Stories

Swedish MEP Jessica Polfjärd defends Sweden's low smoking rate using snus and nicotine pouches. She warns against overregulation proposed by some EU countries, advocating for safer alternatives to smoking. Polfjärd highlights Sweden's success and urges learning from their model rather than suppressing it. She emphasizes the importance of not restricting adult access to these products. Polfjärd stresses the need to prioritize public health over fear-based policies in tobacco regulations, calling for a shift in Europe's attitude towards snus.

Vaping has been shown to be 95% safer than smoking, but what do the chemistry of vapor and smoke, and the key differences between them, tell us about WHY these products are so different? Joining us again for the fourth part of our vaping science series is astrophysicist Roberto Sussman, who expertly explains the science behind vaping!

Thailand's Education Ministry has prohibited e-cigarette use in schools and offices to combat youth vaping. Concerned about rising popularity due to accessibility and targeted ads, the ministry aims to protect children's health. Measures like awareness campaigns, installing no-vaping signs, and stricter supervision are implemented nationwide.

The lack of a regulatory body in Malaysia to oversee vape product quality has contributed to their misuse, including drug consumption. Ridhwan Rosli of the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce highlighted that without proper oversight, there’s no way to ensure product safety, leading to cases where vapes are used for illicit drug use.

Gen Z faces a ban on disposable vapes in the UK but has turned to nicotine pouches as an alternative. The ban, effective June 1, targets single-use vape products to decrease litter. The rise in nicotine pouch popularity offers a new way to consume nicotine, favored by young adults. With higher nicotine content and discreet use, pouches are becoming a replacement. However, possible health risks include gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular effects. Additionally, concerns arise over unregulated and potentially dangerous nicotine pouches being sold, posing risks, especially to youth. Restrictions and the rise of alternative products are changing young adults' nicotine consumption habits.

A study by Rutgers Health and NYC advocates suggests using state and local lawsuits to target domestic vape distributors, focusing on regulating flavored e-cigarettes. They propose legal actions against distributors to ensure compliance with FDA regulations. The study emphasizes imposing heavy fines and legal consequences instead of imprisonment. By holding distributors financially accountable, the aim is to align vape products with legal standards and deter non-compliance. This strategy has seen progress in lawsuits filed by various states against vape distributors. The initiative aims to address the potential risks posed by unregulated, high-dose vape products entering the market.

In a recent episode of RegWatch, Dr. Jeff Willett—a longtime tobacco control expert—criticizes parts of the movement for ignoring the reduced risks of non-combustible nicotine products. He warns against equating nicotine with smoking-related harms and highlights how Master Settlement Agreement funds are being misused. Willett, now with Global Action to End Smoking, calls for a more honest, science-based approach to harm reduction.

Tomas Hammargren from bioceramic nicotine pouch brand KLAR stresses the importance of distinguishing smoking cessation products from those targeting youth. He supports harm reduction through safer nicotine alternatives, like nicotine pouches, to reduce health risks. Referencing Sweden's successful harm reduction model, he advocates for responsible regulations to prevent youth uptake and aid adult smokers. Hammargren urges policymakers to prioritize harm reduction and provide diverse, safer options for informed health choices, combating the appeal of youth-targeted products with harmful practices.

Spain faces obstacles in banning nicotine pouches and most vapes as six EU nations present objections, triggering a three-month standstill period for Spain to address concerns on the proposed legislation. If issues are not resolved, implementation may be delayed or blocked. Concerns mainly revolve around EU market rules and the perceived disproportionate limits on nicotine pouches. Spain must either defend the legislation's impact on the internal market or revise it by July 28th to satisfy dissenting countries. The objections are uncommon, with objections typically being minimal in the EU.

During the federal election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s past roles drew some attention, but his position on the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies did not—though it should have. Bloomberg Philanthropies has spent $1.58 billion since 2005 opposing tobacco harm reduction, favoring strict anti-nicotine policies over more pragmatic approaches.