Read articles from Asia

February 22, 2024 by mb.com.ph

“I’d rather have one thousand Dirty Ashtrays (award) than one coffin to contain the whole tobacco industry, including the farmers and stakeholders who are depending on the tobacco industry in our country,” Marcoleta said during his February 19 privilege speech. “While the state is conscious and responsible in maintaining the health of its citizens, it should also do so mindful of the general welfare of the people, especially the stakeholders of the tobacco industry. Our two laws advocate for balanced policies,” he said. 

February 20, 2024 by indianexpress.com

The WHO urges Southeast Asian countries to combat high tobacco and e-cigarette use for public health. Despite a decline, the region still has a significant number of tobacco users, putting populations at risk of diseases. Efforts are needed to regulate e-cigarettes, especially among youth. Countries like Thailand observe a rise in e-cigarette use, with some nations banning them. Progress has been made in reducing tobacco use, with future goals set.

February 20, 2024 by who.int

The World Health Organization urges intensified efforts in South-East Asia Region to control high tobacco and e-cigarette use, which remains a major health risk. Despite a decline in tobacco use, the region still has the highest tobacco consumption globally. Measures are essential to combat e-cigarettes, especially among youth. Countries like Thailand report a rise in e-cigarette use, with co-use of traditional cigarettes. WHO supports policies to deter tobacco and e-cigarette industry interference and protect the health of over 2 billion people in the region. Progress has been made, with several countries banning or regulating e-cigarettes and reducing tobacco use, aiming to meet NCD targets by 2025.

February 16, 2024 by filtermag.org

Australia's stringent anti-vaping stance has resulted in a thriving illicit market for vaping products, echoing the failures of drug bans in the past. Over 90% of Australia's 1.7 million adult vapers have turned to the illicit market due to harsh restrictions that require a nicotine prescription to vape legally. The illicit market in Australia is estimated to import 120 million unregulated vapes from China annually, with products sold openly without consumer protections. The profitability of illegal vapes has led to an intensifying turf war among organized trafficking networks, resulting in acts of violence and exploitation of marginalized recruits.

February 12, 2024 by 24shareupdates.com

International anti-smoking advocates have defended the Philippines against criticisms for its endorsement of state policies aimed at ending smoking in the country. The Philippines recently received a "Dirty Ashtray" award from the Global Alliance on Tobacco Control (GATC) for its support of tobacco harm reduction at a conference convened by the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Advocates argue that attacking the country for promoting life-saving alternatives to lethal cigarettes is authoritarian and moralistic.

February 09, 2024 by dailysabah.com

Dr. Şule Akçay, president of the Turkish Respiratory Research Association, highlighted the dangers of tobacco use on World No Tobacco Day. She emphasized that smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancers and that one in every two tobacco users experiences health problems. Smoking is linked to various diseases including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Akçay also warned about the increased prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and reproductive system complications among smokers.

February 05, 2024 by thesun.my

Cambodia’s Ministry of Health warned on Sunday that e-cigarettes, shisha and heated tobacco products (HTPs) have caused serious effects on users’ health, urging people, especially youth, not to try these products. “The Ministry of Health is very concerned that most e-cigarettes, shisha and HTPs are beautifully designed, attractive to young people to try,“ the ministry said in a statement. “In fact, e-cigarettes, shisha and HTPs have really caused hazards to health and society,“ it said.

January 31, 2024 by gfn.tv

Indonesia's recent changes to e-cigarette taxation, which now place e-cigarettes in the same category as combustible tobacco products, have caused uproar amongst retailers and consumers. Garindra Kartasasmita joins us to explain these latest developments, and why the government is dead-set on denying vaping science.

January 30, 2024 by nation.com.pk

PESHAWAR - Public Health Stakeholders of Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa on Monday called for unanimous and aggressive efforts to permanently ban the use and sale of e-cigarettes and vapes in the province for the best interest of public health and sustainable tobacco control. Blue Veins, a civil society organ­isation, conducted a public health stakeholder consultation to delib­erate on the interim ban by the KP government on vapes and e-ciga­rettes.

January 19, 2024 by gfn.tv

A vaping literacy problem may lie at the heart of India's hardline approach to vaping. Could improved tobacco harm reduction education amongst medical professionals and policy makers help shift India away from the WHO's prohibitionist anti-vaping stance? Samrat Chowdhery joins us to discuss this and more!