Read articles from Europe

May 14, 2024 by rte.ie

Ireland's Cabinet approved banning tobacco sales to under 21s, aiming to lower smoking rates and prevent health issues. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly aims for fast-tracking the legislation, differentiating from the UK due to EU regulations. Vapes excluded due to health advice as a quitting aid. Retail workers aged 18-21 can still sell tobacco. Ireland sets to reduce adult smoking from 18% to under 5%, following prior workplace smoking bans. The law won't affect current 18-20-year-olds. Smoking contributes to various diseases and high mortality rates, prompting the move for a healthier population.

May 13, 2024 by irishexaminer.com

Vaping's rapid rise among youth is causing concern over long-term health effects. New research reveals hazards in e-liquids, especially fruity and sweet flavors youth prefer. Legislation banning vape sales to under-18s and restricting marketing is crucial. Several countries have already implemented bans or restrictions. Urgent action is needed to regulate vaping to protect young people's health and the environment. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland supports strong regulations to address the growing vaping trend among youth. As vaping becomes increasingly popular, swift and robust legislation is essential to mitigate potential health risks associated with long-term vape use, particularly among young individuals.

May 13, 2024 by worldvapersalliance.com

Sweden is a global leader in tobacco harm reduction, with a smoking rate of only 5.6% due to embracing safer nicotine alternatives like snus and vapes. In contrast, the U.S. focuses on abstinence, leading to high smoking rates and health burdens. By following Sweden's approach, the U.S. can improve public health and reduce tobacco-related diseases significantly. Policymakers should consider harm reduction strategies to create a healthier future.

May 13, 2024 by daily-pouch.com

Sunak's government risks collapse in the upcoming election due by January 2025, facing challenges like a recent MP defection to Labour and close polling with Reform. Despite past successes in tobacco harm reduction (THR), Chancellor Hunt's 143% tax increase on vaping products contradicts the government's quit-smoking initiatives. Experts criticize the tax as harmful and driven by revenue motives, potentially pushing vapers back to smoking. This misstep highlights the government's lack of coherent policymaking and alienates voters, especially the five million UK vapers affected by the tax. The ill-conceived move exposes the administration's incompetence and threatens its electoral prospects.

May 10, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com

Polish tobacco companies face rising costs and regulations but see relief with declining illicit markets. However, challenges persist as the EU's policies could impact Poland's tobacco industry competitiveness. Lukasz Szymanski, a market player, highlights the sector's struggles due to increases in operating costs. To stay afloat, businesses are exploring new markets like the Middle East. Concerns arise over the potential impact of the World Health Organization's Panama summit on the industry's future, with fears of increased unemployment. There is a call for protection against international interference to safeguard Polish tobacco businesses.

May 09, 2024 by rte.ie

Professor O'Shea from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland warns that vaping exposes users to toxic compounds, leading to future cancers and cardiovascular issues. New research shows flavored vapes contain harmful chemicals, with fruit and candy flavors being particularly risky. Restrictions on flavors are urged, especially for the youth. Heating vape liquids creates numerous potentially hazardous compounds. Differences in vape devices make it challenging to assess risks accurately. Vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking according to the HSE. Research using artificial intelligence highlights dangers in vaping. Long-term exposure to vapes may result in severe health consequences in the future, with specific attention needed for young non-smokers.

May 09, 2024 by filtermag.org

Health officials in the UK recommend providing nicotine patches to children dependent on vaping for smoking cessation, emphasizing support over punishment. Public Health Wales calls for discreet use of nicotine replacement therapies in schools, highlighting the growing issue of adolescent nicotine dependency. The controversy surrounds whether NRT should be offered to youth given the contrasting views on vaping's role in harm reduction and smoking prevention. Experts differ on the effectiveness of NRT for young vapers, with concerns raised about potential unintended consequences of widespread adoption. The call for NRT usage among adolescents challenges traditional tobacco control approaches, signaling a shift towards harm reduction strategies.

May 06, 2024 by birminghammail.co.uk

Spain approved a new anti-smoking plan focusing on more smoke-free areas, higher cigarette prices, and stricter vaping regulations. The plan aims to increase cigarette prices, expand smoke-free zones, and tighten vaping rules to align with tobacco products. The Ministry of Health plans to ban single-use vapes and increase fines for littering, while also introducing plain packaging for tobacco and e-cigarettes. The laws will reform smoking regulations with some changes expected to take effect by the end of the year. The plan does not ban smoking on terraces, campuses, or beaches yet, but it lays the groundwork for potential future restrictions.

May 06, 2024 by ecigintelligence.com

EU MEP Radka Maxová predicts a shift towards harm reduction policies in tobacco control within the European Parliament. She highlights potential influences from newly elected members and the need for nuanced regulation of novel tobacco products. Despite conservative positions dominating the EU Commission's tobacco policy proposal, there's growing awareness of harm-reduction benefits. Maxová emphasizes the importance of evidence-based harm reduction strategies and the need to differentiate between harmful and safer tobacco alternatives. Diverse opinions among MEPs and member states pose challenges to revising EU tobacco directives.

May 06, 2024 by clivebates.com

New UK policies and legislation on smoking and vaping have been widely hailed as groundbreaking and game-changing. That is wrong. Closer examination shows they are likely to do more harm than good - a misfire and a backfire.