Stories

States are considering excise tax increases on tobacco products to generate revenue, with a focus on new products like nicotine pouches. Lawmakers in 20 states are proposing higher taxes on cigarettes and vaping products to address budget shortfalls. Critics argue that such taxes can lead to illegal tobacco sales and economic distortions. Data shows a decline in youth tobacco and nicotine usage, supporting the argument against new taxes. The regressive nature of excise taxes is highlighted, with lower-income individuals affected more. As states continue to deliberate on tax hikes, there are concerns about the impact on retailers and the availability of FDA-approved alternatives for adult consumers.

Conservative MP Jivani promoted the unapproved nicotine product Zyn on a campus tour, with attendees flaunting their canisters at a Vancouver event. B.C. MLA Bhangu endorsed Zyn to curb smoking, while politicians like Smith and Nally advocate for easier access to nicotine pouches. These pouches, marketed as safer alternatives, deliver nicotine through the gums and are popular among young adults. However, their health impacts remain uncertain, with limited research on long-term effects and effectiveness in quitting smoking. Health Canada restricts sales of Zonnic, leading to criticism from conservatives who view it as excessive regulation. Despite calls for relaxed rules, Health Canada defends its measures to deter youth usage.

Women are equally willing to quit smoking as men but face unique challenges. Research shows women struggle more to quit due to social, behavioral, and biological factors. They are influenced by tobacco marketing, use smoking to manage stress and body weight, and experience stronger urges during hormonal fluctuations. Women metabolize nicotine faster, impacting treatment effectiveness. Tailored cessation strategies, considering hormonal cycles, dosage adjustments, and alternative therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, are crucial. Gender-specific approaches are needed to address smoking disparities and improve cessation success rates for women. Social, environmental, and biological factors must be considered in comprehensive smoking cessation care.

The agency is proposing allowing other tastes for vapes, like mint, coffees, spices or tea, to appeal to adults. At the same time, illicit candy-flavored types aimed at teenagers have flooded the market.

There is tension between tobacco harm reduction and `traditional` harm reduction. Traditional harm reduction methods have not adequately addressed smoking. E-cigarettes have potential but face misinformation and lack of support. Smoking-related harm extends beyond cigarettes, highlighting the need for safer inhalation methods. Despite its importance, tobacco harm reduction faces resistance within public health sectors, contrasting with the urgency of addressing smoking in drug users.

The Department of Health in South Africa is making changes to the Tobacco Control Bill after public feedback. Proposed changes include distinguishing between combustible and non-combustible tobacco products, with some exceptions to new restrictions. Concerns were raised about plain packaging, illicit products, and enforcing new laws. The Bill aims to regulate tobacco and vaping to promote public health. Despite pushback, measures like banning indoor smoking are accepted, while plain packaging and advertising bans face criticism. The Department opposes industry claims on harm reduction and plans to expand enforcement officers. The Bill's penalties can be reduced based on circumstances, aiming to deter violations and promote compliance.

A study analyzing data from December 2023 to December 2024 shows a 1.5% increase in people in England using vapes to quit smoking following the Swap to Stop initiative. Around 125,000 individuals tried quitting through vapes, which were found to be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy. Researchers recommend continuing funding for the program and suggest other countries consider similar initiatives. The study, supported by various organizations, highlights the positive impact of well-designed schemes in encouraging people to switch to less harmful alternatives like vapes.

A group of 30 scientists and public health experts criticize European Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi for equating smokeless nicotine products with cigarettes, lacking scientific support. They argue that products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco pose lower health risks due to no combustion. Concerns were raised over potential misrepresentation affecting future EU nicotine policies. The researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based decisions and warn against disproportionate regulations that could hinder harm reduction efforts. The letter highlights the success of snus in reducing smoking-related deaths, urging the European Commission to prioritize scientific evidence in upcoming regulations on nicotine products scheduled for 2026.

Public health says it wants to end smoking. Yet from London to Brussels, policymakers are advancing measures that treat safer nicotine like combustible tobacco—through high taxes, public bans, and regulatory equalization. In the UK, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill hands sweeping powers to the Secretary of State. In the EU, new tax schemes could bind member states and redirect national excise revenue to Brussels. In this GFN interviews, Martin Cullip argues these measures converge into what he calls “pro-smoking” policy—undermining harm reduction, eroding national sovereignty, and putting millions of adult consumers across Europe at risk.

A new synthetic opioid called cychlorphine is a cause for concern due to its potency and involvement in overdose deaths in the US and Canada. Despite reports of naloxone being ineffective against it, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The substance, mistakenly referred to as chlorphine, has been linked to fatalities, with warnings issued by forensic centers and health departments. However, naloxone's effectiveness in reversing cychlorphine overdoses remains uncertain. Misconceptions about naloxone's mechanism of action and the confusion between cychlorphine and chlorphine have caused confusion and heightened alarm regarding the drug's dangers.