Read articles from Europe

March 07, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

The GFN24 conference will be held online and live in Warsaw from 13-15 June 2024, focusing on 'Economics, Health, and Tobacco Harm Reduction'. Featuring expert discussions on nicotine products, GFN24 will also include ScienceLab contributions and frozen registration fees. GFN•TV reports current news in tobacco harm reduction. Consumer involvement is emphasized, with a consumer meeting on 12th June and representation throughout the event. The GFN prioritizes inclusive dialogue on safer nicotine products, inviting stakeholders to join the conversation. Ticket prices for consumers are accessible and unchanged since 2023 to encourage participation.

March 06, 2024 by ft.com

The chief executive of British American Tobacco has endorsed the UK’s plans for a vaping tax, claiming the cigarette maker has learned to “love regulation”. Asked if he endorsed a vaping duty, BAT chief executive Tadeu Marroco told the Financial Times: “I think that could be a good idea, I think that we need more regulation”. “A lot of people confuse that we are an industry that hates regulation, that’s exactly the opposite: we love regulation,” he added.

March 06, 2024 by theconversation.com

The proportion of young vapers in Great Britain has increased to 20.5%. Vapes appeal to youth with enticing flavors and packaging. Misguided perceptions of vaping being safe persist. The government is taking steps to reduce youth vaping, including banning disposable vapes and regulating packaging and flavors. Public awareness campaigns are suggested to counter social approval of vaping. Peer pressure and desire for social acceptance drive teens to vape. Influencers and media portrayals play key roles. Stronger regulation of social media content, education on online information evaluation, and higher vape prices are proposed solutions.

March 06, 2024 by filtermag.org

In England, recent data show a decline in adults who correctly perceive vaping as less harmful than smoking, with only 27% aware in 2023 compared to 44% in 2014. This lack of understanding may deter smokers from switching to vaping for harm reduction. Factors contributing to this shift include misinformation, media influence, and recent policies aimed at reducing youth vaping. While the UK has supported harm reduction messaging for vaping, concerns over youth use have led to proposed bans, flavor restrictions, and a potential vape tax. Amidst these changes, public perception of vaping's benefits compared to smoking mirrors challenges seen in the US.

March 05, 2024 by londonlovesbusiness.com

The UK government, led by PM Rishi Sunak, plans to raise taxes on vaping and cigarettes, causing concern among consumers. The World Vapers’ Alliance criticizes the move, warning it could harm smokers' health and worsen inequalities. Evidence shows smoking rates are higher among lower-income groups. Proposed bans on vaping products may encourage black market activities. The Alliance calls for a balanced approach focusing on public health and helping smokers switch to safer alternatives.

March 04, 2024 by filtermag.org

A study by the University of Catania found that switching from cigarettes to harm reduction options results in whiter teeth, impacting oral health and aesthetics positively. This research offers compelling evidence supporting the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products over smoking for overall dental well-being. The study suggests that emphasizing the aesthetic benefits of quitting smoking, such as a brighter smile, could motivate individuals, particularly the youth, to switch to less harmful alternatives. Dentists play a crucial role in promoting smoking cessation and harm reduction, highlighting the potential for improved oral health and aesthetics through tobacco alternatives.

March 01, 2024 by polskieradio.pl

At a recent conference on "Smoking and Vaping Among Schoolchildren," Dariusz Poznański, director of the Polish Health Ministry's Department of Public Health, disclosed plans for a law targeting disposable electronic cigarettes, alongside efforts to implement the EU's June 29, 2022 directive aimed at novel tobacco products. The upcoming legislation seeks to eliminate characteristic flavors in novel heated tobacco products, adhering strictly to EU guidelines.

February 29, 2024 by standard.co.uk

More than half of smokers in England wrongly believe that vaping is more or as harmful as smoking, according to a major study. Researchers at University College London surveyed 28,393 smokers in England between 2014 and 2023. They found that public perceptions of vapes had worsened considerably over the past decade, with an increase in the perceived harm of e-cigarettes since 2021.

February 29, 2024 by miragenews.com

A study by UCL researchers reveals many English smokers mistakenly view vaping as harmful as smoking, possibly due to miscommunication. Public perceptions of e-cigarettes have worsened since 2021, despite their lower health risks compared to smoking. The decline may discourage smokers from switching to e-cigarettes for harm reduction. Young people's increased vaping adds to concerns, with misperceptions potentially leading to smoking initiation. The study calls for better communication on the benefits of e-cigarettes for smokers.

February 29, 2024 by independent.co.uk

Smokers' misconceptions about vapes being more harmful than cigarettes may deter quit attempts, as a UK survey shows a significant increase in this belief since 2014. Despite evidence showing e-cigarettes can aid quitting, many now view them as equally harmful. Concerns have risen following vaping-related lung disease cases. Experts emphasize the importance of correcting these misperceptions to enable informed decisions on nicotine products. Lack of awareness about smoking's dangers among youth is also highlighted. Efforts to educate the public on the relative risks of vaping versus smoking are crucial for public health.