Public Health Argument #4 – Vaping lies, are going to kill people

Good afternoon, My name is ______, I am a [STATE] resident, former smoker of ____ years and a vaper of ___ years. I am here to voice my strong opposition to [BILL], because despite potentially good intentions,  [BILL] will have disastrous negative consequences on the public health. Vapor is not smoke, and treating it as such like [BILL] does, creates a dangerous moral hazard that will result in 1000s of of your Constituents deaths. Though it may seem dramatic, the most dangerous element of [BILL] is that it establishes a false parity between vapor devices and tobacco – if [BILL] was to pass, the government would be sending 1 loud and clear message to [STATE] citizens – vapor devices and tobacco are equally harmful – which experts on both sides of this debate conclusively agree, is simply not true. If [BILL] is passed, and this false perception of equal risk is given the weight and authority of law, the real results will be more [STATE] lives needlessly lost. In a recent research paper published by Dr. Farsalinos in the International Journal of Drug Policy, the absolute number one predictor of “duel use” of vapor devices and tobacco is higher risk perception of Vapor devices— the exact same kind of high risk perception bills like [BILL] create. This should be intuitive; if the government tells citizens that vapor products and tobacco are equally dangerous and must be treated the same, it’s only logical a citizen will also treat them as the same, and not be motivated to make the full switch to vapor, which all experts agree would dramatically improve their health  – and by the extension, also the public health along with it. If you have any doubts about Vapor being a healthier alternative, just listen to Mitch Zeller – the head of the Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA, and I quote; “if we could get all those people who smoke, to switch all of their cigarettes to non combustible cigarettes, it would be good for the public health” Taking away the freedom to vape in establishments that now choose to allow it, will result in fewer individuals even considering making the switch to vapor. In survey after survey, one of the consistently highest ranking factors for smokers trying a vapor product is the ability to satisfy their cravings indoors. Taking away this ability, will result in fewer people switching from tobacco to vapor, and consequently, more people dying from tobacco related illnesses. Not only does legislation like [BILL] hurt the ability of current smokers to make a positive health decision, it also puts the lives of vapors back in jeopardy. Tobacco addiction is one of the hardest addictions to break, and simply put Asking a vapor to stand outside with a smoker – is like asking an alcoholic to go to a bar if he wants a pepsi. Despite potentially positive intentions, the evidence makes one fact blatantly obvious – [BILL] projects vaping falsehoods, and gives them the authority of the law. The real effects of these misrepresentations of fact carrying legal weight in our society, will be lives lost – so I strongly urge you to vote NO on this bill.