Vapers Digest 11th October
Friday’s News at a glance:
IBVTA Launches LVA Partnership – Quit Smoking During Stoptober – Shut up and Smoke – Omni™ Global Initiative – UK vaping to overtake smoking for first time – Ireland’s new vape tax puts smokers’ lives at risk – €1.55 million of illegal vapes seized by police in Spain – Irish Government Plans Sweeping Anti-Vape Legislation – Finnish MP Calls for Nordic Collaboration – New inquiry into role of vaping launched ahead of Tobacco and Vapes Bill – From Despair to Hope: – Public Health Has a Blueberry-Banana Problem – California Passes New Flavored Vape and Pouch Restrictions – Vapes are available from online pharmacies in Australia – Why does Ottawa pay groups to lobby … Ottawa? – Interview with Quit Like Sweden’s Suely Castro – “Finally a victory for common sense” – Are Nicotine Pouches Allowed on Planes?
Four from Dave Cross, Planet of the Vapes:
IBVTA Launches LVA Partnership
The Independent British Vape Trade Association is adopting a zero-tolerance approach to underage vaping in Tunbridge Wells with the launch of a new pilot programme. The LVA pilot, as part of a planned national project, launched in Tunbridge Wells on 27th September, bringing together representatives from Kent trading standards, Kent police, Kent community safety and public health and the trade body, with an initial focus on targeting illegal underage vape sales.
Local Vape Action (LVA) is a partnership approach to tackling vaping issues at a local level. It brings together local authority partners as well as the vape sector via the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA), to identify and target specific areas.
Quit Smoking During Stoptober
Stoptober 2024 is underway, and the NHS has released a range of assets to be used by cessation practitioners and everyone else involved in promoting good health to encourage smokers to quit nicotine use or make the switch to vaping. Almost everyone is on board – but a conversation with a Registrar in the emergency department of a provincial hospital proves that the NHS still has work to do with its employees.
“A huge thanks to everyone who has already downloaded and used our campaign toolkit and assets over the last few weeks – it’s great to see so many examples of local activity from organisations across the country,” says Stoptober’s organisers.
Shut up and Smoke
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) is promoting a new film by independent film maker David Hanin from Oneshot Media. The “powerful documentary” has been made to detail the European Union’s “confused attitude to tobacco harm reduction”.
UKVIA says: “The film, titled ‘Shut up and Smoke’, features a number of medical and industry experts calling for a better understanding of vaping and its potential for tobacco harm reduction. John Dunne, UKVIA Director General, is one of those interviewed on the role of vapes in helping the millions of smokers to quit and the importance of vape flavours in achieving this.”
Omni™ Global Initiative
British American Tobacco (BAT) has launched a major global initiative to, it claims, “make a Smokeless World a reality during the company’s first ever Transformation Forum in London”. The FTSE-listed company unveiled Omni™, an evidence-based, accessible and dynamic resource that shows how science and innovation can combine to achieve a Smokeless World.
The company’s Chief Corporate Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, said: “Tobacco Harm Reduction – encouraging smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch completely to less risky alternatives – is the fastest route to achieving a Smokeless World. And we’re committed to working with others to make this a reality.
Three from Ali Anderson, Clearing the Air:
UK vaping to overtake smoking
The UK is set to become the first country in the world to see vaping rates surpass smoking, a new study shows. In 2025, the number of adults vaping is estimated to rise above the 11 per cent recorded so far this year, while those who smoke is on course to fall to just over 10 per cent.
The research by the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), a project from public health agency Knowledge Action Change (KAC), used data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to make the prediction.
Ireland’s new vape tax puts lives at risk
Ireland’s new tax on vapes puts smokers’ lives at risk and is a “setback in the fight against tobacco”, according to international health experts. Last week the Irish government announced a major new levy of 50 cents per millilitre (ml) of e-liquid as part of its annual budget. The tax is far above the European average of €0.10 to €0.30, and will add €1.23 to the cost of a typical vape in Ireland.
Dr Delon Human, global harm reduction expert and leader of campaign group Smoke Free Sweden, said Ireland should instead be following the successful approach of Sweden. There, vaping is widely encouraged as a far safer alternative to smoking and the country is now on the verge of being declared ‘smoke free.’
€1.55 million of illegal vapes seized in Spain
Illegal vapes worth €1.55 million on the black market have been seized by police in Spain. The Civil Guard in Seville has confiscated 171,407 illegal vapes, including disposable devices that do not comply with current regulations, with an approximate market value of €1.55 million. It is one of the largest seizures of illegal vapes ever seen in Spain.
The raid was part of the “Humeros” operation, carried out by Civil Guard agents from the Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit of the Port of Seville (UDAIFF) and the Fiscal and Border Patrol (PAFIF).
El #Stoptober promovido por la sanidad de UK centra sus esfuerzos en ofrecer el Vapeo como la mejor forma de dejar el tabaco…
En España puede más el dinero de big pharma que la salud de los ciudadanos
¿También os llevan el dinero en bolsas de plástico? @sanidadgob… https://t.co/CSMAlwiqGl
— Julio Ruades (@ElMonoVapeador) October 10, 2024
“Moral Panic”—
Irish Government Plans Sweeping Anti-Vape Legislation
Kiran Sidhu
Ireland’s health minister, Stephen Donnelly, has received cabinet approval to move forward with a bill to radically reduce the availability and variety of nicotine vapes—ignoring the results of a public consultation on the matter.
In a September government press release, Donnelley said the ban on selling “nicotine inhaling products” to under-18s was insufficient to curb what he framed as the problem of rising youth vaping.
“[W]e must go further and this legislation will tackle the rise in the use of ’vapes’ among children and young people by reducing their attractiveness and availability,” he said, “… so that our children can grow up without the risks associated with these products.”
Finnish MP Calls for Nordic Collaboration
Several Nordic nations are now reviewing their legislation regarding the sale and use of nicotine pouches, in view of the role they play in public health policy and with a central issue being the regulation of nicotine content in these products.
MP Kim Berg from the largest Finnish opposition party SDP (S&D) supports the idea of setting a maximum nicotine limit in white snus (nicotine pouches) to curb the sale of products with dangerously high nicotine levels. Berg believes this issue could be better addressed on a Nordic level.
New inquiry into role of vaping launched
Ahead of Tobacco and Vapes Bill – Tony Corbin
The APPG for Responsible Vaping will continue to provide a voice on vaping issues within Parliament and has launched an inquiry on the role of vaping in the UK.
The inquiry, taking place over the next two months, will gather evidence and insights from experts in a wide range of respective fields as the group focuses on sector responsibilities in addressing the key issues associated with vaping.
From Despair to Hope:
How Vaping Saved My Life and Gave Me a Second Chance
Allison Boughner – WVA
I’ve told this story thousands of times, and I’ll keep telling it until public health officials finally set the record straight. I started smoking at 15 years old and spent most of my early 20s trying to quit. The stress of life always seemed to pull me back, and I’d convince myself that I didn’t really need to quit. But at the age of 30, I received a reality check that I could no longer ignore: I was diagnosed with a blood clot in my right leg.
At the time, my son was only 4 years old. It hit me hard—most 30-year-olds don’t suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I knew in my heart that continuing to smoke had led me down this dangerous path, and I could no longer brush it aside.
Public Health Has a Problem
Nicholas Florko
These days, you can easily find vapes in flavors that include “Lush Ice,” “Blueberry Banana,” “Mango Lychee,” “Hot Fudge,” and “Fcuking Fab” (whatever that is). No matter which one you choose, it’s almost certainly illegal. The tiny battery-powered devices that produce a mist of nicotine when you inhale, first popularized by Juul, are not outright banned—at least not for adults—but only a few flavored vapes have gotten the FDA authorization required before they hit the market. That hasn’t stopped hundreds of shadowy companies, many based abroad, from effectively hawking contraband. Vapes are sold to Americans online for as little as $5, and are well-stocked in convenience stores, smoke shops, and even vending machines. Alternative Link
California Passes New Flavored Vape…
And Pouch Restrictions – Jim McDonald
Two new California laws will further restrict the sale of vaping products and nicotine pouches in the state by banning non-menthol coolants, nicotine analogs like Metatine, and online sales of flavored vapes and pouches.
California state bills AB 3218 and SB 1230 passed both houses of the State Legislature in August and were signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September. The laws will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
The laws strengthen the state’s existing ban on flavored “tobacco products,” which includes vaping products, and add several new restrictions and new enforcement powers. Here is a summary:
Vapes are available from ….
Online pharmacies in Australia – Colin Mendelsohn
Both the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) initially advised that online sales would be banned from 1 October 2024. It was stated that vaping products could only be supplied in person and could not be posted or delivered.
However, a closer review of the federal regulations has found that this advice was incorrect. There are no specific restrictions prohibiting online sales, as long as the customer has a valid prescription.
Why does Ottawa pay groups to lobby …?
David Clement
Last Friday, anti-vaping activists took to Parliament Hill and called for the resignation of Minister of Addiction Ya’ara Saks. They said they’ve been waiting 14 months for the minister to “strengthen controls” on vaping and she has not delivered. Their main grievance is that vaping products are flavoured, and they repeated their call for all vape flavours to be banned.
This would be a huge step backward in harm reduction. According to the anti-vapers, vape products should only be tobacco-flavoured. On its face this is ridiculous.
Vaping Advocates Hold A News Conference
October 10, 2024
A pro-vaping group, Rights4Vapers, calls on the federal government to reconsider its approach to nicotine and tobacco regulation.
Speaking with reporters in Ottawa are Maria Papaioannoy, a spokesperson for Rights4Vapers, and Sam Tam, president of the Canadian Vaping Association.
Canada Hides Nicotine Pouches
Behind Pharmacy – Global Forum on Nicotine
It’s a move that has left nicotine pouch users scrambling. In late August, Canadian Health Minister Mark Holland followed through on his March threat to severely limit the availability of nicotine pouches, citing the need to protect youth. The new restrictions ban the sale of nicotine pouches at all retail locations, allowing access only behind the pharmacy counter. As a result, thousands are now without access to this critical safer nicotine product.
Independent convenience store association
Comes out against federal government’s move to restricts sale of nicotine pouches
Following the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting in Ottawa, the United Korean Commerce & Industry Association of Canada (UKCIA) is expressing frustration and anger towards the federal Minister of Health Mark Holland for banning the sale of nicotine pouches in convenience stores.
UKCIA says the move will only hurt the many family-owned convenience stores across Canada the organization represents. The UKCIA represents over 2,500 independent family-owned convenience stores across Canada.
Liberal vilification of smoking cessation…
Pouches facing multiple lawsuits – Keean Bexte
The recent Liberal regulation that bans the sale of nicotine pouches in convenience stores—where cigarettes and alcohol are still available—is now facing two lawsuits challenging both the constitutionality and the safety implications of this ban.
The development comes after Federal Health Minister Mark Holland announced in August that he was banning the sale of nicotine pouches from convenience stores and restricting them to pharmacies.
Interview with Suely Castro
Joseph Hart
The most recent figures by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that around 1 in 5 adults smoke. While this number has dramatically reduced in recent years, it still means that 1.25 billion people consume combustible tobacco, leading to devastating death and illness.
The EU’s “Tobacco-Free Generation” initiative aims to reduce smoking in the member states to 5% by 2040. While progress has been made, the prevalence in the region is currently around 25%, so the odds of hitting this ambitious goal seem remote.
He has fought for a new nicotine policy:
“Finally a victory for common sense”- Stefan Mathisson
The vision became reality. Changing the tobacco policy target has been an important issue for Johan Hultberg, a member of the Moderate Party, for many years. And when the government presented its budget for 2025, it was clear that harm reduction will be part of Swedish nicotine policy.
“This is a victory for common sense. Finally, we have a tobacco policy that focuses on real outcomes – less harm from nicotine use,” Johan Hultberg told Vejpkollen.
The Popcorn Lung Correlation
The 6 Most Misleading Statements From…
TIME Magazine’s Recent Vaping Piece
TIME Magazine has never exactly had a reputation for fearless journalism. In light of their recent article on vaping, that looks unlikely to change.
The piece’s author, Jamie Ducharme, is the magazine’s health correspondent. She also wrote the novel Big Vape: The Incendiary Rise of Juul, which has since become a Netflix documentary.
Are Nicotine Pouches Allowed on Planes?
Michael Landl
At the start of the summer, a user on X (formerly known as Twitter) shared their experience of an American Airlines flight attendant telling them they couldn’t use a nicotine pouch during his flight. The airline reached out to the passenger for more information, and this raises a worthy question for travelers: are nicotine pouches (ZYN, Lucy, Rogue, Velo) banned on planes, or are flight attendants simply misinformed?
If you’re like most travelers, you probably Google these questions before packing your bags and determining whether or not to bring certain electronics and toiletries in your carry-on luggage.
Vaping advocate warns Dem crackdown
On ‘common sense’ tobacco alternatives could backfire
A leading vaping industry advocate tells Fox News Digital that Democratic positions cracking down on vaping and using nicotine pouches could backfire as many Americans across the country are single-issue voters on that issue.
Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association, told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration has “made it clear” that they have “no desire to have less harmful nicotine products on the market.”
On this Day…2023
A look back at how things have moved on or otherwise….
Jeffrey A. Singer, CATO Institute
Will the UK stand up to the WHO?
Christopher Snowdon, Velvet Glove Iron Fist
The WHO has its biennial tobacco shindig next month. COP10 will be held in Panama and I’ll be joining some mischief-makers there to report back.
The WHO’s approach to vaping is diametrically opposed to that of the UK so it is a mystery why we continue to give this corrupt outfit so much money. This year’s COP (conference of the parties) seems to be all about e-cigarettes, none of it good, but according to The Sun, there is a chance that the UK might stand up for vapers.
Visit Nicotine Science & Policy for more News from around the World
