According to a study led by UCL researchers, 'Most smokers wrongly believe vaping is at least as harmful as smoking'.
The UCL press release was embargoed until 4.00pm this afternoon and is getting quite a lot of coverage.
Yesterday I was invited by BBC News (online) to respond to the study so I sent this comment:
“Government is partly to blame for the confusion because banning disposable vapes and threatening to severely restrict the display and packaging of e-cigarettes is hardly the best way to promote a reduced risk product that has helped millions of smokers to quit.
“Furthermore, is it any wonder that smokers are confused about the perceived risk of vaping when the message coming from government and the public health industry is that the only people who should vape are adults who want to quit smoking, and no-one should vape long-term or recreationally.”
Naturally they didn't use any of it, although they did quote Deborah Arnott, the outgoing CEO of ASH.
Was it something I said?
Update: After a little prompting (by me) BBC News has updated its report to include my quote.