The ongoing saga surrounding the electronic cigarette continues apace, without any resolution appearing imminent — it seems. Some governments are even recommending that companies do not continue to market them until they have been tested by health organizations and officially declared safe.

My father, a non-smoker, developed lung cancer and died as a result of passive smoking and I am a non-smoker myself. From the outside looking in, it does appear nothing short of incredible that the electronic cigarette is not being embraced by governments and health officials the world over.

If the electronic cigarette companies are to be believed (and perhaps eventually proved officially correct), then the potential of the electronic cigarette is huge; life-changing and possibly even world-changing stuff! My political views may well be very naive but if a world existed where decisions were based simply on what we currently know, then surely, this debate would be a no brainer!

It would seem a fair point that the vast majority (there are always exceptions) of the smoking population would love to smoke a cigarette that isn’t going to kill them if they intend to continue with the habit, whilst there are millions, of course, who would love to quit smoking altogether.

Everything I have read about the electronic cigarette so far seems to promote both of these ideas strongly. A cigarette you can continue to smoke without inhaling all the harmful toxins, enabling smokers to continue their habit without worrying about the muddy tar accumulating in their lungs or a cigarette that can actually help wean a smoker off “regular” cigarettes by allowing the user to gradually reduce the amounts of nicotine taken in — thanks to the handy cartridge system an electronic cigarette uses.

It is obvious that the potential of these controversial electronic cigarettes is massive — perhaps, even the breakthrough of the century! So why are we still waiting for answers? If health organizations are saying they have not yet been tested, why not? If the potential here really is off the charts, why isn’t there a frantic dash from organizations and companies to be the first to declare the electronic cigarette officially safe?

Perhaps, when all is said and done, it is sadly all about politics because organizations don’t seem to be prepared to declare the product categorically unsafe either!

In conclusion to a very meaningful and personal viewpoint, I hope that the electronic cigarette is proven to be as safe and radically life-changing as the companies claim and the sooner, the better for everyone!