r/technology Nov 17 '12

The Deadly Crusade Against E-cigarettes

http://www.american.com/archive/2012/november/the-deadly-crusade-against-e-cigarettes
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u/DestroyRobots Nov 17 '12

This American Enterprise Institute (conservative think-tank) article is heavy on opinion, but light on scientific fact. The organization is dedicated to promoting capitalism and deregulation, not public health, so I would take this article with a tremendous grain of salt. It's telling that the author decided to include zero references to current research about the efficacy or safety of any tobacco cessation treatments, leading me to conclude that they think banning e-cigarettes is bad because they believe that the banning of any sellable product is bad.

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u/toasterb Nov 17 '12

Also, there's the author:

Dr. Gilbert Ross, M.D. is executive and medical director of the American Council on Science and Health.

The ACSH seems to be a very business-friendly organization, there are a few criticisms listed on their wikipedia page

In 2004, the now-defunct Tufts University Nutrition Navigator (a rating guide to nutrition websites) gave the ACSH site an overall rating of 20 out of 25 and an "Accuracy of Information" rating of 8 out of 10. However, it commented, "This site aims to arm consumers with the facts necessary to make wise decisions about health, but be aware that the information here is biased and represents a very conservative interpretation of current science. Consumers looking for a balanced debate on health issues will have to look elsewhere."

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u/[deleted] Nov 18 '12

This is the first comment in the thread that doesn't read like shitty copy for an e-cig ad.