Vapers Digest 4th June

Wednesday’s News at a glance:

Disposables Ban Slammed by Experts ~ Vape Club Warns of Dangers ~ Bans Are Not The Answer ~ WHO’s Flavour Ban Will Fuel Smoking and Black Markets ~ To the American Medical Association: What Smokers Wish Doctors Knew About E-Cigarettes ~ Short and Sweet ~ Mexico’s crackdown on safer nicotine alternatives is costing thousands of lives, says global report ~ Texas Lawmakers Ignore the Evidence on Vaping and Tobacco Use ~ A pragmatic path to ending smoking in Europe ~ THAI THR ADVOCATES FIGHT BACK AGAINST VAPE BAN

Three from Dave Cross, Planet of the Vapes

Disposables Ban Sla mmed by Experts

Great Britain’s disposable vape ban is an inadequate solution to youth vaping with the potential unintended consequences, according to experts in tobacco harm reduction. The warning from researchers at University College London and King’s College London came early this year – and has been echoed by tobacco harm reduction experts following the ban on single use products on Sunday.

Vape Club Warns of Dangers

Findings from the UK’s leading ecig retailer Vape Club show there’s a danger of an increased risk of potentially dangerous illegal products entering the country, as 1 in 2 UK vapers say they have bought a suspected illegal vaping product prior to the disposable vape ban taking hold.

Bans Are Not The Answer

Bans are not the answer, says the UK Vaping Industry Association, as the trade body warns of a black-market boost and smoking surge following the disposable vape ban. As of Sunday 1^st June, all single-use disposable vape products are now banned from import or sale in England, Scotland and Wales.

WHO’s Flavour Ban Will Fuel Smoking and Black Markets

World Vapers’ Alliance

The World Health Organization’s latest push to ban flavours in vaping, nicotine pouches, and other nicotine products is a reckless attack on harm reduction and adult smokers’ right to quit. The WHO’s claims that flavours target youth and make quitting harder are simply not supported by evidence. In reality, flavours are a vital tool for millions of adult smokers looking to quit and stay smoke-free.

To the American Medical Association: What Smokers Wish Doctors Knew About E-Cigarettes

Dr. Brad Rodu, Tobacco Truth

Medical organizations continue to flood the media with false claims about e-cigarettes. Subsequent to the AMA president’s January screed (here), the organization released a lengthy scare piece, extracted below with my comments in red.

Short and Sweet

Skip Murray, Skip’s Corner – Let’s Talk!

I’m dealing with a depressive episode. It happens. I have help, support, and tools. I know this will pass. Meanwhile, I love creating the newsletters and feel guilty for not getting one out on time. Therefore, this edition will have fewer entries than some of the others. But that’s a good thing for busy people! It won’t take as long to read.

Mexico’s crackdown on safer nicotine alternatives is costing thousands of lives, says global report

Ali Anderson, Clearing The Air

Mexico’s hardline approach to safer nicotine products is fueling a smoking crisis that claims 65,000 lives every year, according to a major new international report.

The groundbreaking study, conducted by global health experts, highlights a sharp contrast between two nations. While Sweden has nearly eliminated smoking through harm reduction strategies, Mexico’s strict prohibitionist stance has allowed smoking rates to surge.

Texas Lawmakers Ignore the Evidence on Vaping and Tobacco Use

Lindsey Stroud, Tobacco Harm Reduction 101

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2023 results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a biennial survey conducted in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The YRBS monitors a range of behaviors and attitudes among high school students, including dietary habits, physical activity, mental health, and substance use.

There is encouraging news for policymakers concerned about tobacco and vapor product use: traditional tobacco use is at historic lows, and youth vaping has declined significantly since its 2019 peak. Additionally, the use of other age-restricted or illicit substances, including alcohol and marijuana, is also decreasing.

A pragmatic path to ending smoking in Europe

Colin Stevens, EU Reporter

Europe stands at a critical crossroads in the battle against smoking. A landmark report from the European Policy Innovation Council (EPIC) makes a powerful case for rethinking traditional tobacco control policies. Instead of pursuing an prohibitionist path, the report urges the European Union to embrace innovation and pragmatic harm reduction strategies to save millions of lives, while preserving economic vitality.

Published in early 2025, EPIC’s ‘The End of Smoking? How Europe Can Save Millions of Lives while Boosting Economic Growth ‘ findings align with a growing chorus of experts and institutions advocating for science-based, consumer-friendly approaches to nicotine use.

THAI THR ADVOCATES FIGHT BACK AGAINST VAPE BAN

Global Forum on Nicotine

For 11 years Thailand has enforced a strict prohibition of vapes, with the resulting crackdown allegedly pushing vapers towards the black market. But advocates have created a strong community opposed to this ban, emphasising the right of people who smoke to quit using safer nicotine products. To examine the intricacies of Thailand’s vape ban, we’re joined today by Asa Saligupta, a leading Thai vaping advocate.

On this day…2023

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

Changing Gear

Clive Bates, Tobacco Reporter

In the unlikely event that I am appointed CEO of a large tobacco firm, this is what I would do to accelerate the transformation of the business.

More FDA Disposable Enforcement:

Hyde and Puff Bar Sellers Targeted – Jim McDonald

Today the FDA issued warning letters to multiple retailers and importers of Puff Bar and Hyde disposable vapes. Both brands were among those listed as favorites by middle and high school students in last year’s National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Visit Nicotine Science & Policy for more News from around the World