E-Cigs study says they don't help quit nicotineI just saw this study dissected by the masses, and the arguments are shifting quickly. While studies are starting to poke holes in the theory that e-cigs are effective cessation devices, the argument is being tossed aside with anecdotal evidence ("I know a guy", "I'm slowly decreasing my nicotine percentage", etc) and claims of harm reduction.
Here, at the KTC, we have a no nicotine policy (in any form). Harm reduction is not a treatment. It is a trick. Moist tobacco (dip) was sold under the same guise in the 70s and 80s, and look around: There isn't a person that hasn't been harmed by it here. Changing vehicles does not change the driver. Addicts will abuse a drug.
At the Smokeless Summit in August, I spoke to a representative at the FDA after listening to many "experts" claim that we are "under-medicating our patients" and asking the states to protect their funding for nicotine cessation aids over support groups such as ours. One of the points she made to me is that the product needs to declare its usage, and be treated either as a cessation aid or as a nicotine product. (Right now, it wants it both ways.) If it is a cessation device, studies need to be conducted affirming this. If it is a nicotine vehicle, it needs to be regulated like tobacco products. E-Cigs cannot promote use of a nicotine product and claim quitting benefits as well. It's a catch-22.
The battle's just begun folks. The shift to smokeless tobacco users has begun, and I'm sure we're going to start seeing these "quitters" here. As an admin here stated to me:
I look at it like this - this site is about breaking the chains of addiction to nicotine, with an emphasis on chewing tobacco as the delivery medium.
If "e-cigs" which contain nicotine, is brought up here as part of someone's quit plan - they do not meet our purpose and goal as stated above and are not to be considered quit. We have never advocated "harm reduction" or NRT's in any form. You all know that - same drug, different delivery method. Argue all they want, that ain't changing. Anyone arguing they are quit and can post roll while using e-cigs should be kindly, gently told to fuck off same as those using the patch, gum, lozenges, etc.
There's a simple, yet sometimes not easy, way to quit: Post roll. Keep your word. Repeat. Don't over think this.
We can do this.
