Had an ickle chat with some NHS 'Health Promoters'!

[digicig]

As i was walking to me local shopping centre (St Stephen's for thems in 'Ull) i stopped a couple of NHS 'Health Promoters' with a quick question:

Me - "Excuse me Ladies - Ecigarettes - good or bad?"

"Official response or personal?"

Me - "Both please"

NHS 1 - "Official repsonse - don't use them - use NRT! Personally what ever works to get you off smoking - but you're probably better off with NRT"

NHS 2 - "Well you're better off without the 4k+ chemicals in cigarettes but you're just swapping one addiction for another"

Me "But i'm not swapping addictions - it's the same addiction to nicotine?"

NHS 2 - "Exactly so you're better off with NRT!" (I think NHS 2 was suggesting that NRT is the way to get rid of the addiction - not that NRT was nicotine free )

Me - "Nicotine as a substance in lower dosages, such as ecigs and NRT, is about as harmful as caffeine according to researchers"

NHS 2 - "But not as good as being off nicotine altogether - which is NRT!"

Me - "Gov't and NHS statistics show that NRT doesn't work tho - with a less than 5% success rate over a 12 month period - whereas there are studies and enough testimonials to suggest that folk who swap to Vaping stay off tobacco for good!"

NHS 2 - "Well it's obvious you get paid to promote ecigarettes then!"

Me - "I provide information on ecigarettes to smokers, Vapers and the Vape-curious for free - and have done my research because it's under threat form the EU, and the Government - mainly due to the Big Pharmaceutical industry who make as much money from smokers as the Big Tobacco companies - NRT is a fraction of their income when compared to treating those with smoking realted diseases - including Chemo-therapy!"

NHS 1 - "i don't need to know all the statistics ans science to be able to do my job well - and i do!"



Sort of the point where i gave up! TBH it didn't sound like either of the ladies had been to school beyond 16 and the only information that had to give was what the NHS provided - and doing extra research on their own time wasn't likely to happen.

Perhaps that's one of the reasons the NHS choose such folk - they will just provide the information they're spoon fed without question by the 'Health Authority' they work for

[sleepyduck]

indeed!

Personally, I would not engage with such types. I am a peaceful person, but a conversation like that would surely end up with my inflicting injury upon them or myself or all three of us

[Deleted]

"But not as good as being off nicotine altogether - which is NRT!"

Since when is NRT being off nicotine all together? hahahahahaha

[vereybowring]

Were they still alive when you left or is there going to be a story about a double murder on the news ?

[digicig]

I think NHS 2 was suggesting that NRT is the way to get rid of the addiction - not that NRT was nicotine free (will edit the original post to include this)

[Deleted]

Well done you though

[davess]

Halfwits, all of 'em.

[Deleted]

That's an insult to that great British entity Dave....'wit'..eejit maybe - half wit - nope

[Deleted]

Seems, all bar a very few have been brainwashed!

[digicig]

I'd suggest the 'Health Promoters' are selected more by their ability to 'Follow the Rules' than to question them - at all, ever!

[izan]

Jul 8, 2013 19:49:54 GMT digicig said:

I'd suggest the 'Health Promoters' are selected more by their ability to 'Follow the Rules' than to question them - at all, ever!

What do you think University is all about? free thinkin?

I

You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead. -HM

[digicig]

Ah - went to Uni as a 'mature student at 25, when it was still 'free-ish' (give or take student loans ) and managed to get an education - which i did do in-spite of the course, rather than because of it

[Chrissie]

Lol @digicigi bet you felt like you were

[digicig]

TBH the reason i asked is to find out what the general level of 'Education' and 'Knowledge' about ecigs was amongst the 'lower echelons' of the NHS 'Health Promotion' team was - so now i know and thought i'd share

[sammy13]

Well done Digi
I know you have may come away feeling stupid, dismayed, just deflated but you stood up for what you believe, and that is what counts