WHO Slams Vaping In Twitter Rant
The WHO slams vaping again and this time in an almost troll like Twitter rant.
Acting more like that strange bloke who lives on a park bench shouting and shaking his fist at passing clouds [literally], the World Health Organization took to social media to crucify vaping and indeed vapers.
The so called Q and A has 9 questions and answers – all of which were not only biased but completely ignorant and as dated as the last time the rock band the WHO had a hit record…
Under the title: E-cigarettes: how risky are they? – the so called guardians of the world’s health, praised the countries where vaping is banned and linked vaping on nicotine products to the recent EVALI outbreak in the USA – out of touch much?
The WHO asks – Do e-cigarettes (ENDS) cause lung injuries?
And their own reply:
There is growing evidence to show that ENDS use could cause lung damage.
On 17 September 2019, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention activated an emergency investigation into links between ENDS use and lung injuries and deaths.
By 10 December 2019, the USA reported more than 2409 hospitalized cases and 52 confirmed deaths.
At least five other countries have initiated investigations to identify cases of lung injuries related to ENDS use.
E-cigarettes are harmful to health and are not safe.
They are particularly risky when used by adolescents. Nicotine is highly addictive & young people’s brains develop up to their mid-twenties. Exposure to nicotine can have long-lasting, damaging effects.https://t.co/S8ZHoux45e pic.twitter.com/mkx0d5GCpW— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 21, 2020
We already know EVALI is pretty much 100% linked to contaminated THC cartridges with even the CDC now pulling back from advising vapers to stop – but that hasn’t stopped the health zealots at the WHO – as I said, dangerously outdated information/advice.
They also bring up the so called ‘passive vaping‘ argument – something debunked so many times now it makes your head spin.
The WHO asks – Are secondhand ENDS [e-cigs] emissions dangerous?
They reply:
Yes.
The aerosols in ENDS typically contain toxic substances, including glycol which is used to make antifreeze.
ENDS pose risks to users and non-users.
Antifreeze??!! WTF!!!
A load of complete and utter bollocks as we’ve proven very many times.
I could go on – but I think you get my drift.
As I’ve said very many times before the WHO should be embracing vaping not trying to destroy it.
OK, one more question lol.
The WHO asks – Do ENDS help you quit smoking?
They reply:
There is not enough evidence to support the use of these products for smoking cessation.
For tobacco users looking to quit, there are other proven, safer and licensed products, such as nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches and gums), as well as quit lines, mobile messaging and specialized tobacco dependence treatments.
*Sighs*
Science has proven gums – patches – sprays don’t work and stop smoking drugs can lead to suicidal thoughts.
Hands up those among us that have quit smoking thanks to vaping when all else failed?
Yeah, thought so – more than a few.
As to the veracity of the WHO’s Q and A, Professor John Newton, Director for Health Improvement at Public Health England said:
We continue to keep the evidence on e-cigarettes under review.
However smoking kills half of life long smokers and accounts for almost 220 deaths in England every day.
PHE has always been clear that while not completely risk free, UK regulated e-cigarettes carry a fraction of the risk of smoked tobacco.
If you don’t smoke don’t vape.
But if you smoke there is no situation where it would be better for your health to continue smoking rather than switching completely to vaping.
Wise words indeed.
The WHO is becoming a laughing stock and completely out of touch with the harm reduction science out there.
New Jersey Vape Ban Passes
Despite a hard fight from vapers and vape businesses, New Jersey is the first state in the USA to pass a complete flavour ban.
Advocacy groups now have 90 days to try and get the ban overturned in court before the new legislation kicks in on April 20th.
Hugely popular YouTube reviewer Jai Haze – who has at least one vape shop in the state that he says will shut down, was, as you can expect, absolutely gutted as you can see from this video:
Whilst hardware is yet to be touched the simple fact is, without flavoured e-liquids vape shops will be forced out of business leading to up to 1,000 possibly more job losses.
Governor Phil Murphy signed off Bill S3265 which bans the sale and distribution of flavored vape products, including menthol.
Murphy said:
As Governor, I am first and foremost charged with protecting the health and safety of our people.
Research shows that flavored electronic smoking devices and products, such as mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate, are extremely appealing, especially to children.
I commend my partners in the Legislature for reacting swiftly to the Task Force’s recommendations to pass legislation that will protect both youth and adults from the hazards of flavored electronic smoking device use.
Sad and shocking times for all vapers in New Jersey and of course employees and business owners, we’ll keep you updated with any court action brought to lift the ban – it worked in New York so fingers crossed common sense will prevail in NJ too.
India’s Airports Seizing E-cigarettes Illegally
Travelers passing through India’s main airports are having their vape products confiscated and this is illegal say advocates.
The India vape ban came into law back in December last year, however it did not cover ‘personal use’ only the sale – import and distribution.
Advocacy group the Association of Vapers India say a recent statement by the country’s civil aviation ministry has led to the vape seizures.
The AVI say passengers just passing through Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bhavnagar have been affected and want the ministry to clarify the ruling.
AVI director Samrat Chowdhery said:
During the Lok Sabha debate on the e-cigarette bill, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had assured Parliament that personal use is excluded from the ambit of this law as it would criminalise laypeople and violate fundamental rights.
Despite this, e-cigarette users are now being hauled up at airports and their vape devices are being confiscated.
This is illegal and aviation authorities should immediately advise their staff to desist from harassing travelers.
This will also severely impact tourism.
Even Thailand where e-cigarettes are not allowed does not harass air travelers in this manner
Indeed – and trust me I absolutely love traveling to India – but it’s definitely another country off my holiday list.
Regulate Vaping On Facts Not Fear
Vape advocacy makes for strange bedfellows and that’s definitely the case over in Canada.
As the country kicks off no smoking week, Imperial Tobacco Canada calls for the Canadian Government to regulate all things vape based on the facts and not fear mongering.
There’s been a slow creep towards flavour bans in the country to ‘protect the children’ with the Canadian Cancer Society leading the calls.
Now the Big Tobacco company is calling for clear heads.
Eric Gagnon, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial Tobacco Canada, said:
For the last 12 months we have seen stories that portrays vaping as a public health epidemic.
We believe it is important to bring back the facts into the conversation and not give free reign to anti-tobacco groups as they spread inaccurate and misleading information about nicotine vaping.
You can cut and paste that statement and it will make sense pretty much anywhere in the world where vaping is banned or under threat.
Gagnon added:
Despite the significant evidence and increasing support by public health authorities around the world some public health lobby groups simply refuse to listen.
They continue to distort the facts and do everything they can to make it more difficult for smokers to choose an alternative to cigarettes.
As to if anyone actually listens to cold hard facts is open to debate to say the least.
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More vape news on Sunday…