Stories

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.

The Department of Health will advocate harm reduction through vaping at the upcoming Geneva COP 11 conference. The UK government supports the use of vapes as a safer alternative to smoking, emphasizing its effectiveness in helping adults quit smoking. Health Minister Ashley Dalton reiterated the government's stance on vaping being less harmful than smoking while warning against non-smokers and young individuals using vapes. Advocates, like We Vape, urge for clear public communication to dispel misconceptions about vaping. The WHO, despite facing criticism for anti-vaping policies, will host COP 11 in Geneva. The UK's substantial financial support to the WHO reinforces its influence.

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.

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.

Denver voters face Referendum 310, deciding on a ban on flavored nicotine products. Proponents aim to curb youth access, but opponents argue it's unnecessary due to declining underage vaping rates. The ban overlooks harm-reducing alternatives like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Similar bans in other places led to revenue loss and thriving black markets. Advocates suggest focusing on education and enforcement, not prohibition. The ban could push consumers to neighboring areas, causing economic losses. Critics warn of repeating past policy failures and urge for a balanced approach. Ultimately, the ban might do more harm than good, impacting public health, freedom, and the economy.

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.

Over 1,200 health leaders urge swift passage of the tobacco and vapes bill in the UK parliament to protect future generations. The bill aims to ban tobacco sales to those born after 2009 and regulate e-cigarette packaging and marketing. Advocates emphasize the urgency of the legislation in preventing deadly addictions and saving lives. Tobacco groups oppose the bill, seeking support to weaken it. Various proposals, including delaying a ban on heated tobacco, have sparked controversy. Survey results show public support for alternative approaches to tobacco sales, such as maintaining the legal age at 18 or raising it to 21.

Cyprus teens are vaping heavily with 11% of 16-year-olds using e-cigarettes daily, marking one of Europe's highest rates. Cannabis remains the top illegal substance, while cocaine is on the rise, and offline gambling is popular. Alcohol use has slightly decreased, especially among boys, but binge drinking is up among girls. The survey also reveals that students find it easy to access cannabis and highlights the prevalence of hookah smoking. The study, conducted by the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority, KENTHEA, and the Ministry of Education, monitors youth behaviors since 1995, shedding light on evolving trends and concerns.

Interview with Mark Murphy (Senior Policy Manager with the Irish Heart Foundation) and Dr Garrett McGovern (Medical Director and Addiction Specialist at the Priority Medical Clinic) on RTÉ Radio — discussing the recent major tax hike on e-cigarettes in Ireland and its public health implications.

Déjà vu in Washington. With Donald J. Trump back in the White House, public health officials, regulators, and anti-vaping activists have renewed their war on vaping — and this time, they may succeed. The FDA’s crackdown on nicotine vapes is intensifying, thousands of vape shops have closed, and vaping advocacy is struggling to survive. But déjà vu cuts both ways. The movement that once shook Washington with the “We Vape, We Vote” uprising is surging back with one mission: freedom from FDA control. At the center of this renewed fight is a familiar warrior: Tristan Thompson, Board President of the United Vapers Alliance and Head of The Vaping Legion.