Does your child vape? Looking for UK parents to interview

[ghostrider1971]

As well as the charity involvement, the research is based on children aged 11-18 using e-cigarettes?

Surely e-cigarettes are aimed at the over-18 market?

Should I be concerned that a survey finding a large number of "under age" vapers is going to be more bad press for us?

For example, if the research states "We interviewed xxx hundred guardians/parents of under age vapers" more ammunition for the tobacco barons to bash us with to their "friends in high places"?

[GunJack]

Nov 16, 2016 20:57:10 GMT ghostrider1971 said:

As well as the charity involvement, the research is based on children aged 11-18 using e-cigarettes?

Surely e-cigarettes are aimed at the over-18 market?

Should I be concerned that a survey finding a large number of "under age" vapers is going to be more bad press for us?

For example, if the research states "We interviewed xxx hundred guardians/parents of under age vapers" more ammunition for the tobacco barons to bash us with to their "friends in high places"?

I get where you're coming from, but I'd rather get my lad off tobacco than let him carry on smoking, and if vaping can do that better than any other method, so be it - and now he tries to convert his still-smoking friends, so good on him

[GunJack]

Oh, and he is now over 18, vaping for almost 2 years......which is around 4 times as long as he smoked

[ghostrider1971]

GunJack - I agree with you....

My concern is this research is being used to highlight underage vapers.

We know how much the media are against us already and how many scare stories there are.

It's the kind of research that highlights children as vapers - another thing to bash us over the head with. We all know the Government are in bed with tobacco companies - to both of them death for tax revenue is, sadly, a price they are willing to pay and protect :-(

[domesticextremist]

Hmmm, I'm not sure about this.
Setting aside the CR UK issue, one of the continuously repeated assertions of the anti-vaping brigade is that children are vaping, that all the "sweet shop" flavours are a deliberate attempt to get kids hooked on nicotine, etc, etc.
Such assertions are utterly unsubstantiated, of course, but invariably the media are able to unearth one or two children who do vape and use that as a stick with which to beat the vaping community.
So on the one hand, it could be good to have some hard data that demonstrates that underage vaping and vaping among young people is at insignificant levels, but on the other hand (as is likely) even a small number of young vapers will be seized upon by the "if it saves just one baby" brigade as a reason for yet more restrictions and a campaign for banning it outright.
I think it might be a better use of CR UK's time and energy to highlight that continued use of tobacco carries a high risk of cancer and that whilst more research into the medical effects of vaping would be welcome, there is no doubting that vaping goes a long way towards harm reduction for those who already smoke.
That is to say focus on the potential health improvements (undoubted even if anecdotal) rather than the demographics of vapers.

ETA my 76 year-old mum is delighted that I have stopped smoking tobacco and taken up vaping and is never done telling me how much healthier I now seem (it's ruined my figure though).

[X&Y]

I gave up on supporting charities that employ CEOs on six figure salaries a long time ago.

Rather support palliative care charities.

Apologies if this upsets anyone, just my view.

[lobeydosser]

My neighbours tried vaping a couple of years back but didn't take to it.
Then last year their son approached me for information on vaping and I showed him my set up and how I make up my own e-juice.

Consequently he stopped smoking and started vaping. By the by, he is over 18 years old.

Within a few months both parents had stopped smoking and all have been vaping since.
And loving it.

So far from the "vaping parents" influencing their children, here we have the children improving the health of their parents.

My "child" would not come near me when I was smoking. He'd bare his teeth at me and stay well away.
Since I changed to vaping, he lies on my lap and quite contentedly snoozes and has done for the past 4 years.
He is now just 8 years old and yon "research team" can come and interview him anytime.
Oh, and bring him some Chicken Bone Doggy Biscuits and you'll be his pals for life!!!!!

[GunJack]

Nov 16, 2016 23:19:04 GMT domesticextremist said:

Hmmm, I'm not sure about this.
Setting aside the CR UK issue, one of the continuously repeated assertions of the anti-vaping brigade is that children are vaping, that all the "sweet shop" flavours are a deliberate attempt to get kids hooked on nicotine, etc, etc.
Such assertions are utterly unsubstantiated, of course, but invariably the media are able to unearth one or two children who do vape and use that as a stick with which to beat the vaping community.
So on the one hand, it could be good to have some hard data that demonstrates that underage vaping and vaping among young people is at insignificant levels, but on the other hand (as is likely) even a small number of young vapers will be seized upon by the "if it saves just one baby" brigade as a reason for yet more restrictions and a campaign for banning it outright.
I think it might be a better use of CR UK's time and energy to highlight that continued use of tobacco carries a high risk of cancer and that whilst more research into the medical effects of vaping would be welcome, there is no doubting that vaping goes a long way towards harm reduction for those who already smoke.
That is to say focus on the potential health improvements (undoubted even if anecdotal) rather than the demographics of vapers.

ETA my 76 year-old mum is delighted that I have stopped smoking tobacco and taken up vaping and is never done telling me how much healthier I now seem (it's ruined my figure though).

But the thing is, and has always been for me, is that if a kid (i.e. under-18) was already smoking, then switching them to vaping has to be a winner every time (as was the case with my son). As for flavours, he's with me on 99% of what he vapes is RY4......

[DaveJ]

Interesting.

I see the issue of "underage vaping" can be just as contentious here in the UK as elsewhere in the world.

Legally there are minimum ages for purchasing and consuming alcohol and cigarettes. Yet I see underage folk consuming those products. I am not particularly comfortable with that situation but it seems we as a society are unable to prevent it. But, to be fair, I do not have kids of my own so it would also be somewhat unreasonable to push my ideas onto those who do face that problem.

I hear of underage kids vaping. I even see them posting videos of their exploits in mainstream media. That also makes me somewhat uncomfortable, just as underage drinking and smoking does. Right or wrong, I regard vaping as an "adult" activity primarily to help smokers kick that habit - just as it did for me. But again, with no kids of my own, it would be wrong to impose my ideas on others who are in the tough position of needing to make those calls when raising their offspring.

I do read about the risks of vaping. It is my firm belief that, in the long term, Vaping is likely to be far less harmful to the user than smoking. Based on that, wouldn't the pragmatic position with regard to underage users be "best neither smoking nor vaping, but, if you must, then vape"?

Yet I admit that logical position still leaves me feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

I do not envy those of you faced with those challenges in your daily lives.


**But I have no time for the self important muppets who try to promote silly ideas like "fruity flavours are only to encourage kids to take up vaping". Damn you! Forget about the kids, I want those flavours for myself!


** EDIT - you'd think Vaping had been proven to cause cancer based on the way the Australian Cancer Council actively and strongly advocates against vaping....

[domesticextremist]

TBH DaveJ, licensing laws do work better than nothing at all.

Kids will always find a way around them to get at the forbidden fruit (we certainly did in our day), but nothing at all means that it is far easier for kids to get hold of cannabis (or worse) than it is alcohol or tobacco.

[Bobsbeer]

I find it sad that people are now withdrawing their support of Cancer Research UK because they are funding a vaping research project with no obvious link to cancer. That to me is a very small minded approach. While this research may not be directly looking at cancer, it is part of the wider field surrounding tobacco harm and harm reduction activity. Vaping is being promoted as an effective smoking harm reduction method. Kids have smoked since tobacco was discovered. I smoked as a kid.

Therefore to me this is legitimate research and far from being denounced, Cancer Research UK should be applauded for supporting research into vaping at any level. Of course the research needs to be scientific and independent, but that is a different subject altogether. Research is research and should have a goal in advancing our knowledge. I for one will not be withdrawing my support to Cancer Research UK, and I wish the current research program all the best. Sorry for straying off topic, but it needed to be said.

[lobeydosser]

Nov 17, 2016 10:21:31 GMT Bobsbeer said:

I find it sad that people are now withdrawing their support of Cancer Research UK because they are funding a vaping research project with no obvious link to cancer. That to me is a very small minded approach. While this research may not be directly looking at cancer, it is part of the wider field surrounding tobacco harm and harm reduction activity. Vaping is being promoted as an effective smoking harm reduction method. Kids have smoked since tobacco was discovered. I smoked as a kid.

Therefore to me this is legitimate research and far from being denounced, Cancer Research UK should be applauded for supporting research into vaping at any level. Of course the research needs to be scientific and independent, but that is a different subject altogether. Research is research and should have a goal in advancing our knowledge. I for one will not be withdrawing my support to Cancer Research UK, and I wish the current research program all the best. Sorry for straying off topic, but it needed to be said.

Really????

People who give to a charity that promotes Cancer Research believe that that is what their money is going to, not some cockamamie project that, by its own admission, has nothing whatever to do with Cancer Research.

If CR UK has so much money that it feels that it can give some of it away to projects like this, then it has too much money period and it doesn't need any from us small minded individuals who would rather see our shekels supporting charities where our money is needed and used properly.

I care where my charity contributions go and how these contributions are spent and I am appalled that a national charity like CR UK would waste our contributions on a project which has nothing whatever to do with what our contributions were intended for.

[lobeydosser]

PS. Sorry for liking Bobsbeer post. That was a mistake. I was so annoyed by it I pressed the wrong button!!!!

[Bobsbeer]

While the name would suggest that they ONLY research cancer, I would also argue that research looking to avoid the risk of cancer is also a legitimate line of research for CRUK to support, and cancer prevention is one of their stated aims. Yes it is small minded and I would also add narrow minded to only look at cancer that is already developed, albeit a very worthwhile cause. Preventing cancer in the first place is better than any cure or treatment. So understanding the issue and motivation to smoke or in this instance to use an e cig is in my view a legitimate line of research. Clearly you have never read their publications or aims and strategies before you handed over your hard earned dosh to fund in your words "cockamamie projects". So yes I'm sorry, but I do find your attitude to such a worthwhile cause disappointing, especially coming from an ex smoker and now a vaper.

Cancer is more than just a disease. It affects more than just the patient. In many cases once cancer is found it is too late, so I welcome any approach to rid the world of this nasty disease, and yes I do understand that the cause of cancer is more than just smoking. However as we all know or should know, our previous addiction to burnt tobacco is a major cause of many types of cancer, and sadly some of us will still be struck down. Preventing or discouraging others from following in our footsteps can only be a worthwhile cause, and never cockamaime. To solve a problem you first need to understand the problem. That as I see it is the reason for this particular research.

From CRUK website.

We want survival in the UK to be among the best in the world. We’re focusing our efforts in four key areas – working to help prevent cancer, diagnose it earlier, develop new treatments and optimise current treatments by personalising them and making them even more effective.
Read more at HERE

(My emphasis)

[sydsut]

Nov 17, 2016 15:06:16 GMT lobeydosser said:

PS. Sorry for liking Bobsbeer post. That was a mistake. I was so annoyed by it I pressed the wrong button!!!!

If you just press the button again it will remove it.