Vapers Digest 1st May

Wednesday’s News at a glance:

The Zyn Debate Clouds A More Sinister Public Health Problem In The U.S. ~ More expensive e-liquid and cigarettes but cheaper snus – new taxes in 2025 ~ expert reaction to observational study of lead and uranium levels in urine of teen vapers ~ FDA, U.S. Marshals Seize Vapes Worth $700,000 in Warehouse Raid ~ Gov. DeSantis signs bill to restrict single-use vapes with carve-out for e-liquids ~ White Paper Clarifies the Vaping Landscape ~ ‘Quit Like Sweden’ Launched ~ UKVIA Responds to Hospital Admission Coverage ~ A guide on responding to the government consultation on its vape tax proposals ~ What Are The Similarities Of Nicotine With Caffeine And Dependence vs Addiction? ~ Debunking Anti-Vaping Claims in the Senate Inquiry ~ TACKLING VAPING MYTHS IN AUSTRALIA | Colin Mendelsohn brings THR to Australian lawmakers! ~ New Zealand | Vaping Unplugged Podcast with Marewa Glover Ep. 51 ~ April 2024 Jaqueline Avila

Cliff Douglas, Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

Earlier this year, an op-ed published in the New York Times triggered a conversation among U.S. federal lawmakers about nicotine pouches, and whether an increase in their use is a threat to public health. Some were quick to argue that the pouches’ growing popularity – particularly on social media feeds – represents a danger to minors. Since then, a class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Southern Florida against Zyn’s makers, Philip Morris International, accusing the company of marketing to teens. And earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent out a flurry of warning letters to retailers it found to be selling pouches to individuals under 21.

More expensive e-liquid and cigarettes but cheaper snus – new taxes in 2025

expert reaction to observational study of lead and uranium levels in urine of teen vapers

Prof Kevin McConway, Prof Lion Shahab, Science Media Centre

Prof Kevin McConway: “There are so many sources of uncertainty about what’s going on here, and how the study’s findings can be interpreted, that I don’t think it can yet raise real health concerns. I’m certainly not saying that it’s a good thing for adolescents to vape – the risk of addiction to nicotine is a strong reason to discourage vaping in people who aren’t yet addicted…

Prof Lion Shahab: “This study confirms previous work using the same dataset that e-cigarette users are exposed to some heavy metals, showing an increase in lead (though not cadmium) in the urine of US adolescents who exclusively used e-cigarettes intermittently (6 to 19 days in the last month) or frequently (20+ days) compared with those using e-cigarettes occasionally (1 to 5 days).

FDA, U.S. Marshals Seize Vapes Worth $700,000 in Warehouse Raid

The U.S. Marshals Service, acting on behalf of the FDA and Department of Justice, has seized more than 45,000 “unauthorized e-cigarettes” from a warehouse in Alhambra, California. The FDA estimates the seized products are worth about $703,000.

Although the FDA has teamed up with the Department of Justice (DOJ) before, this marks the first time the DOJ has employed the Marshals Service to aid in seizing vaping (or tobacco) products, according to an FDA press release. It’s unclear why armed law enforcement officers were necessary to seize vaping products.

Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics

Three from Dave Cross, Planet Of The Vapes

White Paper Clarifies the Vaping Landscape

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates |(CAPHRA) says that a new white paper, “Understanding Disposable and Rechargeable Vape Products”, clarifies the vaping landscape. It has been released in response to growing concerns about youth vaping and environmental impact. CAPHRA says the paper provides a clear distinction between disposable and rechargeable vaping devices, addressing key issues and offering insights into effective regulation.

‘Quit Like Sweden’ Launched

International health experts have rallied behind a major new global effort to replicate Sweden’s success at eradicating smoking by embracing a comprehensive approach that could prevent many millions of premature deaths worldwide. Quit Like Sweden (QLS), launched at a conference in Brasilia featuring medical professionals, politicians and policymakers, will motivate and support countries worldwide to emulate the triumph of Sweden, which is set to become the first nation to attain official ‘smoke-free’ status later this year.

UKVIA Responds to Hospital Admission Coverage

The UK Vaping Industry Association has responded to recent media coverage about hospital admissions related to vaping amongst children. Print media raged as it railed against tobacco harm reduction products with a level of indignation that was almost completely absent from its coverage of child mental health provision collapse. Despite having been asked to moderate its coverage of vape stories by Action on Smoking and Health, the media continues to see vaping as bad news and a way of driving website clicks.

What Are The Similarities Of Nicotine With Caffeine And Dependence vs Addiction?

TobaccoHarmReduction

As the EU elections loom, delve into the crucial data shaping public health policies across Europe. Join us for a revealing webinar on smoking death rates in EU countries, pivotal for informed decision-making in the upcoming elections between June 6th and 9th. Our panel features esteemed experts: Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, a leading Cardiologist from Greece, renowned for his insights into tobacco-related health issues. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with groundbreaking research and shape the future of public health in Europe.

Click to visit Danish Vapers Association

Debunking Anti-Vaping Claims in the Senate Inquiry

Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, Tobacco Treatment

Currently most vapes are sold illegally on social media and at retail outlets. Recycling is not an option for these illegal sales.

An industry-funded recycling plan could be introduced under government stewardship if vapes are legalised as adult consumer products sold from licensed retail outlets. This would include mandatory recycling at point-of-sale, incentives for consumers, public education and collection by approved recycling companies.

TACKLING VAPING MYTHS IN AUSTRALIA | Colin Mendelsohn brings THR to Australian lawmakers!

Global Forum on Nicotine

Colin Mendelsohn, a veteran Australian tobacco harm reduction advocate, recently had the opportunity to educate lawmakers about the science underpinning vaping, the moral panic surrounding nicotine and the consequences of Australia’s prohibitionist stance on vaping. In this episode we have collected a series of powerful points that Colin made in his discussion with lawmakers.

New Zealand | Vaping Unplugged Podcast with Marewa Glover Ep. 51

Vape TV / World Vapers’ Alliance

Welcome to Vaping Unplugged! In this episode, we’re honored to host Marewa Glover, a true luminary in the vaping sphere. Marewa’s background speaks volumes: Renowned expert in the field, her insights are invaluable. Holding key roles at prestigious institutions like the University of Auckland and Massey University. Founder of the Centre for Research Excellence: Indigenous Sovereignty and Smoking (COREISS), demonstrating her dedication to addressing critical issues.

April 2024 Jaqueline Avila

University Of Oxford Podcasts

Jamie Hartmann-Boyce and Nicola Lindson discuss emerging evidence in e-cigarette research interview Jaqueline Avila.

Associate Professor Jamie Hartmann-Boyce and Associate Professor Nicola Lindson discuss the new evidence in e-cigarette research and interview Professor Jaqueline Avila from the Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA. Professor Avila describes their pilot study to assesses the harm-reduction potential of e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches among people who smoke with low socioeconomic status.

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