Ashtray Blog: An Electronic Cigarette Blog

Earlier today we posted about the Ryanair electronic cigarette.

We felt it was a good move forward that an airline was going beyond allowing an electronic cigarette and actually selling one.

Not everyone agrees – Paul Bergen from the Tobacco Harm Reduction Center was not impressed with the device.

In an email to us he commented:

there is no sensory feedback of any kind…no feeling of anything coming out
of the tube you are sucking on, no exhalation after, no change in the device…even a
color change would help…no way to differentiate it from sucking on a plain empty cardboard tube. It seems just like a pacifier.

He went on to wonder whether it could even have a negative effect on e-smoking:

It is such a sad little device, if it is working at all, that if I was a smoker I would not
even bother. There is absolutely no sensation of anything going in…you suck on something that looks like a cigarette but with no effect that you can tell.

It could actually undermine ecigs in that if this was your idea of one, you would just
keep smoking cigarettes.

Ultimately, RyanAir was both brave and forward thinking in making this move. However, I think they chose this particular version of the electronic cigarette so that no one could complain about any vapour in the air.

They had good motives, but its one of those cases where trying to please everyone ends up pleasing no one at all.

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Ready to switch? Visit the Electronic Cigarette Store.

Ryanair is showing other airlines the way forward in regard to smoking and electronic cigarettes.

Not only are they allowing electronic cigarettes to be used, they are now selling a cheap disposable to allow smokers to calm frayed nerves.

According to the electric pig, the airline stated:

“these cigarettes are smokeless, they cause no discomfort to other passengers and can ensure a more enjoyable and stress-free flight for all passengers”.

Way to go Ryanair!

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Ready to switch? Visit the Electronic Cigarette Store.

A press release issued by two scientists recommends that Zyban or Chantix (Champix in the UK) be subscribed to smokers being treated with mental illness.

Shockingly, the scientists behind the study recommend that counsellors take advantage of the position of trust they have built up with patients to push the drugs, stating:

“They [the study results] find if you take advantage of the relationship with the counselor and insert smoking cessation counseling into treatment that you enhance quit rates.”

Side Effects

Numerous side effects have been reported with these drugs. These side effects include a threat to mental health.

The FDA has received 98 reports of suicide and 188 attempts of attempted suicide with Chantix, and 4,762 serious psychiatric events.

Both drugs now carry a health warning that usage may lead to suicidal thoughts.

According to Thomas Moore, a scientist at the Drug Safety and Policy Institute for Safe Medication Practices, doctors and patients should consider recommending alternatives to the drugs

Source: Calgary Herald

Conflict of Interest

What was not mentioned in the press release was a financial conflict of interest discovered by Professor Michael Siegel.

Both the scientists had received funding from big pharm.

One scientist, Dr George had received grant support from Pfizer, Sepracor, Targacept, and Sanofi-aventis, and is a consultant to Pfizer, Prempharm, Glaxo-SmithKline, Eli Lilly, Janssen-Ortho, and Evotec.

Source: Tobacco Analysis Blog

The Broader Picture

We are not recommending that these drugs should be removed.

It estimated that around a third of smokers will die from smoking related diseases, and that 1% of Chantix users will suffer side effects.

Assuming these statistics are correct (and we all know the famous saying) it seems like an obvious choice, and one which smokers should be allowed to make should they wish to quit.

Just like it is an obvious choice to use electronic cigarettes, which scientists such as Dr Joel Nitzkin estimate has less than one percent of the risk of cigarettes. (See an Interview with Dr Joel Nitzin.)

The difference being, unfortunately, that electronic cigarettes do just not have the same money behind them as the nicotine cessation aids marketed by Big Pharm.

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Ready to switch? Visit the Electronic Cigarette Store.

We are really pleased to announce that we are now working with NJOY to provide their range to the UK.

Special Offer

We also have a special offer for the launch of their range:

• free postage for any NJOY electronic cigarette
• free postage for NJOY cartridges when ordered with any NJOY electronic cigarette
• reduced price for the launch of the NCIG – 39.99 down from the usual retail price of 44.99
• 10% discount with the discount code njoyuk (expires end of this month)

To see the full range click here: NJOY UK Electronic Cigarettes.

Retail

We are also supplying retailers with excellent wholesale prices. For details contact us on support@ecigarettedirect.co.uk.

Affiliates

With our new, expanded product range in combination with our redesigned website, now is a great time to sign up for our affiliate program. Perks include:

• sign up bonus of GBP25 (payable when you get your first affiliate payout)
• 10% commission
• tracking for six months by IP address and cookie
• low payout of GBP25
• 20% tier commission bonus

Check out our electronic cigarette affiliate program for more information.

Meet up with us

We are going to be demonstrating the NJOY range at the Autumn Fair in the NEC in Hall 5, Stand # K-9, along with Jim from NJOY.

See you there?

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