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March 26, 2025 by regulatorwatch.com

Nicotine doesn’t cause cancer—yet safer nicotine products like vapes and pouches remain under relentless attack. This, despite the role these products play in driving smoking rates to historic lows across the Western world. Why is the war on smoking turning into a war on nicotine? In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Foulds, Professor of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry at Penn State University, joins us to unpack the contradictions at the heart of public health’s approach to nicotine.

March 25, 2025 by gfn.tv

Are vaping studies destined to fail? Research on e-cigarette health effects often includes former smokers—skewing results and misleading the public. Dr. Arielle Selya explores why flawed study designs, academic incentives, and NIH funding pressures shape the science on vaping and tobacco harm reduction.

March 25, 2025 by biomedcentral.com

This commentary analyzes Australia’s increasingly strict nicotine regulations, likening them to a de facto War on Nicotine. While traditional tobacco control measures have successfully reduced smoking rates, recent policies—such as higher tobacco taxes and a vape ban—have unintentionally fueled a growing black market. This has led to increased criminal activity, systemic violence, and health risks from unregulated nicotine products. The paper argues that Australia’s current approach may be causing more harm than good, similar to the unintended effects of drug prohibition. It advocates for a shift toward harm reduction, tax reforms, and improved access to safer nicotine alternatives for a more effective policy.

March 24, 2025 by filtermag.org

The World Health Organization commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the global health treaty with 182 member countries. Despite high ambitions, the FCTC has not significantly reduced smoking rates worldwide. The WHO's focus on nicotine, rather than harm reduction, has hindered progress, leading to secrecy in decision-making and the exclusion of alternative voices. The treaty rejects innovative harm reduction strategies like non-combustible nicotine products, despite evidence of their benefits. The WHO's anti-vaping stance, based on outdated views, has deprived millions of smokers of safer alternatives. A modernized approach, embracing harm reduction, is needed for effective global tobacco control.

March 21, 2025 by thecritic.co.uk

Smoking rates are increasing in some parts of England for the first time in nearly two decades, prompting calls for more investment in tobacco control. Higher tobacco taxes have led to a thriving black market, making smoking more affordable. Public misconception about vaping's harm versus smoking's poses a challenge. The looming tobacco and vape regulations may drive a resurgence in smoking, particularly among younger generations. The appeal of the forbidden fruit and influencers glamorizing smoking could play a role. The government's upcoming restrictions on vaping could further fuel this trend, potentially reversing anti-smoking efforts.

March 19, 2025 by news-medical.net

UCLA-led research suggests electronic cigarettes may pose lower cardiovascular risks for those living with HIV compared to tobacco cigarettes. People with HIV smoke at higher rates, facing tobacco-related health disparities. Conducted with a novel laboratory model, the study found e-cigarettes are less likely to cause atherogenesis, a key factor in artery blockages. Dr. Middlekauff recommends switching to e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy; tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable cardiovascular death in the U.S. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. This data could help reduce heart attack risks for people living with HIV.

March 19, 2025 by news-medical.net

UCLA-led research suggests electronic cigarettes may pose lower cardiovascular risks for those living with HIV compared to tobacco cigarettes. People with HIV smoke at higher rates, facing tobacco-related health disparities. Conducted with a novel laboratory model, the study found e-cigarettes are less likely to cause atherogenesis, a key factor in artery blockages. Dr. Middlekauff recommends switching to e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy; tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable cardiovascular death in the U.S. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. This data could help reduce heart attack risks for people living with HIV.

March 19, 2025 by theconversation.com

Nicotine pouches, a tobacco-free alternative to smoking and vaping, have gained popularity for their convenience and various flavors. Marketed as a "healthy" nicotine option, they lack strict regulation like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Despite claims of being less addictive, pouches can still contain high nicotine levels and other chemicals. Concerns include oral health effects and potential long-term risks, especially for young users. While NRT undergoes rigorous testing and is regulated, nicotine pouches are not subjected to the same scrutiny. The UK plans to regulate pouch sales to those aged 18 and above, addressing worries about youth targeting. Opting for regulated NRTs may be safer for smokers seeking to quit.

March 18, 2025 by filtermag.org

A recent study found pre-existing brain structure differences are linked to early substance use in youth. The research suggests a common liability to nicotine use may drive experimentation with tobacco products. Policy implications are noted, as vape restrictions could impact youth smoking rates. The study, published in JAMA, analyzed brain features of 9-11-year-olds to predict substance initiation. Although brain variances were connected to early substance use, other factors like genetics and environment also play a role. The study's lead author highlighted the importance of ongoing research to fully understand the impact of substance use on brain development.

March 18, 2025 by sciencefocus.com

A study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research suggests flavorings in nicotine pouches influence addiction. Sales of these pouches surged in the US, with Zyn selling 385 million units in 2024. Rats showed a preference for sweetened and flavored nicotine solutions, with males favoring cinnamaldehyde flavor. Flavors impact male consumption more than females, who are more sensitive to sweetness. Menthol increased consumption in males. While only in rats, the study has implications for human behavior, hinting at potential regulatory measures. Research shows the importance of regulating flavors and sweeteners in oral nicotine products, along with investigating other influencing factors like nicotine sources. Dr. Deniz Bagdas at Yale led the study.