Read articles from Asia

September 25, 2024 by republicworld.com

Three large Chinese vape companies are researching nicotine-like chemicals they think could serve as a substitute for nicotine in products like vapes, company officials said, but the health implications may still need "years" of investigation. One such chemical, 6-methyl nicotine, is made in a lab, has a similar chemical structure to nicotine and is already used in some vapes in the United States. But regulators and researchers have warned it may be more potent and addictive than nicotine itself.

September 24, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com

An Indonesian health official suggests raising cigarette taxes to reduce consumption due to their affordability and availability. Indonesia has a high smoking rate with nearly 38% of its 270 million inhabitants smoking, ranking 13th globally in consumption. Cigarettes cause 8 million deaths annually, with 7 million from active smoking and 1.2 million from passive smoking. This proposal aims to curb health issues related to smoking.

September 18, 2024 by pna.gov.ph

MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently released the updated floor price of vape, cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, noting that sellers are prohibited from selling these products below the floor price. The updated floor price was contained in the BIR's Revenue Regulation (RR) 16-2024 issued on Sept. 16. "We are warning all e-marketplaces, online sellers, retail sellers, suppliers and distributors that are selling vape, cigarettes, and heated tobacco products below the floor price. This is a criminal violation penalized by imprisonment of the seller," BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.

September 11, 2024 by tribune.com.pk

Deputy Commissioner Haripur has banned e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products in the district under Section 144 for 90 days starting September 6, 2024. Restrictions include banning their use in public transport and spaces, prohibiting promotion through media, selling to individuals under 21, and storage within 100 meters of certain places. Meanwhile, the Sindh government has also imposed a ban on items used for drug consumption in Karachi, with penalties under Section 188 PPC. The Senate Standing Committee approved the Cannabis Authority Bill after a four-year delay, facing disagreements over clauses during the meeting.

September 09, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu

A new report suggests that better access to vapes and nicotine alternatives could save around 880,000 lives in Malaysia and Uzbekistan by 2060. Despite heavy regulations, smoking rates are projected to increase in both countries. The World Health Organisation predicts a rise in smoking-related deaths. Implementing tobacco harm reduction strategies, including promoting safer alternatives, could drastically reduce these numbers. Successful examples from countries like Sweden and Japan highlight the effectiveness of such measures. The report urges Malaysian and Uzbek governments to prioritize harm reduction strategies to curb smoking rates and save lives.

September 03, 2024 by inquirer.net

A South Korean study supports heated tobacco products (HTPs) as a tool for smokers to quit, reducing harmful chemicals without increasing smoking initiation. The innovation delivers nicotine without combustion, eliminating toxic smoke. Researchers found no gateway effect to smoking with HTPs, highlighting a potential harm reduction tool for adult smokers. Smoke-free products like HTPs have played a role in transitioning nearly a million former smokers in the Philippines. The study also noted trends in user demographics and market growth in Korea, suggesting public health benefits from HTP adoption. Policymakers can use these findings to shape tobacco regulations and taxation.

August 30, 2024 by smokefreesweden.org

Adoption of tobacco harm reduction (THR) measures, including greater access to nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes, would help to save 416,000 lives in Malaysia, according to major new research. The WHO projects that smoking prevalence in Malaysia will increase, from 29.7% in 2020 to 30% in 2025, and 18,000 lives will be lost annually by 2060.

August 23, 2024 by inquirer.net

A widening divide among public health policymakers is preventing millions of smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives, according to tobacco harm reduction (THR) advocates. Dr. Marewa Glover, a leading public health researcher from New Zealand, said a “culture war” between prohibitionist groups and THR advocates who promote less harmful options is hindering progress in public health efforts to combat smoking.

August 21, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates has already expressed its significant concerns regarding the recently proposed Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, aimed at addressing youth vaping, introduces stringent measures that the harm reduction organisation believes will inadvertently harm adult vapers and smokers seeking to quit smoking.

August 19, 2024 by scoop.co.nz

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has expressed significant concerns regarding the recently proposed Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, aimed at addressing youth vaping, introduces stringent measures that CAPHRA believes will inadvertently harm adult vapers and smokers seeking to quit smoking.