Stories

A widening divide among public health policymakers is preventing millions of smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives, according to tobacco harm reduction (THR) advocates. Dr. Marewa Glover, a leading public health researcher from New Zealand, said a “culture war” between prohibitionist groups and THR advocates who promote less harmful options is hindering progress in public health efforts to combat smoking.

Nicotine-free vaping products are not subject to the same regulation and restrictions as their nicotine-containing counterparts, but scientists are not sure that they don’t expose users, especially young ones, to potentially serious health threats.

Thai officials are concerned about smoking related illnesses and death, but they still won’t accept that vaping offers a reduced harm approach by means of a solution. Last week, another official sent out a statement regarding smoking-related dangers. Meanwhile, the national tobacco industry continues to pump out cigarettes and the nonsensical ban on vaping leads to corruption and a booming black market.

Snus, or rather the Swedish-style nicotine pouch, along with all other smokeless tobacco products, has been banned in Australia since 1991. It is strictly forbidden to sell the products in the country, and snus can only be legally imported for personal use if the user has a special medical certificate.

Adults in Bath and north-east Somerset wishing to stop smoking will be offered a free vaping kit in exchange for handing in cigarettes. The vaping kit will provide a month’s worth of e-liquids and a rechargeable vape. This comes as new figures show that the number of UK adults who use vapes has reached its highest levels since 2017.

Disposable vaping products have sparked incessant debates, with arguments both for and against their widespread use. The strongest argument in favour is of course the fact that the devices are an effective tool for smoking cessation, given they provide an accessible, low-barrier option for smokers looking to quit. Their ease of use, low start-up cost, and variety of flavours make them appealing alternatives to traditional cigarettes. In fact studies have shown that the simplicity and convenience of disposables can encourage smokers to switch, contributing to a reduction in cigarette sales and potentially lowering smoking-related health risks.

Vape stores in the United States are pessimistic over the impact of consumers moving to disposable vapes, according to market analyst expert ECigIntelligence, but increased enforcement against rogue retailers could help them.

Nobody ever really talked about cigarette alternatives in prison. Tobacco is abundantly available to anyone in Georgia Department of Corrections custody who can afford it, and even in prison systems where that isn’t the case, there’s just no market for things like vapes. Since being released (...)

A recent report presented to Sweden's Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, is recommending setting restrictions on nicotine pouches in a way which would make them inaccessible also to adult users, not just teens.

There are 11.1-million South Africans over 15 who smoke regularly. It’s unrealistic to think they will all quit overnight. Perhaps that’s what government policymakers believe when they formulate draconian anti-tobacco laws and increase excise duties. The reality is that these measures only push the majority into the growing and potentially more harmful illicit market. These are the unintended yet predictable consequences of (...)