DO NOT MERGE!

To those who have not looked at the electronic cigarette industry there may well appear to be an array of similarities with their tobacco counterparts. While they are both commonly referred to as “smoking” products it is worth noting that vaping products release nothing but flavoured water into the atmosphere while tobacco products release a whole array of different chemicals and toxins.

Many people will also be unaware that a recent survey in the UK confirmed that just one in 300 people who use electronic cigarettes have never experienced tobacco products. This perfectly illustrates the fact that while legally electronic cigarettes cannot be marketed as quit smoking aids, the vast majority of people are switching from tobacco products to their vaping counterpart.

Who would benefit from a merging of these industries?

In some ways, possibly subliminally, the fact that tobacco cigarette companies already own a significant portion of the electronic cigarette industry is in many ways merging them together in the minds of the public. There have also been recent examples of popular vaping forums being approached by tobacco companies to advertise their electronic cigarette subsidiaries. On the surface this may seem nothing but a business transaction but the more that tobacco and electronic cigarette companies are seen “together” the less focus there will be on the benefits of vaping.

Whether those in the vaping community like it or not, the tobacco giants are using their massive war chests to increase their exposure to the industry. However, the current reluctance from vaping communities and many vaping websites to interact with their tobacco counterparts needs to continue.

Regulating electronic cigarettes and tobacco

If we take a step back from the regulatory situation it is worth noting that tobacco regulations were brought in specifically for this particular type of product. When you bear in mind that there are 4000+ toxins in a tobacco cigarette against just a handful of ingredients in an electronic cigarette, how can we really compare the two?

There is a general opinion and consensus across the public that nicotine is one of the most addictive elements known to the human race. Over the years this idea has seemingly become “fact” despite a number of medical professionals offering a very different opinion on this particular subject. Nicotine is addictive, there is no doubt about that, but many believe it is as addictive as caffeine which is readily accepted across the world. The fact remains that there are 4000+ potentially harmful toxins in a tobacco cigarette and all ingredients in an electronic cigarette are already part of the food chain.

More medical trials required

Slowly but surely the electronic cigarette industry is breaking down the rumours and untruths which have been spread about the industry over the last 20 years or so. Everybody agrees that further long-term medical trials are required to clarify the situation and indeed recent trials have been very supportive of vaping as a means of combating tobacco addiction. Is it a coincidence that many regulators around the world are looking to introduce regulations before they have seen long-term medical trial results?

There are many different groups around the world who would prefer electronic cigarettes to be classed as tobacco products for a whole variety of reasons. We have seen many instances of rumours and untruths peddled as “fact” only to be proved incorrect and misleading further down the line – although perhaps the damage had already been done? Many people have questioned why regulators and tobacco companies around the world seem to be in such a rush to push through new regulations before they have seen long-term evidence of their impact/non-impact on an individual’s health?

Mark Benson

For more information about SoShiSha E Liquids and the various products available please visit the SoShisha website.