Vapers Digest 15th January

Wednesday’s News at a glance:

‘Real Vapers’ Required ~ Film Festival Calls For Submissions ~ Snus Is Replacing Smoking In Norway ~ Yale Discovers Unexpected Ban Consequences ~ Largely Ignored Study Shows that Switching from Smoking to E-Cigarettes Reduces Carcinogenic Exposures to the Same Extent as Complete Nicotine Abstinence ~ Another Study on Flavored Vaping Products the FDA Can Ignore ~ E-Liquid Flavours Save Lives: Here’s How ~ Professor Marewa Glover: A Champion for Tobacco Harm Reduction! ~ Mark Butler’s Failed Crusade: One Year On ~ Thinking ’bout THR Opportunities ~ Labor’s conspiracy-based vape policy is free from facts — but not consequence ~ A smoke-free future ~ Media Watch: Bloomberg News Excitedly Speculates About “Nicotine Pouches’ Downfall” ~ Could nicotine pouches be next in the crosshairs for stricter EU regulation? ~ FDA Will Announce Nicotine Limit for Cigarettes ~ Pakistan Kicks Out Bloomberg for Corruption ~ Uzbekistan launching effort to ban electronic cigarettes ~ EXCLUSIVE: ITV News investigating vapes containing synthetic cannabis in the UK ~ MALAWI’S TOBACCO CONTROL DILEMMA Pt.1 | Featuring Sahan Lungu

FOUR from Dave Cross, Planet of the Vapes

‘Real Vapers’ Required

The government is making plans for vapers without consulting us or the consumer-driven industry that we created, and the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) wants to do something about it. The trade body has expressed its ‘disappointed’ at the lack of industry and consumer representation at Tobacco and Vapes Bill hearings and has put out a call for real vapers to share how vaping helped them cut down on or stop smoking.

Film Festival Calls For Submissions

The foundational Tobacco Harm Reduction Film Festival (THR Film Festival) in Brazil is calling for submissions from filmmakers for the 2025 event. Filmmakers around the world are asked to enter their work exploring “one of today’s most pressing public health challenges through the lens of creativity and cinema”.

Snus Is Replacing Smoking In Norway

Sweden’s historically low smoking rate hit the headlines late last year. Now, Norway is on track to equal Sweden’s smokefree status with the widespread substitution of cigarettes by snus, according to a new Briefing Paper from the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR). This consumer-led shift towards less risky forms of nicotine use will reduce tobacco-related harms, GSTHR believes.

Yale Discovers Unexpected Ban Consequences

Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health have finally discovered something vapers and tobacco harm reduction advocates have been warning about for years: that banning vape flavours in eliquids doesn’t reduce nicotine use, it simply increases teen smoking rates!

Largely Ignored Study Shows that Switching from Smoking to E-Cigarettes

Reduces Carcinogenic Exposures to the Same Extent as Complete Nicotine Abstinence

Dr. Michael Siegel, The Rest of the Story

An important but largely ignored study published last week in the journal Biomarkers compared changes in exposure to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals among three groups: (1) smokers who switched completely to e-cigarettes; (2) smokers who continued to smoke their usual cigarette brand; and (3) smokers who discontinued all use of nicotine products (both cigarettes and e-cigarettes). A total of 89 smokers were randomized to one of these three groups for six days. Baseline measurements of biomarkers of exposure to carcinogens and toxins were compared to follow-up measurements after six days.

Another Study on Flavored Vaping Products the FDA Can Ignore

Jonathan H. Adler, Reason

The Food and Drug Administration has been particularly resistant to approving the sale of vaping products that are not flavored like cigarettes. The vast majority of the vaping products approved to date have been tobacco flavored. A small handful, approved more recently, have been menthol flavored. The thousands of marketing applications for products with other flavors have been denied. Thus, there are no FDA-permitted vaping products on the market that provide consumers with a flavor different from that provided by cigarettes.

E-Liquid Flavours Save Lives: Here’s How

James Dunworth, E-Cigarette Direct

Over the years we’ve done several experiments with unusual vape flavours. Very often we’ve done this for a bit of fun, but sometimes the results have surprised us. A good few years ago, for example, we went to a vape show with a small range of very unusual flavours. One of them was barbecue sauce flavour and, as you’d expect, most people absolutely hated it. But one elderly man told us it was the first thing he’d tasted since having a stroke.

Two from Australia, Let’s Improve Vaping Education, A.L.I.V.E.

Professor Marewa Glover: A Champion for Tobacco Harm Reduction!

Pippa Starr

Professor Marewa Glover is a distinguished behavioral scientist and public health advocate from New Zealand, celebrated for her pioneering work in tobacco harm reduction. With over 30 years of experience in tobacco control, her research and advocacy have focused on reducing smoking-related harms, particularly among Indigenous populations, including Māori communities, who face disproportionately high smoking rates.

Mark Butler’s Failed Crusade: One Year On

09algor

A year ago, Mark Butler, the Australian Minister for Health, confidently declared his intention to “stamp out vaping” in a bold statement that promised to protect youth and reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes. However, 12 months on, his crusade has proven to be not just ineffective, but a catastrophic failure in safeguarding both public health and the well-being of smokers trying to quit. Let’s take a closer look at how his policies have backfired and why his approach needs to change.

Thinking ’bout THR Opportunities

Skip Murray, Skips Corner

You can quickly find updates since the last edition by looking for “*NEW*.

Reminder: I am unable to know which requests for submissions are from reputable entities.

Labor’s conspiracy-based vape policy is free from facts — but not consequence

Bernard Keane, Crikey

Does the Albanese government believe in evidence-based policy? It claims to. It established the Australian Centre of Evaluation to return evaluation to the policymaking process. Its ranks contain Andrew Leigh, an ardent advocate for evidence-based policymaking and randomised trials in public policy. On health policy and particularly vaping, however, that goes out the window. What we have instead is policy guided by conspiracy theory.

A smoke-free future

Dr Saba Thaheem, International The News

As a general physician practising in Pakistan, I frequently witness the devastating impact of smoking on my patients’ health. From respiratory diseases to heart conditions, smoking is often at the root of these chronic ailments. Despite knowing the risks, many smokers struggle to quit due to the addictive nature of nicotine and the behavioural dependency developed over time. After decades of public health campaigns and strict regulations, smoking rates in Pakistan, like in most parts of the world, remain high. In fact, smoking kills an estimated 160,000 Pakistanis annually and contributes significantly to economic losses.

Click to visit Danish Vapers Association

Media Watch: Bloomberg News Excitedly Speculates About “Nicotine Pouches’ Downfall”

The Daily Pouch

Nicotine Pouches, especially ZYN, have produced an incredible amount of column inches. It’s hard to keep up with all the think pieces, hand-wringing and attempts to tie pouches to conservatism, masculinity, or other “evils”. It’s also becoming hard to stomach. Bloomberg News has another article on pouches, this time titled “Zyn’s Online Hype Risks Leading to the Nicotine Pouches’ Downfall.” It’s not the worst piece on the topic, but the central thesis is so absurd that it’s worth exploring.

Could nicotine pouches be next in the crosshairs for stricter EU regulation?

Antonia Di Lorenzo, Tobacco Intelligence

As Europe tightens its grip on disposable vapes with bans and restrictions addressing environmental and public health concerns, attention is beginning to shift to another rapidly growing nicotine product: nicotine pouches. These smoke-free alternatives have gained popularity among consumers seeking to avoid traditional smoking and vaping. However, as their use rises, important questions emerge about whether nicotine pouches could soon face heightened scrutiny and regulation

FDA Will Announce Nicotine Limit for Cigarettes

Jim McDonald, Vaping 360

According to multiple sources, the FDA is expected to announce this week that it will formally propose a rule mandating that cigarettes contain a nicotine level too low to sustain addiction. While details of the rule are unknown, it is expected that under the new FDA standards, the only legal combustible cigarettes would be so-called very low nicotine (VLN) cigarettes, which contain about five percent as much nicotine as standard cigarettes. The rule is not expected to apply non-combustible products like vapes, nicotine pouches or smokeless tobacco.

Pakistan Kicks Out Bloomberg for Corruption

loremipsumdolor, COPWatch

No comment, again, from his great friend and ally, the WHO. It may be a brand new year, but it seems to be the same dodgy business as usual for Michael Bloomberg-funded outfits. News has crossed the desks at Copwatch of Pakistan’s anger with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) and Vital Strategies (VS), both bankrolled by the World Health Organization’s great friend, Michael Bloomberg.

Uzbekistan launching effort to ban electronic cigarettes

Eurasianet

Uzbekistan’s parliament has taken the first step to prohibit e-cigarettes in the country, following Kyrgyzstan, which adopted a ban in late 2024. The Uzbek bill, approved in its first reading by MPs, would prohibit the use, import, export, manufacture and transport of electronic nicotine delivery systems or their components, according to a January 7 report published by yuz.uz. It is uncertain how the measure would apply to foreign tourists.

EXCLUSIVE: ITV News investigating vapes containing synthetic cannabis in the UK

Alastair Cohen, Clearing The Air

A leading UK news channel is preparing to air an investigation into illegal vapes that contain the synthetic cannabinoid “spice” as the debate on how to regulate legal vapes hots up in Parliament. In correspondence seen by Clearing the Air, a researcher from ITV News contacted a number of laboratories in the UK asking them to test samples of vapes for the presence of Spice, a synthetic cannabinoid. “We are working on a story about vapes and vape liquids being illegally sold in the UK” the email reads. “We would ideally want to be testing a sample of vape liquid, as well as a packaged vape”, it continues.

MALAWI’S TOBACCO CONTROL DILEMMA Pt.1 | Featuring Sahan Lungu

Global Forum on Nicotine

Despite tobacco control efforts to phase out tobacco consumption around the world, a thorny issue remains – that there are many countries whose economy is fundamentally dependent on tobacco production. Amongst one of the largest producers of tobacco globally is Malawi, where tobacco makes up 60% of its exports. Sahan Lungu joins us to explore Malawi’s complex relationship with tobacco in the first episode of our two part Malawi Special.

News from Jan 8th to Jan 12th

Why the Mainstream Media Should Understand Smoking Harm Reduction

Public Health Win in Thailand

University of Edinburgh and ASH Office for National Statistics

Africa’s Battle with Tobacco Smoking: Can Prohibition Derail the 2025 Goal?

Vietnam’s Vaping Ban to Exacerbate Smoking in Southeast Asia

Raids in County Durham

We’re Not Allowed to Sell Anything: KY Smoke Shops Struggling After Vape Ban

Utah and Iowa Flavor Ban and Registry Laws on Hold for Now

ACS Launches Guide

PackBreakers Episode 8: The man Behind The Juice

Ziauddin Islam on Vaping, Public Health, and Smoking Cessation

The Truth About E-Cigarettes

Belgium becomes first in Europe to ban disposable vapes

Federal Surveys Demonstrate E-cigarettes as a Harm Reduction Tool

FDA’s Vapes Market Mess

Top 10 Flavour Papers

Want to Quit Vaping This Year? Here’s What the Evidence Shows So Far About Effective Strategies

Vaping Driving New Zealand Success

QUIET TRIUMPH | Collapse in Youth Smoking Ignored by Public Health

How Snus is Replacing Smoking in Norway: A Revolution Led by Consumers and Product Innovation

Tobacco Harm Reduction and Podsnappery

Nicotine Pouch Use in Great Britain

ASA RAP IVG Vape Ad

Bangladesh Bans Vapes

Tobacco Prohibition by Stealth

Public Support for Retailer Punishments

Thinking ‘Bout THR: News and Views

Nicotine Pouches: Tucson’s New Smoke-Free Trend

Burn It Down: Can Vaping Be Saved Under Trump’s FDA?

On this Day…2024

A look back at how things have moved on or otherwise…

WHO’s Vaping Stance: What’s Wrong?

Vaping Unplugged Podcast With Martin Cullip Ep. 39

In today’s episode of Vaping Unplugged podcast, we explore one of the most debated issues in THR: the World Health Organization’s stance on vaping, within the scope of the Conference of the Parties (COP) meeting.

Smoke-Free Partnership Alumni

Beclown Themselves… Again – Joseph Hart

Paranoia is an ugly thing. It comes in many forms, and if you’ve seen it up close among friends or loved ones, you’ll know how corrosive and isolating this thought process can be.

However, the Brussels Times seemed happy enough to hand over an editorial to a Smoke-Free Partnership footsoldier so he could weave some deluded and baroque conspiracy theories about Big Tobacco on their website. Let’s dive in.

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