Thinking 'bout THR News & Views
Thinking 'bout THR News & Views
November 8-10, 2024
Announcing a new format for the newsletters
I come from a long line of farmers, and even though I don’t live on a farm anymore, that heritage stays with me. I love to harvest information; sharing it is like planting knowledge in other people’s brains.
Creating these newsletters allows me to do both, gather and share, but they get too long, don’t email well, and can be overwhelming for readers. It is like flooding a farmer’s field, making it difficult for anything to grow!
Starting with this edition, I will expand from one field—Thinking ‘bout THR Newsletter—to two fields. One will cover News & Views, and the other will cover Events & Opportunities.
I hope the change makes for a more enjoyable reading experience.
Until next time….
PS: November 11 is Veteran’s Day in the US. I thank all of you who served and your families, too. Veterans are the focus of this edition’s Podcasts and Videos section.
Dave Dobbins - “We are obviously living in an incredibly divided and increasingly unstable world. My effort this time is to confront with empathy and kindness.”
Jeffrey Willett - “This research from Truth Initiative is incredibly important and speaks to two coexisting realities in our society. First, much greater efforts are needed at the federal, state and local levels to address the illicit e-cigarette marketplace. Second, having only three legally authorized e-cigarette brands clearly fails to meet adult consumer demand for these products.”
Holden Thorp - “Sharp piece from Nature Portfolio. When folks say things about science that goes beyond what's in the papers, it creates all kinds of problems. University press officers really need to help us not overhype things, because we spend a lot of time explaining why some of that didn't end up the paper. Same with comments to media by authors.”
Robyn Gougelet - “Ending smoking requires an all-of-the-above approach, including increasing access to proven pharmacotherapies and new medicinal options regulated by FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), behavioral support, and access to products that deliver nicotine without smoke regulated by FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). This includes Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), more commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, which were not mentioned in the original piece.”
I want to send a heartfelt thank you to Nick Green (GrimmGreen). He read my op-ed about veterans on his vlog. The way Bob’s story touched Nick is a testament to how much he cares about people who smoke. Please watch Nick reading and commenting on Bob’s story.
Smoke Less Vets with Matt Kenney | After Action Podcast Clips.
“Dual Use” of Vapes and Cigarettes Is Unfairly Maligned. “Dual use, referring to people who smoke and vape concurrently, is a phenomenon often cited by opponents of vaping to discredit its harm reduction impact. To their claim that switching is not quitting, they add that dual use simply extends people’s addiction to nicotine, doesn’t help them quit smoking, and may even be worse for health than smoking alone.” (Note: Contains quotes from people who dual used.)
In the moral panic over vaping, we risk forgetting that cigarettes kill. “Our victory over the cancer sticks is more fragile than we might think.”
Councillor suggests issuing Rubik's cubes to help people quit smoking. “Cllr Mallinson suggested that those who were considering giving up the habit could be issued with items such as “Rubik’s Cubes” to keep them occupied and added: “It’s habitual as much as a nicotine hit.” […] Ms Lewis, who started in post in September and had previously worked in Durham for 19 years, said it could take as many as 30 attempts to successfully kick the habit and added: “We used to give out fidget spinners in Durham.” […] Cllr Mallinson said potential weight gain should also be considered. He said: “Mars Bars are a good substitute.”
Voices of Harm Reduction Pt 6: Kurt Yeo. “[My father] was 53. I always say that my father survived the border wars in South Africa, he survived two broken necks. He was a provincial rugby player when he was a youngster. But the thing that eventually killed him was a cigarette.”
Poland plans to ban nicotine pouches over health risks. “Nicotine pouches, small parcels containing synthetic nicotine that are placed on the gums, have been gaining popularity in Poland as an alternative to smoking or vaping.”
Belchertown Board of Health public hearing to discuss generational nicotine ban. “The proposed ordinance would ban the sale of vape or tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2004; a group that will turn 21 next year. These bans, called “nicotine-free generation,” measures were made possible by a similar law passed in Brookline back in 2020. The ban was upheld in a ruling by the state’s highest court.”
“Stop smoking before it stops you” – couple quit together thanks to Oxfordshire stop smoking services. “They were put in touch with Karen Boardman from the Stop for Life team, who provided them with support and aids to help them quit together, using nicotine pouches and sprays to help.” […] “Free support is available to all smokers in Oxfordshire and can include one to one coaching, a free rechargeable vape kit and or nicotine replacement therapy for up to 12 weeks.”
Feelings, Not Facts, Win in Most Decisions – By Far. “Facts are always important, but feelings carry the day in most decisions we make. This includes scientists, policymakers, and really, all of us. […] In other words, people need facts to inform their choices, but feelings about those facts drive their decisions. […] Making progress toward common ground will require us to listen to the feelings other people have about the facts before us.” (The article is not about nicotine, but I think we find what is says true in this space also. ~Skip)
Notes:
I create these newsletters as a personal project. They are not affiliated with any current or past employers or groups I do volunteer work with. I receive no financial compensation for my efforts to create these newsletters.
I believe that everyone deserves a seat at the table. If you’re interested in nicotine with a focus on THR, this newsletter is for you.
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