The e-cig controversy is complicated enough that I haven't truly taken a side, and I believe that the silent majority find themselves similarly placed. The main issue is that the tobacco control community bases (or tries to) its policy advocacy on science, and the science for e-cigs is simply too scant compared to combustibles, owing to their being on the market for just 15 years or so. We simply can't say for certain what the long-term impact of vaping will be. But obviously we need to employ the precautionary principle here - e-cigs are sold everywhere and we can't do nothing for the decades it may take to get adequate science. While I haven't taken a stand on whether e-cigs ought to be fully embraced (I don't think so) or banned (also don't think so, unless all other non-NRT nicotine products are banned at the same time), there are a few personal "truisms" that guide my thinking:
* The ideal policy would be one that allowed access to e-cigs only for current adults who smoke.
* E-cigs are almost certainly not as dangerous as combustibles. But that says little: combustible cigarettes are by far the most dangerous consumer product in history.
* An addiction-based business model is unethical. Addiction itself is a harm.
* We can't let the fight about e-cigs prevent or even slow down efforts to rid the world of combustibles.
* There are people on both sides of the debate that are dedicated public health professionals advocating for what they think is best. I have good friends that I highly respect on both sides.
* Just because the tobacco industry says it's in favor of something doesn't mean we must knee-jerk oppose it. They are very pleased with themselves for causing this rift.
Chris Bostic, Policy Director
ASH > ACTION ON SMOKING & HEALTH
Dedicated to ZERO Tobacco Deaths.
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HIFA profile: Chris Bostic is Action on Smoking and Health’s Policy Director. Since 2001, Chris has worked in tobacco policy at the local, state, national and international levels. Prior to joining ASH, he worked at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the American Lung Association. He has also served as a public health law clinical instructor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and was a founding board member of the Human Rights and Tobacco Control Network (HRTCN). bosticc AT ash.org
