Vapers Digest 3rd January
Wednesday’s News at a glance:
Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, colinmendelsohn.com.au
AFTER TEN YEARS OF ADVOCATING FOR VAPING for tobacco harm reduction, I am stepping away from the field and retiring. This is my last blog.
As a tobacco treatment expert, I was excited when vapes first arrived in Australia. Here at last was a quitting aid that not only delivered nicotine, but also replicated the behavioural and sensory aspects of smoking. And it worked. Many of my patients who had been unable to quit finally succeeded with vaping.
Number of independent vape shops across UK jumps again
Josie Clarke, Independent
The number of independent vape shops has jumped again across the UK over the last year, amid plans to create a “smoke-free generation” by limiting their sale to children.
Another 233 independent vape shops opened in 2023, a significant jump from 2022’s next increase of 61 and 2021’s net fall of 23, according to the Local Data Company (LDC), which carries out detailed surveys of all retail areas.
UK Government “Swap To Stop” Scheme Kicking Off
Michelle, EcigClick
We covered the announcement in April 2023 that the UK Government was to provide vape kits to help people who smoke quit. The scheme was called “Swap To Stop“.
In a post on their social media on 28th December, the Department of Health & Social Care encouraged people to quit smoking and announced further progress in the scheme. This is part of the NHS Smokefree campaign launched to encourage the 5.3m smokers in England to make an attempt to quit.
UK: Government Will Propose Vape Tax in March
Jim McDonald, Vaping 360
After nearly a decade of progressive vaping policy, the British government is likely this year to impose a tax on vaping products for the first time. The Conservative Party-led government believes a tax will dissuade youth from vaping, and also wants to offset lost revenue from eliminating some other taxes.
The tax will be announced with the release of the government’s budget on March 6, according to The Mirror, which first reported the tax proposal Saturday.
Vapers to be hit with new tax on e-cigarettes that will see prices rise massively
John Stevens, Mirror
Vapers will be hit by a new tax despite warnings it will punish people who have switched to e-cigarettes after quitting smoking.
The plans for the levy, which will likely increase the cost of vaping liquid by at least a quarter, will be unveiled in the Budget in March. The Sunday Mirror understands ministers are keen to push ahead with the tax to make it harder for children to get their hands on e-cigarettes.
Two From Dave Cross, Planet Of The Vapes
The Great POTV 2023 Round-up Part 3
January to June has been pretty exciting, right? Personally, I thought the stuff about elephants was the best bit. Naturally, this has been mentioned to check that you’re paying attention – your final grade will be assessed come December. Here is a summary of our coverage from July to September; some say this will be spicier than a gaeng som yellow curry.
The Great POTV 2023 Round-up Part 4
So, the time has come to look at the final three months of 2023 on Planet of the Vapes. I’m sure that you’d been finding these articles as much fun as I have had writing them. Although, if you are me, and I am, I’m probably currently sitting by a barricade by the door in case “Si” didn’t see the funny side to the end of the last article. If you want to know what’s coming up, there’ll be politics, research papers, events happening and Elfbar being caught out for doing daft things again. Let’s go…
ETHRA November & December News roundup
European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates
ETHRA’s monthly roundup of news: ETHRA in the European Parliament – NCD report adopted – Irish vape consultation – Merci la vape – COP10 postponed – Valuable Vaping Guide for Health & Social Service Providers – Dr Colin Mendelsohn retires – Lots of country updates. Read on for more.
TWO from Global Forum on Nicotine
IS OPPOSITION TO THR FINISHED? | With Roberto Sussman
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM IN 2024 | With Martin Cullip and Michelle Minton
On this Day…2023
A look back at how things have moved on or otherwise…
Medical Journal Retracts a 2022 Study
That Linked Vaping to Cancer – Jacob Sullum
The World Journal of Oncology recently retracted a February 2022 article claiming that nicotine vapers face about the same cancer risk as cigarette smokers. “After publication of this article,” the editors explain, “concerns have been raised regarding the article’s methodology, source data processing including statistical analysis, and reliability of conclusions.” Because “the authors failed to provide justified explanations and evidence for the inquires [sic], subsequently this article has been retracted at the request of Editor-in-Chief.”
Calls on Journalists to Spread the Truth
INNCO
For many years, nicotine has been demonised by tobacco control “experts” as a gateway to teen smoking, and as a “brain toxin.” Yet, 15 past-Presidents of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), the world’s top professional society in the field of tobacco control, recently published a paper rejecting these claims.
Visit Nicotine Science & Policy for more News from around the World
