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There's been a lot of discussion here - as ever, it's always good and healthy to have a bit of a debate. GunJack good to hear from you again, I transcribed your interview not so long ago

Broadly speaking, I would align myself with what Bobsbeer has expressed, both in terms of my view towards the role of the research and the manner in which CRUK would accept and fund this kind of research.

I'm sorry to hear that lobeydosser feels this is a cockamamie project. You're absolutely entitled to your opinion (as we all are), but I think you do a slight disservice to the sociology of health when you dismiss this kind of research. There are, of course, biological and medical determinants to health, but to ignore the psychosocial determinants is a dangerous game. lobeydosser, you've pointed out that you feel there should be research into why the majority of smokers have not switched to vaping in spite of the overwhelming evidence in support of vaping relative safety and smoking cessation efficacy. I am fairly certain that the answer to this question lies in understanding the psychosocial barriers to vaping. Indeed, the interviews that I carry out with non-vaping parents (who may be smokers) goes some way to explaining why this may be the case.

Again, I'm sorry that people feel they should no longer support CRUK as a result of this research. All I would say is that CRUK do specify publically that they fund this research - it would be a matter for anyone making a donation to look into what their chosen charity spends money on in more detail.

I'm also somewhat concerned that there is a misunderstanding of what this research is aiming to address. Some members continue to express that we are trying to link vaping with cancer and that this research is not intended to help parents or children who are smoking. I would categorically contest this. Other users such as sydsut and domesticextremist have expressed valid views that regardless of the outcomes of this research, certain media and influential groups may seek to twist the results. I completely understand where you're coming from. But this logic is too defeatist, in my opinion. Should we not carry out/fund any research into vaping because it could be misconstrued? I would suggest that we need to continue building up an evidence base, as scientific evidence holds more power than anecdotal evidence in the eyes of policymakers. Whether that should be the case is a debate for another day. But, with the current state of affairs, I believe it is the case.

There's a few comments that I haven't responded to here - I'll address this in the next couple of days.

Richard

I'm sorry to hear that you both now feel this way about Cancer Research UK.

The connection between Cancer Research UK and this sort of research is as follows: Cancer Research UK are interested in funding research that helps eliminate cancer. Smoking tobacco most certainly causes cancer. Therefore, research into e-cigarettes that may help people to stop smoking also acts as research into a device that may reduce cancer.

The link is indirect, but it is nonetheless a link.

So, rather than looking at e-cigarettes as a cancer-causing device, Cancer Research UK are looking at e-cigarettes as a device that may reduce cancer.

Hi lobeydosser,

Thanks for your response.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is simply the funder for the project - they fund a number of projects under 'tobacco control' and those projects investigating e-cigarettes are considered under 'harm reduction'. Nonetheless, CRUK have no role or involvement with our research beyond funding. Indeed, this particular project does not investigate cancer in any way, rather it investigates views towards vaping.

I understand that there can be a tricky relationship between the vaping and research communities (and this is something that often comes up in the interviews). However, I'd like to assure you that we are not pursuing any hidden agendas here. On the other hand, the idea of the interviews is to get in-depth accounts of the nuanced views that many vapers and non-vapers hold.

You might be interested in this discussion thread, where other forum members who have taken part in the research have confirmed their positive experiences:

allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/62934/survey-parents-views-childrens-cigare

Thanks,

Richard

Thank you to everyone who has taken the survey so far.

Over the past two months we have had a number of survey respondents from AAE-C and I have also carried out some really interesting interviews with both vapers and non-vapers.

If you're a parent and haven't already taken the survey, we would be very appreciative if you could:

www.uelpsychology.org/ecigs

It takes 10-15 minutes and by completing the survey, you will also have the option to enter a monthly prize draw for £50 love2shop vouchers.

Thanks again!

Richard

Thank you for taking the survey nanotm.

I'm sorry to hear that you feel the survey is geared towards preset answers. This study is not in any way intended to bash vapers, or support any negative preconceptions. As myself and another poster have pointed out, Lynne Dawkins has been involved with this study from the start and has a body of work around vaping that is unbiased.

Surveys can often be restricted by space. Consequently, we are also running a follow-up interview study in which people will be able to fully explain and explore their views in a more open and detailed way. We hope that this will address some of the limitations of survey design and provide the opportunity for more in-depth and unrestricted answers.