I am a retired solicitor who recently found this message board being promoted on this internet article
www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/4415882/Youre-nicd.htmlI came across e-cigarettes over a year ago and had my doubts about them. Recently there was a supplement in the Times newspaper which made me even more suspicious and then finally the fiasco on the M6 motorway. Originally I expected this board would be nothing more than advertising and populated by shills for the e-cigarette industry, but there are obviously many people here who are genuine and merely advocating e-cigarettes as they feel they offer a valid alternative to smoking.
It has been eye opening as it appears that e-cigarettes do have, albeit anecdotal, evidence of benefit from users over many years. I have also now read growing indication of the safety of e-cigarettes but most importantly, essential long term studies have not taken place. There are obvious and very significant pressures on the e-cigarette industry, both for and against, from tobacco companies and drug companies and government bodies, who all have their own agendas. I can see now that there is much more to e-cigarettes than meets the eye, and I hope to learn more before jumping to conclusions which I humbly admit may be premature at this stage.
I do still have grave concerns particularly after reading the state of play in America which has tobacco companies entering the market and a Supreme Court ruling in favour of the tobacco industry. While I was searching for information this week I came across another e-cigarette message board which is under threat of legal action, so felt I should make a comment here for your consideration.
If long term studies on e-cigarettes conclude they are indeed completely safe, then all is well. If they conclude otherwise then I can foresee this making headline news and opening up a legal can of worms with implications spreading far and wide. Individuals and big business may seek redress and jostle to appoint or allay liability, with many ‘innocent bystanders’ becoming caught in the cross fire.
The law ensures we can all speak freely without censorship or suppression and gives great sanctuary to the individual right of true and honest expression, but this security can diminish if perceived to be driven by specific motive or intent. I would urge members of this board to entertain a modicum of caution and suggest the following.
To add clauses within the board terms and conditions that any and all comments made herein are merely personal opinion and based purely on personal experience, and that the use of e-cigarettes is wholly a matter of personal choice.
To avoid direct encouragement of the use of e-cigarettes and as above offer only opinion and experience.
To avoid direct statement as fact, if in actuality it is not fact, again making it clear that it is just opinion.
To limit the recommendation of retailers to avoid any form of bias and commercial entanglement.
To have a highlighted section which contains all the relevant studies and announcements, both positive and negative, which everybody is encouraged to read before embarking on any form of e-cigarette use.
In summary, to remain as neutral as possible in all aspects of e-cigarette usage and sale, particularly by the owners and management of this board.
I would be grateful for any further reading and sources of information and look forward to spending more time researching e-cigarettes.
