Hashtags and beanbags

OK, so not the most inspiring title ever conceived but I normally only post once every few days. Or try to at least. For once, you lovely folks are getting a double post out of me today.

No, this is not about the plain packs debacle. That one is just full of stupid for me to even contemplate right now. Besides, it has already been covered very nicely by Dick Puddlecote here. No, this one is all about our US friends. Specifically, Minnesota.

Mistakes, I’ve Made A Few

As we all know, vaping and electronic cigarettes are under increasing scrutiny. Some of it is surprisingly the good kind of scrutiny, the majority of it is not. We all have our stories as to why we vape. Some of us wanted to reduce harm to our own bodies. Others were looking to give up tobacco cigarettes. Mostly it’s the former.

“Nicotine to Clean” Program Poster

What doesn’t help us in the ongoing, slow fight against the various regulations and legislation being brought up in the various political arenas is when vendors do stupid stuff. You know. Like this.

Looney Science

Face Reading Book Cover

It is going to take me a while to compose myself to get this post written as I’m just laughing so damned much.

Roger Bezanis tweet image

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Mr Roger Bezanis (make sure you spell his name right, he hates it when people get it wrong).

So who is this fine upstanding chap complete moron? According to his Twitter profile he is:

Smoking or Cessation?

I do just want to warn you there is some bad language (and possibly grammar too) in this post.

I want to put this out there from the start.I am a former smoker. I smoked best part of four packs_per day_ for almost twenty years. Do I regret it? NO I do not.

Put it this way, it was my choice to start smoking, and it was my choice to continue to smoke despite knowing the potential risks involved.

Is there actually a vaping community, or am I dreaming?

It seems like years since I last made an entry in this blog. It has in fact only been a few weeks. So little time has passed in the ever evolving world and so much has happened.

For a while there was plenty to be happy about within the vaping world. Dr Farsalinos managed to crowd fund his research, although it took a last ditch effort from the community. The San Francisco #curbit campaign got hijacked by vapers on social media. #FormaledhydeGate rumbled on, again. Got thoroughly debunked, again. The US Surgeon General called for “Clarity” on electronic cigarettes.

A General Letter to Tobacco Control Advocates & Public Health

To All in Tobacco Control & Public Health,

Yes I’m speaking to you, and for once please listen instead of going glassy eyed and reaching for the infamous block button.

I vape and I’m not going to go away, nor am I going to stop vaping.

That’s right, I use an e-cig (or ENDS if you prefer the term coined by the WHO). I prefer to use it because I no longer want to smoke tobacco. Please see the difference here.