That was probably a bad way to present it. However, if you look at the two drugs in their effects, toxicity and long-term health risks, they are pretty similar. Nicotine is more toxic in extremely concentrated form, but that is not how it is being used and that danger can be said a bout nearly any consumable substance. Cigarettes have been attacked relentlessly because of the carcinogens, how the tar affects the lungs and bloodstream, etc... all valid points. Nicotine on the other hand, has mostly just been along for the ride and gotten lumped in there. Sure, you don’t want to consume nicotine if you can avoid it, why would you? But, if you are a smoker, you can switch to this delivery method and shed all of the bad luggage that comes along with getting it via smoking. The endless available flavors are what make them so successful, people get to pick what works for them, unlike patches, inhalers and gum (that have dismal success rates). It also has zero effect on others around you (you can’t even smell it) other than the seizures that nazi anti’s have when they see it. And quite frankly, I actually enjoy that aspect of it. SOB’s have treated me like a leaper for 30 years and it’s nice to have invalidated their ALL of arguments. The fact remains that they only attack e-cigs because they can’t stand watching you “get by with it”. Government, on the other hand, has other motives and we all know what that is. they will leverage the anti’s like they always have and guess who will lose again? The free consumer.
I agree with most of what you said however I don’t believe long-term health risks for either pure substance have been established by any properly controlled studies. Nor have benefits, for that matter. That with which I took issue was the assertion “The two substances are nearly identical in their molecular structure...” which is nonsense chemically. It’s like saying that crude oil and whale blubber are “nearly identical in their molecular structure” because they’re both primarily composed of hydrocarbons. I would also note in support that while the effects of nicotine and caffeine are grossly similar they act on entirely different biochemical pathways.