Category: Harm Reduction

  • VPASA: Bill Will End South African Vapor Industry

    VPASA: Bill Will End South African Vapor Industry

    Asanda Gcoyi

    South Africa’s new tobacco bill will destroy the vapor industry if it becomes law, the Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPASA) warned.

    Among other provisions, the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill opens an avenue for the government to ban the sale of flavored e-liquids, which tobacco harm advocates insist are key to entice smokers away from cigarettes.

    VPASA contends that the government neglected to consult the industry about its proposed legislation, which mistakenly conflates vaping with smoking, according to the industry group.

    “While the Cabinet statement announcing the adoption of the bill noted that the Department of Health had conducted extensive consultations, it conveniently failed to state that other than anti-tobacco campaigners, no other stakeholders had seen a copy of the revised bill before it was gazetted on Sept. 29,” VPASA CEO Asanda Gcoyi was quoted as saying by The Saturday Star. “This is despite numerous requests for a copy made by industry stakeholders.”

    VPASA also believes the proposals on table are not based on science or empirical evidence, treating vaping and smoking as if they are one and the same thing. “Vaping requires a separate set of guidelines recognizing that it is not the same as smoking and therefore cannot be regulated in the same manner,” said Gcoyi.

  • WVA Campaigns for Harm Reduction in Strasbourg

    WVA Campaigns for Harm Reduction in Strasbourg

    Photo: WVA

    As a kickoff for the #BackVapingBeatSmoking campaign, representatives of the World Vapers Alliance (WVA) presented Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg with a “Vaping Products Directive” to show how e-cigarettes need to be treated to fulfill their potential as tobacco harm reduction tools.

    The campaign launches as European legislators review the Tobacco Products Directive. Responding to the EU Commission’s public call for evidence, the WVA has spoken out against flavor bans and excessive regulation.

    “By backing vaping, we can beat smoking and save 19 million lives with sensible regulation,” said Michael Landl, director of the WVA. “The EU call for evidence has seen a record number of 24,000 responses, showing that consumers want to embrace tobacco harm reduction, and it happens that vaping has been proven one of the most successful so far.

    “The EU needs to put an end to current discussions about flavor bans, and vaping must be kept affordable and accessible. It is time for the EU to fully endorse tobacco harm reduction and to make vaping a centerpiece of it.”

    The #BackVapingBeatSmoking campaign launched in Strasbourg, France, with a “Don’t Let 19 Million Lives Fall” protest art installation and will spread to 10 cities in six countries during October 2022 through November 2022.

    “We will host community events and protests in France, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Belgium to draw attention to one of the most crucial pieces of legislation for the future of vaping. It is time for politicians to listen to consumers and science,” said Landl in a statement.

    The WVA has also launched a petition against harmful vaping regulation, such as flavor bans or high taxation on vaping products. The signatures will be delivered to Members of the European Parliament at the end of the tour in November.

     

  • Another Report Finds Vape Less Risky Than Smoking

    Another Report Finds Vape Less Risky Than Smoking

    Photo: Prostock-studio

    Using vaping products rather than cigarettes leads to a substantial reduction in exposure to toxicants that promote cancer, lung disease and cardiovascular disease, according to new research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London.

    Commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the independent report represents the most comprehensive review of the risks of vaping to date. It found that, while vaping is not risk free—particularly for people who have never smoked—it poses a small fraction of the health risks of smoking in the short to medium term.

    The report reviewed many aspects of vaping, including who is vaping and what products, the effects on health (both absolute and compared with smoking) and public perceptions of harm. The authors examined studies of biomarkers of exposure (measures of potentially harmful substance levels in the body) as well as biomarkers of potential harm (measures of biological changes in the body) due to vaping or smoking.

    The strongest evidence came from biomarkers of exposure. An exploration of the available studies found that levels of tobacco specific nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds and other toxicants implicated in the main diseases caused by smoking were found at significantly lower levels in vapers. Among vapers, overall levels of nicotine were lower or similar to smokers.

    When comparing biomarkers between people who vape and people who don’t smoke or vape, they were often similar, but in some cases there was higher exposure when vaping. The investigators therefore concluded that whilst less harmful than smoking, vaping is likely to sustain some risks particularly for people who have never smoked.

    While the investigators are clear on the benefits of vaping vs smoking, they found that public perceptions are lagging behind. In 2021, only 34 percent of adults who smoked accurately perceived that vaping was less harmful than smoking, while only 11 percent of adult smokers knew that nicotine wasn’t the primary cause of the health risks connected to smoking tobacco.

    Vaping has gained popularity among British adults. According to the latest data from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Smokefree GB Adult survey, current vaping prevalence is 8.3 percent in 2022, compared with 7.1 percent in 2021 and 6.3 percent in 2020.

    Vaping has also increased among young people. Data from the ASH Smokefree GB Youth survey of 11-to 18-year-olds in England show that current vaping prevalence (including occasional and regular) is 8.6 percent in 2022, compared with 4.0 percent in 2021 and 4.8 percent in 2020. Use of disposable vaping products has increased substantially over the last year. Vaping among young people who have never smoked remains very low at 1.7 percent.

    “This important study is the latest in a series which carefully pulls together the science on vaping to help reduce the damage from smoking,” said Jeanelle DeGruchy, deputy chief medical officer for England, in a King’s College press note.

    “Vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking so the message is clear, if the choice is between smoking and vaping, choose vaping. If the choice is between vaping and fresh air, choose fresh air.”

  • GTNF 2022: BAT’s Wheaton Calls for More Unity in THR

    GTNF 2022: BAT’s Wheaton Calls for More Unity in THR

    Stakeholders in the vaping and tobacco industry must work together in their efforts to end combustible cigarette use. During the 2022 Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF), Chief Growth Officer for BAT, Kingsley Wheaton, said greater collaboration is needed between the industry, governments, and intergovernmental organizations to accelerate tobacco harm reduction (THR) policy.

    “We must provide adult consumers with a portfolio of products that are a better choice than cigarettes. And, so that consumers are able to make informed decisions about those choices, public health needs to accurately communicate risk, while the industry should be able to responsibly communicate the benefits of switching via appropriate marketing freedoms,” Wheaton told the estimated 289 conference attendees.

    BAT estimates that it will have helped 50 million adult smokers to switch to less harmful non-combustible nicotine products by 2030, according to Wheaton. The company is also investing heavily in research and development, including its state-of-the-art Innovation Hub in Trieste, Italy, and conducting industry-leading science. One recent BAT study showed smokers who switched exclusively to BAT’s glo product saw significant and sustained improvements in several indicators of potential harm.

    “The results from this study represent the most important data we have ever generated about glo in particular, and for the tobacco heating product category in general,” Wheaton said. “But this alone is not enough. Our voices cannot, should not and must not be the only one in this debate.”

    The keys to unlocking the total transformation of the industry, and positively impacting public health outcomes, according to Wheaton, were:

    • Continue to produce robust and accessible science – science is key to unlocking industry transformation, and cannot be done by industry figures alone. The voice of global public health scientists validating the role of tobacco harm reduction is needed.
    • Maintain the combination of insights and innovation – marrying the science of tobacco harm reduction is necessary to build A Better Tomorrow. Ultimately, it is the consumer that will decide which products they use.
    • Let trusted brands drive change responsibly – in Vuse and glo, BAT has created two billion-dollar brands2 which are signposts for quality. Freedoms to responsibly inform adult smokers about the potential benefits of these products compared to smoking are key to delivering tobacco harm reduction.
    • Transition from the old tobacco control approach of “quit or die” to sustainable change – where appropriate tobacco harm reduction policies have been adopted, such as in the UK and Japan, smoking rates have reduced.
    • Embrace change and progression – fostering engagement between governments, intergovernmental bodies and industry figures is necessary to facilitate the exchange of crucial knowledge and data.

    BAT has a strong presence at GTNF 2022. Alongside Wheaton, BAT leaders sharing insights into how science, technology and innovation are driving forward BAT’s progress include David O’Reilly, director of Scientific Research; Carlista Moore Conde, group head of New Sciences; Sharon Goodall, group head of Regulatory Science; and Flora Okereke, head of Global Regulatory Insights and Foresights.

    “Perhaps the greatest change we’ve seen as an industry is the emergence of reduced-risk products,” Wheaton said. “As a result, reducing the health impact of our business has, for some time, been BAT’s North Star … Together, all stakeholders have a responsibility to make a difference, in a whole-of-society approach.”

  • Malaysia Pushing Forward on Bill to ‘Endgame’ Vapes

    Malaysia Pushing Forward on Bill to ‘Endgame’ Vapes

    Credit: K Stocker

    The Malaysian government is pushing forward a bill that seeks to ban vaping and smoking for those born from 2007, after making amendments following resistance from some lawmakers.

    Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he hopes the legislation – dubbed a “generational endgame” (GEG) – will receive the support of lawmakers when it is tabled at the next parliament session in October.

    It was referred to a parliamentary select committee in August for further scrutiny amid criticism that some of its features would infringe on personal freedom.

    “The enforcement powers really are focused and restricted only against distribution, manufacturing and supply,” Khairy said during a Sept. 23 group interview, according to media reports. “We’ve clarified that in the latest amendments, so if you contravene the law in terms of GEG smoking offence, then the enforcement officer cannot frisk you, they cannot take away your computer or your phone or things like that.”

    Malaysian lawmakers last month delayed a vote on the bill and referred it to the select committee to examine and make recommendations for improvement.

    The bill also bans those born after 2007 from buying, possessing or using tobacco and other related products even after they reach 18.

    Shopkeepers and distributors will be prohibited from selling such products to anyone in the age group under the proposal.

  • Hospitality Set Frets About ‘Generational Endgame’ Bill

    Hospitality Set Frets About ‘Generational Endgame’ Bill

    Photo: sezerozger

    Representatives of the hospitality business have asked the government of Malaysia to consider the impact of its proposed “generational endgame” (GEG) law on operations of food and beverage outlets in the country, reports the New Straits Times.

    On Feb 17, Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin announced that Malaysia would introduce bold new legislation to ban smoking and vaping and possession of tobacco products and e-cigarettes for people born after 2005.

    “We are supportive of the Health Ministry’s agenda in reducing the number of smokers in the country,” said Wong Teu Hoon, president of Malaysian Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCSPGA) “However, we strongly believe any new measures should be carefully evaluated when it has a socio-economic impact.”

    The MSCSPGA, which has 43 affiliates under it, is one of the largest trader associations in the country, boasting a membership of 20,000 coffeeshop operators nationwide, and employing some 500,000 people.

    Wong’s view was echoed by C. Krishnan, deputy president of the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association, who called for a detailed study and consultation with the retailers and other stakeholders.

    Krishnan worries that the ministry has insufficient manpower to control and inspect every tobacco-based product purchase.

    “Therefore, we (retailers) automatically become the frontliners in the implementation of the GEG bill,” he said. “Let’s not forget the issue of asking for identity cards. We are afraid that this will lead to arguments and unpleasant situations in our outlets, which any coffeeshop owner knows is bad for business.”

  • FDA Launches Vaping Education Resource Center

    FDA Launches Vaping Education Resource Center

    fda

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) announced Today the launch of its Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center. 

    The online resource center provides science-based, standards-mapped materials that teachers can use to help their students understand the negative effects associated with vaping and nicotine addiction.

    “The new resource center features numerous age-appropriate, cross-curricular resources for teachers to promote learning and begin having open conversations with youth about vaping,” the FDA states in a release. “This effort is an extension of FDA’s prior work with Scholastic, a collaboration that has recently ended. The materials previously developed through this collaboration can be found in the resource center.”

    In addition to content designed for teachers, CTP also developed materials for parents and teens. All content on the resource center is free, easy to navigate, and optimized for each audience, according to the release.

    • Teachers will find lesson plans, interactive tools, infographics, and videos with tobacco facts and tips about how to teach teens about the dangers of vaping.
    • Parents will find fact sheets, videos, and resources to help them understand and recognize vapes, talk with their children, and keep the conversation going over time.
    • Students will find real-life stories and relatable content to help them understand vaping, nicotine addiction, common myths about vapes, and how to say no to vaping.

    The launch of the resource center illustrates FDA’s continued commitment to youth vaping prevention. We will be continuously updating the resource center with new materials, so check back often for the latest resources.

  • Bangladesh Urged to Keep E-Cigarettes Legal

    Bangladesh Urged to Keep E-Cigarettes Legal

    Delon Human (Photo: Taco Tuinstra)

    Bangladesh must keep e-cigarettes legal if it wants to achieve its goal of becoming a tobacco-free country by 2040, according to tobacco harm reduction activists.

    Speaking during a webinar organized by the Bangladesh-based Voices of Vapers and reported by The Daily Star, several experts addressed the government’s recent proposal to ban vapor products, heat-not-burn devices and other cigarette alternatives in a new amendment to the country’s tobacco control legislation.

    Delon Human, president of Health Diplomats, said there is no evidence for the National Tobacco Control Cell’s statement that nicotine in vapes is more harmful than cigarettes.

    “There needs to be a credible harm reduction strategy as practiced by many developed countries,” he added. “The authorities must consider regulating a safer alternative, such as vape, and make it accessible to smokers wanting to quit.”

    Schumann Zaman, president of the Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association, said not recognizing vape traders and vape users as stakeholders will have major consequences as many of these vapers are using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.

    John Dunne, director general of the U.K. Vaping Industry Association, said vapes should be regulated separately because vapes and cigarettes are different products.

    “Vapes are far safer and a proven method of nicotine-replacement therapy [NRT]. Regulating vapes will help smokers who are trying to quit have access to vapes,” he added.

    “Countries such as the U.K., France, New Zealand and Canada have successfully lowered smoking rates by using vaping as NRT. Banning vapes will lower the number of smokers trying to quit.”

  • BAT Study Confirms Positive Impact From Switching to Glo

    BAT Study Confirms Positive Impact From Switching to Glo

    Photo: BAT

    The full results from a year-long study showed that smokers switching exclusively to Glo, BAT’s flagship tobacco-heating product (THP), achieved significant and sustained improvements in several indicators of potential harm associated with early disease development compared to smokers who continued to smoke. This included lung disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

    Published in Internal and Emergency Medicine, the results build upon the favorable changes reported at three and six months. The improvements observed were sustained over the 12 months of the study, adding to the weight of evidence that supports Glo as a less risky alternative for adult smokers who would not otherwise quit, according to BAT.

    “The results from this study are the most important data we have ever generated about Glo and for the THP category in general,” said David O’Reilly, director of scientific research at BAT, in a statement.

    “This real-world study allows us to assess the changes that adult smokers switching exclusively to Glo experience by assessing early indicators of potential harm associated with disease development. It provides much needed new evidence about the size of the change and durability of the effect switching completely to Glo can have and reinforces Glo’s potential as a reduced-risk product.”

  • EU Wants First Tobacco-Free Generation by 2030

    EU Wants First Tobacco-Free Generation by 2030

    The European Commission this week decided to register a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled “Call to achieve a tobacco-free environment and the first European tobacco-free generation by 2030.”

    The organizers of the initiative call on the Commission to “propose legislation to save new generations from falling into tobacco addiction, to act against related environmental dangers and against smoking,” according to a release.

    The group asks the Commission to propose legislation to end the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to citizens born in 2010 onwards.

    The initiative also calls on specific measures to achieve vaping and tobacco-free and cigarette butt-free beaches and riverbanks, create a European network of tobacco and cigarette butt-free national parks, to extend outdoor non-vaping spaces, and to eliminate advertising.

    As this European Citizens’ Initiative fulfils the formal conditions, the Commission considers that it is legally admissible. The Commission has not analyzed the substance of the proposal at this stage, the Commission states.

    The organizers now have six months to open the signature collection. If a European Citizens’ Initiative receives 1 million statements of support within 1 year, from at least seven different Member States, the Commission will have to react.

    The Commission could decide to take the request forward or not, and will be required to explain its reasoning.