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August 29, 2025 by psychologytoday.com

In 2024, a Monitoring the Future report revealed a shift with girls using marijuana more than boys, particularly through vaping. The trend reflects girls preferring vaping over smoking, influenced by attractive packaging and discreet use. Females also have a higher prevalence of vaping nicotine. Concerns arise about possible health risks associated with vaping. Girls' increased marijuana use may relate to biological factors and coping mechanisms for mental health issues. The shift highlights the need for tailored prevention strategies and addressing female-specific perceptions about substance use. Additionally, a recent seizure of illegal e-cigarettes emphasizes the importance of regulating vaping products to prevent underage use.

August 27, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Arielle Selya, a former academic turned consultant, initially aimed to prove the "gateway hypothesis" linking vaping to smoking in youth but ended up disproving it. Facing reluctance from peers, she transitioned to the private sector, critical of academic politics. Selya utilized longitudinal studies and population trends to challenge the hypothesis, noting declines in overall tobacco use despite the rise of vaping. She highlights academic groupthink and institutional funding pressures shaping the anti-vaping narrative. Moving to the industry for research freedom, Selya remains focused on unbiased analysis. She suggests funding dynamics influence research outcomes and advocates for diverse funding sources to shape scientific narratives independently.

August 27, 2025 by protectingtaxpayers.org

As debates on tobacco harm reduction (THR) intensify, smokers seeking safer alternatives face strict regulations that limit access and drive black markets. THR products—such as vapes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco—are less harmful than cigarettes, which cause over 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S., or about one in six deaths.

August 27, 2025 by protectingtaxpayers.org

As debates on tobacco harm reduction (THR) intensify, smokers seeking safer alternatives face strict regulations that limit access and drive black markets. THR products—such as vapes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco—are less harmful than cigarettes, which cause over 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S., or about one in six deaths.

August 25, 2025 by gfn.tv

Sweden’s success with snus and now nicotine pouches proves tobacco harm reduction is a model for helping millions quit smoking. But there’s a secret behind this success. Shot on location at GFN 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, we speak with Anna Franzén and Tomas Hammargren of Emplicure about the big questions surrounding nicotine policy and the realities of recreational use.

August 22, 2025 by stanford.edu

The text warns about the dangers of high nicotine levels in alternative tobacco products for young brains. Trends show most youth start with e-cigarettes, not to quit smoking. Nicotine pouch use is rising, with Zyn being popular among youth. Nicotine impacts young brains differently, making them more vulnerable to addiction. The tobacco industry targets young people, knowing they're more likely to get addicted. Teaching kids to see through industry manipulation is vital. Education, not shaming, is key in tobacco prevention. Parents must be aware and listen to kids using nicotine for stress. Understanding the risks and effects of nicotine is crucial for youth health and prevention efforts.

August 22, 2025 by medscape.com

A study found that low-income adults who used the Smart-T smartphone app for smoking cessation were 1.81 times more likely to quit smoking at 26 weeks than those using the QuitGuide app. Smart-T users accessed quit tips more, used the call counselor feature, and requested nicotine replacement therapy frequently. They also felt more aware of their behaviors and found the intervention useful. The researchers suggest that Smart-T could be a cost-effective tool to help reduce smoking-related health disparities. The study, led by Emily T. Hébert, was published in JAMA Network Open. Limitations included the need for a specific quit date and Smart-T's availability only on Android devices.

August 21, 2025 by filtermag.org

Dr. Paige Lemen, a harm reductionist and Tennessee researcher, was arrested while transporting a drug sample for testing. Suffering from an illness, she failed a sobriety test and faced multiple charges including intent to sell drugs. Police seized her lab equipment, medications, and mocked her during the arrest. Despite paying bail, her community work was hindered by increased police surveillance. The case highlights legal uncertainties around harm reduction practices. Lemen aims to prove her innocence in court but fears the outcome's impact on future drug checking cases. She stresses the importance of understanding and supporting harm reduction efforts.

August 21, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Experts criticized a Daily Mail article labeling vapes as harmful to youth as misleading. The research cited lacks evidence of causation, purposefully excludes benefits, and relies on low-quality data. The umbrella review of reviews on youth vaping connected it to smoking and health issues but didn't prove causation. Claims of vaping leading to smoking were disputed, with smoking rates among youth decreasing as vaping rose. Concerns about asthma effects were uncertain. The EVALI outbreak was linked to illicit THC, not nicotine e-liquids. Experts suggest caution with youth vaping while avoiding broad conclusions about adult harm reduction based on this limited review. Media misrepresentation undermines harm reduction efforts.

August 21, 2025 by substack.com

The text discusses academia's issues with biased research on nicotine/tobacco due to funding pressures and incentives that prioritize grant funding over quality. The system is unsustainable, favoring quantity over quality in publications and research that aligns with funding agency priorities. Pressure to secure NIH grants leads researchers to conform to agency views, hindering unbiased research. The oversaturation of PhDs exacerbates competition for academic positions, perpetuating a cycle of grant dependence. The focus on grant funding also compromises teaching quality and hampers diverse research perspectives. Future posts will explore solutions to address these systemic challenges in academia.