As readers know, I'm not and never have been anti-vaping. Quite the reverse.
I may not be driven by the quasi religious zeal of the former smoker who, having switched to e-cigarettes, thinks all smokers should follow suit, but there aren't many non-smokers who have actively defended vaping on TV, radio and in print for as long as I have (ten years).
This is not an appeal for applause or recognition, btw. I realised years ago that vaping activists, and advocates, would rather spit in their own food than credit me, or Forest, for the time and effort we have put in supporting vaping and e-cigarettes.
In fact, I now find it quite amusing how our contribution is persistently overlooked.
A few weeks ago, for example, Forest was quoted by The Times rejecting calls for a new tax on e-liquids in Ireland. (Ours was the sole voice of opposition.)
Our firm dismissal of the idea was posted on social media where it was almost completely ignored by the vaping community.
That spoke volumes, I thought.
In contrast vaping activists have been quick to endorse a new paper that has just been translated into English.
I haven't read it and I'm not sure I want to because the title is 'New ways to control smoking'.
And people wonder why so many confirmed smokers look upon vaping advocates (and even e-cigarettes) as a threat to their habit!
Seriously, if you think the message 'New ways to control smoking' is a good way to entice more smokers to quit and switch to e-cigarettes or other reduced risk products, you're off your head.
This is not about 'control', it's about education and choice.
I would humbly suggest they read ‘Nicotine Wars: The fight for choice’ by Rob Lyons. It features an excellent (!) foreword by me.
They won’t, of course, because it was published by Forest but if there are any vaping activists out there who are broad-minded enough to be interested here’s the link.
See also ‘Has vaping peaked in the UK?‘ where I make a point about the negative impact of vaping being ‘owned’ by tobacco control.