As I remarked last week, I do not begrudge the CDC for holding a different position than I do on the e-cigarette issue. However, the agency crosses the line when it lies to the public in order to support its position. Dishonesty has no place on the agenda of a federal public health agency, especially one that is as highly reputed as the CDC.

The Rest of the Story

Once again, shoddy research by opponents of electronic cigarettes has led to a situation where false conclusions are being disseminated widely to the media and the public. Most unfortunately, damage is being done to the public's health because news headlines like this are likely to dissuade many smokers from trying to quit using e-cigarettes. Of course, this means they will continue smoking the toxic real ones.

The Pennsylvania governor and legislators are grown adults, and they should be able to deliver a budget that finds $93 million to fund the Philadelphia School District without tying that funding permanently to cigarette smoking. They should be forced into a closed chamber and not allowed to come out until they come up with the needed funding in a way that doesn't force smokers to shoulder the burden of supporting public education and tie such funding to continuing high rates of smoking.

For example, let's take a look at the ingredient list for some of the major e-cigarette brands on the market:

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