Stories

CONSUMER groups have urged the World Health Organization to include smokers, vapers and the tobacco industry in its quest to end the global smoking problem. “The WHO tends to just attack the industry, which is a black-and-white thing for them,” said Martin Cullip, an international fellow at The Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s (TPA) Consumer Center. “But they don’t look at the complexities behind what they’re doing. And in attacking industry, they’re forgetting the people underneath who are affected.”

The concept of nicotine pouches has seen a mixed response from the public and experts alike. Posts have been making the rounds on social media, influencers promoting flavoured products such as “zyn”, “buff”, and “ace” as a method to quit smoking and vaping. Public health experts are concerned, Sydney University’s Becky Freeman saying that the “wellness” influencers who promote these products are often unclear that its sponsored content. The sale of nicotine pouches was banned in New Zealand by the Labour Government in 2020, but importing from overseas remains legal as long as they are not sold on.

The Ministry of Health (KKM) found an increasing trend in vaping or the use of electronic cigarettes, including among women, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said this was the outcome of a comprehensive study being carried out by the ministry, with the study also providing prevalence data on vaping. He said the prevalence data showed there has been an increase in the prevalence of vaping, and among women. “For the 2017 data, the prevalence was 2.8 (per cent) and in 2022, the prevalence showed an increase of 6.2 per cent,“ he said during the question and answer session.

Disposable vapes help smokers quit, saving money and lives. The UK government's plan to tax e-liquid is criticized as punishing vapers trying to quit smoking. The new tax rates will start on October 1, 2026, with varying amounts based on nicotine strength. Smoking kills 7 million annually, while vaping is a healthier alternative. The government is urged to enforce laws preventing vape sales to children rather than taxing vapers. Experts fear a black market surge and loss of life if vapers switch back to smoking. Vaping benefits public health and saves the NHS money, making discouraging it a short-sighted move.

The Schmidt National Law Group filed a lawsuit against Philip Morris, accusing them of targeting children and young adults with their product Zyn. The lawsuit seeks damages and stricter limits on access to the flavored nicotine pouches. Despite being legally purchasable by those 21 and older, the product is accessible to younger individuals. Some users claim to use Zyn as a safer alternative to vaping. The case faces a potentially lengthy litigation process, with Philip Morris yet to respond to the allegations.

Critics are unhappy as the state Supreme Judicial Court upholds Brookline's ban on selling tobacco to anyone born this century. Justice Wendlandt found the ban aligned with state law but convenience store owners are against it. Advocates support the decision for public health. Brookline is known for strict tobacco regulations, being the first to ban smoking in public places. The ruling is seen as groundbreaking, gaining interest from other towns and even sparking similar proposals in California. Despite opposition claiming it restricts freedom, the ban is upheld for its health benefits, with advocates hoping it will inspire other places to combat the tobacco epidemic.

Nancy Loucas accuses non-member NGOs of influencing the WHO FCTC, suppressing consumer and harm reduction voices in tobacco control. Nancy Loucas, a longtime advocate, faces discrimination for challenging public health norms. Her submission argues that NGOs bully countries into compliance, violating WHO FCTC and UN codes on discrimination and human rights. Nancy Loucas emphasizes the right to harm reduction and urges inclusivity in policy-making. Calls for a comprehensive FCTC review to protect health rights while respecting all human rights. Demands transparency, inclusivity, and respect for human rights in international health treaty implementation.

The WHO advises treating e-cigarettes like tobacco, proposing flavor bans. This may impact tobacco companies like British American Tobacco aiming for non-combustible revenue. Vapes are banned in 34 nations, with enforcement challenges leading to black market availability. Seventy-four countries, mostly in Africa but also including Pakistan, Colombia and Mongolia, did not regulate e-cigarettes at all, according to the WHO report. In other nations, including key markets like the US and China, governments allow vapes but regulate their use.

Zonnic pouches entered Canada with a bang in 2023 after they were approved as a smoking cessation aid, leading to their widespread availability throughout Canada. To explore why Zonnic has become so controversial, John Oyston joins us for this episode of GFN News where we dissect Zonnic's Canadian debut and the resultant response from Public Health institutions to this novel safer nicotine product.

Two NSW police officers confront a 13-year-old vaping outside a Coles, mistakenly claiming it's illegal. The boy's mother intervenes, leading to a physical confrontation where the officers seize the device. Vaping is portrayed negatively in Australia, contrasting with its acceptance in countries like New Zealand. “The video of violent police action against a 13-year-old boy, who was vaping, is yet another inevitable consequence of demonising the relatively harmless practice,” Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA) director Dr Alex Wodak told [...]