Stories

Global smoking rates are decreasing, but e-cigarettes are causing a rise in nicotine addiction, says the World Health Organization. While smokers have reduced from 1.38 billion (2000) to 1.2 billion (2024), one in five adults still use tobacco. Over 100 million people are vaping globally, with 15 million being children aged 13 to 15. Children are nine times more likely to vape than adults in countries with data available. WHO urges countries to intensify tobacco control efforts to combat the increasing e-cigarette use targeting youth. Women show a larger decline in tobacco use compared to men, emphasizing the need for stronger tobacco control policies.

The Caribbean is being targeted by groups like the World Vapers’ Alliance and Smoke Free Sweden as part of an industry push to weaken tobacco control ahead of the WHO FCTC COP11 meeting. Recent articles and campaigns in Barbados and Trinidad promote industry narratives disguised as “harm reduction,” claiming e-cigarettes and similar products are safer alternatives. In reality, these products are addictive, heavily marketed to youth, and linked to higher risks of cigarette smoking, with unclear long-term health effects.

Nicotine, a stimulant found in tobacco and e-cigarettes, has immediate effects on heart rate and blood pressure, with long-term risks including heart issues. Research hints at a potential role in cancer progression. Even handling tobacco can cause symptoms. In children, nicotine ingestion can lead to confusion, vomiting, and, in high doses, be fatal. Adolescent exposure can harm brain development, affecting attention and mood regulation. Nicotine's popularity among young people has led to a rise in ingestion incidents. Protecting children and adolescents from nicotine exposure is crucial due to its harmful effects on health and brain development.

In Australia, tobacco harm reduction faces obstacles due to government policies and academic biases. Despite evidence supporting harm reduction, Australia bans regulated vaping products, leading to increased smoking rates. Academic advisors focus on fear campaigns, ignoring harm reduction benefits for smokers. The government's vaping ban causes chaos, pushing smokers towards black-market products. Australia's hypocritical stance penalizes adults trying to quit smoking, while profiting from tobacco sales. The closed-loop public health network disregards international research supporting harm reduction. To save lives, Australia needs transparency, evidence-based policies, and a shift towards harm reduction. Failure to change risks continued harm and moral victories at the expense of people's lives.

The sponsored opinion article discusses the ineffective bans and restrictions on nicotine pouches in some EU countries, leading to an increase in smoking and illicit markets. It emphasizes the importance of harm reduction strategies over prohibition, citing Sweden as a successful example. The text advocates for regulating nicotine products instead of banning them and highlights the negative consequences of prohibition, such as loss of tax revenue and public health risks. It calls for evidence-based policies in the EU to promote safer alternatives to smoking and urges the European Parliament and Commission to prioritize harm reduction over ideology.

The Consumer Choice Center held a briefing in the Philippines on harm reduction and tobacco control, urging open discussion on effective strategies. Economist Dr. Christopher Cabuay revealed that tobacco-related illnesses cost the country $9.8 billion yearly, and shifting smokers to harm reduction methods could save up to $3.4 billion annually.

Australia’s vape prohibition is fueling a booming illicit market—while New Zealand’s regulated approach sees smoking rates fall faster. In this GFN 2025 conversation, Fiona Patten speaks with Rohan Pike and Asa Saligupta about what’s broken in tobacco control, what actually works in harm reduction.

We Vape, an advocacy group, is concerned about the upcoming COP 11 meeting in Geneva potentially impacting the vaping industry. They warn that proposed bans on vaping could harm lives and small businesses, leading to black market growth. We Vape launched a 'Back Vaping Save Lives' campaign, critiquing the WHO's potential policy decisions. They urge the public to engage with MPs to challenge these regulations. The group emphasizes the negative impacts on small businesses and public health caused by these distant policies, pushing for transparency and accountability in global decision-making processes.

Licensed premises selling electronic cigarettes or vape in Perak must close by January 1, confirmed by State Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng. No new licences will be issued, and existing ones will be revoked once current stock is sold. This aligns with Perak's policy to ban e-cigarette sales after the deadline. Enforcement is under local authorities, with a grace period until January for traders to adjust. The ban is set for October 1, following a proposal by the Health Department, presented at a State Executive Council meeting on September 22. The government will ensure compliance and support affected businesses in transitioning to other operations.

The World Vapers’ Alliance strongly criticizes European Health Commissioner Várhelyi's plan to equalize taxes on vaping products and cigarettes, citing a misunderstanding of harm reduction. Várhelyi's claims disregard scientific evidence showing vaping is safer than smoking. Despite an ongoing public consultation until October, the Commissioner dismisses citizen opinions prematurely, overlooking the millions benefiting from switching to vaping. Critics, including public health experts, warn that the tax plan goes against science and could push people back to smoking. They advocate for fair taxation based on actual risks, as demonstrated in countries like the UK and Sweden. The European Commission should support harm reduction instead of undermining it.