Stories

Professor Marewa Glover is a distinguished behavioral scientist and public health advocate from New Zealand, celebrated for her pioneering work in tobacco harm reduction. With over 30 years of experience in tobacco control, her research and advocacy have focused on reducing smoking-related harms, particularly among Indigenous populations, including Māori communities, who face disproportionately high smoking rates.

The Biden administration is preparing to reduce nicotine levels in tobacco products, an effort years in the making. This move gives the White House a final opportunity to regulate tobacco, after previously delaying a pledge to ban menthol cigarettes. Although the rule hasn't been made public, it is expected to require tobacco companies to reduce nicotine in cigarettes and other products to make them less addictive. The rule could be published by the FDA as early as Monday, but concerns exist that a future Trump administration could hinder its progress. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people annually, with more than 16 million Americans suffering from smoking-related diseases. Despite many smokers wanting to quit, less than 1 in 10 succeed due to nicotine's addictive nature.

Pakistan has banned Bloomberg-funded NGOs for illegal activities like embezzlement and lack of government approval, risking money laundering violations. India also took action against Bloomberg NGOs. The WHO, funded by Bloomberg, has stayed silent. Meanwhile, the Philippines and India have faced issues with Bloomberg funding breaching laws. These incidents have led to backlash, such as the Philippines receiving a "Dirty Ashtray Award." The WHO's silence raises concerns about its relationship with Bloomberg and the impact on national sovereignty. Calls for the WHO to condemn such activities and uphold respect for national decisions have emerged.

Nicotine pouches, particularly ZYN, have sparked various discussions and concerns, including ties to conservatism and masculinity. Recent Bloomberg News coverage questions if ZYN's online hype could lead to a downfall similar to Juul's. While comparisons to Big Tobacco's unethical marketing are made, the safety claims of ZYN and Juul are upheld as factual. The article also touches on the diminishing awareness of smoking's health risks as focus shifts to vaping and pouches. User-generated content and influencer reviews are scrutinized, with ZYN standing out for not funding positive coverage. Overall, the text reflects on changing perceptions of smoking-related risks and the impact of independent media on product reputation.

Dr. Melissa Little led a study on nicotine pouch use among U.S. soldiers, revealing that soldiers are ten times more likely to use these products than average American adults, posing serious health risks. Researchers from UVA Cancer Center and UNC Lineberger analyzed responses from 1,957 soldiers, finding 23.8% use nicotine pouches within 30 days. Usage increased from 20.2% in 2022 to 24.7% in 2023. Users, mostly younger males, face health risks including cardiovascular issues and cancer promotion. The study aims to develop interventions for soldiers transitioning to civilian life to reduce nicotine and tobacco consumption.

According to recent Eurobarometer data, one in four EU citizens smokes, with the highest rates found in eastern and southeastern Europe. Bulgaria leads with 37% smokers, followed by Greece (36%), Croatia (35%), and Romania (34%). Cyprus ranks seventh at 29%, while Sweden reports the lowest rate (8%), followed by the Netherlands (11%) and Denmark (14%). The survey highlights a gender gap in tobacco use, with 28% of men and 21% of women smoking. Over half of EU citizens (56%) have never smoked. Young men facing financial difficulties, particularly those aged 25-39 (32%), are the most likely to smoke.

Enforcement of the e-cigarette ban in Taiwan has been inadequate since the law was amended in 2023. Only a small percentage of cases resulted in fines, with 1,247 fines issued out of 500,000 cases. These fines were for selling e-cigarettes, heated tobacco devices, and illegal use, indicating a lack of proper enforcement. The presence of "zombie vapes" with anesthetic drugs like etomidate poses further risks to public health. Legislative Yuan is calling for increased inspections and public awareness to prevent the negative impacts of e-cigarettes. The Executive Yuan is collaborating across ministries to strengthen control measures and crack down on e-cigarette-related illegal activities.