There are plenty of critics who love to have a daily dig at e-cigarettes but at least most of them keep a civil tongue in their head. That’s not the case with health chief, Professor John Ashton who really does deserve a place in a Hall of Shame.

Ashton was President of Faculty of Public Health in the UK , a position which is independent of Government but one in which he gave advice to ministers on public health. One imagines that he reached such a high and trusted position without using abusive language.

He’s known for his views on e-cigarettes which of course aren't exactly complementary. He feels strongly about the long-term effects of the product but sadly can’t keep his cool over the matter. A characteristic that has caused him to have to stand-down from his position..

Ashton got himself into trouble when on twitter he replied to a supporter of e-cigarette writing: “Have you always been an anonymous c***”. In another tweet he said: “These abusive e-cig people remind me of the lads who used to play with themselves behind the bike sheds at school. They are even more pathetic than that. Need e-cigs to get aroused.”

He continued his tirade of insults, writing: “I think I have identified a new species of human being this week. Obsessive, compulsive, abusive onanist with e-cig tendencies.” Another classic statement was: “It's remarkable how many unfettered apologists for the e-cig-tobacco industry axis have no identity .Funny that.”

Delightful comments and of course total rubbish from an official who ought to know better. Such a shame he’s had to stand down from his job. The poor Professor complains that he’s been abused by e-cigarette trolls and accused them of being apologists for the industry.

The Professor has since apologized for his behavior saying (with cleaner language this time) “I very much regret my choice of language to describe some vapers...and any offence caused.” He has also announced that he’s taking a break from Twitter.

His bosses also apologized saying that Ashton had “used inappropriate and offensive language, which unnecessarily personalized a public health issue, and we do not condone its use. An investigation is currently under way.”





His abusive tweets have been deleted but I thought I’d have a look back at his un-deleted tweets to see just what he’s been saying about e-cigarettes. Earlier this month he retweeted a tweet by Forbes that publicized a CDC survey. It stated that more than 263,000 teenagers who've never smoked a regular cigarette now use e-cigarettes. Now this of course adds weight to the claims that e-cigarettes are just a gateway to smoking traditional cigarettes. But surely it’s better to see teenagers making the sensible decision to use e-cigarettes rather than become addicted to tobacco and all its associated toxins.





th he tweeted: “Shall we be quite clear, as far as I am concerned what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own space is up to them.” Well if that’s the case then stop moaning about what people are doing in “the privacy of their own space.” On September 6he tweeted: “Shall we be quite clear, as far as I am concerned what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own space is up to them.” Well if that’s the case then stop moaning about what people are doing in “the privacy of their own space.”

Ashton loves a retweet if he finds anything that comes close to his own views, regardless of how accurate or inaccurate those comments are. Take this retweet of the bizarre views of Neil Mclaren who had tweeted: “Depressing email to me just now, "my cardiologist tells me that E-cigs are unsafe...and are worse than smoking”

Is there really anyone in the medical industry who believes that e-cigarettes are more dangerous than smoking tobacco cigarettes? Surely someone like Ashton should be refuting such claims not promoting them? And this is someone who has been given a CBE by the Queen!

Sadly, Mclaren didn't give the medics name but I loved the reply he got to his tweet that read: “Neil, I think you need a new Cardiologist, your current one seems to have brain damage.”

th he Strangely, on September 5he retweeted the news about the UCL’s report claiming over 6,000 lives could be saved in the UK if people switched to using e-cigarettes. How can he do that yet still have such strong anti-e-cigarette views and just days later use vile language against supporters of e-cigarettes?





It’s not that Professor Ashton doesn't revel in having strong views on subjects and none of his views have exactly gathered much support. Three years ago he called for discussions on reducing the age of consent to 15 (this from the guy who doesn't want them using e-cigarettes). He also supports doctors being able to help terminally ill patients die and suggested people only have to work four days a week.

After his comments made to supporters of e-cigarettes, Ashton will be lucky to be working four days a week in the future.



