Never a truer word said http://t.co/KErYYZc8tB pic.twitter.com/XTyCwKvMxf
— Dick Puddlecote (@Dick_Puddlecote) January 30, 2015
Sadly, I was taken to task for what I hadn't tweeted agreement with, rather than what I had. Still, that's by the by.
What I did find interesting about this undeniable statement is the possible future reactions to yesterday's news that Ireland is planning plain packaging for e-cigs too. You see, it is very true that "advocates of e-cigs within the tobacco control community" are fully behind plain packaging of tobacco - last week gave us a prime example (for which I was unfollowed by the way).
So what are they to make of e-cigs being slapped with plain packaging? Well, my guess is that they'll sit back and say nothing. I mean, how could they do any different? We are constantly told that tobacco controllers are not anti-smoker, they are anti-smoking, and are not trying to interfere in your free choice should you choose to smoke. Perish the thought!
The plain packaging campaign has been at pains to point out throughout the past few years that it is merely trying to stop kids from taking up tobacco, not bullying smokers into submission or intervening if adults choose to purchase a legal product. You have nothing to fear. They are absolutely in favour of your liberties and plain packs won't change that one iota. Or, as the instigator of the Irish proposal put it.
Our bill won't ban e-cigarettes or discourage people from using them as quit aids. It will just ensure they are properly regulated.
— Senator Averil Power (@averilpower) January 30, 2015
Therefore, considering tobacco controllers are in agreement* that under 18s should be forbidden to buy e-cigs - despite simultaneously arguing that there is no evidence of the 'gateway theory', and despite the current situation slashing youth smoking worldwide - they'll be quite content with plain packaging for e-cigs, won't they? And since they're convinced that plain packaging doesn't stop adults making free choices either, where's the problem?
Of course, if they oppose plain packs for e-cigs ...
* The e-cig advocate who once asked why harm reduction should only be for over 18s excepted.
