Daily Mail reported to Press Complaints Commission

[Matt Gluggles]

Clive Bates, a worldwide acknowleged expert in 'harm reduction' and former Director of ASH - has lodged a formal complaint with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) over the Daily Mail reporting of electronic cigarettes, in particular the article entitled "E-cigarettes 'can cause more harm than smoking,' experts say".

He says that the Daily Mail article about electronic cigarettes has been "lazy, stupid and innaccurate" and goes on to say "is just total rubbish and completely irresponsible. There is no kinder way to put it."

His complaint centres around Section 1 of the Editors Code of Practice , which states :

1.Accuracy:
i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.

The first part of his complaint states :

"The headline and premise of the story is completely inaccurate – there are no circumstances in which e-cigarettes cause more harm than smoking. In reality they are are almost harmless"

His complaint goes on to detail how there are no facts or arguments in the article to support the headline, that there are no "Experts" quoted in the article that agree with the headline because there are no "Experts" who agree with this statement.

He finishes his complaint with these words "A grossly inaccurate story like this could have real impacts on human welfare if it discourages people from switching from smoking cigarettes to e-cigarettes."

Read a full copy of Clive Bates' formal complaint to the Press Complaints Commission here :

www.clivebates.com/?p=806




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[kibbster]

I think I want his babies, even though I'm male

[kibbster]

Oh and about the Daily Fail.
I'm almost not surprised each time they print some utter rubbish which has little to no founding in reality.

They'd suggest banning fire because it's dangerous if it wasn't for them being smokers and wanting to light their fags.

[Ratfinkz]

I love that man!

What a bloody ridiculous article. problem is mum reads daily mail, how long until I get a call from her quoting it to me???!

[kibbster]

I always shake my head in pity when I find out people actually read the Daily Fail

Still, as long as your Mum doesn't believe anything she reads in it, it's ok

[vereybowring]

Super Clive !

Really great expert to have on our side.

[djs]

Gluggler....you are the man!, man!

Good find.

What the hell were the Mail thinking? and good for Clive Bates - it's things like this that cause scaremongering on a massive scale. We all know vaping isn't the 100% "perfect" alternative but to go as far as........"E-cigarettes 'can cause more harm than smoking,' experts say".............beggars belief.

I know of at least one person who threw away their e-cig after hearing something similar. He's back on 30 a day.

[womble]

I've actually felt moved enough to register and comment on the article.

It makes me so mad when I read things like this. I know people who won't even try ecigs because of things like this, but carry on smoking.

[lobeydosser]

People who want to try E-cigs will do so no matter what they read in the newspapers.

Only people who want to continue smoking will look for and then quote stuff like this as a reason for not wanting to try e-cigs.

At the end of the day, it is better for us if those that do join the e-cig brigade, do so because they want to.

[esmecullen]

Good on Clive

I never read the Daily Fail neither a certain other newspaper commonly known as "The Scum", basically they rely on sensationalisim and incorrect reporting!!!!!!!!!!!!

[daveyboy37]

Jan 27, 2013 18:07:10 GMT esmecullen said:

Good on Clive

I never read the Daily Fail neither a certain other newspaper commonly known as "The Scum", basically they rely on sensationalisim and incorrect reporting!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree to a point.. The Sun is renowned for sensationalism tho harmless enough because everyone expects nothing less from it.
But the Daily Mail actually considers itself to be a serious newspaper.

[thundercat]

I have just read the article and I agree that at its very best is decidedly very lazy. If this is the standard that you need to become a journalist then I am going to apply for a job with a newspaper. Being inarticulate, able to copy and paste something posted on google more than 5 years ago, an ability to disregard any attempt of balanced investigation etc etc

Andy

[Clutter]

I read Clive & Womble's comments.

Mine hasn't been posted cos IT haven't had the activation email & possibly because I slated the sloppy unbalanced journalism & suggested the 'expert' was a figment of the reporter's imagination.

[stitch]

[deesigner]

Here's a link to the this totally ignorant, stupid article I assume this is about www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2268702/E-cigarettes-cause-harm-smoking-experts-say.html?ito=feeds-newsxml