​Electronic Cigarettes in the News 27 December 2014

As is the norm rather than the exception, electronic cigarette news over the holidays has been weeeell,  a bit of a mixed bag to say the least. 

To be honest, even if you spend hours during a week reading up on e-liquids and vaping as I do, it can be surprising how much dissension there is out there among both the pro and the con groups.

Actually, it could be said that the only thing that everyone can agree upon, is the fact that no-one can agree upon anything......for more than a fleeting moment.

Canuck Chaos

From our brothers over the pond we have a very telling example of why politics on that side of the pond may be even more confusing than they are here at home.

As we begin this story, you'll first need a little background….. 

It is now illegal to sell nicotine containing e-liquids in Canada.

It is however, perfectly legal to own them, legal to use them and legal to import them. 

The only thing that it is NOT legal is to actually SELL them. 

Confusing enough for a start?

OK, then. Next, add in a healthy dose of 'biting the hand' syndrome. 

In a Forum Survey Report, a report that was partially funded by Health Canada, yes, that very same government organisation who outlawed Nicotine Eliquids, it was found that:

between 24- 33% of smokers who had tried electronic cigarettes had stopped smoking completely. 

The survey findings also went on to say that, 

as many as 7 out of 10 Canadians who had used electronic cigarettes had done so for the express purpose of smoking cessation.

We can only theorise that since it completely destroyed their justification for instituting the current restrictive measures, that these were not the results Health Canada was expecting to receive for their money. 

Perhaps the best commentary on the situation, as delivered by tobacco addiction expert Dr. Michael Siegel, who was quoted as saying

"Had all smokers taken Health Canada's advice, it appears that as many as one quarter of them who otherwise would have quit would instead still be smoking. It is ironic and unfortunate that a national health agency put out advice which runs contrary to the best interests of the public's health."

Back over the pond on our little island

Closer to home, it seems that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is once more flipping and flopping rather like a grounded fish....

You may recall back in November... yes, just a few short weeks ago, that the ASA finally gave its blessing and clearance for electronic cigarette ads to be shown on British TV. Manufacturers were at last given the go ahead, allowed to advertise the use of electronic cigarettes on TV, as long as they abided by the following stipulations:

• the ads must not not promote tobacco or
• nor target non-smokers, or young people.

Having done this, they are now back-pedalling in a rather comical manner. 

In one week, three of the first ads to have been screened, have already been banned. 

• Two because it was felt they made the use of electronic cigarettes seem too glamorous and 
• the other because it was felt that a group of adults discussing their preference for vaping over traditional cigarettes was inappropriate.

Basically, this comes across, at least in our view as telling the ecig industry that they are welcome to spend their money on television advertising.... just as long as you don’t make your products seem appealing in any way.

Not surprisingly the majority of the 199 complaints for the first two ads came from such groups as Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the British Medical Association (BMA), who strongly oppose Electronic Cigarettes any way.

What is surprising is that the third commercial was banned based on a paltry 7 complaints. More complaints are received when Arsenal wins a match!!! This smells of fish once again.

There you have it, as all of your Christmas wrappings have been discarded, we've 'wrapped up' all the current news. That’s the current news that's in the news..... That may be news to you!

For even more on the happenings in the e-cig world, be sure to like the Exhale Cigarettes fan page on Facebook.

Happy New Year, one and all.