Thinking 'bout THR News and Views
Feb 24-Mar 5, 2025
What might prevent people from quitting smoking?
Barriers, brick walls, prohibition, misinformation, moral panic, fearmongering, clickbait, misperceptions, disinformation, fake news, burdensome regulations, lack of empathy, stigmatization, disdain, disrespect… Need I go on?
Think of people who smoke or might smoke in the future as the flowers we want to grow in the garden of individual and public health. We can try all we want to force a smoke-free world. We can ban, tax, ostracize until we’ve run out of laws to pass to try to force people to do what we want. People are still going to smoke. Some people like smoking. They don’t care if you disapprove of the thing that gives them pleasure. They think you should bud (get it - flower buds) out of their business. Even if they want to quit, we’re not addressing the pleasure part.
If society could get past its moral panic, its vitriolic hate of the “Big T,” and its disgust at the sight of someone enjoying themselves, maybe, just maybe, we could help them stop smoking.
Of course, that would mean society gets off their judgmental high horse and stops thinking people can’t do things they like doing. And like it or not, some people (including me) like nicotine. We like socializing with people who use nicotine. We like a reason to take a break. We like the sensory parts. We like the kick or the increase in focus. There are many reasons why we derive pleasure from our use.
Will the world ever realize that it is time to help people reduce the potential harm they are exposing themselves to while allowing them to enjoy something?
I’m not holding my breath for this one.
Just think, while you’re reading this, someone will die from smoking-related causes EVERY FOUR SECONDS!
Somebody check my math - I suck at math. If it takes 5 minutes to read this newsletter X 60 seconds per minute = 300 seconds. 300 seconds/4 seconds between deaths = 75 people will die while you’re reading this. I haven’t done a newsletter in over a week, so this one will be extra long. It might take 10-15 minutes to read it. How many people will die in that amount of time? You do the math and then tell me we’re ok with that number.
Our garden is dying. #tears
Until next time…
PS: I would like to go 24 hours without seeing BS headlines about the products that could help those who smoke or another study done poorly. But I would have to lock myself away from the world and sit in dark solitude for that to happen. How bad is the misinformation problem? Bad enough for a vape company to be hiring a chief misinformation officer!
I am too frustrated with all the garbage I saw trying to do another newsletter to think of anything I’m grateful for.
Britain’s new nicotine addiction that could be more dangerous than vaping. The dangerous rise in these oral pouches is taking a worrying toll on the health of the nation’s youth.
Study: Vaping Does Not Help U.S. Tobacco Smokers Quit. The findings, published March 5 in JAMA, refute the notion that e-cigarettes can help people quit, a common misperception among tobacco users and e-cigarette proponents. Please see these comments.
Study reveals 'shocking' impact of e-cigarettes on brain. (Note: I post my research on this here. It has been updated since it was initially published. There are new links to pushback and much more to the backstory.)
SRNT-E 2025 Conference Opening Debate – Don’t Miss It!
Mandated reduction of nicotine in tobacco: The logical next step or an unworkable policy? (See the post on LinkedIn here.)
Stand Up For Science Rally. March 7, 2025 - Washington DC and other locations.
Six Urban Myths About Smoke-Free Nicotine. “Today, I am happy to give space to Brad Rodu, a Professor of Medicine and an endowed chair in Tobacco Harm Reduction Research addressing our misunderstanding of the health effects of nicotine and cigarette substitutes.”
A full guide to vape aerosols, formation, properties and comparisons: Post 3. “This is the third Substack post of a series of posts describing vaping aerosols, their properties, their optimal regime of operation and comparisons with tobacco smoke and other aerosols.”
FDLI. “Making the move from government to the private sector? Join our free webinar this thursday for expert insights on the job market, positioning yourself effectively, and networking strategies.”
Jeffrey Willett. “Today marks the 25th anniversary of an important footnote in the story of tobacco control in the United States and a critical milestone in my career. On March 3, 2000, Ohio SB192 was enacted into law establishing the Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Trust Fund which, over a 15-year period, was to receive $1.5 Billion (yes, with a B) from Ohio’s share of the tobacco master settlement agreement.”
Jon Dice - Proposal for the Office of Harm Reduction - FDA Center for Tobacco Products. “The Office of Harm Reduction (OHR) is a proposed unit within the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) tasked with a single mission: accelerating access to harm-reduced tobacco products by slashing bureaucratic delays and simplifying reviews.”
Jeffrey Weiss. “As this article reflects, there seems to be a bottomless appetite for new “sticks” against the combustion cigarette. But unless and until FDA begins to commit itself to the “carrot” side of the behavioral equation by enabling an authorized nicotine vaping marketplace – measures like the proposed VLNC rule are not going anywhere.”
Juul Cleared in Patent Dispute with Altria. “The U.S. International Trade Commission affirmed a judge’s decision exculpating Juul in an infringement case brought by Altria-owned NJOY over several vaping patents.”
Judge denies state representative's request to block tobacco lobbyists at MT Legislature. “Rep. Ron Marshall, R-Hamilton, sued Altria and R.J. Reynolds in federal court earlier this month alleging the companies were violating anti-lobbying provisions set out in the 1998 settlement those companies made with several states.”
ITG owes Reynolds American $251.5 million for Florida tobacco settlement, judge rules. “A Delaware judge on Monday ordered ITG Brands to pay rival cigarette maker Reynolds American $251.5 million in connection with a Florida tobacco settlement, following ITG's purchase of four cigarette brands from Reynolds a decade ago.”
VPR Brands Secures Settlement Agreement With POP Vapor, Reinforcing Commitment to Intellectual Property Protection. “POP Vapor will pay VPR Brands $30,000 within 14 days of the effective date of the Settlement Agreement.” (plus royalties)
Judge Pauses FDA Menthol Ban Case to August. “The lawsuit filed by anti-tobacco groups seeking to challenge the Food and Drug Administration’s delay to ban menthol cigarettes was paused by a federal judge in response to moves made by the Trump administration.”
Update - Tweet(s) now displaying a community note:
Senator Dick Durbin. Big Tobacco's deadly profit scheme relies on addicting children. I introduced the End Tobacco Loopholes Act with Ron Wyden and Congressman Raja to update federal taxes on tobacco corporations, helping to prevent youth smoking and vaping, and saving billions on health care costs. (Durbin’s press release is here.)
Denmark’s excessive restriction on nicotine pouches – a major error. “The Danish government plans to restrict the nicotine content of pouches to 9 mg starting in July 2025, to be fully implemented by April 2026. I write to the government to express concerns about the effects on adults and youth and the predictable unintended consequences.”
Finland to ban nicotine pouch flavours. “The new Bill will now require approval from the unicameral Parliament (a legislature with a single chamber, or assembly, that makes laws and votes as one). If passed, it will come into force on March 20.”
Consumers Demand COP11 Inclusion. “CAPHRA is calling on COP11 delegates to grant formal observer status to consumer groups, adopt risk-proportionate regulations distinguishing safer products from cigarettes, and subject WHO FCTC policies to United Nations human rights oversight. The organisation contends that, with 1.1 billion global smokers, the WHO’s current stance risks millions of preventable deaths.”
High-Smoking France Bans Disposable Vapes and Nicotine Pouches. “Noting France’s high and rising smoking rates, Poirson said the “victims” of the ban will be adults—often those experiencing mental health conditions and financial hardship—who will now be deprived of legal access to products that have helped many quit smoking.”
Synthetic Nicotine Bill Fails in South Korea Subcommittee. “Lawmakers expressed opposition to the bill, questioning the research that synthetic nicotine is harmful.”
A Warning for the Rest of Canada: Imperial Tobacco Canada concedes vapour market in PEI to illegal operators. “Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN) announces today it will withdraw its vapour products from Prince Edward Island (PEI) due to the province's failure to enforce regulations, allowing the illegal market to thrive. Furthermore, an overly complex tax harmonization process has further disadvantaged legal businesses, contributing to ITCAN's decision.”
European commissioner wrongly states “Vaping kills” “Hoeskstra, from the Netherlands, made the sweeping claim in response to a question from French MEP Pierre Pimpie about excise taxes for tobacco companies.”
Mass firings hit US tobacco regulators overwhelmed with thousands of new products. “Most of the fired staffers who spoke to The Examination were responsible for reviewing applications for tens of thousands of new tobacco products, including efforts to ensure that they are not appealing to kids.”
Science over Sensationalism: How Clickbait Reporting Fuels Public Misperceptions about Vaping and Sets Public Health Back. “In the rapidly evolving nicotine product landscape, rigorous science and evidence should be our north star. This is true for everyone, from the regulators analyzing products for authorization to the reporters who wield influence over our understanding of public health issues. Yet, recent media coverage of an unpublished Manchester Metropolitan University study belies this guiding principle and highlights a disturbing trend undermining public health and scientific integrity.”
Which Products Help Avoid Regular Cigs? “Alternative products like vapes or cigarettes with very low levels of nicotine (VLNCs) seemed to help people with no intention of quitting smoking to avoid smoking their regular brand of cigs—not just during a trial switch week but even in the week thereafter.”
The Harm Reduction Race. “The race is on for success in harm reduction: encouraging smokers to switch completely to reduced risk alternatives. Evidence of this rapidly evolving trend can be seen from all lanes — consumers, manufacturers, retailers, the government and even public health.”
An Interview With Citizen Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate Skip Murray. “It’s important to get to know the person and find a way to meet them where they're at. It’s not just the nicotine that keeps people smoking. You have to find out what smoking does for a person and find out how to substitute that so it’s easier for them to switch. Some people don’t want much vapor; other people need that sensory experience of blowing a cloud. Some people like the tobacco flavor, and some people are like, “I don’t want it to remind me of a cigarette, I want a different flavor.” And no matter how you quit smoking, people who have some sort of support have higher success rates. So it’s a lot of individualism, talking, and listening.”
Smoking, vaping ban not approved during Muskegon City Commission meeting. “The City of Muskegon will not see adjustments made to current park rules after the city commission failed to approve proposed rule changes. Currently, smoking is banned in specific areas of some parks. On Tuesday, the commission reviewed proposed, updated rules for city parks including a ban on smoking and vaping at all locations.”
Over-regulation Creates More Problems Than It Solves: Bans in New York. “Unfortunately, reduced smoking isn’t the only outcome of stringent tobacco control measures in New York: The state is also seeing a rise in the illicit trade of cigarettes. More than 54 percent of products used in the state are smuggled in (the highest in the United States), with nearly 232 million smuggled packs per year.”
Charlie's Holdings (OTCQB:CHUC) Receives FDA PMTA Acceptance Filings for Eleven PACHA(TM) Flavored Disposables. “At this date, Charlie's has received Acceptance Filings for more than 700 of its PMTA submissions. Since 2020 the Company has invested more than $7MM on a team of more than 200 professionals, including doctors, scientists, biostatisticians, data analysts, and numerous contract research organizations to create Charlie's PMTA submissions.”
Rep. James Spillane: Menthol and flavored vape bans aren't just wrong, they are harmful. “As a lawmaker familiar with the debates around tobacco policy, I have learned about tobacco harm reduction and the continuum of risk among nicotine products.”
Big Tobacco Is Pushing Anti-Vaping Narrative; Harming American Small Business. “These companies are pushing a narrative that demonizes Chinese-manufactured vapes—despite the fact that their own products are manufactured in the same country. Their efforts severely limit adult access to products that are significantly less harmful than cigarettes.”
Over-regulation Creates More Problems Than It Solves: Flavor Bans in Massachusetts. “Unsurprisingly, Massachusetts experienced the same unintended outcomes as reported in other states that have implemented similar bans. Adults who switched to flavored ECs either migrated back to cigarettes or found other methods to access flavored products via cross-border purchasing.”
Illegal U.S. vape sales worth at least $2.4 billion in 2024, data shows. “That would mean that flavoured disposable vapes account for around 35% of the market tracked by Circana. The company's data only tracks sales in certain channels such as convenience stores and does not capture vapes sales made online, in independent stores and in speciality vape outlets.”
More news: Vapers Digest Feb 28, Mar 3, Mar 5.
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.
My blog, Skip's Corner, has an X/Twitter account. My personal accounts are on BlueSky, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter).