Stories

The text warns about the dangers of high nicotine levels in alternative tobacco products for young brains. Trends show most youth start with e-cigarettes, not to quit smoking. Nicotine pouch use is rising, with Zyn being popular among youth. Nicotine impacts young brains differently, making them more vulnerable to addiction. The tobacco industry targets young people, knowing they're more likely to get addicted. Teaching kids to see through industry manipulation is vital. Education, not shaming, is key in tobacco prevention. Parents must be aware and listen to kids using nicotine for stress. Understanding the risks and effects of nicotine is crucial for youth health and prevention efforts.

A study found that low-income adults who used the Smart-T smartphone app for smoking cessation were 1.81 times more likely to quit smoking at 26 weeks than those using the QuitGuide app. Smart-T users accessed quit tips more, used the call counselor feature, and requested nicotine replacement therapy frequently. They also felt more aware of their behaviors and found the intervention useful. The researchers suggest that Smart-T could be a cost-effective tool to help reduce smoking-related health disparities. The study, led by Emily T. Hébert, was published in JAMA Network Open. Limitations included the need for a specific quit date and Smart-T's availability only on Android devices.

Dr. Paige Lemen, a harm reductionist and Tennessee researcher, was arrested while transporting a drug sample for testing. Suffering from an illness, she failed a sobriety test and faced multiple charges including intent to sell drugs. Police seized her lab equipment, medications, and mocked her during the arrest. Despite paying bail, her community work was hindered by increased police surveillance. The case highlights legal uncertainties around harm reduction practices. Lemen aims to prove her innocence in court but fears the outcome's impact on future drug checking cases. She stresses the importance of understanding and supporting harm reduction efforts.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad is preparing a report for the Cabinet on the timing and process of imposing a potential vape ban to prevent legal challenges. The government currently refrains from banning vapes and e-cigarettes to avoid complications after legally registering and regulating the industry under Act 852. Dzulkefly noted that a sudden ban could lead to legal issues due to the expectation set by the existing regulations. While considering a complete ban, factors like legal implications, enforcement, and public health are being evaluated. Some states have already prohibited vape sales.

Experts criticized a Daily Mail article labeling vapes as harmful to youth as misleading. The research cited lacks evidence of causation, purposefully excludes benefits, and relies on low-quality data. The umbrella review of reviews on youth vaping connected it to smoking and health issues but didn't prove causation. Claims of vaping leading to smoking were disputed, with smoking rates among youth decreasing as vaping rose. Concerns about asthma effects were uncertain. The EVALI outbreak was linked to illicit THC, not nicotine e-liquids. Experts suggest caution with youth vaping while avoiding broad conclusions about adult harm reduction based on this limited review. Media misrepresentation undermines harm reduction efforts.

The text discusses academia's issues with biased research on nicotine/tobacco due to funding pressures and incentives that prioritize grant funding over quality. The system is unsustainable, favoring quantity over quality in publications and research that aligns with funding agency priorities. Pressure to secure NIH grants leads researchers to conform to agency views, hindering unbiased research. The oversaturation of PhDs exacerbates competition for academic positions, perpetuating a cycle of grant dependence. The focus on grant funding also compromises teaching quality and hampers diverse research perspectives. Future posts will explore solutions to address these systemic challenges in academia.

ActionSA MP Dr. Letlape defended vaping against Health Department claims, stating it's less harmful than smoking. He criticized false radio ads equating vaping to smoking and accused the department of spreading propaganda. Letlape lodged a complaint and called for the ads' withdrawal, arguing they mislead the public and undermine Parliament's authority. Letlape urged Health Minister Motsoaledi to clarify the misinformation and emphasized vaping's potential for smoking cessation. While e-cigarettes are deemed less harmful by Cancer Research UK, they are not risk-free and should only be used for smoking cessation. The Health Department's misleading ads are criticized for interfering with legislative processes.

In this episode of GFN Voices, Gabriel Oke explores one of the most overlooked yet vital aspects of scientific work: communication. He explains that no matter how important or innovative research may be, its true impact depends on how clearly and effectively it is shared with the world. From researchers and academics to policymakers, advocates, and the public, communication is the bridge that turns data into action and science into progress.

Daily Pouch Money reviews nicotine pouch makers. PMI rose 7.3% and BAT 20%. Analysts explore Altria, up 23.6%, predicting its future amid smoke-free ambitions and regulatory risks. Altria’s on! pouches surge 18%, aiming for $5 billion yearly by 2028. Market share decline suggests Marlboro loyalty. Despite downsides like US regulation and stiff competition, Altria's dividends and potential gains from NJOY vapes provide buying incentives. Investing in Altria balances risk and reward, and while short-term projections are positive, long-term growth may be modest due to industry shifts. Ultimately, Altria's performance depends on innovation and market dynamics, setting expectations for single-digit growth in 2025.

Australia's tough anti-vaping laws face international challenges, per a UTS-Monash University paper. Health risks from vaping, especially among youth, prompt restrictions. With a history of industry litigations, policy decisions must align with global trade rules. Proving public health benefits is crucial to weather potential legal challenges. Transparency and ongoing justification are key. Australia must defend its laws before the WTO and set a precedent like the tobacco plain packaging. Researchers advocate for evidence-based justifications to uphold regulations. Success in reducing vaping harms could pave the way for global policy standards and protect public health internationally.