Thinking 'bout THR News & Views

November 14-17, 2024

Today’s thoughts will not be in their usual space at the top of this newsletter. Since my trip to DC and SC, I have been reminiscing about the vast amounts of kindness I witnessed, which made the one unkind thing I heard stab me in a way I have been unable to let go of.

That comment reminds me how unbalanced and contentious the conversation is about tobacco harm reduction, smoking, and nicotine. Once again, I sit here in tears, thinking about how many people will die today from smoking tobacco.

So, I wrote my commentary in a separate post. Here is the link if you’re curious: Dr. King's (and everyone's) words matter.

Until next time….

PS: Please give a hug to someone you care about. We never know when it will be our last hug.

• Ziauddin Islam. “Despite this comprehensive framework, the WHO, FCTC, and funded NGOs have predominantly focused on demand and supply strategies, neglecting harm reduction. Instead of embracing evidence-based harm reduction approaches, these organizations have demonized public health advocates and global stakeholders promoting harm reduction, discredited reduced-risk exposure alternatives to combustible cigarettes, and failed to address the urgent need for harm reduction strategies.”

• Sairah Salim-Sartoni. “Great work here by Riot Rehab.! It's all about giving people who smoke the opportunity via a day to day activity to get accurate information, a variety products and words of support that motivate them to have a go at quitting.”

• Cheryl Olson “A pleasure to be part of today's UK Vaping Industry Association panel on "Closing the Trust Gap." Since there is never enough time, I'll put up information (in 3 posts) that we didn't have time to address.” (Part 1 media & gaming) (Part 2 communicating with physicians about vaping) (Part 3 public education campaigns)

• Mark Dickinson. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill – celebrate or burn?

• Understanding U.S. Vaping Regulations: Key Insights from the Vaping Index 2024. “The "Vaping Index 2024" sheds light on the varied and evolving approaches to vaping regulation across the U.S., emphasizing the need for policies rooted in harm reduction and scientific understanding.”

• Extra time for consultation on Tobacco Bill.

• GFN.TV Interviews #52 | HERE TO STAY | Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2024.

• The impact of novel nicotine products on publicly traded tobacco companies.

• Policy Friction | Special Interest NGO’s Behind Push to Ban Flavours | RegWatch.

• The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2024: A Situation Report.

• Bringing the flamethrower of reform to FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.

• World Diabetes Day: CoEHAR’s innovative approach to supporting better health and lifestyle for people with diabetes. “…This aligns closely with our ongoing DIASMOKE FREE study, where we are investigating the impact of smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction on diabetes management and overall health outcomes“, explains Prof. Riccardo Polosa, founder of CoEHAR, “The study underscores our commitment to helping individuals make informed lifestyle changes that can profoundly improve diabetes control and quality of life.”

• Public Trust in Scientists and Views on Their Role in Policymaking. “Trust moves slightly higher but remains lower than before the pandemic.”

• Charting a path forward on smoking harm reduction. “During the previous legislative session, small businesses involved in the vapor product industry faced the imposition of a “Vapor Registry” measure. The rationale behind this proposal proved unsubstantiated, and it presumed the existence of a functional and effective regulatory framework established by the Food and Drug Administration, which, in reality, is not in place.”

• Mexico Set to Put Vape Ban in Constitution. It Could Fuel Violence, as Well as Smoking. “Around the world, exaggerated or fabricated health concerns are often enough to get vapes banned, despite the fact that combustible tobacco—which unequivocally causes 8 million annual deaths—is sold legally.”

• Smoking out, vaping in: A new CDC report offers cause for optimism. “Since 2015, the FDA has issued only 56 marketing orders for newer tobacco products introduced in the United States after February 2007. Despite authorizing more than 16,000 other tobacco products since 2012, the FDA has approved marketing for only 34 e-cigarette products. In contrast, in 2023, the agency issued more than 660 orders for combustible cigarettes, despite declining smoking rates among American adults. This disparity likely contributes to public confusion about the relative health benefits of e-cigarettes.”

• Oakland City Council approves smoking and vaping ban in certain areas on first reading. “Another aspect of the ordinance would ban smoking in dwellings of apartment complexes and condominiums with an exception for smoking cannabis. It would also define vaping as a form of smoking, therefore banning vaping in all areas where smoking is already banned.”

• Across all 50 states, the same 5 disparities in cigarette smoking persist. “These consistent disparities across all states underscore the wide-reaching consequences of the social, economic, and health inequalities facing our country. To tackle disparities in smoking prevalence, these broader societal factors must be addressed.”

• Vic’s tough new tobacco laws. “This will help protect legitimate business from getting undercut from criminal syndicates and ban those who have criminal affiliations from having anything to do with this trade.” (But will it stop the fire bombings? ~Skip)

• CAPHRA Demands COP11 Seats. “The Coalition of Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is calling on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to open the upcoming Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Conference of the Parties (COP11) to consumer advocacy groups, in line with human rights principles and evidence-based policymaking. “

• Reflections: How to make a difference now. “Today, I want to share thoughts on one particular aspect of how I intend to fight for evidence-based public health and medicine in the coming months and years…”

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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