I am a little concerned.

[lobeydosser]

I am a little concerned about the use of slamming the negative effects of tobacco smoking being used to promote the healthy benefits of Vaping, especially when these are used in conjunction with letters to MPs in regard to the EU Directive.

These letters are going to people of authority who probably do not smoke and are automatically going to think that if we are all that horrified about the effects of smoking, why don’t we just stop.

By all means use the fact that you have tried to stop smoking and find that you cannot and have therefore changed over to vaping instead, so that you are still getting the benefits of your nicotine, but without the Tar etc, but please do not forget that vapers are very much in the minority in this country and giving those in authority even more ammunition against smokers is not the way we should be conducting our fight in Brussels.

I wouldn’t be here if 50 years of smoking had not given me the comfort that it did and I would be as cheesed off with the vaping community as I am against ASH and the other “do gooders” that appear to be hell bent on spoiling my chosen lifestyles.

It is a dangerous game to use the anti smoking arguments as reasons to change to vaping and it is equally dangerous to “befriend” the anti smoking lobby in our fight to keep vaping legal.

I am sure that we ourselves could come up with enough arguments why we enjoy vaping on its own merits without alienating the one community that brought us all to vaping in the first place.  

[MarkS]

I can see where you are coming from, but that argument is personal to you.

With me and many others (look at the anniversary thread) I choose to vape nicotine instead of smoking it and do not want to return to tobacco solely for health reasons. So I think it's only natural and fair to put that point across when contacting my MP/MEP'S.

I'm all for people's freedom of choice and if they choose to smoke then that is their decision and I'd defend their right to do so. Just like what they say when they write to their MP/MEP's is their freedom of choice and right too. Which is why I do not think template letters or copying someone else's letter is a good idea, it just becomes SPAM and devalues the efforts of those who wrote personal emails and letters.

For those who do choose to still smoke and vape or just smoke, then there is nothing to stop them contacting their MP's detailing their own personal points and views?

[Lee]

You both make good points. I am not against smoking at all. I hope I never have to resort to them again but I appreciate the right of people who do smoke, to continue to do so. As lobey says though we are a minority and need all the allies we can get.

[kibbster]

I agree about being careful not to attack smokers but the dangers of smoking can't really argued with unless you want to try and argue with world is flat.
You won't make smoking haters hate smokers any more than they already do or change their opinions on smoking.
Unlike myself and no doubt some others the EU really do seem to have an axe to grind against smokers, they are considering us smokers.
My feelings are to use their personal vendetta against smokers to my advantage.

"Smoking is evil!"
"Ok, then you have to accept an alternative should be embraced if smoking is so evil"

This is a polarising issue that will have a massive impact on our lives, I'm willing to use smoking hatred to further my goals if need be, even if I don't share the ANTZ views.
Also I have to distance myself from tobacco, the way to do that is to point out the ways in which vaping is better than tobacco.
In simple terms, Smoking = Bad, Vaping = Good.

If I go to my MP and say I vape because it's just like smoking but better he's hardly going to care.
If I go in and say I stopped using tobacco and smoking because of ecigs to avoid the poisons and toxins in smoke hopefully he'll listen and be able to at least understand my views.

Arguments are always a matter of perspective depending which side of the fence you call home.

[Ratfinkz]

I think the point lobey is trying to make is that the ecig regulations are tied in with the smokingstuff and the more of us they feel are in support of the smoking stuff the easier it is to push through. Having watched the EU debate on Monday the tobacco stuff is definitely the main aim and I get the horrible feeling the ecig regulations are going to go through almost unobserved as gettingthe tobacco directive through is far more important we are just collateral damage.

[MarkS]

But if I sent an email to my MEP's/MP defending the health risks regarding smoking I'd be an hypocrtie?

I think people should write what they wish. smokers numbers far outweigh e-cig users so surely they can all email too voicing their own concerns?

People should write what they feel is right and not really be dictated to by anyone...isn't that the whole point?

[Jen]

Hmm, if they are indeed trying to push the e-cig stuff through alongside the tobacco stuff, then differentiating vaping from smoking is paramount if you want them to get different treatment. I did take up vaping to stop smoking, we all know how dangerous smoking is, and vaping the single best solution I've found yet. I don't identify as a smoker, and I haven't smoked since I found proper vaping. Those who want to smoke should continue being free to do so, but that doesn't mean I have to give them special treatment or downplay the health risks of what they're doing. Those risks are the reason directly responsible for my vaping.

Not sure any of that makes sense, it's been a long day

[Banky]

I can see where lobey is coming from ,and I don't think we will get those that smoke on our side, and I think
it would be foolish to go on the attack of smokers. As my understanding the EU wants to regulate the e-cig industry
or maybe ban it. Because e-cig's have not been put through any trial's to say they are safe to use for me this is the part
wehere we won't have a leg to stand on. And yet I have read if they do allow us e-cigs they will only allow 4mg of nicotine,
that part if true to me is confusing. They the EU, and our own political parties see another tax because on one hand, I can
see them allowing e-gigs and on their terms, so are they going to pay for the research I don't think so, Some big pharmaceutical
will do that for them and reap the rewards. Again it's all down to money and on the other hand, who will win sure won't be joe soap.

[Jockyspants]

Hi Lobey,

I agree with you about slamming smoking when trying to make vaping look good is a negative but we need a relative point to work from or we are just asking for a new product to be ignored by the regulators of a nation. I also agree that a template might have been produced as an aid, however I also think this could be construed as spam. My fear is the decision has already been made and it's wholey driven by VAT and TAX with no consideration for the minions.
Keep the fight!

[johnny10hands]

My question would be where is the best place to buy the 74mg nicotine (or however high it is) so I can stockpile e-juice, as I'll be damned if I let an unelected group of 'we know best' merchants, decide that my alternative to smoking tobacco requires meddling with that will ultimately put me back on the fags