Vapers Digest 27th October

Friday’s News at a glance:

UK Gov Mulls Flavour Bans and Vape Taxes – IBVTA warns of ‘uncertain future’ – Webinar: Creating a smokefree generation – Human rights alert at #COP10 – Save Nicotine Pouches in the UK – ASA Rules Against Vape Companies – Embrace THR To Quit For Good – European Commission Leaked Report – AVA Shuts Up Shop – FDA’s Rejections of Menthol Vapes Could “Backfire,” – The Clear the Air campaign: – A Vaping Inquisition – Vaping Saves Lives – Need for more nuanced messaging – THR Strategies Could Save 320,000 Lives In South Africa – Top 4 Most Laughable Parts – The EU has missed the opportunity – Teens deserve to be heard – Member States Challenge Commission’s Stance –

UK Gov Mulls Flavour Bans and Vape Taxes

James Dunworth – Ashtray Blog

Vaping is under scrutiny again, and that’s partly the result of its own success. Since vaping has become popular in the UK, smoking rates have fallen to the lowest in decades, with regular smoking amongst children now below 1%. (1)

At the same time, vaping, while better than smoking, is not problem free. Many of these problems derive from irresponsible sellers breaking the rules – selling illegal vapes and/or selling them to people under the age of 18. These problems are compounded by the fact that when sellers do break the rules, they usually get away with it.

Now a new UK government consultation aims to gather evidence on vaping – a consultation likely to be followed by new rules. This represents both an opportunity and a threat…

IBVTA warns of ‘uncertain future’

Aidan Fortune

The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) has set out recommendations to tackle key challenges in the vaping sector.

Ahead of its conference, the IBVTA has warned that unless the sector addresses the issues of underage sales, a surge in illicit products and concerns about the environmental impact of single use vapes, it faces an “uncertain future”.

Its five recommendations for the sector are:

Webinar: Creating a smokefree generation

And tackling youth vaping – ASH

This is a recording of a webinar that took place on the 20th of October. It explains the government consultation on creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping. Speakers from various organisations will provide insight into how they have responded or will be repsonding to the announcement and how they are engaging with stakeholders to galvanise support for the consultation.

The event was chaired by Ailsa Rutter, Director of Fresh and Balance. A special thanks to Professor Sir Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer, for giving an overview of the announcement and consultation. A summary of each speaker’s presentation is available here.

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Human rights alert at #COP10

COPWatch

The FCTC Secretariat is working behind the scenes to impose a narrow view on human rights and tobacco within the UN system and amongst countries (the Parties to the Convention).

At a recent progress meeting of the UN Non-Communicable Disease Task Force Lynn Gentile from the UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasised that a ‘Human rights framework is indispensable to how we respond to health challenges such as NCDs and mental health’.

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Save Nicotine Pouches in the UK

Nicotine pouchers – the UK Government wants to hear from you!

On October 6th 2023 the UK Government’s Department for Health and Social Care published a command paper titled “Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation”. This document outlines the government’s proposed actions to stop smoking and address the issue of youth vaping. The proposals look at three main areas; changes to the smoking age, measures to address youth vaping and enforcement of legislation. Importantly, the command paper also draws attention to nicotine pouches, and the proposal suggests exploring potential restrictions on such products.

Four from Dave Cross, Planet of the Vapes:

ASA Rules Against Vape Companies

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled against multiple breaches of the advertising code resulting from vape posts on the TikTok social media site. The offences were the result of several “influencers” and vape companies being reported, and constituted the advertising of disposable vape products – which is banned under the Code.

The first saw a TikTok post from the account @tdvsbackup on 23 May 2023 promoting an e-cigarette shop.

Embrace THR To Quit For Good

Quit For Good, a non-profit organisation promoting harm reduction in the Philippines, wants to see the FDA and WHO focus on helping adult smokers who deserve better alternatives to cigarettes. It lauded the United States’ intensified campaign on preventing the youth from consuming nicotine products but said, “balanced policy will protect the youth and help adult smokers at the same time”.

“The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) should strike a balance between protecting the youth while giving adult smokers access to far less harmful, smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes such as vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches,” said Dr Lorenzo Mata Jr.

European Commission Leaked Report

A leaked report from the European Commission circulated among the Members of the European Parliament with the shocking position of the EU legislators on the future of harm reduction in Europe. It shows that it is proposing to ban nicotine pouches and draws into question the EU’s attitude towards its smoke-free goals, according to the World Vaper’s Alliance.

According to the post on X (formerly Twitter) from MEP Charlie Weimers, “there are two notable writings: praise for how successful the snus ban has been and a recommendation that the EU should extend the snus ban to the tobacco-free white snus (nicotine pouches).”

AVA Shuts Up Shop

The news that the American Vaping Association (AVA) is shutting down its operations is a sign of the times in a turbulent United States. The end to the campaigning group was announced by Director Gregory Conley in a heartfelt statement.

Greg Conley wrote: “I hope this letter finds you well. It is with mixed emotions that I write to you today to announce that the American Vaping Association is shutting down its operations. While it saddens me to see this chapter of our journey come to an end, I am filled with pride and gratitude….”

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FDA’s Rejections of Menthol Vapes…

Could “Backfire,” – Kiran Sidhu

On October 12, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) to R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company for six flavored vaping products: three menthol-flavored and three mixed berry.

To date, the mere 23 vaping products authorized under the FDA’s Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTA) pathway have all been manufactured by big companies with the resources to compile the substantial scientific submissions required—Reynolds included.

HARDLY FREE

US Vape Advocacy in Post “Epidemic” Era | #GFNTVInterviews

While the United States of America is ground zero for the anti-vaping propaganda and misinformation that poisoned worldwide public perception of vaping, it’s also home to a solid and relentless vaping advocacy community pushing back against the anti-vaping hordes. How are they doing? Find out in this episode of #GFNTVInterviews which is powered by Regulator Watch & Global Forum on Nicotine.

A Vaping Inquisition

Peter Pitts

In the United States, there is a vaping inquisition. Welcome to the U.S. where a powerful smoking cessation tool is viewed as a public health hazard by almost every public health authority at the local, state, and federal level.

They’re following their emotions but, when it comes to vaping, shouldn’t we be following the science?

When President Biden was elected, he and his administration proclaimed that science is back, and we all applauded it – especially during Covid.

Vaping Saves Lives.

The Government Shouldn’t Ban It – Colton Duncan

As the war on smoking extends into its sixth decade, it seems like society has reached the (proper) consensus that tobacco is bad.

We’ve all heard of the studies. The ones that suggest that in the 20th century, tobacco use killed at least 100 million people (more than both world wars combined). Or the study that estimated that heavy smoking reduces one’s lifespan by 13 years.

We can all agree this is pretty alarming, right?

Vaping in the USA with Lindsey Stroud

Vaping Unplugged podcast Ep. 27

Hello vape world, and welcome to the vaping unplugged podcast! In this episode, we talk to Lindsey Stroud, Director of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s (TPA) Consumer Center. Lindsey is originally from the United States, where she started her journey as a vaping enthusiast back in 2016 when her job changed her life from a smoker to becoming a successful harm reduction advocate.

The Clear the Air campaign:

Inaccurate and irresponsible fear-mongering – Colin Mendelsohn

THE WEST AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT and Cancer Council WA recently launched the Clear the Air campaign to educate young people about the potential dangers of vaping. In theory this is commendable. In practice, the campaign is fear-based and riddled with misinformation and may do more harm than good.

The campaign fails to mention the quantities of the chemicals present in vapes, a critical detail when evaluating risk.

Using Harm Reduction in Tobacco Control

TobaccoHarmReduction

New study: How many lives could be saved by accelerating tobacco control policies in South Africa, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Bangladesh?

Need for more nuanced messaging

On vaping, smoking

The latest Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) shows that 14.1 percent of youth aged 13 to 15 are current vape users. This is a jump from 11 percent in 2015. This modest increase is enough to worry some health advocates, intensifying calls for greater regulation of vaping products.

It is certainly the case that these kids should not be touching any sort of smoking or vaping paraphernalia. In that regard, more stringent vaping regulations might be warranted. However, things must be put in perspective when reporting about these trends.

Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategies

Could Save 320,000 Lives In South Africa – Joseph Magero

A groundbreaking new research study titled “Integrating harm reduction into tobacco control. How many lives could be saved by accelerating tobacco control policies in Kazakhstan, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh?” reveals a staggering opportunity: adopting Sweden’s tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies could save 2.6 million lives in four developing countries by 2060.

This landmark study launched at an event held by tobaccoharmreduction.net in London yesterday, provides compelling evidence for the integration of harm reduction measures as a cornerstone of comprehensive tobacco control.

Top 4 Most Laughable Parts

Of the WHO’s FCTC Report on Nicotine Pouch Flavours

The World Health Organization (WHO) is always up to something when it comes to meddling with smoking harm reduction. Like any good villain, the UN agency has an interesting origin story and complex motivations. But that’s where the comparisons end unless I missed a Bond movie where the antagonist’s plan was a ban on nicotine pouch flavours.

As the FCTC COP10 approaches in November, more documentation has been released. There are two anonymously written reports: one on disposable vapes, the other on nicotine pouches. You can read them here.

The EU has missed the opportunity

To lead the war on smoking – Michael Landl

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a staggering eight million deaths due to smoking annually. Following the WHO’s lead, the EU has set as one its priorities to fighting smoking and smoking-induced diseases. Yet, despite its stance against cigarettes, the EU’s actions raise serious concerns. A detached approach to harm reduction and an inability to acknowledge glaring failures mark the institution’s current stance on smoking.

In the past few years, the EU has been trying to fight tobacco through the EU Beating Cancer Plan, then by attempts to revise the TPD, and by regulating tobacco tax through the Tax Excise Directive which eventually hasn’t seen the light of day. Yet, every time the EU seems to still be struggling to understand the real enemy.

Teens deserve to be heard:

Why current vaping policies miss the mark

We often encounter alarming headlines about the surge in adolescent vaping. However, the knee-jerk reaction from policymakers tends to gravitate towards more regulations or outright prohibitions for products that are already illegal for minors. This approach is illogical and entirely overlooks its primary subject: teenagers.

A comparative look at two culturally similar countries, Australia and the UK, offers a revealing insight. While Australia is one of the staunchest anti-vaping nations, the UK embraces a more open stance.

Member States Challenge Commission’s

Stance on Tobacco Control

Brussels, [27.10.2023] – Recently, a report by Politico raises alarming concerns over the transparency and inclusivity of the forthcoming COP10 meeting for the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Seven EU member states have expressed significant reservations regarding their diminished roles and the Commission’s deviation from established practices in the face of global treaties.

To achieve the Biden Cancer Moonshot…

E-cigarettes must be widely approved

Recently, Biden administration officials shared a status update on the president’s Cancer Moonshot, one of the most ambitious domestic health policy initiatives in recent memory, inspired by the tragic death of President Joe Biden’s son, Beau, from brain cancer at the age of 46.

One of the key objectives of the Biden Cancer Moonshot – a whole-of-government approach to cut U.S. cancer rates in half by 2050 – is to “prevent more cancers before they start,” including by “reducing tobacco use.”

WHO and governments are accused..

Of protecting and promoting combustible cigarettes

A public health expert at the ongoing Third Edition of The Harm Reduction Exchange 2023 Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, has highlighted a ‘vested interest’ by World Health Organization (WHO) and governments as one of the impediments to interventions aimed at reducing harm from tobacco.

A South African public health activist, Dr. Kgosi Letlape, said contrary to its mandate to protect lives through regulation of health-related policies and guidelines, WHO has teamed up with governments around the world in protecting and promote the consumption of combustible cigarettes.

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On this Day…2022

A look back at how things have moved on or otherwise….

A powerful declaration

Makes a compelling case for tobacco harm reduction

Clive Bates, The Counterfactual

Spain has a vocal and well-funded tobacco control establishment. But the data suggest its traditional approach is failing. 170 national and international experts call for a rethink and make the case that Spain embraces tobacco harm reduction as a real-world public health strategy.

The post provides the text of a letter sent to the public health authorities in Spain and related commentary. To go straight to the letter in PDF format, it’s here: Less Harm: International Declaration for a Smoke-free Spain, in English and en español.

The WHO’s Tobacco Treaty Failure

Is A Woeful Example for Other Global Agreements – Martin Cullip

Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) added its signature to a call for governments to negotiate a legally binding treaty that would phase out fossil fuels, which are framed in the letter as “severe threats to human and planetary health.”

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared that fossil fuels are “environmental vandalism” and “[f]rom the health perspective … an act of self-sabotage.” The letter cited the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) treaty as an example of how a proposed binding obligation on governments might work to reduce the effects of climate change.

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