Nicotine Science and Policy
By Harry Shapiro Sept. 11, 2025
Harry’s blog 129: Prohibition: the lessons we never learn
Australia’s unnecessary nicotine war lights up,
As reported on the website of ALIVE, the Australian vaping advocacy movement, “Australia's ongoing battle against tobacco has led to some of the strictest regulations in the world, particularly concerning vaping and cigarette pricing. While the government has framed these policies as necessary for public health, the unintended consequences have sparked a growing crisis.”
January 07, 2026 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
VPZ Wants Vape Bill Action
VPZ, the UK’s largest specialist vape retailer dedicated to harm reduction and responsible vaping, has urged MPs returning from their Christmas recess holidays to prioritise the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as one of their first priorities of the New Year. As a start, it says it wants the politicians to confirm a date for its Report Stage as soon as possible.
11.80% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 6.7 million current smokers in United Kingdom 13.60% of men are current smokers but only 10.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
January 07, 2026 by wisconsinindependent.com
Resources available to help Wisconsinites break free of nicotine addiction
Tobacco contributes to 8,000 deaths annually in Wisconsin. Around 20% of Wisconsinites use tobacco, with Truth Initiative offering support for those aiming to quit in 2026. "You Got This Day" on Jan. 9 promotes quitting resources, including the research-driven EX Program in partnership with the Mayo Clinic. Vaping, prevalent among youth, is as harmful as smoking. Only 3-5% succeed in quitting cold turkey, but using the EX Program can increase success rates by 40%. Two-thirds of 18-24-year-olds who smoke or vape plan to quit this year. The EX Program offers a free, anonymous digital quitting program.
January 07, 2026 by bbc.com
Vaping: Schools want help in 'lonely battle'
Schools are struggling with vaping issues, feeling isolated in the battle against student addiction. Teachers report installing vape detectors, deploying extra staff, and altering school grounds to curb vaping. Some students have ended up in hospitals due to spiked vapes. Schools face financial strain and disrupted learning environments. Efforts to tackle vaping include educating students and seeking government support. The World Health Organisation warns of a youth vaping epidemic, with children being nine times more likely to vape than adults. Schools advocate for clearer guidance, parental support, and stricter measures to address the problem. Legislators are urged to act swiftly to prevent long-term consequences of youth vaping.
11.80% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 6.7 million current smokers in United Kingdom 13.60% of men are current smokers but only 10.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
January 06, 2026 by filtermag.org
Smoking Should Not Be a Footnote in Cervical Cancer Prevention
Cervical cancer kills one woman every two minutes worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for prevention. Despite efforts like the WHO's focus on vaccination, screening, and treatment, limitations exist including the HPV vaccine not covering all cancer-causing strains. Smoking doubles the risk for cervical cancer as tobacco-related compounds harm cervical cells and immune function. Secondhand smoke exposure is also linked to the disease. Urgent action on tobacco smoke prevention is crucial in cancer prevention strategies. Emphasizing smoke exposure reduction alongside vaccination and screening can save more lives. It's essential to educate on risk reduction options, especially for those who choose to use nicotine.
January 06, 2026 by news-medical.net
Nicotinic acid protects the liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury
A recent study in Liver Research by Chinese researchers reveals that nicotinic acid, a form of vitamin B3, effectively reduces liver damage from hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. This type of injury is common in liver surgery and transplants, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. Nicotinic acid's protective effects surpass N-acetylcysteine by targeting damaged mitochondria, as shown in experiments on mice and hepatocytes. The treatment not only reduces liver injury markers and inflammation but also enhances mitochondrial quality by promoting mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. With its safety, affordability, and availability, nicotinic acid shows promise for improving outcomes in liver surgery, prompting upcoming human trials.
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Blogs
Harry’s blog 129: Prohibition: the lessons we never learn
Australia’s unnecessary nicotine war lights up,
As reported on the website of ALIVE, the Australian vaping advocacy movement, “Australia's ongoing battle against tobacco has led to some of the strictest regulations in the world, particularly concerning vaping and cigarette pricing. While the government has framed these policies as necessary for public health, the unintended consequences have sparked a growing crisis.”
Harry’s blog 128: Behind the smoke and mirrors: the continuing challenge of tobacco harm reduction.
“If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee there will be no hope”. Noam Chomsky
I recently returned from the 12th annual Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN) conference in Warsaw. My first visit was 2015 when I had just entered the tobacco harm reduction (THR) space after over thirty years spent with UK NGOs advocating for drug and HIV harm reduction – a space I still inhabit.