Are we Smokers?

[Chrissie]

Ay up Rusty Always lovely to see you here From memory, I think we both started vaoing around the same time?

I've got to admit that this is a difficult one. I know exactly what you are saying - we do have to be so careful but I think so many folks are so proud/happy/amazed about how the e-cig has helped them, they are going to find it hard to come to terms to say they are still smokers - no matter how much it helps the cause

[hissie]

I can't understand how classing vapers as smokers helps the cause?

Ain't that what we're trying to break free from?

[Chrissie]

Hissie, it's all to do with WHO (World Health Organization) as per Rusty's OP, according to them. nicotine is the problem as it is a drug. Whether the nicotine is taken in by smoking, vaping, aubergines or NRT; If we use nicotine, we are 'ill'. And therefore any kind of Nicotine replacement has to be classified as an NRT drug - apart from smoking.

If they do classify e-cigs as a drug - it's bye bye to e-cigs as we know them. Well at least for several years until the major drug companies get a lcense to sell them at extortinate prices

[classwife]

(tucks a couple of bills in Rusty's pocket for the Pint !)

[hissie]

Vaping isn't a therapy developed to quit smoking tho is it. It's a healthy alternative.

[jerryrm]

Hissie, A smoking alternative is a good way to explain it. You can't say healthy, as the powers that be say that is untrue as there is no scientific proof that it is healthy.

If we want to keep vaping, we have to play their word game.

[classwife]

(plus we don't want these to fall into the "drug delivery device" category)

[bluecow1980]

Rusty, I didnt say I used vaping to quit ( wink wink nod nod), what i said was that i am now a vaper who uses her e-cig as my smoking alternative.

I do not classify it as a NRT as at this moment I have no intention of stopping vaping, which afterall is the ultimate aim of all NRT products.

[hifistud]

Both the FDA and MHRA have similar clauses in their "what constitutes a medicine" bumf, and that's basically that if <insert name of whatever> is "generally perceived" as being used for (in this case) quitting smoking, then it can be held to be being sold/marketed for that purpose.

None of this is about not liking the word "vaping" or anything else like that - it's about trying NOT to get e-cigs banned. Both the FDA and the MHRA are exploring every avenue they can to get e-cigs under their control, and having bazillions of folks on fora claiming "e-cigs helped me quit smoking" gives them all the ammunition they need to open a third line of attack (after overt presentation - ie "quit kits" - and metabolic action) as "generally perceived as NRT".

Hence TW going down the road they've just gone with regard to their forums: allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1690&page=1#40239

[bluecow1980]

I fear the damage is done with regards to the used to quit smoking. All those threads removed from almost any forum will be found using something as simple as google cache.

Is there an alternative?

What about getting them licenced as nrt? Sure its a longer more complex (not to mention more expensive at the beginning and end as a taxable product), but wouldnt this be the right approach?

Sorry if i sound dumb and ignorant, I'm really trying to understand but the whole world of vaping is a brand new one to me.

[deesigner]

Oh another minefield in the world of the politically correct! I am classed by my fostering agency as a none smoker now so I'll hang onto that. It has more implications than just my health, it means that I can now foster under 5's if I so wish, I can also take in mother and baby placements which I couldn't do whilst I was classed as a smoker.

Personally I class myself as someone who has found an alternative to smoking cigarettes, I use ecigs as a alternative. I do however class myself as an ex smoker as I would not want to return to those god awful stinking white sticks

[classwife]

Easy enough to say : I am an ex cigarette smoker.
Easy enough to say: I now vape as an alternative to smoking cigarettes.
Easy enough to say: mmm...interesting..."I" have found that I don't
cough/wheeze/etc....with vaping like I did with cigarettes.....
or: Since I switched to vaping, I don't like cigarettes anymore.

They want to play word games...so can we !

Opinions are like belly buttons tho...everyone has one !

[jerryrm]

They may have put their foot in their mouth by claiming that there is no scientific evidence that e-cigs have helped people to quit smoking.

In public let's play their word game, as it may benefit us in the long term. *wink*

[bluecow1980]

in public I have no objection to playing their current word game... however dont you think that after all this time its a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted?

[jerryrm]

I don't think so, Blue. They are more concerned with what the manufacturers and suppliers claim, not the individual vapers. If we play the word game and encourage the suppliers to do the same, then we should be ok. Manufacturers and suppliers who don't play the word game, will fall by the wayside.