I find it rare that I disagree with my public health colleagues. Oh
sure, there's a disagreement here and there about the specifics, but
it's been a while since the public health community has found itself
fairly divided and kind of all over the spectrum on an issue. But it's
happening now, all thanks to the e-cigarette.
While
it's not entirely clear, the overall feeling I'm getting is that the
public health community is preparing for a war against these
battery-powered cigarettes. I could be wrong about this - but consider
the official statements by certain key health organizations on the
issue. The WHO cautions consumers against using e-cigarettes until proven safe and effective, and the American Lung Association's official statement on the twigs warns mostly against their potential harms. Advice from Health Canada and other agencies march to the same drum.
