Assessing notions of denormalization and renormalization of smoking in light of e-cigarette regulation

The rationale for ‘denormalization’ of smoking in tobacco policies has been challenged by the emergence of e-cigarettes and the need to regulate e-cigarette use and promotion. Our aim is to assess the research status on e-cigarettes’ contribution to ‘renormalization’ of smoking and to clarify how renormaliz ation of smoking can be appraised at the conceptual and empirical level. Combining conceptual analysis and narrative review, the paper brings out three dimensions of denormalization/renormalization of smoking (‘unacceptability/acceptability’; ‘invisibility/visibility’; ‘phasing out behavio ur/maintaining behaviour’) and an inherent duality of the e-cigarette as a smoking-like device and a smoking alternative.

Source: International Journal of Drug Policy - October 6, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Gunnar S æbø, Janne Scheffels Tags: Commentary Source Type: research