Nicotine Science and Policy

By Harry Shapiro Nov. 2, 2023

Harry’s blog 122: Tobacco harm reduction is a human rights issue

A guiding principle of the World Health Organization (WHO) established in 1948, was the universal right to health. Although not expressed in these terms, the implication is that nobody gets left behind even if behaviours which potentially threaten health like illegal drug use and unprotected sex meet with societal disapproval.

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March 28, 2024 by gbnews.com

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‘What are you talking about?!’ Surgeon slams guest for praising vaping in heated debate

A GB News debate on vaping vs. smoking sparked controversy as a surgeon argued against promoting vaping for harm reduction. Professor Sherif Sultan criticized the idea of providing vapes for free, citing concerns about corporate interests and lack of scientific evidence. He disputed claims of vaping safety, warning of potential lung issues and emphasizing the World Health Organization's stance against it. Accusations of tobacco industry influence and lack of transparency were exchanged during the heated discussion. The debate highlighted differing opinions on vaping's health impacts, with the FDA's caution also mentioned.


12.90% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 7.2 million current smokers in United Kingdom 14.60% of men are current smokers but only 11.20% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR

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March 28, 2024 by vnexpress.net

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To ban or not to ban e-cigarettes?

When I first entered university, I did something that, upon recall, I always chuckled at how stupidly innocent it was: I started smoking to show people how "mature" I was, and to show off with my female friends. I was very poor in university, much like all other university students back then. So naturally, I chose one of the cheapest brands, a no-filter straight-up cigarette. We only chose a more expensive type of cigarette on the first day of the new academic year. We did not have any strong reason to do so, besides the dire need to impress the new influx of girls at the school.


23.80% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 17.5 million current smokers in Vietnam 47.30% of men are current smokers but only 1.20% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR

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March 28, 2024 by bloomberg.com

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Big Tobacco Is Now Under the Zynfluence

For Big Tobacco, the ideal user of one of its nicotine pouches is an older ex-smoker who indulges in the tiny packets to get their daily dose of the stimulant. But so-called “Zynfluencers” cropping up on TikTok to extol the virtues of Zyn, produced by Philip Morris International Inc., are sparking a frenzy over whether young people who have never smoked are getting hooked on them. The debate over Zyn, as well as Velo from rival British American Tobacco Plc, is eerily similar to that which engulfed vaping around five years ago.


18.30% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 48.7 million current smokers in United States 21.60% of men are current smokers but only 15.20% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR


March 28, 2024 by theguardian.com

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New Australian laws banning vaping ads ‘toothless’ without social media enforcement, experts say

Health experts warn that new laws banning vaping ads on social media may be ineffective without additional policy changes due to the widespread promotion of vapes online. Research shows most e-cigarette content on TikTok and Instagram violates platforms' policies. Laws taking effect in April will ban tobacco and e-cigarette ads online, including influencer sponsorships. Experts urge government action to regulate harmful e-cigarette social media content. Calls for monitoring and enforcement of new regulations are emphasized. Industry self-regulation is deemed insufficient, highlighting the need for government intervention.


13.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.6 million current smokers in Australia 15.20% of men are current smokers but only 10.90% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR

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March 28, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

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UKVIA response to University College London study on vaping

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) says it welcomes the research looking the health impact of vaping so that the relative risks of vaping and smoking can be better understood. The trade body says that although one leading academic described the study data as ‘crude’, implying a link to changes in cheek cells which could potentially cause cancer, the study authors said their findings did not prove that e-cigarettes caused cancer.


12.90% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 7.2 million current smokers in United Kingdom 14.60% of men are current smokers but only 11.20% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR

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March 28, 2024 by euronews.com

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Belgian health minister calls for more EU action against tobacco

Belgian Health Minister Vandenbroucke emphasized the EU's need for more initiatives to combat tobacco use and promote prevention. He highlighted the importance of reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, as outlined in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. Vandenbroucke stressed the significance of prevention in reducing non-communicable diseases and urged for more attention to health promotion. He called for creating an environment that empowers healthy lifestyles, addressing inequalities, and criticized the tobacco and alcohol industry. Vandenbroucke highlighted the EU's role in promoting a healthy market and called for more initiatives on tobacco and alcohol regulation.


20.40% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 1.9 million current smokers in Belgium 23.30% of men are current smokers but only 17.60% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR

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March 27, 2024 by richmond.com

Commentary: Restricting vaping products will only help big tobacco, not consumers

Virginia faces impending disaster if Gov. Youngkin signs Senate Bill 550 and House Bill 1609, which effectively bans most vaping products while favoring those from big tobacco. The bills hinder harm reduction, jeopardize public health, and stifle innovation. Advocates urge a balanced approach to protect consumers and businesses. By pushing these measures, big tobacco aims to eliminate competition, benefiting only themselves. Gov. Youngkin should consider the implications on public health and the economy before making a decision. It is vital to maintain alternatives for smokers and resist big tobacco's influence for the well-being of Virginians.


18.30% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 48.7 million current smokers in United States 21.60% of men are current smokers but only 15.20% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR


March 27, 2024 by uea.ac.uk

Handing out vapes in A&E helps smokers quit

Giving out free e-cigarette starter packs in hospital emergency departments to people who smoke helps more people quit – according to research from the University of East Anglia. The trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), offered advice, an e-cigarette starter pack and referral to stop smoking services to people attending A&E for any reason, to help them to stop smoking. Six months later, almost one in four people given the starter packs said they had quit smoking. And those who received the packs but didn’t quit altogether, were more likely to have reduced the number of cigarettes they smoked.


March 27, 2024 by bbc.com

Free vapes given out in A&E could save 'thousands of lives'

Handing out free vapes to smokers in A&E departments could "save thousands of lives",…


12.90% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 7.2 million current smokers in United Kingdom 14.60% of men are current smokers but only 11.20% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR

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March 27, 2024 by filtermag.org

A Long Walk With the Tobacco Users of Mumbai

Rizwan, a former tobacco user turned vape seller in Mumbai, shares his journey of quitting tobacco after his mother's death from cancer. Despite the ban on vapes in India, Rizwan advocates for harm reduction. Exploring the city's diverse tobacco habits, he highlights the challenges faced in promoting safer alternatives. In impoverished areas like Dharavi, tobacco harm reduction is a luxury due to limited access to basic needs. Rizwan's advocacy stems from personal experiences and witnessing the devastating effects of tobacco. Despite obstacles, he seeks to raise awareness and provide alternatives in a tobacco-dependent society shaped by government restrictions.


8.10% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 80.5 million current smokers in India 14.40% of men are current smokers but only 1.40% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR

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March 27, 2024 by scienceblog.com

How DNA Influences How Much You’ll Smoke

A University of Colorado Boulder study explores how genetic variations impact smoking behaviors, focusing on the "Mr. Big" genetic variant affecting nicotine sensitivity. Understanding genetic factors behind smoking is crucial, with genes accounting for a large part of smoking behaviors. Interactions between genes and variants play a key role, with potential for personalized quitting approaches based on genetic information. The study highlights the complexity of nicotine addiction genetics and suggests future personalized medicine possibilities.



Blogs

Harry’s blog 122: Tobacco harm reduction is a human rights issue

A guiding principle of the World Health Organization (WHO) established in 1948, was the universal right to health. Although not expressed in these terms, the implication is that nobody gets left behind even if behaviours which potentially threaten health like illegal drug use and unprotected sex meet with societal disapproval.

Harry’s blog 121: International tobacco control and the search for intelligent life

KAC has published an updated version of our Briefing Paper on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s Conference of the Parties (FCTC COP) meeting due to take place in Panama in November. While a billion people still smoke, the WHO and allies deflect attention away from the failure of traditional tobacco control policies to put a significant dent in death and disease from smoking by instead attacking tobacco harm reduction.

Harry’s blog 120: Bent as a boomerang: vaping politics in Australia.

Dr Colin Mendelsohn is a well-respected tobacco harm reduction expert who wrote an article for the Australian website Education HQ advising schools on strategies to deal with vaping among students. The article was posted then withdrawn. Dr Mendelsohn received an email from the editor saying: “Unfortunately my managing editor has decided we need to unpublish your article for now, I'm terribly sorry. He is working through a concern that's been raised around your relationship with the vape and tobacco industry.”