Tag: Bates

  • Vapor Advocates Attend U.K. Parliament Group Meeting

    Vapor Advocates Attend U.K. Parliament Group Meeting

    Mark Pawsey MP and Chairman of the APPG for Vaping

    Prominent tobacco harm reduction advocates Gerry Stimson (Knowledge-Action-Change), Clive Bates (The Counterfactual), John Dunne (U.K. Vaping Industry Association) and Daniel Pryor (Adam Smith Institute) attended a virtual meeting organized by the U.K. All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Vaping, a collection of MPs and Peers focused on e-cigarettes.

    The tobacco harm-reduction advocates’ input will be used to advise the U.K. delegation to the Conference of the Parties (COP9) to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which is scheduled to take place in the Netherlands this November.

    Chaired by Mark Pawsey, the APPG is keen for the U.K. to defend its vaping position internationally, and to promote the successes of British vaping. The expert witnesses highlighted the considerable public health benefits of harm reduction tools, and the potential benefit they could provide around the world.

    Tuesday’s evidence session came as the U.K. government continues its own review of tobacco regulations, meaning a busy time for advocates hoping to protect the public potential of vaping.

    “I was happy to accept the invitation from the APPG, because the UKVIA believe we have an incredible opportunity to spread the word—that innovative, appropriately-regulated vaping industries save lives,” said Dunne in a statement. “Post-Brexit Britain is newly independent in forums like COP9, and it means we can drive this positive message home like never before.”

  • Eighth Annual ‘Expert Vape Predictions’ for 2021 Released

    Eighth Annual ‘Expert Vape Predictions’ for 2021 Released

    It’s been eight years since James Dunworth of the Ashtray Blog released his first “Vape Predictions.” The annual blog post started with just Dunworth making his own predictions but has grown into some of the leading players in the industry contributing.china e-cigarette factory

    This year, Dunworth asks 18 experts their views on the vaping industry outlook for 2021. The varied group of participants includes scientists, analysts, independent vaping media and business leaders. The outlook isn’t great. It’s also not the worst case scenario. AS could be expected, many of the experts see more regulation, taxation, flavor bans and bad science.

    For the European Union, Clive Bates,  who writes his own blog The Counterfactual and is the former director of Action on Smoking and Health said he believes the region will start to see more onerous regulations in 2021. “I’d be worried about broad flavours bans, ingredients regulation, plain packaging, restrictions on online sales and marketing,” he stated. “Also, possibly more onerous approval processes.”

    In the U.S., the world’s largest vaping market, all eyes are on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) premarket tobacco product applications (PMTA) that were due to the regulatory agency on Sept. 9. Niki Zhang, marketing director, for Smoore Technology, parent to the Vaporesso brand, states that the PMTAs will impact local manufacturers in terms of their product range, sales, and marketing.

    “The FDA requires vape manufacturers to implement thorough scientific studies to prove their products are appropriate for the protection of public health, bringing vapers safer products and a better vaping experience,” states Zhang. “In the short term, only a few vape manufacturers can meet the scientific requirements, complexities, and expenses of the PMTA, which means there will be fewer products available. But, in the long run, vape manufacturers will be able to bring more quality and effective products into the market.”