Pharmaceutical industry against e-cigarettes: Why Pfizer funds anti-vaping campaigns
Myvapesite: Your expert for the truth about vaping
Have you ever wondered, why e-cigarettes are often portrayed so negatively in the media, although studies show their effectiveness in smoking cessation? The answer could lie there, where a lot of money flows: in the pharmaceutical industry.
It's an open secret, that large pharmaceutical companies have a significant market share in nicotine replacement products (Pavement, Chewing gum, Medication) hold. The e-cigarette is a direct competitor – and a very successful one.
In this article we highlight and clarify the connections between the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German anti-tobacco organizations, what's really behind it.
The conflict of interest: Pfizer, ABNR and the donations
Already in the year 2016 covered German media, including the Spiegel, explosive connections. That was the focus Non-Smoking Action Alliance (ABNR), an organization, who is actually dedicated to health.
But research showed:
- Financial dependence: The ABNR has admitted, since 2009 Having received donations from the pharmaceutical industry.
- Direct influence: According to information from Spiegel At times there was even a representative from Pfizer on the ABNR steering committee.
- More connections: Also the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Scientific Action Group on Smoking Cessation (WHAT) were with companies like Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson associated.
This raises a critical question: Can an organization be neutral about vaping?, if it is financed by companies, who sell competing products?
Why is the pharmaceutical industry afraid of vaping??
The answer is simple: It's about market share.
Pfizer sells one of the best known (and highest sales) Smoking cessation medications: Champix (active ingredient: Vareniclin). Every smoker, who successfully switches to e-cigarettes, is a lost customer for expensive pharmaceutical cessation medications.
The facts speak against the pharmaceutical lobby: Recent studies by renowned British and American universities have shown, that vaping almost twice as effective is like traditional nicotine replacement therapies (Pavement, Chewing gum), offered by the pharmaceutical industry. The corporations' fear is well founded: The e-cigarette simply works better.
The scientific reality: What health officials say
While lobby groups try, to spread uncertainty, The health authorities in Great Britain speak clearly. The National Health Service (NHS) and Public Health England clarify the following facts:
- Fewer pollutants: E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide - the two most harmful components of tobacco smoke.
- Lower risk: E-liquids are not completely chemical-free, but the pollution is only a fraction of that, what is contained in a cigarette. Experts rate vaping as a minimum 95% less harmful one as smoking.
- No risk of passive smoking: In contrast to the dangerous passive smoking of tobacco cigarettes, there is currently no evidence of this, that the vapor from e-cigarettes harms bystanders.
Showing the links between Pfizer and anti-vaping campaigns, that the debate about e-cigarettes is often not just about health, but also about profit.
Don't let yourself be unsettled. Science shows, that switching to vaping is one of the most effective methods, to leave tobacco consumption behind - much to the chagrin of the pharmaceutical industry.
