I hesitated to share this commentary on the TC blog as I know anyone who questions the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes is tarred and feathered as a “quit-or-die” prohibitionist before the “ink” even settles on the page. But, as many online commentators have discussed the perceived positive effects of recent e-cig promotion by celebrities, I think it is important to provide some balance to this discussion.<\/p>\n
I implore all readers to remember that I speak strictly\u00a0 from the Australian context and perhaps the political and social context are different in your neck of the woods. Myself,\u00a0 Tobacco Control and the BMJ wholeheartedly welcome all civil debate.<\/p>\n
This commentary was originally published on 11 April 2011 by the not-for-profit news and information service, The Conversation.<\/em><\/a> I am the sole author and these opinions are strictly my own and not that of Tobacco Control.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n ___________________________________________________________<\/p>\n On a recent long-haul flight, with very limited movie options, I watched the Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp movie The Tourist (two thumbs firmly down).<\/p>\n A particular scene on a train to Venice did catch my eye. Jolie\u2019s character boards the train and sits across from what appears to be a cigarette smoking Depp. It immediately jumped out at me as quite strange \u2013 smoking openly on public transport has long been banned and this movie is set in present day.<\/p>\n Depp\u2019s character then clarifies that he is in fact smoking an electronic cigarette, \u201cIt\u2019s ok, it\u2019s not a real cigarette. It\u2019s electronic. It delivers the same amount of nicotine but the smoke is water vapour.\u201d<\/p>\n