COLUMN. The other day (23/3/2023), Non Smoking Generation sat in TV4's morning news and complained about young people in schools using disposable weapons. Of course it's not good. It's downright devastating and I think we can all agree that young people should not be using these products.
But one thought strikes me, why is there space in the media for only one side? Why is the NSG allowed to sit and talk completely unchallenged on national TV?
"Want our children to keep going"
The non-smoking generation, which initially had a worthy goal of getting people to quit smoking, has shifted a bit and has become very similar in its rhetoric to a radical organization on one side of this debate. Right from the start, there is a lie. "First of all, it's because there is an industry that wants our children to be involved with these products" Direct quote from Helen Stjerna, Secretary General of the NSG.
We pause for a moment already there. Ok, I can't explain the purpose to a factory owner who has his factory in a country I haven't even set foot in, BUT do you, Helen Stjerna, honestly believe that those of us who work seriously with harm reduction and have several years behind our backs in the industry with e-cigarettes, that my goal is to sell as much as possible to puppies who are not even adult enough to buy energy drinks according to the standards of the grocery store?
Does Pfizer sell tramadol?
No, definitely not. However, there are unscrupulous individuals who privately import e-cigarettes to sell them at any cost, regardless of who the buyer is or even the age of the buyer, but here is a statement that may shock you. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT PART OF THE INDUSTRY. Kind of like the guy who deals tramadol to anyone is not part of the pharmaceutical industry. Or is it perhaps Pfizer, Astra, et al who are to blame in tablet abuse?
Are BMW, SAAB, Volvo and all the other car giants to blame for all road deaths? That statement is self-defeating. Improper procedure and handling IS a fact.
Not allowed to advertise
I look on and it only takes a couple more seconds in the clip for the next claim to come out of the blue and that is that the products are marketed to minors. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm pretty sure there aren't a lot of stickers and posters in the window, and in my store, you have to be 18 to even be in the store.
I am not allowed to advertise nicotine products in an intrusive way, there are laws and rules for this and the municipalities MUST ensure that this is complied with. Those of us who actually follow these rules welcome controls on both products, space and advertising.
Pushing for a taste ban
There is also a mention of regret that a taste ban did not go through. Ok, so you want to get people to quit smoking by removing things that are proven to get people to quit smoking. On what planet is that logic sustainable? It is worth noting that Helen herself emphasizes that they BELIEVE that it's because of "these great flavors" and that the tobacco industry has "portrayed" these products as less dangerous.
Now wait a minute. Last time I checked, Vaporesso, Smok, Dovpoo, Voopoo, Oxva and others are not owned by the tobacco industry. Neither is Dinner Lady, IVG, or for that matter, Dr. Koyuki owned by the tobacco industry... or maybe there's a secret in the doctor's lab that we don't know about? Mysterious as hell, isn't it?
What does Helen Stjerna 'know'?
I don't know if Helen has read the NHS research on e-cigarettes versus regular cigarettes, which found that sucking on a vape was hugely healthier than sucking on burning paper and leaves. (I think it seems pretty obvious when you know what a vejp contains, but I could be wrong again. These things can happen)
She also says immediately afterwards in response to the question of whether it is less dangerous "It knows
we do not"
Cherry picking galore
She keeps coming back to "but it's a lot of flavors and nicotine"... Yes? We adult users know this. That's WHY we threw away the stink stick in favor of something that can calm the nicotine ghost AND taste good. I can only circulate to the video released in the era of the flavor ban where many older people, including yours truly, pointed out that without the flavors, we would probably have cost society a lot more in the long run with medical costs, lost work time, etc. But no.
It's along the lines of "what doesn't agree with us, isn't true". I think the expression is called cherrypicking. If you're not familiar with the term, here's a wikipedia link and it feels pretty much exactly like what the NSG is doing at this point.
Cherry Picking according to Wikipedia
Smoke-free - not nicotine-free
Now, Helen, I want you to show me exactly WHERE you can find a promotion to young people in Sweden from a serious company in the e-cig industry. I apologize if I am not holding my breath, because apparently one needs oxygen to live.
At this point, I have lost any respect I had for representatives of the NSG. I should add that it wasn't much to begin with, but anyway. I'm smoke-free even if I'm not nicotine-free. I give up on this clip now. All this hesitation, and side-stepping of issues to put forward a misinformation just makes me resigned.
"Flat earth" warning
It's almost a flat-earther warning as it's the same feeling I get when I listen to phrases that contain outright inaccuracies, sighs and hesitations.
Unfortunately, the presenters also do not have enough information to ask questions that are outside the realm of opinion and belief, but this is to some extent understandable as their job is not to be investigative, but more interviewing.
Impartial research is available
Helen. In all good faith, and with respect, I say to you: if you don't want to be equated with tinfoil hatters and conspiracy theorists, you need to do some reading. You know what? I can even give you pointers to people you can contact to actually find out how things are. Even I am prepared to have a discussion with you even though I only have research results in pdf files (Yes, Helen, there is independent and unbiased research on e-cigarettes, its harm, its harm minimization and also full tables of contents for the products) but if you want to discuss, or heaven forbid, maybe even overcome the cowardice and dare to debate, may I suggest you talk to the following people:
Victor Bryn-Jensen, President of the BELC
Karl-Åke Johansson Spokesperson for the User Association NNA Sweden
Stefan Mathisson, Editor of the online magazine Vejpkollen
Linus Gustafsson. AKA Dr. Koyuki, long-time e-juice manufacturer
One-sided debate
And of course, this harangue would not be complete without a little parallel. Once upon a time, there was a country where only one side was heard. People were divided into 'Us' and 'Them', and only one revised side of everything was presented, portraying 'Them' as a threat, a danger.
There are reasons why a debate has two sides.
Always follow the money, says an old wise saying.
It would be interesting if NSG could openly report where their money comes from. We know that all anti-smoking associations, including NSG, receive money from the pharmaceutical industry, which directly loses billions of dollars because vejp works better than the pharmaceutical industry's preparations (see Cochrane report).
We also know that the campaign now sweeping the world is funded by Bloomberg, which is actively bribing its way to protect the cigarette market. Wonder how many millions NSG got?
NSG does not rely on research they just believe a lot feels like their source of information is Facebook because what is written there is always true. It is really terrible that such people get such space in the media who are so incompetent in the field. But surely they get money from somewhere so in order to exist they say whatever. I myself run a vejp store and what Mathias says is the reality the problems are black imports on disposable e-cigs sold to even underage. Established vejp shops are not the problem we are very strict on laws, rules, approved products and who we sell to. As an extra addition to what Mathias writes and a small greeting to NSG, there are solutions to problems called cooperation and information between vejp store, County Council and Municipality.