Covid-19 is a strange disease. It can be so mild that people do not notice that they have it, or it can be fatal. People are infectious for about two days before they get symptoms, so it can be spread … Continue reading →
In Canada, millions of smokers are using vaping as a way to reduce or quit smoking, and many have succeeded in switching completely from smoking to vaping, which has a very significant health benefit. If stores that sell tobacco products … Continue reading →
As a physician who is interested in the use of vaping as a way to reduce the death and disability due to smoking, it is a bit disturbing to see vaping viewed as a way to make profits for investors. This post is based on a report British American Tobacco (BAT) provided on Investor Day, March 2019. BAT sees new forms of nicotine as a way to attract new consumers, many of whom never smoked. They will use different nicotine products at different times of the day. The profit margins on new products will be higher than on traditional tobacco. The vaping market will become focussed on closed pod systems, mostly sold through traditional retailers rather than specialist adult-only vape shops. There will be consolidation and increased regulation, so only a few big companies, including BAT, will survive. New products will be even better than JUUL at attracting and retaining users. Social media will be heavily used to create branding and customer loyalty. BAT and its investors will make immense profits.
Continue reading →The January 24th, 2020 edition of the Globe and Mail included a full-page advertisement that discussed the risks of smoking and the benefits of switching to vaping. It quoted Public Health England’s statement that “E-cigarette use is around 95% less harmful to … Continue reading →
ve two groups of friends who share my enthusiasm for getting smokers to quit.
There are the members of the “medical establishment”, for want of a better word, represented by the good, dedicated and hard-working physicians, researchers and policy analysts who I met recently at the 12th Annual Ottawa conference for the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation.
And there is the “Vaping Advocacy” groups, represented on this occasion by Rights4Vapers but also by organizations such as Vaping Advocacy and Education Project. They should be working together instead of engaging in a “flame war”.
Continue reading →The American Lung Association is using its web site and twitter account to spread false and misleading information about vaping I am a medical doctor. In my career as an anesthesiologist, I have seen directly for myself, in the operating … Continue reading →
If you are a cigarette smoker, you know that the best thing you can do for your health in 2020 is to quit smoking. You have probably tried to quit many times. You probably tried going cold turkey. You probably … Continue reading →
At the moment we are suffering the maximum possible harm from e-cigs with the least possible benefit. Many teens are using an almost unregulated product which may be dangerous. They are getting addicted to nicotine, which encourages risk-taking behaviour and … Continue reading →
El Calafate is a pleasant and agreeable small town. The main street is modern, prosperous, and well-maintained. It has multiple banks and many stores selling crafts and souvenirs. There are many good restaurants, including an excellent café/pub called Librobar Borges … Continue reading →
I spent most of March 2019 hiking in southern Patagonia, beginning with five great days of day hiking from El Chalten. This small town (year-round population, 1,000) is close to Mt Fitz Roy and several other very scenic peaks and … Continue reading →
