ETHRA’s monthly roundup of news: Czech vow to support harm reduction - How safe is your vape? - COP out - Irish vapers say no to bans - Political support for flavours in Sweden - NNA discusses TRPR - Studies say THR works. Read on for more.
Contents:
COP9 report
The report of the Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been published and is available to read and download.
WHO FCTC main documents page:
https://fctc.who.int/who-fctc/governance/conference-of-the-parties/ninth-session-of-the-conference-of-the-parties/main-documents
Read and download the report here:
https://untobaccocontrol.org/downloads/cop9/main-documents/FCTC-COP9_Report_EN.pdf
Belgium
Policies that aim to minimise youth uptake of nicotine pouches should not come at the expense of adult smokers. Policymakers must take into account the risks to young people, as well as the opportunities for adult smokers.
Read more here:
https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/hou-nicotinezakjes-weg-van-jongeren-maar-pak-het-anders-aan-voor-volwassen-rokers~b223770e/
Czech Republic
Scientifically proven concepts of risk prevention and harm reduction will form the basis of addiction policy in the Czech Republic, according to Health Minister Vlastimil Válek and national anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil. Addiction policy will be a priority during the Czech presidency of the EU.
Germany
The use of vaping products, with or without nicotine, substantially increases the odds of successful smoking cessation compared to using NRT’s or unaided quit attempts.
Read more here:
https://vapoon.de/weitere-studie-belegt-e-zigarette-erfolgreicher-als-nikotinersatzprodukte-beim-rauchstopp/
Read the study here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35384835/
Ireland
A recent Red C survey found that 84% of Irish vapers believe a flavour ban would result in the emergence of a black market. A further 42% said a ban on flavours would force them back to smoking.
Read more here:
https://www.newstalk.com/news/flavoured-vapes-ban-will-push-vapers-back-to-smoking-survey-1331550
Read the full survey results here:
https://respectvapers.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/RedC-survey-of-vapers-March-2022.pdf
Norway
Researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health find that snus use is strongly linked with successful smoking cessation attempts.
Read more here:
https://snusforumet.se/en/new-research-shows-snus-helps-smokers-quit/
Sweden
Good news from Sweden as the Moderate Party strongly rejects the government’s proposal to ban vape flavours: "It is important to safeguard alternative products that can make it easier for more smokers to quit smoking"
Read more here:
https://www.vejpkollen.se/2022/04/moderaterna-avvisar-regeringens-smakforbud/
The Centre Party added its objections to the government’s “unscientific and premature” flavour ban proposal:
https://www.vejpkollen.se/2022/04/c-sager-nej-till-smakforbud-vill-invanta-utredning/
UK
Vaping regulation will remain unchanged, for now at least. The New Nicotine Alliance discusses the government’s post-implementation review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR).
Read more here:
https://nnalliance.org/blog/367-the-governments-review-of-vaping-regulations-could-be-worse-but-could-also-be-better
Vaper Trails: New nicotine products and the innovation principle
A new paper by the Institute of Economic Affairs warns that the misuse of the precautionary principle, in relation to tobacco harm reduction products, could pose a significant threat to public health.
Read more here:
https://iea.org.uk/publications/vaper-trails-new-nicotine-products-and-the-innovation-principle/
Vaping helps smokers quit, who would have known!
An Australian population level study has revealed that vaping is the most effective means of quitting smoking, increasing the odds of success by 68% - 124% compared to not using a vaping product.
Read more here:
https://colinmendelsohn.com.au/australia/
A balanced scientific debate on tobacco harm reduction is urgently needed according to Dr Colin Mendelsohn:
https://colinmendelsohn.com.au/balance/
Smoke Without Fire? The Truth About Vaping Safety
James Dunworth provides a comprehensive, up to date review of the safety of vaping.
Read more here:
https://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/ashtray-blog/2022/04/is-vaping-safe.html
Something to watch:
Introduction to tobacco harm reduction
Dr Colin Mendelsohn answers some of the key questions around tobacco harm reduction in this 30 minute presentation.
Watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VSc06Cgxvk
The state of US vaping
According to industry analyst Michelle Minton, the future for nicotine vaping in the United States looks pretty brutal.
Watch the video here:
https://regulatorwatch.com/brent_stafford/pretty-brutal-state-of-u-s-vaping-2022-regwatch/