Read articles from Global

October 31, 2025 by fm104.ie

A new tax on vaping products will double prices, with a 50 cent increase per milliliter of e-liquid on disposable and reusable vapes starting tomorrow. The tax aims to reduce vaping rates, especially among youth. Retailers anticipate prices to rise significantly, possibly doubling current costs. The government plans to implement further regulations, including banning single-use vapes and enforcing stricter rules on flavors and packaging. These measures aim to deter underage vaping and address environmental issues related to disposable devices. Some customers may consider quitting vaping or switch back to smoking due to the expected price hike.

October 30, 2025 by medicalxpress.com

UC San Francisco research shows that people who smoke both tobacco and cannabis are more likely to reduce cigarette consumption when prices increase. Cigarette price hikes have traditionally led to decreased smoking rates, but little was known about dual users. Cannabis users were found to be more sensitive to cigarette costs, with a 2x higher likelihood of cutting back compared to tobacco-only smokers. This study highlights the effectiveness of raising cigarette prices in reducing smoking, particularly among dual users. State pricing data aligns with lower smoking rates in areas with higher prices. Further research is needed to understand if dual users may substitute cannabis for tobacco as prices rise.

October 29, 2025 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

A survey by nicotine pouch company Alternix found that British vapers generally spend more time on their habit than smokers. About 20% of vapers spend 20–39 minutes a day vaping, with 13% vaping over an hour daily, compared to 14% and 8% of smokers, respectively. On average, vaping accounts for around 5% of working hours, roughly 2 hours per week. Men tend to vape more than women.

October 29, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Recent years have seen sensational claims about vaping dangers in studies later retracted for flaws. One study alleging a cancer link was pulled due to concerns over methodology. Another claiming vaping caused heart attacks failed due to timing issues. A study on liver disease linked to vaping faced critique for not considering key factors. The damage of misinformation lingers, with retractions often overlooked after headlines spread globally. The impact of flawed research online can distort public understanding, illustrating the need for careful scrutiny of vaping studies.

October 29, 2025 by reuters.com

British American Tobacco has suspended its pilot project to introduce an unlicensed disposable vape in the U.S., as the Food and Drug Administration intensifies its efforts to crack down on unregulated products and accelerate the approval process for licences. The previously unreported reversal by BAT (BATS.L) highlights the complex challenges major tobacco companies face in trying to compete with a surge of unregulated products—mostly from China—that have eroded profits in the $22 billion U.S. market for smoking alternatives.

October 28, 2025 by medicalxpress.com

A University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher reviewed oral nicotine pouches as a smoking cessation aid, finding reduced exposure to harmful substances but unclear quitting benefits. Cochrane's investigation aims to gather more data on the product's efficacy. Despite not being FDA-approved, oral nicotine pouches like Zyn offer potential health benefits over risks, shifting users away from smoking. These pouches, not involving tobacco leaf, differ from snus, promoting harm reduction. While nicotine products aid in smoking cessation, starting nicotine use is discouraged due to addiction risks. Detailed regulation and ongoing research could prove oral nicotine pouches as a viable alternative for smokers.

October 28, 2025 by healio.com

Active cigarette smoking in COPD patients was found to significantly increase pneumonia rates, as shown in a study presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Data from the study did not show the same association for active e-cigarette or cigar smoking. The research involved 777 adults with COPD, indicating that active cigarette smoking led to a higher risk of pneumonia over a 12-month period. Other factors like age, sex, and comorbidities were also considered. Importantly, smoking cessation efforts may be crucial in reducing pneumonia risk for individuals with COPD.

October 28, 2025 by filtermag.org

Resistance to flavor bans, taxes, and restrictions on nicotine use stems from harm reduction advocates' belief in personal freedom and distrust in tobacco control's motives. Many have successfully quit smoking by switching to safer alternatives, yet face stigma and exclusion. Misinformation and stigma harm those relying on harm reduction products, leading to social and personal consequences. Advocates fight for sensible regulation, truth, and the shared goal of saving lives. Inclusion of their voices in policy discussions is crucial. The fight is not against public health but for it, seeking to safeguard access to harm reduction products and prioritize individual choices for a smoke-free future.

October 27, 2025 by gfn.tv

Public health’s war on nicotine has spiraled into hysteria—untethered from science and reason. In this hard-hitting GFN Interviews, addiction specialist Dr. Garrett McGovern exposes how ideology, fear, and institutional ego are driving the misinformation crisis around vaping and safer nicotine products—and why it’s time to bring smoking harms back to the center of the debate.

October 27, 2025 by cphpost.dk

A study by Analyse & Tal for netstof.dk found 1,341 profiles on Snapchat, TikTok, and Reddit selling illegal nicotine products and drugs such as cannabis and cocaine. This sale is accompanied by effective communication strategies, with young people encountering attractive ads and profiles selling puff bars and drugs. Snapchat claims to monitor and remove such accounts, while Reddit and TikTok have not responded.