Vapers Digest 27th November
Monday’s News at a glance:
Scotland’s Possible Vape Ban – Vape Green Surveys Vapers – Public to be consulted about future laws on vaping – Experts Fault WHO’s Approach To Tobacco Control – Fiona’s story. How I quit smoking for good with vaping – Aussie vapers speak out about the ban – Smokers’ lives at risk when they’re denied alternatives – Tobacco firm calls for tougher rules on vapes – Formerly Philip Morris-backed foundation severs ties – Call for Distinction Between Electronic Systems and Tobacco Products
Two from Dave Crosss, Planet of the Vapes:
Scotland’s Possible Vape Ban
The Daily Mail reports that Scotland is giving serious consideration to implementing a rolling ban on vapes as well as tobacco for children aged 14 and under – described as concerning by consumer organisation the World Vapers’ Alliance. The move replicates the UK Government’s proposals but adds ecigs into the mix.
Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, expressed serious reservations about this move: “While the intention to curb smoking is commendable, it’s concerning that the Scottish Government is considering extending this ban to vaping. It’s important to remember that it’s already illegal for teenagers to buy vapes….”
Vape Green Surveys Vapers
Vape retailer Vape Green has asked vapers about their habits and how they feel about the UK government restricting vaping. The results of the Vape Green UK Vapers Survey 2023 are now in and make for impressive reading, painting “a picture of UK vapers’ demographics and preferences”.
Vape Green says: “We ran a survey asking our customers about their vaping experience and previous smoking habits, including which devices and nicotine strengths they use and what helped them quit smoking. And for those who vape but still smoke, we investigated how vaping affects their smoking habits.”
Public to be consulted about future laws
Mairead Maguire
A PUBLIC CONSULTATION has been launched to help determine future regulation of tobacco and nicotine products such as vapes.
Among the changes being considered are increasing prices of the products and placing further restrictions on advertising. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he is “deeply concerned” about the rise in popularity of vaping among young people, in particular.
“We have already taken strong action and will have legislation in place by the end of this year, which will ban the sale of e-cigarettes to children and require a licence to sell them,” he said.
Did I mention that @WHO is now as dangerous as the tobacco industry ever was… but amplified with an enhanced abuse of trust. This is a *disgraceful* presentation of vaping science and public health impact. https://t.co/cKzbqLUMtK
— Clive Bates (@Clive_Bates) November 25, 2023
Experts Fault WHO’s Approach
Leadership News
Experts have tasked the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure its approach to tobacco control is driven by data that are science-based, adopts reason and respect for humanism.
Speaking at a webinar on “Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Challenges and Prospects for WHO”, panelists who are experts in diverse fields, advocated a change in health policy that will favour smokers using evidence-based approaches.
The panelists comprised of Riccardo Polosa a professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Catania and founder of CoEHAR
How I quit smoking for good with vaping
Fiona’s story – Colin Mendelsohn
Fiona Patten started smoking at the age of 12. She tried to quit repeatedly but failed and failed again. Five years ago, she tried a small pod vape and was amazed to find she could finally quit effortlessly. She has not had a cigarette since and has noticed dramatic health improvement.
Fiona was a member of the Victorian Parliament for 8 years. She is now a passionate advocate for vaping and is Chairperson of ASACA, the Australian Smokefree Alternatives Consumer Association, dedicated to helping Australian smokers to switch to safer nicotine alternatives.
Aussie vapers speak out about the ban
Colin Mendelsohn
AUSSIE VAPERS ARE ANGRY, ANXIOUS AND FEARFUL about Mark Butler’s proposed vaping crackdown. Many are genuinely terrified of returning to smoking and very few are willing to comply with the new laws.
Vapers feel that Mark Butler is not listening. He hears one side of the story from his advisers and is ignoring their needs and concerns.
Here are their concerns about the prescription model, based on hundreds of messages I have received over the last few weeks.
Smokers’ lives at risk …
When they’re denied alternatives to cigarettes – Nick Powell
When dogma replaces science in public health policy, people pay with their lives. That was the stark warning from experts who took part in an online discussion hosted by the Italian cultural and political journal Formiche. There are more than a billion cigarette smokers in the world and if they don’t stop, half of them will die as a result. So it’s vitally important to adopt the most effective methods to get them to give up, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.
Smoke-free nicotine products, such as vapes are 90% safer than smoking cigarettes and have proved highly effective at helping smokers to give up a habit that is likely to kill them. Nicotine is addictive but it’s the smoke that kills. Yet the only nicotine product the World Health Organisation is not currently trying to ban outright is cigarettes.
Call for Distinction Between….
Electronic Systems and Tobacco Products to Assist Smokers to Quit Smoking
The residents of Greater West Rand District Municipality have called for different regulations governing electronic delivery systems as they are of the view that similar regulation to those of tobacco products are unhelpful and deprive smokers the less harmful alternative they could use to quit.
The residents shared this view with the Portfolio Committee on Health when it conducted the second of three public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill at the Westonoria Banquet Hall yesterday.
Tobacco firm calls for tougher rules
Ben King – BBC News
The London-based tobacco company BAT has called for “more stringent” regulations on vaping, including a licensing regime similar to alcohol and cigarettes.
It also wants a ban on flavours which “uniquely” target children.
The government is already considering new regulations amid concerns that many young people are vaping. It has promised legislation following a public consultation that is currently underway.
Formerly Philip Morris-backed foundation
Severs ties with nicotine industry
A research foundation originally set up by Philip Morris International (PMI) (PM.N) will no longer accept any funding from the nicotine industry as it seeks to win credibility with tobacco control advocates, its CEO said.
The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World was set up in 2017 with support from PMI, which pledged to provide tens of millions of dollars every year for 12 years to keep it running.
PMI provided a final grant of $122.5 million in September, equivalent to around three and a half years of funding based on the amount it pledged to the foundation annually between 2022 and 2029.
On this Day…2022
A look back at how things have moved on or otherwise…
The NNA welcomes calls for …
Proportionate regulation of nicotine pouches
Last month, the BBC reported that health campaigners had called on the government to close a “loophole” in how nicotine pouches are regulated to prevent under 18s from being able to buy them legally. The report referenced Action on Smoking and Health spokesperson Hazel Cheeseman asking the government “to ban free samples and sales to under-18s, introduce limits on strength and to restrict marketing of the pouches.”
Although the lack of an age limit for pouch sales is not technically a loophole, it is merely that one has not been set as pouches have been regulated under General Product Safety Regulations and do not have their own regulatory framework, the NNA welcomes some of the proposals publicised by the BBC.
Brussels to propose rise in cigarette taxes
And first EU-wide vaping levy – FT
The EU is to propose a bloc-wide vaping levy as part of a shake-up of taxation on the tobacco industry that would also double excise duties in member states with low cigarette taxes, according to a draft European Commission document.
The changes to legislation, part of a push by Brussels to cut smoking rates, will increase the EU’s minimum excise duty on cigarettes from €1.80 to €3.60 per pack of 20, which would raise prices in eastern European nations where packs can sell for under €3.
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