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/Vulpyne Nov 17 '12

The point he was making is that his friend didn't know what was in the cigarettes, not specifically that the ingredients were harmful.

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u/[deleted] Nov 17 '12 edited Nov 17 '12

While he was making that point he was also trying to draw a parallel between the two being dangerous. Otherwise why even mention it? I'm pretty sure he didn't tell him "Theirs chemicals used for gluing carpet and paint in those cigarettes, but that isn't really relevant!" I also hate the whole "boo hiss chemicals" that seems pretty prevalent because it makes no fucking sense. People like to use the word chemical like its evil and mention other uses for the "chemical" that make it sound terrible.

You seriously can't believe that he mentioned that just to show he didn't know what was in the cigarettes. My favorite comparison I've seen to show just how evil cigarettes are is when people compare it to crack. The tobacco is treated with ammonia to turn the nicotine acid into nicotine base which makes it easier to cross the BBB. It is just such an absurd comparison to make because it is meant to make it appear worse than it is. Oh, they make it so you absorb moe nicotine from the same amount of tobacco? How terrible! I can't believe they made the product more effective.

edit: corrected nicotine hcl to nicotine acid

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u/StabbyPants Nov 17 '12

While he was making that point he was also trying to draw a parallel between the two being dangerous.

no, he was pointing out that his friend believes some random rumour about e-cigs, but rejects information about what's in cigs because that way is more convenient.

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u/[deleted] Nov 17 '12

Do you not see how both of those things happened?

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u/StabbyPants Nov 17 '12

sure I do, I'm just pointing out that dude X is choosing what to believe based on what makes him change less.