Times letter - Tobacco substitute

[kate]

Sir, President Obama’s long-term failure to quit smoking (“Smoking gun shows Obama has failed to kick habit”, Mar 2) is a timely reminder that, as smoking isn’t going to vanish, the development of less hazardous products is an imperative. Yet, the Government appears to favour nicotine replacement products over cigarettes, with a preference heavily advocated by the pharmaceutical industry. Given how unattractive these are to smokers, as well as their high failure rate, it’s not clear that promoting such alternatives is in either smokers’ interests or the public interest. Further, the Government’s bias against safer cigarettes may not serve the public’s interest either.

There are still several million British adults who continue to smoke and it’s to this group that harm-reduction products should be directed. Such reduction is, therefore, a legitimate extension of earlier initiatives to reduce the health burden of smoking.

Dr Patrick Basham
Director, Democracy Institute

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article7048445.ece


A few comments on this would be good if you wouldn't mind folks, I can't get the media interested in us and they're not going to think we're newsworthy if we don't make a fuss.


EDIT:
Plz Digg too - digg.com/d31KYBH

[keef]

Hi kate I will pen something but must admit am 2 or 3 glasses of wine worse for the ware at the moment.

I think a Sobre head would be better when replying.

[kate]

Thanks Keef. No worries, there's no rush.

I wanted to spread word about this because it's the first chance I've noticed with a high profile UK publisher to have our say, put the case and let them know that we're out here.

[Lilac]

Me too Keef... looked at it and decided to look again tomorrow...

[jaki]

I'm the same - putting it off.

I worry I will say the wrong thing, or sound too trite. I'll have lots of time to ponder my answer during my day of south London traffic jams and will reply tomorrow night.

Thanks for posting Kate

[lolli]

I will too Kate but DEFINITELY won't be till after tomorrow :-D

[foxy9212]

Done!

[kate]

Thanks very much folks, just write when you're ready, there's no pressure.

Was that second comment from 'Penny' you Foxy? That's a corker, very well written.

[Chrissie]

Commented & dugg.

Agrees that Penny's comment was a corker

[foxy9212]

Twas me and thanks. I could have waffled for longer but my lappy said not - I assume there's a word limit and I likely exceeded it.

Fox

[Chrissie]

Foxy, 13 people have recommended your comment on there already

Come on folks, even if you don't feel up to posting a comment (though I'm hoping many of you do so) you can click on the "recommend" under the comments about e-cigs. You don't even have to register with the Times to do so.

[Lilac]

Done...dunno bout the digg thing tho ???

[foxy9212]

Mar 4, 2010 12:27:27 GMT Chrissie said:

Foxy, 13 people have recommended your comment on there already

Come on folks, even if you don't feel up to posting a comment (though I'm hoping many of you do so) you can click on the "recommend" under the comments about e-cigs. You don't even have to register with the Times to do so.

13 eh? That'll be my Coven then; I shall reward them with some frog stew!

Fox

[lolli]

I've posted a lengthy comment - hope I got my facts right

Blimey, there are some unpleasant, > angry people on there quite scary!

Hated the registration bit - cheek !!! - date of birth makes you feel you're on someones "black list" - lol - oh well probably am by now, somewhere or other

[Chrissie]

Well done again Lolli

Yesterday evening, I posted a follow up comment to the woman on there stating we were idiots. I was civil & kept it factual ie that the article had also mentioned harm reduction products, so therefore we were on topic. However, I've just checked & it looks like the Times moderator hasn't allowed it to be posted