Should e-ciggs be banned

[Ray Scully]

Should e-ciggs be banned as it seems is being suggested by the WHO

Ray

[Mervyn and Trish]

I have two worries about e-cigs. One is the possibility of trouble arising in areas where real cigs are banned when someone thinks and e-smoker is breaking the ban. The other is that while these were first introduced, as I understand it, to help smokers who wanted to quit, they now seem to be a fashion in their own right and I wonder if, in some cases, they may provide a route into real smoking - a bit like the argument for drugs such as cannabis leading onto others such as heroin and cocaine.

[Quizzical Bob]

I have two worries about e-cigs. One is the possibility of trouble arising in areas where real cigs are banned when someone thinks and e-smoker is breaking the ban. The other is that while these were first introduced, as I understand it, to help smokers who wanted to quit, they now seem to be a fashion in their own right and I wonder if, in some cases, they may provide a route into real smoking - a bit like the argument for drugs such as cannabis leading onto others such as heroin and cocaine.

Whatever, anyone using them looks a bit of a t!t.

[Ray Scully]

Whatever, anyone using them looks a bit of a t!t.

I new it wouldn't be long before we got some well argued, considered opinion

[Stephen]

Should e-ciggs be banned as it seems is being suggested by the WHO

Ray

I'm surprised a rock band would want to get involved when they're normally off their heads with far stronger stuff

[towny44]

I think a large slice of ridicule would reduce their popularity, because they do make chaps look rather effeminate.

[Boris+]

I really don't know on this one - I have no wish to stop people enjoying themselves, and as far as I know these e-cigs don't leave those in close proximity with clothes and hair stinking of smoke.

The main question now I think is do these e-cigs actually pose a threat of harm to people in close proximity. So, for me - as long as these things won't harm me or mine, and as long as they are used discreetly well I suppose I wouldn't have any objection.

However, users might look a bit daft.

Em

[Manoverboard]

The impression given could be that smoking real fags is also acceptable, for that reason only I am anti e-ciggies in any public place.



Also, having watched them blowing smoke rings and thinking what a dipstick, who'de be daft enough to do that sort of thing ... oh dear

[davecttr]

can you get an e-pipe?

[Barb44]

Our son had tried to give up cigarettes on numerous occasions over many years but was unsuccessful. Just over 12 months ago he started using e-cigs and gradually bought refills with lower nicotine content until eventually he was buying refills with no nicotine content. After a couple of weeks on these he gave up the e-cig completely. That was two months ago and he now does not crave either cigarettes or e-cigs. So they do work in helping people give up smoking.

He didn’t smoke his e-cig inside public places (only outside) and used it discretely. The whole purpose of using it was to give up smoking.

Barbara x

[david63]

One thing that has to be considered if e-cigs were to be banned is whether the ban would drive people to, or worse still back to, "real" cigarettes.

[Lynda and David]

My husband bought an e-cigarette to use on Azura when we were on her in April so that he could 'smoke it' on the balcony instead of having to keep running backwards and forwards to the smoking area when we were in our cabin. Over the summer he has found he needed to smoke real cigarettes less frequently and two weeks ago finished his last packet of cigarettes and now only uses the e-cigarette. He is gradually lowering the nicotine content each time he buys a refill and finally he feels that he will be able to give up smoking altogether. He has been smoking 20 a day for 40 years and has tried to give up in the past but never managed to. If e-cigarettes help people to quit smoking that can only be a good thing. Just so long as people don't try to smoke them indoors on a ship what is the problem after all they don't smell anywhere near as bad as real cigarettes?

I have never smoked but get fed up with the 'anti-smoking' brigade keep griping on about smokers on ships. Most people know where the smoking areas are on ships so if you don't like the smell of smoke don't go near those areas, after all the areas are getting smaller and smaller on the ships and apart from the Promenade Deck are usually tucked away to a corner of one side so it really isn't a problem to stay away from them.

[Silver_Shiney]

I think a large slice of ridicule would reduce their popularity, because they do make chaps look rather effeminate.

[ItsmeAnnC]

Lynda and David:
"I have never smoked but get fed up with the 'anti-smoking' brigade keep griping on about smokers on ships. Most people know where the smoking areas are on ships so if you don't like the smell of smoke don't go near those areas, after all the areas are getting smaller and smaller on the ships and apart from the Promenade Deck are usually tucked away to a corner of one side so it really isn't a problem to stay away from them."

Well said.

[Boris+]

Well Lynda and David,

Good decision and good luck. Be supportive and you'll get through it - well done.

Em

[Ray Scully]

Lynda & David
Your experience is supported by

Professor Ann McNeill, Professor of Tobacco Addiction, National Addiction Centre, King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, said:

E-cigarette use results in much lower exposure to toxins for users than regular cigarettes, says Professor McNeill (file picture)
+4

E-cigarette use results in much lower exposure to toxins for users than regular cigarettes, says Professor McNeill (file picture)

'The e-cigarette market is rapidly evolving and research on the huge variety of products on the market, what they emit and what their health impacts are, lags behind.

'What we do know is that e-cigarettes do not emit the thousands of constituents delivered in tobacco smoke, 70 of which are known carcinogens. Instead e-cigarettes emit a vapourised solution principally of propylene glycol or glycerine, water and flavours, usually with nicotine.

'While the WHO report concludes that e-cigarettes use ’produces lower exposures to toxicants than combustible products’ I believe that this is an understatement. We can be confident that e-cigarette use results in much lower exposure to toxins for users.

'Although e-cigarette vapour may be an irritant to people in close proximity to the e-cigarette user, there is no evidence of harm from other people inhaling e-cigarette vapour unlike the known risks of second hand cigarette smoke. There is also as yet no evidence that e-cigarettes are renormalisng smoking.

Based on their analysis, the WHO proposes a range of regulations for e-cigarettes and my concern is that these will deter smokers from trying to use them. Cigarette smoking is so uniquely dangerous that anything we can do to encourage smokers to stop should be welcomed.'



Far more helpful and supportive than facetious comment such as:
"Also, having watched them blowing smoke rings and thinking what a dipstick, who'de be daft enough to do that sort of thing ... oh dear"

Ray

[Manoverboard]

... Far more helpful and supportive than facetious comment such as:
"Also, having watched them blowing smoke rings and thinking what a dipstick, who'de be daft enough to do that sort of thing ... oh dear"

Ray

Light(en) up Ray

My light hearted comment above, rather like selective quotations, was not intended to be taken seriously but you do seem to have overlooked the serious part of my original posting ... which was,

" The impression given could be that smoking real fags is also acceptable, for that reason only I am anti e-ciggies in any public place."

[Frank Manning]

Interesting post. A relative of mine is making his living by importing and distributing these things.

I dont mind someone smoking, it's their choice, but I do object to aggressive smokers who flout the rules, and blow smoke at me. Also balcony smokers whose smoke drifts over to me. That applies to all forms of smoke whether from e cigarettes or pipes, cigars or cigarettes.

[Jacknian]

I think if these e cigs help people to give up smoking then that can only be good. They can't possibly be doing as much harm as 'real' cigarettes and as others have said, the nicotine content is gradually reduced so that eventually there is none at all. I have never smoked but have some sympathy for older people who started smoking when there was little known about the health implications. I have watched several relatives die a horrible death from lung cancer and anything which helps people to give up is ok with me.

[brillo]

Easy answer, YES! YES! YES!

[Lynda and David]

Hello, I’ve just caught up with this thread since I replied last night. After reading the new replies I asked David to start up the original electronic cigarette he bought to use on Azura in April and blow the vapour towards me. I can honestly say that all I could smell was a very faint minty smell. Yes there was lots of steam (not smoke) but it did not smell offensive.

He now has another type of electronic cigarette which he adds fruity flavours to and I have to say I do like the smell of them. This one doesn’t produce as much vapour and doesn’t look like a normal cigarette so cannot be mistaken for one. I’m happy because finally it looks as though he will stop smoking as the nicotine content is getting lower as the weeks go on.

All the people we’ve spoken to who use electronic cigarettes only use them because they hope they will help them to quit ordinary cigarettes not because they are the latest craze.

Lynda

[Boris+]

Hi Lynda,

As I said before - well done and good luck, keep it going.

Em

[Frank Manning]

I was 16 when I started smoking, and 20 when I stopped. When I first went to sea I smoked 40 a day, ( 10/- 50p for 200 Chesterfields in those days) and I still think that at that time I needed them. They were a prop, but luckily for me a few months before I met Sue I experienced some sort of disgust at myself for the state of my radio room, and cabin. I stopped and haven't smoked since. My doctor told me recently that it was probably the best thing I have ever done.

It didn't need wlll power for me, I had just come to hate it. However I do sympathise with people who try to give up and find it difficult. Keep trying I say, and use the e cigs, because it will keep my niece's husband in a job.

[Ray Scully]

“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.”

Mark Twain

[Manoverboard]

If this report is true then they should indeed be banned ...

E-cig liquid linked to lung disease