Thinking 'bout THR News & Views
Thinking 'bout THR News & Views
November 10-13, 2024
In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
I promised to speak more about my last trip, during which I attended the FDLI and NTSC events. I eagerly waited for today to tell you about my latest grand adventure.
While most people will look forward to holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, the days I look forward to the most are Random Acts of Kindness Day in February, Pay It Forward Day in April, and World Kindness Day, celebrated today. (Do you see a theme here?) Today is the perfect day to share some stories about my trip.
What I liked about attending FDLI and NTSC was the broader variety of perspectives compared to what I’ve experienced at other conferences. Both events won me over when they tried to develop a way for consumers to register when their websites lacked a consumer option.
I expected people to be on edge at these events. Both conferences were a few days before the election, so I thought people would be focused on politics. Add in differing views on tobacco and nicotine, and it seemed like the stage could be set for fireworks.
There were none.
Instead, I witnessed respectful conversations where stakeholders shared viewpoints, data, and solutions. I saw a variety of stakeholders mingling with each other. Both conferences lacked the us vs. them vibe. It was incredible to see.
At both conferences, people were warm and welcoming. Many walked up and introduced themselves. I may have been the lone consumer, but there was always someone to talk to and sit with. I was made to feel like I belonged there just as much as everyone else.
It was an honor at both conferences to be given a shout-out for being there, backed up with the hope of seeing more consumer involvement. I can’t describe how gratifying it was to hear a variety of stakeholders say that consumer voices matter and need to be heard.
Several nights on my trip, I went out to dinner with others. It was nice not to spend every night eating alone! The conversations were great, and I enjoyed getting to know people better.
While I am a champion of navigating up here in the Great North Woods, throw me into a city, and I become very disoriented. All the lights, sounds, cars, etc., scramble my brain. So, I want to thank those aware of this who walked with me to restaurants or ensured I was safely tucked into a UBER to head back to the hotel.
I was stubborn one night and said I didn’t need help… yep, I got lost in the dark somewhere in DC. I will never be stubborn about accepting help to ensure I get safely from A to B again! Whew! Getting lost rattled my cage. Thank you to those who chatted with me afterward so I could calm down enough to get some sleep.
I love to travel, and I’ve been to many places. But it wasn’t until I started making THR advocacy trips that I traveled alone outside Minnesota. I have a set routine for these trips; I only fly in and out of the same three airports, I fly the same airline, I wear my sunflower lanyard (which lets staff know I have a hidden disability and might need help), and I always reserve the same seats on the plane. I know where to go in each airport when I’ve reached sensory overload so I can sit in a quiet place and regroup.
Adding South Carolina to my trip meant I had to fly a different airline and to a different airport. (I did get the same seat, though!) This one little change in my routine was an anxiety booster. I landed in Charleston and got turned around at the airport. Finally, I found the baggage signs and headed in the right direction.
By then, I was maxed out and flustered. All I wanted was to get my bags, hop into an Uber to my room, and sit in the dark and quiet. I was so close to a panic attack! Suddenly, a man said my name. I saw Mike Cummings walking up to me with a big smile!
I was so focused on getting my bags that I never would have seen Mike. He could have looked the other way. Not only did he direct me to baggage, but he invited me to return to where he was sitting. He said he was there to pick up people flying in for the conference and would gladly give me a ride to my hotel.
Now, when I got vocal about conferences including consumers, I meant things like a category for us to register under, affordable fees, and including us in the conversations. I never imagined Mike’s level of inclusion, which meant offering me the same hospitality he extended to the speakers and panelists.
I then had an enjoyable conversation with Mike and David Levy as they waited for two others to arrive. Since my room was the farthest away, Mike dropped everyone else off first.
Now, Mike could have just left me staring out the car window, but instead, he struck up a conversation and quickly tuned into how much the water, vegetation, and old buildings interested me. I got quite the education on the ride to my room! My curiosity was in heaven!
I could write many more paragraphs about all the kindness I experienced on this last trip. I was impressed with the organizers, attendees, presenters, and panelists at both conferences. I never expected kindness to have the most significant impact on the whole experience!
I love the line from the song “We Are The World” that says, “There’s a choice we’re making; we’re saving our own lives.” I think that tells the consumer story in one line. Thank you to all who have been kind enough to listen to our voices, support our choice to find what works best for us, and try to include us.
May kindness guide your thoughts, words, and actions today.
Until next time….
PS: A few items in this edition aren’t nicotine-related, but their messaging felt relevant.
Suely Castro. “Today Sweden has officially become smoke-free. This isn’t just Sweden’s victory - it’s a proof of concept for the entire world. 5.3% overall smoking prevalence, and 4.5% for those born in Sweden. Time for the world to catch up!”
Derek Yach. “While they [Sweden] are now Europe's leaders, let's not forget that many countries have escaped tobacco's deadly effects so far by not starting to smoke. Two examples being Nigeria 🇳🇬 and Ethiopia 🇪🇹 where under 5% of adults smoke led by less than 1.5% of women smoking. These countries should be examplars for women in many LMICs, as well as Asian and Middle Eastern countries.”
Jeffrey Weiss. “…Neither Truth nor any tobacco control advocacy group stands higher in the public health hierarchy than FDA. If they want to be taken seriously as guardians of public health and not simply as advocates serving the particular interests of funders – it is long past time for them to responsibly educate the public about FDA-authorized vaping products. And, in the case of Truth - now under new leadership - it needs to fulfill its pledge to incorporate authorized vaping products into the Ex Program.”
Dr Colin Mendelsohn “Dear all, Just letting you know that I have retired (finally)…”
ScienceUpFirst | LaScienced'Abord. “Today's the day! It’s the launch of our #TogetherAgainstMisinformation campaign!…”
We Are The World: The Story Behind The Song (1985) with extras is a documentary about amazing things that happen when people work together. It took some work, but they got it done. To top it off, they had fun doing it. Imagine how many lives we could save if more of us could find a way to join forces and unite our voices. It’s possible. It starts with kindness. I saw it for myself in Washington, D.C., and Charleston, SC.
BREAKING NEWS: Swedes First in World to Become Smoke Free – It’s a Lesson for Canada Says Smoke Free Sweden. “Official health data released by Sweden’s public health agency show that just 4.5% of the nation’s Swedish-born over-16s smoke - significantly below the globally recognised benchmark of 5% for smoke free status. The average smoking rate in Canada (10.9%) is more than double Sweden’s.”
Tobacco and Vapor Product Use Down in Vermont, Flavors Not Main Reason for Use. “In 2023, among Vermont high school students who were currently vaping, the most common reason for using e-cigarettes was because they were “curious about them,” as reported by 25% of high school students who were vaping. Only 2% cited using e-cigarettes because of flavors.”
Boredom, relaxation and experimentation are among top reasons teens vape. “The study stresses the importance of understanding the diverse reasons behind teen vaping…”
Michigan: Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians casinos to be smokefree. “We’ve heard from many customers and team members who feel a smoke-free environment is the right step forward. We’re excited to meet their needs and provide an even more welcoming atmosphere at all our properties.”
Hampshire County Council offers grants to help quit smoking. “The grants, of up to £50,000 each, will be awarded to district and borough councils, as well as voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.”
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading. “This Government is committed to reducing smoking rates and to reducing youth vaping. The vaping reforms proposed in this bill sit within the Government's commitment to achieve the Smokefree 2025 goals. Many people have switched from smoking to vaping. That has been a contributing factor to the recent rapid reductions in New Zealand's smoking rates. We are committed to sustaining that momentum, and vapes must continue to be available as a cessation tool for adult smokers.”
What Does “Lived Experience” Really Mean? “Nothing about us without us” begins with the inclusion of those most excluded.
Calling out fake news part 6. “The disinformation scene has been alive and kicking.”
Smoking Rates in Greater Manchester Hit Record Low. “Figures released from 2023, show an estimated 284,000 adults (12.5% of the population) now smoke within GM with a record 36,800 adults giving up smoking last year alone. The drop puts GM closer than ever to the national average smoking rates (11.6%) – marking the first time the gap has been less than 1%.”
New initiative aims to address growing catastrophes created by misinformation. “He said that a particular challenge that experts in the research of misinformation have been seeing is the ever-increasing tie between ideology and misinformation, which makes it harder to combat untruths.”
World No Tobacco Day: Unmasking the appeal. “WHO is pleased to announce the theme for the 2025 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) campaign: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”
Fixing what's broken Practical Consumer-Friendly Insurance Reforms to Save Money. “However, current insurance forms do not distinguish between tobacco and non-combustible nicotine use, causing users of safer alternatives to pay higher premiums similar to smokers. Updating insurance policies to differentiate these products could encourage more smokers to switch to lower-risk options, saving consumers money and reducing strain on the healthcare system.”
Millions of Japanese lives could be saved–experts. “Japan can now successfully learn from the Swedish experience, because the evidence from Sweden is compelling, and the need for action is urgent. To achieve this, Japan must adopt policies that make all alternatives to smoking accessible, acceptable and affordable to people who smoke. Smokers are often discriminated against for their addiction, however like all other members of our society, they also deserve the right to healthier choices,” said Quit Like Sweden founding director Suely Castro.
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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