This happened today Monday 21/8/17 in reply to Prof Michael Eriksen in the Conversation here
my reply was thus :- .....
'Prof.Eriksen….Michael
Much to admire in your article referring to the recent announcement from the FDA, I wish to make a few points regarding a few of your comments
You stated ‘I can assure you that few smokers derive true pleasure from their addiction. My research team has found that most smokers regret that they ever started, and they desperately want to quit the habit.’
I have seen varying reports/surveys ranging from 40-90% that state smoker regret having started see for eg https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163128/ at 83%, http://www.gallup.com/poll/163763/smokers-quit-tried-multiple-times.aspx at 74%, https://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/story/switching-low-tar-cigarettes-halves-chance-quitting-smoking-pitt-study-finds at 43% and indeed your own https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28383508 at 71.5%
I make the observation that many of those surveys compiled data from smokers who had a clear determination and motivation to quit as they had accessed stop smoking services.
As an ex-smoker myself, it is not quite as cut and dried as you imply,I cannot provide counter-data, but believe a 'love-hate' affair is probably nearer the truth for many smokers,unrecorded by researchers.
As an ex-smoker myself, it is not quite as cut and dried as you imply,I cannot provide counter-data, but believe a 'love-hate' affair is probably nearer the truth for many smokers,unrecorded by researchers.
Additionally the notion of smoking pleasure was dismissed, however these items(many others are available) present a different picture.
I have no desire to labour the point further, but a substantial number of smokers derive pleasure from their smoking and have zero desire to quit.
However, even though now a non-smoker for well over four years, I read some of the claims from tobacco control with ever increasing scepticism. Truth and facts should not require embellishment, 'the end must not justify the means' in what has become an ever more acrimonious pro-anti nicotine 'debate', with the consumer as the casualty in this war.
********However, even though now a non-smoker for well over four years, I read some of the claims from tobacco control with ever increasing scepticism. Truth and facts should not require embellishment, 'the end must not justify the means' in what has become an ever more acrimonious pro-anti nicotine 'debate', with the consumer as the casualty in this war.
The notion and appeal of Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes(VLNC) to Smokers having no desire to Quit is either very low or zero. These gentlemen put across the arguments against VLNC,far more succinctly than I could hope to achieve
Prof. Kozlowski
Clive Bates
Prof. West
Regarding the possible size of the black market you said ‘Of course, regulators would have to figure out how to prevent black market sales of high-nicotine cigarettes.’
I honestly believe that you,the FDA and all who are advancing VLNC have grossly underestimated the scale of this market, and the unintended consequence of empowering and emboldening the criminal element who would willingly supply and satisfy the demand. 1920’s-30’s alcohol prohibition was not a glorious chapter in US History, it will be repeated if this VLNC folly continues.
Nothing rude,maybe some items are contentious,but that is debate?
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