Vapers Digest 22nd May

WHO Nicotine Pouch Report Sparks Backlash

as Experts Highlight Safer Alternatives Are Being Ignored

Diane Caruana, Vaping Post

The latest report from the World Health Organisation on nicotine pouches has stirred more debates about tobacco harm reduction, especially among experts in the field. There’s a lot of disagreement among global regulators about how to approach these safer nicotine products. The report, named “Exposing Marketing Tactics and Strategies Driving the Growth of Nicotine Pouches,” claims that manufacturers are playing fast and loose with regulations while targeting young people with their marketing. But here’s the kicker: many researchers feel the report misses a crucial point. For millions of adult smokers, smoke-free nicotine options could be their best shot at kicking the habit of traditional cigarettes.

Why some anti-vaping campaigns miss the mark

University of Queensland

Vaping education campaigns in Australia may be missing key opportunities to support behaviour change, University of Queensland research has found.

A review of publicly available vaping media campaigns launched in Australia before May 2025 found almost half had ‘vague’ or no guidance to direct behaviour change.

E-cigarettes get a bad rap — but scientists say they can help in 2 ways: study

Rachel Sacks, New York Post

While smoking rates have fallen to an all-time low, the use of electronic cigarettes has become more popular… A study out Tuesday found that switching to pod-based salt-nicotine e-cigarettes increased the chances of quitting cigs and reduced toxic chemical exposure.

A Long Overdue Course Correction At The FDA On Vaping

Ross Marchand, Daily Caller

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been notoriously reluctant to allow consumers access to products that could save their lives. Under the Biden administration, the FDA denied over a million marketing applications for candy- or fruit-flavored vaping products, even though smokers rely on these products to kick their cigarette habits. The FDA under President Trump has not yet lived up to the administration’s deregulatory ambitions.

Vape Taxes Won’t Increase Smoking, Study Claims. Here’s the Problem.

Jason Semprini, Filter

As a lifelong Iowan, studying public health policy and cancer prevention in a state with one of the nation’s fastest-rising cancer rates, I care deeply about reducing smoking. Cigarettes are still the leading cause of preventable cancer, disease and death in the United States. Harms of this magnitude warrant critically assessing policies related to cigarettes and safer alternatives—and that includes taxation.

FDA’s New Guidance Recognizes What Law Enforcement Already Knows

Trump’s FDA shakeup defends harm reduction over politics

Jeff Stier, Washington Post

The narrative around the departure of Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary is being actively (mis)shaped by White House opponents trying to paint a picture that the Trump administration’s health policies are driven by politics and cozy relationships with donors, not science.

Still, a more fact-based narrative is not being reported.

The New York Times reported that Mr. Makary resigned “over concerns about the administration’s decision to authorize fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, an action he opposed.” The Times said, “Dr. Makary told those close to him that he could not in good conscience approve flavored vapes.”

Five From Brent Stafford, Regulator Watch 

RegWatch Briefs | Rick Avila & Willie McKinney | E-Vapor Law Symposium 2026

Recorded on location at Keller and Heckman’s 10th Annual E-Vapor and Tobacco Law Symposium, RegWatch Briefs features short-form conversations with scientists, regulatory experts, and industry leaders discussing nicotine regulation, tobacco harm reduction, PMTAs, behavioral science, age-gating technology, and next-generation products.

RegWatch Briefs | Katie Skaggs | E-Vapor Law Symposium 2026

Recorded on location at Keller and Heckman’s 10th Annual E-Vapor and Tobacco Law Symposium, RegWatch Briefs features short-form conversations with scientists, regulatory experts, and industry leaders discussing nicotine regulation, tobacco harm reduction, PMTAs, behavioral science, age-gating technology, and next-generation products.

RegWatch Briefs | Charlene Liu | E-Vapor Law Symposium 2026

Recorded on location at Keller and Heckman’s 10th Annual E-Vapor and Tobacco Law Symposium, RegWatch Briefs features short-form conversations with scientists, regulatory experts, and industry leaders discussing nicotine regulation, tobacco harm reduction, PMTAs, behavioral science, age-gating technology, and next-generation products.

RegWatch Briefs | Gabriel Barnard | E-Vapor Law Symposium 2026

Recorded on location at Keller and Heckman’s 10th Annual E-Vapor and Tobacco Law Symposium, RegWatch Briefs features short-form conversations with scientists, regulatory experts, and industry leaders discussing nicotine regulation, tobacco harm reduction, PMTAs, behavioral science, age-gating technology, and next-generation products.

RegWatch Briefs | David J. Ettinger | E-Vapor Law Symposium 2026

Recorded on location at Keller and Heckman’s 10th Annual E-Vapor and Tobacco Law Symposium, RegWatch Briefs features short-form conversations with scientists, regulatory experts, and industry leaders discussing nicotine regulation, tobacco harm reduction, PMTAs, behavioral science, age-gating technology, and next-generation products.