Stories

VPZ, the UK’s largest specialist vape retailer dedicated to harm reduction and responsible vaping, has urged MPs returning from their Christmas recess holidays to prioritise the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as one of their first priorities of the New Year. As a start, it says it wants the politicians to confirm a date for its Report Stage as soon as possible.

Tobacco contributes to 8,000 deaths annually in Wisconsin. Around 20% of Wisconsinites use tobacco, with Truth Initiative offering support for those aiming to quit in 2026. "You Got This Day" on Jan. 9 promotes quitting resources, including the research-driven EX Program in partnership with the Mayo Clinic. Vaping, prevalent among youth, is as harmful as smoking. Only 3-5% succeed in quitting cold turkey, but using the EX Program can increase success rates by 40%. Two-thirds of 18-24-year-olds who smoke or vape plan to quit this year. The EX Program offers a free, anonymous digital quitting program.

Schools are struggling with vaping issues, feeling isolated in the battle against student addiction. Teachers report installing vape detectors, deploying extra staff, and altering school grounds to curb vaping. Some students have ended up in hospitals due to spiked vapes. Schools face financial strain and disrupted learning environments. Efforts to tackle vaping include educating students and seeking government support. The World Health Organisation warns of a youth vaping epidemic, with children being nine times more likely to vape than adults. Schools advocate for clearer guidance, parental support, and stricter measures to address the problem. Legislators are urged to act swiftly to prevent long-term consequences of youth vaping.

Cervical cancer kills one woman every two minutes worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for prevention. Despite efforts like the WHO's focus on vaccination, screening, and treatment, limitations exist including the HPV vaccine not covering all cancer-causing strains. Smoking doubles the risk for cervical cancer as tobacco-related compounds harm cervical cells and immune function. Secondhand smoke exposure is also linked to the disease. Urgent action on tobacco smoke prevention is crucial in cancer prevention strategies. Emphasizing smoke exposure reduction alongside vaccination and screening can save more lives. It's essential to educate on risk reduction options, especially for those who choose to use nicotine.

A recent study in Liver Research by Chinese researchers reveals that nicotinic acid, a form of vitamin B3, effectively reduces liver damage from hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. This type of injury is common in liver surgery and transplants, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. Nicotinic acid's protective effects surpass N-acetylcysteine by targeting damaged mitochondria, as shown in experiments on mice and hepatocytes. The treatment not only reduces liver injury markers and inflammation but also enhances mitochondrial quality by promoting mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. With its safety, affordability, and availability, nicotinic acid shows promise for improving outcomes in liver surgery, prompting upcoming human trials.

Health Secretary's office recognized nicotine pouches as lower-risk than cigarettes and advocates a 20mg cap to protect adults. They highlight pouches as separate from tobacco in regulation, aiming to avoid unintended consequences like increased smoking rates. The government commits to evidence-based and proportionate policies, consulting on regulations for flavors, ingredients, and display. Efforts include research on vaping and nicotine products, with plans for consultations and engagement with industry. Government acknowledges nicotine pouches as harm reduction tools but warns against youth use due to addiction risks. Focus is on protecting adults' rights while supporting smokers in quitting, ultimately aiming for stricter enforcement and age limits.

In 2026, Africa faces a critical decision on tobacco harm reduction policies. Despite strengthening tobacco control measures, smoking remains dominant. African governments must choose to enable safer alternatives or regulate all nicotine equally. The tension between traditional control and harm reduction approaches is growing. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia face key decisions on regulating novel nicotine products. Risk-proportionate regulation could lead to decreased smoking rates and healthcare costs. The continent's public health narrative now focuses on accelerating harm reduction alongside tobacco control efforts to combat smoking effectively.