The Anti-Smoking Movement and Extremism
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ECD: Finally, Chris Snowdon is of the theory that the increasing extremism of anti-smokers could lead to the demise of their cause. Is this something you agree with?
David: I think so as well. And also, you know, because they are getting more and more extreme with second hand smoke, third hand smoke, and now as you say they are calling for the death penalty for smokers, unfortunately people are going to stop believing that smoking is bad for you. And I think Banzhaf actually said that e-cigarettes are as bad for you as normal smoking, one of the things had the temerity to say. He completely shot both himself and the anti-tobacco cause in the foot in one fell swoop.
ECD: Yeah, saying nicotine is toxic and very bad for you unless it is in a NRT product, in which case it is fine.
David: I am not aware of anybody directly dying from nicotine poisoning. I am sure there is a theoretical level which you could get to, I remember reading about a fourteen year old who was given a packet of NRT chewing gum, and I think he chewed about 20 or 40 - I think it was 40 actually - and I think he collapsed from nicotine poisoning and he was taken to hospital but he was fine. Apart from that I don't know anyone whose enjoyment of nicotine has lead to them getting a an illness as a direct result of that nicotine or certainly not dying.
ECD: There was a kid in the America who died, as a result of using nicotine cessation products. And certainly some kids get nicotine poisoning as a result of eating cigarettes - but it is very unusual, certainly more people have died per year form Chantix/Champix than from nicotine poisoning.
David: Yes, from suicide and depression. That's why the civil aviation authority in America has banned pilots from taking Champix. If you are a pilot in America you can't take Chanpix.
ECD: And yet these public health smoking bodies, which are so worried about tiny amounts of thirdhand smoke or residue are happy to promote it.
David: Sure, exactly.
ECD: Dave, that's the end of our interview - thank you so much for your time!
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