Last night I attended what at times felt like a love-in for electronic cigarettes.
The Institute of Economic Affairs hosted an event entitled Free Market Solutions in Health: Prohibition or Harm Reduction?.
Chaired by Mark Littlewood, speakers were Chris Snowdon, director of the IEA Lifestyle Economics Unit; Dr Axel Klein, editor of Drugs and Alcohol Today; Clive Bates, former director of ASH; Katherine Devlin, president of the Electronic Cigarette Trade Association; and Rebecca Taylor, Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber.
In terms of consumer choice e-cigarettes are undoubtedly a "good thing" and it will be scandalous if their future is threatened by over-regulation.
As Clive Bates pointed out, regulation will not only increase the cost, it will reduce their appeal by making them as safe and bland as possible. The regulatory framework for consumer protection already exists, he added. All government has to do is enforce it properly.
That said, I'm not going to become an evangelist for e-cigarettes. Forest stands for Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco and electronic cigarettes, lest we forget, are not a tobacco product.
As I've written before, it doesn't help that so many 'vapers' and e-cigarette companies feel the need to attack cigarettes or sneer at those who continue to smoke tobacco (in preference to using a battery operated nicotine delivery system!).
Hence my hackles did rise ever so slightly last night when Katherine Devlin, an ex-smoker, dismissed the idea that e-cigarettes might become a gateway product for traditional cigarettes. Why, she asked, would anyone want to change from "something that tastes quite nice" to a "smouldering compost heap".
She was right, I believe, to dismiss the "gateway" argument but wrong to do so by disparaging ordinary cigarettes and, effectively, those who choose to smoke.
It's like vegetarians making derogatory comments about the smell of cooked meat, or meat eaters doing the same about vegetarian food. It's a cheap shot that breeds intolerance so why do it? Aren't we in this together?
Devlin described e-cigarettes as a "miracle" and while I admire her passion and commitment there is something rather messianic about some e-cig campaigners that I find a bit off-putting.
With this in mind, perhaps, Mark Littlewood invited the panellists to comment on why vapers are so positive about their habit in comparison with "self-loathing" smokers.
Bates compared vapers to "tekkies" (which the Urban Dictionary defines as "someone who loves their computer more than life itself").
Initially I thought he said "Trekkies" (aka Star Trek fans) but it's much the same thing. Next month, for example, vapers even have their own convention, UK Vapefest.
Chris Snowdon responded by saying, "Vapers have all the frustration and anger of people who have been persecuted for being smokers combined with all the self-righteousness of the ex-smoker."
The audience laughed but, sadly, it's true. Now, if only vapers could drop (or disguise) some of that smug, sanctimonious self-righteousness I might be more supportive.
Update: A few years ago Forest considered the idea of an open air festival for smokers called Smoke In The Park. I even checked out a possible location although we never took it any further.
That was an idea that fell by the wayside, with good reason, perhaps. Smoking is still such a natural part of life for many people, why would they want to attend an event dedicated to something they do every day?
Nevertheless I might buy a ticket for Vapefest just to see what they get up to. I've never attended a fan convention before ... It might be fun.
PS. Forgot to plug Chris Snowdon's latest publication, Free Market Solutions in Health. I haven't read it yet but I will.