So What?

Mark Drakeford when discussing e-cigs merely says what we know tobacco control are thinking; that all their hard work to denormalise the activity of smoking is being undone in one fell swoop. To which I say both, so what and jolly good.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford said he fears that electronic cigarettes are “re-normalising” smoking and believes there is a case for tighter laws.

So, because this product that produces nothing more harmful than water vapour is re-normalising an activity that TC doesn’t like, we need more laws? Yup, that’s it, the solution the control freaks reach for every time there is a hint that someone, somewhere is taking part in unapproved enjoyment – slap some legislation on it.

It is not the place of the state to denormalise anything. It is not the place of the state to tell us what we may imbibe nor how much. Not that this stops the bastards, but the principle should be one of adults deciding for themselves. I have no problem with the state reminding us that certain activities may be harmful. Fine, point noted, now leave us alone to make our own, informed, choices.

On the matter of e-cigs, I come across the issue during my training courses. I have to give the usual lecture about the premises being non-smoking and if smokers want to partake, they must go outside. Every so often I get a vaper and we get into a brief chat about the organisation’s stance. As we both know, they have shown fright in the face of tobacco control and banned them (even though they have never formally advised me of this). My approach is usually – as it was this week – I don’t care over much if people want to vape during the course, providing the other delegates are relaxed about it. They always are relaxed and the discussion is always that the company and the state are being heavy handed – as there is no harm to anyone and no inconveninece. This is from the non-smokers in the room; me included. So, yeah, last week, there was a little act of defiance as one vaper puffed away during the training course. Mind you, he wasn’t as cheeky as the guy who then wanted to use my computer’s USB port to charge it up again.