Stories

Australia has taken a hardline approach to vaping leaving smokers wanting to quit with few legal routes to access safer nicotine products. In today's episode leading Australian THR advocate Colin Mendelsohn asks, have these restrictions actually achieved their intended goals? In his recent evidence to Australian Senators, Colin set out how a compassionate approach could be the key to improving Australia's vaping situation.

As the Federal Liberal Government marches inexorably toward a ban on flavors in nicotine vaping products, pushback is growing, and questions about a potential conflict of interest involving Health Minister Mark Holland are being raised. Joining us today to talk though the nationwide consumer effort to stop the flavour ban is vaping activist Maria Papaioannoy-Duic, founder of Rights 4 Vapers. Hear how you can help defend flavours and learn why Maria thinks Minister Holland is backing the ban.

Polish tobacco companies face rising costs and regulations but see relief with declining illicit markets. However, challenges persist as the EU's policies could impact Poland's tobacco industry competitiveness. Lukasz Szymanski, a market player, highlights the sector's struggles due to increases in operating costs. To stay afloat, businesses are exploring new markets like the Middle East. Concerns arise over the potential impact of the World Health Organization's Panama summit on the industry's future, with fears of increased unemployment. There is a call for protection against international interference to safeguard Polish tobacco businesses.

Canadians support the UK's progressive cigarette purchasing age increase and labeling laws. Over two-thirds agree with new warning labels, while 65% endorse raising the legal age to buy cigarettes annually starting from 2009 onwards. A survey shows willingness to adopt similar regulations in Canada, with majority support from voters of different political parties. Prevalence of tobacco, marijuana, and e-cigarette use varies by region and age group. Smokers generally approve of warning labels, but are divided on implementing UK-like laws. The survey, conducted online in April 2024, polled 1,002 Canadian adults with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

Buffalo, New York, is considering banning the sale of menthol cigarettes, part of a broader national push supported by President Biden. Smoking cessation is challenging, with benefits of quitting outweighing the habit. There are debates on the government's stance on public health, with calls for a complete ban on cigarettes in New York State. Starting smoking with menthol products is common among youth, with potential long-term health impacts.

Joseph Magero shares his journey from smoking to vaping, advocating for safer alternatives for smokers. He founded Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA) to educate and provide access to harm reduction tools in Africa. Despite proven benefits of vaping over smoking by global health bodies, Kenya's proposed graphic warnings on nicotine pouches and vapes ignore scientific evidence. CASA urges the Ministry of Health to reconsider these warnings to help smokers switch to safer alternatives. Drawing on Sweden's success in reducing smoking rates through harm reduction, CASA emphasizes the importance of accurate risk communication for public health.