US Set to Approve Cigarettes, Ban Healthy Alternatives
A new tobacco bill, which has received support from America's largest tobacco company, looks set to pass, entrenching established tobacco interests and removing safer alternatives to smoking.The bill will place tobacco under the authority of the FDA. However, writing in the New York Times, Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health, worries that by persuading smokers that cigarettes are safer, they will encourage smokers to smoke more.
She also points out that the bill gives the FDA authority to reduce nicotine in cigarettes. As it is the smoking that does the damage and not the nicotine, and as smokers tend to draw more heavily when they smoke, this would only increase the damage done to smoker's health.
"The so-called 'Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,' concocted by one anti-tobacco group in cahoots with Altria, will actually lead to more deaths from smoking," the doctor concludes.
A further worry is that the new alternatives to smoking will be made illegal with little chance of reversing the ruling.
One of the new alternatives is the electronic cigarette. Despite highly publicised criticism of the electronic cigarette, some tobacco experts argue that it removes 99% or more of the risk of smoking traditional cigarettes.
In one interview with us David Sweanor, who has previously advised the WHO on tobacco control, argued that: "If there is anyone who believes cigarettes are no more hazardous than e-cigarettes I'd recommend a remedial course in basic sciences."
Dr Joel Nitzkin, Chair of the Tobacco Control Task Force for the American Association of Public Health Physicians, agrees. In a letter to Senator Lautenburg, the doctor argued: "As best we can tell, on the basis of currently available research data, these products [including but not limited to electronic cigarettes] promise a risk of illness and death well under 1% of the risk posed by cigarettes."
- Only 5% of smokers give up smoking for more than a year, even with the help of cessation aids.
- Some experts believe that the ban will cost lives.
Comments
J D
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/30/2009
They carry over 20 flavors also. Check them out at www.buyreddragon.com/shop/ and use the code 297-684-432 to save 5%. They have a 30 day money back guarantee and a 1 year guarantee on the battery and have great customer service.
J D
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/30/2009
I have been smoking the RED DRAGON for over a month now and I am loving it! I can breath better and I even feel better. The RED DRAGON is the new 2 piece unit. No more messing around with drips and leaking carts. No more wondering when your atomizer will fail. The cart has a built in atomizer which is replaced every time you replace the cart. At less than $3 a cart it is half the price of regular cigs and I seem to be getting about 1 1/2 packs from each cart. The batteries last me about 6-8 hours also. They are assembled here in the states instead of being shipped in from over seas, so they do not have the problems with customs holding their inventory like most. They do run out of this or that from time to time, due to a huge demand, but they seem to get them back in stock very quickly. Their 8 piece kit is only 79.95 and that includes 2 batteries, 5 carts, a USB charger and a wall charger. They also have a 2 piece kit for 39.95 that comes with 1 battery and a USB charger. They carry o
Bozos being the experts, the commenters or the legislators?
Dagny Taggart
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/10/2009
Where is John Galt when we need him? Actually, there's probably a good percentage of the population that have the capacity to engage in more rational thinking than these bozos - where are you all? We need some common-sense at the top of the food chain!
Healthy Smoker
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/10/2009
The fact that the government is more concerned with money than they are with helping people live healthier lives is evident in horrible legislation like this.
Since everyone else is leaving there urls... I got my E-Cigs from www.HealthyCigarettes.Org
They were cheap... and I have quit smoking my tobacco cigarettes... I have never felt better.
Letzin Hale
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/10/2009
There is a huge storm brewing here and the Government should be prepared for the backlash from smokers and vapers (ecigarette users) who are already planning to file thousands of lawsuits against them for forcing them to use tobacco instead of a safer alternative. This could cost the US Government billions of dollars which would be better spent in assisting the research and development of electronic cigarettes which are proving to be a phenomenal success in the fight against tobacco related harm. The Government will also face accusations of conspiracy if they allow cigarettes to be sold but deny citizens the choice of a safer option.
Mitch in Michigan
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/09/2009
Unforgivable that the government would pass this ridiculous bill. Electronic cigarettes rock and are a way less costly alternative to regular cigarettes, plus no tar or other cancer causers. I bought one from SafeSmokes.net because they are in Michigan, and got it in 2 days. For under $50 shipped, I have been cigarette free since I received it. My lungs feel better, no hacking and coughing. These things work.
Glenn Pudick
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/09/2009
I got an e cig online at
www.friendlymerchandiser.com
It is better than tobacco.
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