In the News August 10th

Wednesdays News at a glance:

I blame Knapton and The Sun – Flawed Science for Flawed Policy – Pretend Harm Reductionists – Could Australia Legalize Nicotine for Vaping? – IVVA and ASH Ireland debate ecig taxes – Government data reveals an e-cigarette tax poses risk to public health in Ireland – Houses of Parliament report Ecig updates – Where will the US vaping be in two years? – A Smokeless History Lesson For Vaping Advocates – World’s vaping industry under thick cloud – New FDA vaping regulations will harm public health – Nicotine Science and Policy Daily Digest – Wednesday, 10 August 2016

I blame Knapton and The Sun.

Dave Dorn – The Sun Also Rises

In sweltering temperatures of 37 degrees Centigrade and higher, one occasionally begins to lose control over one’s temper when discussing stuff. I’m not normally a firebrand, given to over the top responses to idiocy, but I came awfully close…

So, we’re sat, as ever, beside the pool as the new intake to our little enclave arrives to take up positions on the sun beds….

Flawed Science for Flawed Policy

Paul Barnes – Facts Do Matter

I would say that this is a break from the norm, but I’d be lying. You see, as vapers, ex-smokers and current smokers (and even never smokers to some extent) we all know that the tobacco control science is little more than bits of paper trying to justify disproportionate restrictions, taxes and even bans on the things we enjoy doing.

Could Australia Legalize Nicotine 

Jim McDonald – Vaping360

Things might be looking up for vapers in Australia. A proposal to the government to allow nicotine in e-cigarettes is being considered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The proposal was made by the New Nicotine Alliance Australia (NNA), a non-profit group that advocates for vapor and other low-risk nicotine products. It would make nicotine of up to 3.6 percent legal.

Pretend Harm Reductionists

Dick Puddlecote

Having been busy, I only yesterday read an excellent article published by Carl Phillips on Friday. This section in particular is very well drawn on the subject of harm reduction (emphases mine).

This is what happens when you have a colossal state-funded machine which views life solely through the lens of health. Other pleasures and benefits in consuming the products in question are completely ignored….

E-cigarette tax poses risk to public health

Irish Vape Vendors Association – IVVA

According to the Dept of Health, half of tobacco cigarette users die of a smoking-related disease, resulting in 19 smoking-related deaths a day in Ireland. Each admission to hospital with a tobacco related disease costs our health system an average of €7,700.

Proposals for a new e-cigarette tax risk reversing progress made as some vapers return to smoking, either because the cost benefits have disappeared or because their supplier closes, no longer able to operate in the sector.

IVVA and ASH Ireland debate ecig taxes

Gillian Golden of the IVVA and Dr Pat Doorley of ASH Ireland debate ecig taxes on Today FM

Thanks to @dnglos as always for the YouTubage

See also – E-cigarette levy would punish ex-smokers

Houses of Parliament Ecig updates

Jérôme Harlay – Vaping Post

The UK’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology updates current knowledge on vaping in the country and releases its POSTnote 533. Research on e-cigarettes has been running fast since the last report of January 2014 and the British officials keep track of what sciences tell about e-cigarette.

Where will the US vaping be in two years?

Jérôme Harlay – Vaping Post

No new product will be allowed on the US vaping market and existing products will have to be reviewed by the FDA to remain on the market. Given the current trajectory of the regulation, most vaping products will disappear from US stores in two years. The remainder will be given another year with no guarantee of success. Several associations like AVA, CASAA or SEVIA US fight against this fatality.

Smokeless History Lesson For Advocates

Brad Rodu – Tobacco Truth

E-cigarettes are under siege by federal health authorities and NGOs, aided and abetted by countless university researchers funded generously by the National Institutes of Health (here).  Many of their tactics were introduced 35 years ago.  Here, in brief, is the story of smokeless.

The FDA’s New Rules for E-Cigarettes

Are Already Hurting Vape Shops – Eric Boehm – Reason

There’s no tobacco in electronic cigarettes. That’s a fact.

But don’t bring facts to the Food and Drug Administration, which on Monday officially began regulating e-cigarettes (and the businesses that make and sell them) under the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act, the 2009 law giving the FDA regulatory power over tobacco products—and apparently things that sort of look and act like tobacco products too.

FDA regulations will harm public health

Caroline Kitchens – The Hill

Going back to the nation’s founding, cigarette smoking has wreaked havoc on U.S. public health and contributed to an astronomical death toll. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking causes about one of every five deaths in the United States each year.

World’s vaping industry under thick cloud

As HK moves to complete ban – Alex Fok

Earlier in June, Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (高永文) stated at a Legco session that the Hong Kong government is planning to table an amendment bill in the 2016/2017 legislative year to “completely prohibit the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and advertising of e-cigarettes”.

Educate about use of electronic cigarettes

A recent article published in TOI states the Karnataka government is planning to curb the consumption and sale of electronic cigarettes and impose a ban following the footsteps of Maharashtra, Punjab and Chandigarh.

Through this petition we would like to make you aware of the negative implications of such a decision in a progressive state like Karnataka, and how it will have a disastrous impact on health.

#CelebrateTheVape