teens has reached it’s lowest levels in history, The 2018 “Monitoring The Future” survey shows teens are using e-cigarettes at ‘epidemic’ levels at 26.7%, yet fails to show daily use (habitual).

Daily use was not asked. It did not have data showing:

• What users were of legal age
• What users did not use nicotine
• How many were smoking and switched
• Why marijuana is included with “any vaping“
• Why is “use” defined as in the past thirty days, not daily

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Why?

Why would anyone in the government or public health field purposely mislead the public?

When #data collected fails to generate daily data to analysis and assess information, which bias is utilized best? Is it:

• Area Bias?
• Self-Selection Bias?
• Leading Question Bias?
• Social Desirability Bias?

How To Lie, Cheat, Manipulate and Mislead using Statistics and Graphical Displays.

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Think about this very carfully:

“They want to regulate, restrict, tax and ban less smoking.”

The FDA position to limit access to adults is clear.

They’ve claimed e-cigarettes are a “gateway” to smoking.

Helen Redmond explains it eloquently here.

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To put fear in the public mind, “brain damage” is also alluded to, but only found in animal studies, not humans.

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Fun Fact: For the record, they want to eliminate 18, 19, and 20-year-old adults from accessing products by including vapor products with “Tobacco 21.

There’s more

They want to restrict access to cigarettes and e-cigarettes. For adults.

They already are well aware it doesn’t work. In fact, it makes no sense here. Creates more smoking, and didn’t make sense here. It also doesn’t make sense here.

The movement to raise the age to 21 for tobacco is not going to work. According to the Centers for Disease Control, underage drinking is still continuing to be a problem.

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Switching and the Pleasure Principle

In the very important video below, fellow consumer David Dorn says in less than five minutes what most tobacco control experts never took the time to understand. He talks about switching and the pleasure principle.

It is highly recommended for smokers being pressured and families of smokers. This should be required for anyone in the professional crowd to listen to.

Ultimately, it is about choice and pleasure. David talks about switching. Pleasure. Choice.

From the Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN2016): The Pleasure Principle – David Dorn

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Why?

Why would anyone in the government or public health field purposely and knowingly mislead the public?

Here are a few reasons in no particular order:

• Combustible smoking and the funds they provide to the government are misspent and dwindling away.
• Pharmaceutical interests are losing money because people are not buying their nicotine replacement “therapies” and other previously necessary inhalers, blood pressure, asthma and other medications.
• Smoking, and regulation of tobacco is big business for “researchers“.
• Because the multi-billion dollar rampant anti-smoking regime and the “quit smoking” industry is a multi-billion dollar lie.

WHY are government officials withholding information on legal consumer nicotine/tobacco products from the public?

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Let’s CHANGE The Conversation.

Along with e-cigarettes, I must point you to this important link from Dr. Brad Rodu about Mitch Zeller making false statements about smokeless tobacco needing to be part of the conversation as well. Dr. Rodu also talks about snus, and here where Mitch Zeller quietly answers Bengt Wiberg and absolutely admits snus is another alternative in the world, but no one hears that.

You can also learn more here on Facebook.

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If the time, energy and money it took to convince the public otherwise been spent over the last ten+ years e-cigarettes have been available to educate, not manipulate, they may have achieved their goal of less smoking in the United States. I applaud the few who have stepped up despite the pressure of professional peers, and I encourage the others to do the same.

Medical, Research, Science Professionals: M.O.V.E.

On one hand, when if authorities, legislator and public health officials swallow their pride and see the need, en mass, to listen and to change the conversation completely, they will be very embarrassed.

On the other hand, changing the conversation, for most, isn’t their goal.

Let’s change the conversation about myths surrounding nicotine and vaping.

This blog was derived, in part, from a previous post featuring James Jarvis, and “Dispelling Myths about Nicotine Replacement Therapy”: Myths about Nicotine

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Lunar Rover

This blog is sponsored by LUNAR ROVER|Premium eLiquid.

They not only produce cocktail and fruit flavors, they also have a range of tobacco flavors ranging from 0-18 strength.

Here’s a great deal from Lunar Rover!

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Have you met my OUR friends at vapers.org.uk?

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I proudly joined David Georlitz on his latest podcast: David G Model Citizen.

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You can find me here trying to be cordial on Facebook

You can find me here being a bit more evil on Twitter

You can find me here on Instagram

You can also find me on LinkedIn

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Are you familiar with Tobacco Harm Reduction For Life?

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Are you familiar with GONZO GIVES?  VapeTithing? Do that! #FundTheFuture!

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It’s FREE, have you joined CASAA? Have you added your testimony here?

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Keep up with the latest here with the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

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Medical, Research, Science Professionals:

• M.O.V.E.

Research:

• Ecigarette Research
• Dr. Konstantinos E Farsalinos (Research)
• E-Research Foundation

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Politics:

E-Cigarette Politics

A Billion Lives

A Billion Lives

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#ChangeTheConversation

#YouDontKnowNicotine

Your comments are NEVER filtered, always encouraged and welcome at the bottom this blog. There is definitely more to come.

Keep ON #Vaping On.

Kevin