Nicotine Science and Policy

A new report shows a majority of Australians do not believe the government’s ban on vape products is working. According to the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, 75 per cent of people don’t think the ban is keeping vapes away from children. Organised crime figures are importing an estimated $1 billion of illegal vapes into Australia each year. The figures also show that around eight in ten people believe vapes should be taxed and regulated the same as tobacco. In March earlier this year, the importation of all reusable vapes, regardless of whether it had nicotine, were banned, excluding therapeutic ones supplied by pharmacies.

International health experts criticize Canada's plan to increase e-cigarette taxes by 12% starting July 2024, opposing Sweden's risk-proportionate tax strategy. Sweden's low smoking rate of 5% is attributed to affordable alternatives like e-cigarettes, contrasting with Canada's 12% smoking rate. Smoke Free Sweden advocates for less harmful alternatives, warning that high e-cigarette taxes will drive smokers back to cigarettes, leading to premature deaths. The organization urges Canada to follow Sweden's lead in promoting tobacco harm reduction. Sweden's success in becoming nearly smoke-free sets an example for other countries to prioritize accessible alternatives.

In today's episode GFN Interviews host Brent Stafford swapped his usual interviewer's seat to join Joanna Junak to discuss all things #GFN24, the current global backlash to tobacco harm reduction from tobacco control proponents, and what he's learned since beginning to cover the world of tobacco harm reduction with Regulator Watch.

Everyone loves a good deal, and at #GFN24 we’re no different! Luckily the Marriott Hotel Warsaw, our wonderful host for the duration of #GFN24, is offering all #GFN24 attendees discounted accommodation during this year’s conference! This discount is valid for all dates from 10/06 to 17/06 2024, so book your discounted room today to make your trip to Warsaw that bit better - hurry though, you only have until Friday 10 May 2023 to take advantage of this discount rate! And if you haven’t yet booked your spot at #GFN24, you can find more details and register your place in Warsaw here.

Earlier this year, Medscape, which describes itself as “the leading online global destination for physicians and healthcare professionals worldwide,” invited me to participate in a series of short continuing medical education (CME) programs on tobacco harm reduction (THR). Medscape clearly disclosed that the series was sponsored by Philip Morris International, but the programs were firewalled; faculty were not in contact with or influenced by the sponsor. Topics included, among others, an examination of nicotine, and the differential risks of combusted versus smoke-free tobacco/nicotine products.

Health bodies in Australia support new vaping legislation by the Albanese Government to combat underage vaping and curb Big Tobacco influence. The legislation aims to restrict non-therapeutic vape products and make therapeutic vapes available only with a prescription. Concerns arise from high youth vaping rates and the gateway effect to smoking. Health professionals emphasize the risks of nicotine addiction and stress the need for controlled access to vapes through medical supervision. The government and health practitioners are intensifying efforts to help people quit smoking and vaping, focusing on personalized support and guidance. The united front against vaping targets safeguarding public health, particularly among young Australians.

A study by Oregon Health & Science University emphasizes the higher risks of using cannabis and nicotine together during pregnancy, leading to adverse newborn outcomes like preterm delivery and infant mortality. The research stresses the importance of improved counseling to address these risks. Infants exposed to both substances face a fourfold increase in mortality compared to non-users. Health providers should discuss the dangers of combined cannabis and nicotine use with pregnant individuals for better outcomes. Ongoing efforts include prenatal interventions like vitamin C supplementation to mitigate respiratory issues in children of smokers. This study aims to educate pregnant individuals on the risks and promote healthier pregnancies.