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November 17, 2020 by medicalxpress.com

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have found that people who use e-cigarettes have significantly altered immune responses to influenza viruses, a worrying discovery as flu season approaches and COVID-19 surges across the U.S. "There's been a lot of questions in the field as to whether e-cigarette and cigarette use is beneficial or damaging or problematic in terms of COVID, and we really haven't had a good answer," Meghan Rebuli, an assistant professor in the UNC Department of Pediatrics, said in an interview.

November 17, 2020 by eurekalert.org

A growing body of evidence points to the health risks of using e-cigarettes (or "vaping"). But because e-cigarettes are marketed as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, it has been difficult to tell whether the association between vaping and disease is just a matter of smokers switching to vaping when they start experiencing health issues. [...] the study found that participants who had used e-cigarettes in the past were 21% more likely to develop a respiratory disease, and those who were current e-cigarette users had a 43% increased risk.

November 13, 2020 by alaskapublic.org

The Anchorage Assembly last week passed an ordinance to include vaping and electronic cigarette products under the city’s existing tobacco tax. This means tobacco vaping devices and e-cigarettes, as well as the liquids and cartridges that are used with the devices will be taxed at 55 percent of the wholesale price.

Assemblywoman Suzanne LaFrance and Assemblyman Christopher Constant proposed the ordinance to combat vaping among minors, which has seen a sharp rise in recent years. According to the American Cancer Society, one in four Alaska high school students uses vaping products. 

November 12, 2020 by psychiatrictimes.com

The association between smoking cigarettes and the risk of developing serious and potentially fatal health problems (most notably cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, and cancer), has long been accepted fact. However, an additional health problem that may also be associated with smoking has often been overlooked: pain.

Two recent papers indicate a strong association between smoking and pain.

November 12, 2020 by abc13.com

Support is growing for legal marijuana in Texas, but there are two key differences in what some lawmakers are trying to accomplish.

Voters in four states last week approved legalizing recreational marijuana, which has many wondering if Texas could follow suit.

State Representative Roland Gutierrez out of San Antonio is proposing a bill to legalize marijuana.

He says the industry would create 30,000 new jobs in Texas and bring in more than $3 billion in revenue.

November 11, 2020 by clevelandclinic.org

The relationship between vaping and the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been an ongoing issue receiving a great deal of attention, particularly in teens. And, now, a new study provides more evidence directly linking the virus to vaping and the use of e-cigarettes.

Not only do experts believe vaping and e-cigarette use aids the spread of the virus but also that it hampers the body’s ability to fight the infection as well as recovery.

November 11, 2020 by nebraska.tv

An expanded Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act will go into effect on Nov. 14 which will prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in most indoor workplaces.

According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the act includes office buildings, manufacturing facilities, retail stores, restaurants, bars, etc. It does not include electronic smoking device retail outlets or vape shops from the indoor e-cigarette restriction.

November 09, 2020 by medicalxpress.com

One-third of people using e-cigarettes or related products reported symptoms associated with lung or respiratory tract impact or injury, according to an analysis of a 2016 national survey, to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2020. "Although many people continue to view vaping or using e-cigarettes and related products as safe—or at least safer than smoking combustible cigarettes—the use of these products can be risky," said Thanh-Huyen T. Vu, M.D., Ph.D., senior author of the study [...]

November 04, 2020 by kdrv.com

A measure intended to hike taxes on tobacco products and put taxes in place on vaping products has passed.

Measure 108 increase taxes on tobacco products and "inhalant delivery systems," namely e-cigarettes, and puts the money toward health programs under the Oregon Health Authority umbrella. The measure increases tobacco taxes at the following rates:

Cigarette tax at 16.65 cents per cigarette, which is an increase from $1.33 to $3.33 per 20-pack of cigarettes;
E-cigarettes and other nicotine inhalants at a rate of 65% of the wholesale sales price; [...]

November 02, 2020 by regulatorwatch.com

Whether at work or at school or via the mainstream media, we are awash in a reverence to science. But what if science is being used to advance an ideological agenda and great harm is the result?

Joining us today to discuss this possibility is Dr. Annie Kleykamp an experimental psychologist, medical analyst and evidence-based health advocate. Hear why she believes the COVID-19 pandemic is being cynically used as a golden opportunity to “prove” e-cigarettes damage the lungs and thus destroy the virtues of vaping.