Quiet agree @Butts and appreciate your correction and sticking to facts. I cite Helmut Schmidt and Winston Churchill as examples of folk who don't get taken by the weed.
I really can't believe that I have to say this in 2015. For the third time in less than 24 hours.
There is no "may" about it. Cigarettes
do kill when used as intended by the manufacturer. There is evidence as far back as 1912 that cigarettes cause mortality. The fact that not every smoker dies from a smoking related illness does not change the fact that smoking does kill. If you want reasons as to why not everyone is affected: 1) some people die before the smoking related disease can cause mortality, and 2) genetics.
As for your cases... Sir Winston Churchill died of a stroke. In fact, he suffered multiple strokes in his later years. A
meta-analysis published in the BMJ in 1989 looked at 32 studies and pooled the data. It demonstrated a statistically significant increase in ischaemic strokes amongst smokers. Smokers were 50% more likely to suffer an ischaemic stroke than non-smokers. Knowing that, would you say that smoking did not contribute to Churchill's death?
Herr Schmidt's exact cause of death is not very clear based on what I can see online at the moment, but I'm seeing "blood clot in leg" which I would assume to mean deep venous thrombosis. It's more difficult to discuss this one, as I don't really know the circumstances surrounding his death, and I'm wary of making too many assumptions. However, studies in both
cardiovascular and
haematology journals have identified smoking as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. Again, if this is the case, then smoking has contributed to the cause of death.
As OP, I repeat that I don't see the point of people being concerned about vapers' health. We are only talking of nuisance to others here and nothing has been presented to make me think there is any serious danger to others by vaping, although I have not experienced any effect from flavoured vapes - that could be a nuisnace, if others smell it. A vapers' section on trains could perhaps be a way forward, or just allow it in the vestibule.
There is some concern to be had about health risks of vapour, as we simply do not know or understand the risks of inhaling some of the compounds used. As I've previously linked, there have been instances in the United States where carcinogenic chemicals have been found in some vapour products. But, this is all academic at this point in time.
I do have concerns that tobacco companies have a large commercial interest in e-cigarettes, which I find concerning. It is in their interests that smoking is again "normalised", and I would oppose any acts that would serve this purpose. Allowing people to use e-cigarettes in enclosed public places does normalise the act of smoking, and I would argue it should be subject to the same restrictions as a result. I would argue that the adverts for e-cigarettes should be similarly restricted. There is also evidence that the companies are targeting young people, and I have previously linked to a study demonstrating that teenagers who use e-cigarettes are considerably more likely to smoke conventional tobacco products than their peers who do not vape. On top of all this, there is (to date) no evidence at all that using electronic cigarettes alone offers any long term benefit in smoking cessation. And this makes sense - why would the companies want you lose your nicotine addiction? It's what keeps their shareholders happy.
The studies that have been done so far are in their early stages, but they concern me. E-cigarettes could be a valuable tool in smoking cessation and harm reduction, but until we have evidence as to how they can be used in this way (if, indeed, they are of any use), then I will remain sceptical. However, if you can demonstrate that they would work, I'm open to adopting them as a smoking cessation tool.
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To reiterate:
1: Vaping is much less unhealthy than smoking.
How can you make this statement? The vast majority of the health risks associated with smoking result from long term use. E-cigarettes have existed only since 2003, and only really been popular in the last few years, so there simply cannot be any studies looking at the long term use of these products. The products haven't existed for long enough to allow the long term effects to be studied.
There is no evidence that vaping is healthier than smoking, or that vaping is less unhealthy than smoking. It may well be true, but we can't say that as there is no evidence.
This is not my reasons for advocating restrictions on use - see above for that. I'm just making a point that this argument that is often used does not stand up to scrutiny.
