Recently I attended a forum on e-cigarettes, sponsored by a
political organization that wanted to educate its attendees about the
devices. During the discussion my
opponent [from the prohibitionist American Legacy Foundation] repeated the
baseless claim that there is no evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers
quit.
I responded that there is clear evidence: several clinical
studies demonstrate that e-cigs work – previously discussed in my blog (here, here, here and here).
The clinical trial evidence has reached a sufficient size
that a meta-analysis has been conducted. Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart
Association, contained the abstract of such a review presented (here) by University of Melbourne (Australia) investigators at a recent
meeting. They found that “Use of…e-cigarettes was
positively associated with smoking cessation …Nicotine filled e-cigarettes were
more effective in achieving cessation compared to those without nicotine
(pooled Risk Ratio 2.29, 95%CI 1.05-4.97). Use of e-cigarettes was also
effective in reducing smokers’ daily cigarette consumption…In conclusion,
available literature suggests that the use of e-cigarettes may be an effective
alternate smoking cessation method.”
After my response one of the attendees at our forum stated that he had
quit smoking using e-cigs, and he had also convinced two of his relatives to
quit. As he noted, “it may not be a
clinical trial, but it is real evidence.”
This doesn’t happen just at every event I attend. It happens at virtually every conversation I
have. Almost everybody now knows former
smokers who credit e-cigarettes with life- and breath-saving benefits. The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free
Alternatives Association maintains a webpage linking to over 2,000 testimonials
from successful switchers (here).
Cartoonist Bill Watterson said: “It's not denial. I'm just
selective about the reality I accept.”
Anti-tobacco zealots who refuse to acknowledge the new reality of
e-cigarettes also qualify for membership in The Flat Earth Society (join here).
3 comments:
Unless your a wealthy, so-called educated, Pharmaceutical sponsored liar, you are just an anecdote to those that are just that!
Vapor Market Size $2.5B - anecdotal information :)
Meet another one, who stooped smoking the first day he reached e-cig. Two months now, without any problem. After 25 years of chain smoking, trying literally everything what market has to offer. And number of ex smokers is heavily increasing in my community. Just because of e-cig. Best thing ever.......
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