“
It is highly irresponsible to
argue that e-cigarettes should
be considered essential
despite the ongoing studies and ample evidence to the
contrary. (Scientists are reporting that smokers appear to
be under-represented in COVID-19 statistics, but if they
do become infected they may be more likely to become
seriously ill or die compared to non-smokers.)
Meanwhile, Truth Initiative, fondly remembered for its
nicotine brain worms video, has used COVID-19 and its
'misunderstanding' of the differences between smoking
and vaping to criticise the FDA's PMTA deadline extension.
The carefully chosen language is certainly on-message to
these 'unprecedented times.'
CEO and vice president, Robin Koval said: "Youth and young
adults continue to use e-cigarettes at epidemic levels. Now
is not the time to leave these products on the market with
zero review of their health impact.
"Tobacco companies cannot be allowed to use this public
health emergency to continue avoiding their legal obligation
and put profits before public health.”
Perhaps the most egregious example of ideology potentially
killing people has been the reaction to Big Tobacco's
COVID-19 efforts. Many vapers have expressed scepticism
of anything tied to tobacco companies and question the
motives of everything they do. However humanity is in
urgent need of a vaccine if we are to ever return to some
approximation of normality.
On May 15, British American Tobacco announced that its
promising tobacco-based vaccine could begin human
trials by the end of June.
However, the World Health Organization's Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control prohibits members from
engaging with the industry at all, which could be a huge
barrier if the vaccine is to make it to market.
The WHO said in April: "Partnership with the tobacco
industry undermines governments’ credibility in protecting
population health as there is ‘a fundamental and
irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s
interests and public health policy interests’.”
Communities around the world have really come together
during this difficult time. Mutual aid groups and rent freezes
have shown that we can work together and get through this.
And while it may be naive to expect ideologically opposed
industries, experts and NGOs to step off their respective
soapboxes, history will not be kind to some of those who
insisted on toeing the party line.
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