Vapers Digest 13th December
Wednesday’s News at a glance:
Huge potential of tobacco harm reduction for people experiencing homelessness explored in new GSTHR Briefing Paper ~ Tobacco, Nicotine and the Lesser of Two Evils ~ Breaking: European Parliament Reconfirms and Reinforces Support for Harm Reduction ~ Some Questions About The Premier League Snus “Epidemic” ~ Up in Smoke ~ Vapes have ‘real impact’ on declining tobacco excise tax collections ~ Maine panel looks to ensure settlement funds target tobacco use prevention ~ ASA Rules Against Elfbar ~ ACS Warns Against Generational Ban ~ FILTER MAGAZINE’S TOP STORIES OF 2023 | Featuring Will Godfrey ~ STROUD: Good News — As Youth Vaping Collapses More Adults Are Using E-Cigs To Quit Smoking ~ The case for vaping as a least-worst option ~ Proposed policies may not benefit MI’s vaping youth
Tobacco, Nicotine and the Lesser of Two Evils
Humans in Public Health
We all understand the dangers of smoking—but the debate over vapes, nicotine pouches and other tobacco alternatives rages on: Can vaping really save lives? Or are nicotine alternatives a slippery slope: a dangerous gateway to lifelong substance use? Professors Jasjit Ahluwalia and Jennifer Tidey have spent their careers researching and fighting the global scourge of tobacco-related diseases and fatalities. The two public health professionals discuss their takes on a harm reduction and how it applies to the modern nicotine landscape.
Pouch Forum
The European Parliament Plenary vote on the report on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has sent a resounding message in support of harm reduction. The European Parliament’s assertive stance, as reflected in the report, shows a clear expectation that the Commission integrates harm reduction principles into its review of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). This development holds significant implications for the regulatory landscape for nicotine pouches in the European Union, sending a potent signal that aligns with the principles of harm reduction.
Two From Dave Cross, Planet Of The Vapes
ASA Rules Against Elfbar
The Advertising Standards Authority has rapped adverts from the disposables company Elfbar making claims that it is “greener”. Last week the single-use vape company demanded tougher legislation for vape companies yet using the advertising slogan “recycling for a greener future” is the latest in a line of transgressions from Elfbar in the United Kingdom.
ACS Warns Against Generational Ban
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on tobacco and vaping restrictions, highlighting the need for a tighter regulatory framework around the vaping market to prevent youth access and encourage recycling.
FILTER MAGAZINE’S TOP STORIES OF 2023 | Featuring Will Godfrey
Global Forum on Nicotine
Stroud: Good News — As Youth Vaping Collapses More Adults Are Using E-Cigs To Quit Smoking
Lindsey Stroud, Daily Caller
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published the long-awaited results for the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). This annual assessment surveys American middle and high school students on the use of various tobacco and vapor products, from cigars and cigarettes to e-cigarettes and smokeless and other novel tobacco products.
There is phenomenal news – youth vaping is down and youth use of traditional tobacco products is at historic lows. And, the numbers show that adult use of e-cigarettes has increased, meaning that more adults are turning to less harmful tobacco (and non-tobacco) options for their nicotine.
The case for vaping as a least-worst option
Prof Ross Fitzgerald, City News
HUMAN beings have always used psychoactive drugs. Some animals and birds, such as elephants and parrots, occasionally indulge in intoxication.
But what drives people to continue to consume drugs even though they are aware that their drug use is severely harming themselves and often hurting others?
Is it the demand for drugs, or is it the supply – the fact that drugs are available? Clearly demand can create supply, but supply can also create demand.
Proposed policies may not benefit MI’s vaping youth
Graham Jaehnig, The Daily Mining Gazette
A September 4, 2019, statement from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Office announced that on that day, she “took aggressive action to protect Michigan kids from the harmful effects of vaping. These actions include making Michigan the first state in the nation to ban flavored nicotine vaping products.”
Her actions, the release states, were based on her Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun’s finding that youth vaping constitutes a public health emergency. While Khaldun’s finding nor how he arrived at it, were not included in the release, Whitmer ordered the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to issue emergency rules to ban the sale of flavored nicotine vaping products in retail stores and online, and ban misleading marketing of vaping products, including the use of terms like “clean,” “safe,” and “healthy” that perpetuate beliefs that these products are harmless.
On this Day…2022
A look back at how things have moved on or otherwise…
Rethinking nicotine:
Illusions, delusions and some conclusions – Clive Bates
Presentation to the UK E-cigarette Summit on 9 December 2022. Looks at how our approach to nicotine must evolve from a “tobacco harm reduction” to treating nicotine like a socially acceptable recreational stimulant with minimal harm.
American Cancer Society
Which De-Listed Smokeless Tobacco as a Cancer Risk, Now Targets Nicotine Pouches
Brad Rodu, Tobacco Truth
The journal JAMA Network Open last month published a short report by American Cancer Society and University of Georgia researchers who used Nielsen retail scanner point-of-purchase sales data to estimate U.S. sales of four nicotine pouch brands: Zyn, Rogue, On! and Velo.
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