Old tobacco playbook gets new use by e-cigarettes

[bhikkhu]

37. What would a rational view of the tobacco industry be?

Tobacco still has no challengers as the number one cause of diseases leading to death in the US ( http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/osh.htm ). I think its perfectly rational to be at least a little bit perturbed by that, even if one wasn't aware of the parade of misinformation they trotted out dismissing the dangers back in the 60's and 70's, trying to keep the money flowing in from addicts.

It seems they are doing the same kind of misinformation campaign now promoting e-cigs. What bothers me most is that it seems to be working.

Nicotine causes heart disease: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1121737 and http://www.businessinsider.com/e-cigarette-health-effects-2013-5 . The "incredible cigarette that doesn't cause cancer" still causes "heart disease, stroke, heart attacks and other ailments." The lack of research isn't exactly a cause for relaxation.

And as far as big tobacco not being involved, that was my main point earlier - they are heavily involved, and expect them to have nearly the whole market in a year or two. All the growth goes to those who can advertise, produce and distribute most effectively. That's just the way those things go when little companies bring a new trend, competing with cash-rich old guys. What happened when little juice brands and sports drinks started taking market share from Coke and Pepsi in the 80's? http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-20/e-cigarette-pioneers-holding-breath-as-big-firms-invade-retail.html

In any case, the big deal will ben how the FDA decides to regulate this. Billions of dollars of profits are on the line, and the business of selling addiction is always one of the most lucrative, so I would expect to see a massive misinformation campaign. Same crap, different decade...