Vapers Digest 26th February
Monday’s News at a glance:
Zombie Vapes Warning – A Missed Opportunity at COP10 – Expert Reaction to smoking/vaping and suicide attempts – The Black Supermarket – Groundbreaking Global Initiative – CAPHRA Calls Out Who/FCTC’s Disregard – The Wall Street Journal Talks ZYN and Nicotine Pouches – Close to Home: A county ban on e-cigarettes could backfire – Tobacco harm control – Vaping Frontlines: Vape Shops – Smoking And Vaping – What are the key differences?
Two from Dave Cross, Planet of the Vapes:
Zombie Vapes Warning
Five children from Eltham in south-east London were hospitalised after using vape devices containing a synthetic cannabinoid called ‘Spice’. These devices are commonly known as ‘Zombie Vapes’ due to the effect they have on users. Warnings have been issued by public health bodies and now parents are receiving an alert in an email from their child’s school.
In October 2023, Cleveland Police seized dozens of vapes which had been confiscated from students by a school in Middlesbrough. Testing showed that a number of them contained Spice.
A Missed Opportunity at COP10
Following the conclusion of the 10th Conference of the Parties on Tobacco Control (FCTC COP10), leading global health experts have expressed disappointment over the WHO’s refusal to acknowledge sensible tobacco harm reduction measures. The Smoke Free Sweden movement says that by continuing to conflate traditional cigarettes with less harmful alternatives, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, the WHO risks side-lining effective tobacco harm reduction strategies that have been instrumental in places like Sweden, which has a smoking prevalence of just 5.6 percent.
Smoke Free Sweden says: “In the face of ongoing pressure against the use of alternatives to alleviate smoking rates, COP10 delegations from several Caribbean states, as well as New Zealand and the Philippines, highlighted the importance of sensible tobacco harm reduction measures when it comes to bringing down cigarette use, as well as tobacco related disease and death. Moreover, the COP10’s neglect of adult smokers seeking safer paths could put the lives of millions of people at risk.”
Expert Reaction to…
Smoking/vaping and suicide attempts among children
Dr John Robins, Research Associate with the Nicotine Research Group at King’s College London, said:
“The study sets out to fill an important knowledge gap, i.e. ‘whether associations between smoking and suicidal behaviours, consistently observed among adolescents and adults who use combustible cigarettes, also manifest among preadolescent children, an increasing number of whom are exposed to emerging tobacco products’.
“However, the study does not seem to distinguish between smoked combustible cigarettes and other forms of nicotine/tobacco products.
No existe duda de que fumar perjudica gravemente nuestra salud ¿Pero entonces por qué se quieren limitar las opciones para que los fumadores lo dejen? 🧐@javierpadillab necesitamos herramientas viables, efectivas y de riesgo reducido como el vapeo https://t.co/Ryo5ebz5qg
— ANESVAP (@anesvap) February 26, 2024
The Black Supermarket
Carson Turner, Julia Englebert, and Narintohn Luangrath
Although smuggling is associated primarily with narcotics, each year, large volumes of unauthorized consumer goods are smuggled into the United States as well. In the face of high domestic demand, regulators are struggling to keep unauthorized goods out of the U.S. economy.
For example, disposable, flavored e-cigarettes are extremely popular. Between 2020 and 2022, their market share doubled to account for 52 percent of all vaping sales. During that same period, the number of e-cigarette products available to U.S. consumers nearly tripled to more than 9,000.
Yet most of those products are illegal. In 2022, the U.S. Congress expanded the FDA’s authority to enforce a ban on flavored e-cigarettes, which regulators argue attract underaged consumers.
Groundbreaking Global Initiative
To Investigate Oral Health Impacts of Combustion-Free Nicotine Delivery Alternatives: the SMILE Study – CoEHAR
Although the negative effects of cigarette smoking on oral health and tooth discoloration are well-known, there is only limited data about the impact of combustion-free nicotine alternatives like e-cigs and heated tobacco products. In particular, there are no long-term studies assessing the impact on oral health and teeth appearance when substituting conventional cigarettes for these combustion-free nicotine delivery alternatives.
The study was specifically designed to address these research questions. In particular, this study tests the hypothesis that avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke toxins may translate into measurable amelioration in gingival response, dental plaque build-up, enamel discoloration…
CAPHRA Calls Out Who/FCTC’s Disregard
For Tobacco Harm Reduction And Transparency – CAPHRA
In a striking critique of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) today voices profound concern over the organizations’ apparent disregard for the human rights of adults who smoke, and those who use safer nicotine products but also showing disdain for those member states who support “Tobacco Harm Reduction” and have included it in their policies to eliminate combustible tobacco use by accusing them of being influenced by industry.
“This disregard and disrespect not only undermine the potential for life-saving innovations but also raises serious questions about the WHO/FCTC’s adherence to the United Nations Charter on Human Rights,” said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA.
Vaping Frontlines: Vape Shops
CASAA
This is the first episode of a new mini series, “Vaping Frontlines,” where CASAA speaks with vapers who have become THR advocates, and have personally dealt with the impact of anti-THR regulation and legislation on their lives and/or business.
In this episode, CASAA CEO Alex Clark and CASAA Member Coordinator Kristin Noll-Marsh discuss the impact on vape shops and their customers with special guest Marc Slis. As a vaper and vape shop owner in Michigan, Marc has made it his mission to bring tobacco harm reduction to his community and speak out to lawmakers.
Smoking And Vaping –
What are the key differences? | Mind of the Matter
King’s College London
In this video Dr Debbie Robson, Senior Lecturer in Tobacco Harm Reduction, Nicotine Research Group, King’s College London explains some of the key differences between smoking and vaping and how these can impact your health.
The Wall Street Journal Talks ZYN
And Nicotine Pouches – Joseph Hart
In late January this year, analysts at investment bank TD Cowans suggested that nicotine pouches are rapidly eating into the market share of combustible and electronic cigarettes. Their revenue rise of 12% and ZYN’s continued growth in the US market has piqued investor’s interest. However, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal shows that nicotine pouches are more than just a financial news story.
The Wall Street Journal piece does an excellent job of explaining the potential that nicotine pouches have to help smokers quit. They take a straightforward, research-based approach to the matter and quote the FDA in saying that nicotine does not cause cancer.
County ban on e-cigarettes could backfire
Tony Gill
In recent years, the debate surrounding e-cigarettes has intensified. Advocates for vapes argue for their harm reduction potential. At the same time, opponents emphasize their threat to public health, particularly among the younger population. Amid this contention, proposals for outright bans have surfaced in various regions, with concerns ranging from health implications to an increase in illicit markets.
A proposed Sonoma County ordinance would significantly increase the price of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, prevent retailers from transferring their tobacco retail licenses to new owners and ban the sales of e-cigarettes countywide.
Tobacco harm control
Arshad Ali Syed
As in the rest of the world, approaches to effective tobacco control have faltered in Pakistan. Currently tobacco control efforts are at a standstill. Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates 8.5 million tobacco-related deaths annually. These tobacco-related deaths are projected to increase to 10 million every year before registering a decrease.
In Pakistan, the number of tobacco users is on the rise. It is now estimated at 31 million. Over half of them, 17 million, are smokers.
In Pakistan, the disease burden related to tobacco use is significant. It includes heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, stroke and tuberculosis.
On this Day…2023
A look back at how things have moved on or otherwise…
Two from Dave Cross, Planet of the Vapes:
EU Subcontracts Tobacco Control
The European Union has announced that it is subcontracting key responsibilities for tobacco control to unelected bodies, warns the European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (ETHRA). ETHRA operates to coordinate the actions of pan-European consumer groups and advocacy organisations. The body cautions that this sounds “alarm bells over accountability and potential conflicts of interest”.
EU officials previously put the Single Framework Contract for Support Actions in the Field of Tobacco Control out to tender. They recently announced that the process had been completed and three contractors have been appointed:
Whitty Questions Juice Flavours
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, has questioned whether e-liquid flavours and colours encourage non-smokers to vape. He made the statement during a question-and-answer session with the Health and Social Care Committee at the Houses of Parliament last week, prompting a slew of negative media coverage.
Dr Caroline Johnson was responsible for the 10-Minute Bill to ban disposables and was supported by some of the committee members.
Dr Johnson asked Professor Whitty: “I want to ask about vaping. You talked about tobacco smoking. We know that we want to stop people smoking tobacco because it is bad for them and makes them die younger from all sorts of different diseases.
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