Vapouround Magazine ISSUE 37 | Page 32

Ignoring the fact that vaping has helped millions of smokers kick the habit , the US CDC advises taking up bird watching to quit cigarettes .
NEWS

WORST QUITTING ADVICE EVER ?

Ignoring the fact that vaping has helped millions of smokers kick the habit , the US CDC advises taking up bird watching to quit cigarettes .
Words : Patrick Griffin

America ’ s national public health agency has been ridiculed for suggesting that smokers should take up bird watching to help them quit .

The Centres for Disease Control offered the following advice on social media : “ Bird watching is a great way to de-stress and keep your mind off nicotine cravings . “ Watch some birds and help your smoke-free life soar .” The tweet was accompanied by a GIF , showing a number of people enjoying the delights of bird watching alongside the message : “ Eyes on the skies and your mind off cravings .” As soon as it posted the advice to the 36,000 followers on its @ CDCTobaccoFree Twitter account , the US health agency was ridiculed by vape activists from around the world . Lance Churchill , a US lawyer and vaping advocate said the advice ignored the most successful quit smoking tool ever invented . He said : “ So ‘ bird watching ’ is your latest NRT theory ? 480K Americans die from smoking every year and this is your recommendation , when the most successful smoking cessation product in history – vaping - is available to smokers ? “ Even @ CDCgov has admitted that 5M smokers have quit by vaping .” Charles A . Gardner , Executive Director for the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations added that advice like this served only to diminish the credibility of the CDC . He replied : “ The more you share evidence-free advice like this , the more you erode public trust in all CDC health advice .”

The more you share evidence-free advice like this , the more you erode public trust in all CDC health advice .
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