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August 15, 2024 by businesspostbd.com

Dr. Altamash Mahmood co-authored the 'Lives Saved' report on Tobacco Harm Reduction in Bangladesh, estimating over 900,000 lives saved in the country and 2.5 million across four nations. The study emphasizes integrating THR strategies into tobacco control for significant benefits. Challenges in Bangladesh include regulation, misinformation, and industry conflicts. Learning from global examples is crucial for effective implementation. India's e-cigarette ban resulted in an illegal market, showing the importance of stakeholder engagement in policy-making. Engaging experts and communities is vital for culturally appropriate and practical policies to save lives from tobacco-related illnesses.

August 13, 2024 by manilatimes.net

The Philippine Smoke-Free Movement urges lawmakers to reconsider the Vape Regulation Law after a vape-related death. A 22-year-old athlete died from e-cigarette use, highlighting the risks of vaping. Concerns include the rise of youth vaping addiction and the failure to protect young people’s health. Advocates call for a review of Republic Act 11900 to reinstate an age restriction of 21 for e-cigarette sales and use.

August 05, 2024 by thejakartapost.com

The government has just ramped up its measures to curb tobacco use with the issuance of a new regulation that places stricter controls on tobacco sales and distribution. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report published earlier this year, the country ranks among the world’s largest cigarette markets and has a high prevalence of young smokers, with a staggering 35.4 percent of adult tobacco users, or more than 70 million Indonesians.

July 31, 2024 by businesstimes.com.sg

Indonesia increased the minimum age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21 to reduce smoking rates, with 70 million adult smokers in a country that produces tobacco. The regulation also bans single cigarette sales and advertising, with penalties for violations. Sales near schools and on social media are restricted, effective immediately. A significant percentage of smokers in Indonesia are aged 10 to 18. While some anti-smoking advocates see the regulations as insufficient, others believe stricter enforcement is necessary. The tobacco industry expressed concerns about the impact on their business. Indonesia has been raising tobacco product excise rates annually to deter smoking.

July 31, 2024 by organiser.org

Health and child rights experts raised concern over the promotion of e-cigarettes and vapes as a safe alternative to smoking and healthier alternatives to traditional tobacco products. They warned that these products are also being used as a gateway to traditional tobacco use. They cautioned that this misleading narrative is a strategic attempt by the industry to target and trap the young population, particularly those aged 10 to 19 years.

July 31, 2024 by aa.com.tr

Indonesia on Wednesday banned the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 21, as well as cigarette advertisements on websites, apps, and social media platforms, local media said. The minimum age has been raised from 18 to 21, and the sale of individual tobacco products has been prohibited, except for cigars and electronic cigarettes, the Jakarta Globe reported. The new regulations signed by President Joko Widodo also require tobacco packaging to contain at least 20 cigarettes and limit sliced tobacco packaging to a maximum of 50 grams, as cigarette packs currently vary in content, including 12, 16, and 20 cigarettes, the daily added.

July 31, 2024 by aa.com.tr

Indonesia on Wednesday banned the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 21, as well as cigarette advertisements on websites, apps, and social media platforms, local media said. The minimum age has been raised from 18 to 21, and the sale of individual tobacco products has been prohibited, except for cigars and electronic cigarettes, the Jakarta Globe reported. The new regulations signed by President Joko Widodo also require tobacco packaging to contain at least 20 cigarettes and limit sliced tobacco packaging to a maximum of 50 grams, as cigarette packs currently vary in content, including 12, 16, and 20 cigarettes, the daily added.

July 29, 2024 by indiatimes.com

Health experts caution against the misleading promotion of e-cigarettes and vapes as safe alternatives to traditional tobacco, warning of their addictive nature, especially among young people. India's ban on these products has potentially saved 24 million youth from addiction. The tobacco industry's tactics targeting youth with false health claims are condemned. Strict regulations are seen as crucial to protecting the population. The WHO supports India's ban on e-cigarettes, emphasizing the importance of countering industry tactics and prioritizing public health over revenue concerns.

July 25, 2024 by thecable.ng

In the early 2000s, Sweden had and adopted the concepts and ideals behind Tobacco Harm Reduction when it introduced Snus, a smokeless tobacco product that has since become a national phenomenon. Snus is placed under the upper lip and does not require smoking. Its popularity in Sweden has contributed to a significant public health triumph. Today, over 20% of Swedish men (…)

July 25, 2024 by independent.co.uk

Thailand will regulate cannabis for medicinal use instead of re-listing the plant as a narcotic, the deputy prime minister said on Tuesday, in the government's U-turn on its previous policy. Prime minister Srettha Thavisin had vowed to make cannabis illegal by the end of 2024, just two years after Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana.