Category: News This Week

  • Paper Explores British Harm Reduction Success

    Paper Explores British Harm Reduction Success

    Photo: pressmaster

    The latest briefing paper from the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), a project from public health agency Knowledge Action Change (KAC), focuses on the remarkable shift from smoking to vaping that has taken place in the United Kingdom in recent years.

    “A smokefree UK? How research, policy and vapes have cut smoking rates” explores some of the reasons behind the U.K.’s rapid and growing embrace of vaping and provides a case study showcasing the potential of tobacco harm reduction through the adoption of safer nicotine products, following KAC’s recent briefing paper on the effect heated-tobacco products have had in Japan.

    One of a number of positive country profiles set to feature in the fourth biennial Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction report, published later this year, this briefing paper shows the number of people who smoke has fallen by nearly 50 percent since the introduction of vapes nearly two decades ago (from 23.7 percent of adults in 2005 to 12.9 percent in 2022).

    KAC’s newest publication also includes a significant forecast, based on the latest available data from the Office for National Statistics and Action on Smoking and Health, that reveals the number of adults who smoke will continue to fall to just over 10 percent in 2025. In contrast, the number of adults who vape will keep rising from the 11 percent recorded in 2024, meaning vaping will overtake smoking for the first time in the U.K. According to KAC, these changes provide further evidence that when consumers have access to safer nicotine products that are acceptable and readily available, they will make the decision to switch in ever-increasing numbers.

    While this briefing paper, which will be available in 12 languages as well as English, tells a story of consumers leading the way by adopting a new technology in a bid to improve their health, it also showcases the impact that scientific research and proactive governments can have on public health policies, according to KAC.

    The U.K. has played host to some significant milestones in the study of smoking and safer nicotine products. The link between smoking and cancer was first established in the U.K. in 1950 and these studies led to the publication of the Royal College of Physicians’ landmark report “Smoking and Health.” It was the first to widely publicize information about the negative effects of smoking on health, and it is considered to be a turning point in the history of public health in the U.K. Moving forward to 2015, the predecessor of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Public Health England, published an independent evidence review that concluded nicotine vapes were around 95 percent less harmful than smoking. Now referenced around the world as the foremost example of the relative safety of vaping, this report concluded vapes had the potential to help people quit smoking.

    Armed with such strong and reliable evidence supporting the role it could play in reducing smoking rates, successive U.K. governments have continued to endorse vaping. Not only are vapes easy to access for those aged over 18, the government and the National Health Service  (NHS) have encouraged people to switch from smoking to vaping. One of the most radical ideas came in 2023 when the government announced that 1 million people who smoked would be encouraged to switch from cigarettes to vapes. As part of the “swap to stop” campaign, a world-first national scheme, around one-fifth of those who smoked would be provided with a vape starter kit, alongside behavioral support, to help them quit. For its part, the NHS provides a wealth of evidence-based advice to those who smoke about the relative safety of vapes compared to cigarettes, though it does emphasize that the full benefits of vaping are only achieved by those who manage to stop smoking cigarettes completely.

    “In a similar vein to that seen in Japan, the fall in smoking rates in the United Kingdom reinforces just how rapidly situations can improve when people already consuming nicotine by smoking can access a safer alternative like vapes,” said KAC Director David MacKintosh in a statement.

    “When vaping overtakes smoking next year in the U.K., it will not be simply the consequence of a consumer-led revolution, although this has been significant, it will also be the result of successive governments making pragmatic policy decisions based on the evidence in front of them. Maintaining a clear focus on reducing the use of combustible cigarettes provides an opportunity to achieve the ambitious 2030 ‘smoke-free’ target.”

  • Australia’s New Vape Rules Take Effect

    Australia’s New Vape Rules Take Effect

    Image: alexlmx

    Australia’s new vape rules take effect today.

    As of Oct. 1, 2024, people aged 18 years and older can buy vapes from participating pharmacies with a nicotine concentration of 20 mg per milliliter or less without a prescription, where states and territory laws allow, according to the website of the Australian government’s Department of Health and Aged Care.

    Prior to purchasing, consumers must speak with a pharmacist, discussing the product and dosage, along with other options to quit smoking and/or manage nicotine dependence. Consumers must also provide proof of age.

    Pharmacies may sell only one month’s supply to a given customer over the course of one month.

    People under 18 years need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow, to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision.

    People who need vapes with a higher concentration of nicotine than 20 mg per milliliter also need a prescription, regardless of their age.

    Flavors are restricted to mint, menthol and tobacco, and vapes must adhere to plain pharmaceutical packaging standards. 

    The law targets commercial and criminal supply of vapes. Individuals, including people under 18 years, who have a small amount of vapes/vaping products for personal use will not be targeted under the law.

  • Revenue Service Loses Camera Case Appeal

    Revenue Service Loses Camera Case Appeal

    Photo: stnazkul

    The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has lost its appeal against a ruling that prohibited the agency from installing cameras in tobacco factories to monitor production and prevent tax evasion, reports The Herald.

    Earlier this year, Bozza Tobacco and the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA), representing several smaller tobacco producers, won an interim interdict preventing the SARS from attempting to install cameras in tobacco facilities.

    The FITA argued that this constituted an “unjustified violation of the right to privacy and property.”

    In addition, critics fear that if the SARS is given the right to permanently surveil tobacco producers, it might then impose the same rule on other sectors of the economy, such as clothing, gold and fuel.

    In its appeal, the SARS argued that it needed 24-hour surveillance to counter the illicit trade in tobacco products that has resulted in rampant tax evasion.

    The Pretoria High Court ruled that the SARS had failed to address whether its appeal was in the interests of justice. It had previously been found that the SARS had not followed the exact prescripts of the Customs and Excise Act when formulating the rule that would allow it to install surveillance cameras.

    The main case against the SARS is still to be decided by the Pretoria High Court and may ultimately go to the Constitutional Court for a decision, given the constitutional issues raised regarding the rights to privacy, dignity and property.

  • Thailand Likely to Miss Smoking Reduction Goal

    Thailand Likely to Miss Smoking Reduction Goal

    Image: Ivor

    Thailand will likely miss its target of reducing smoking by 30 percent by 2025 on current trends, reports Thaiger.

    Smoking prevalence among people aged 15 and over declined from 23 percent in 2005 to 21 percent in 2024. Men continue to smoke at significantly higher rates (39.8 percent) than women (3.5 percent).

    Health advocates are most concerned about underage smoking, particularly among boys aged 10–14, where the smoking rate is 11.3 percent. Overall, 7 percent of Thai youth are identified as smokers. Although the smoking prevalence has dropped substantially from 32 percent in 1991 to around 20 percent in 2009, it has since stabilized at between 19 percent and 20 percent.

    Activists insist that meeting the 2025 goal will require continued focus on public health initiatives and smoking cessation programs.

  • Stakeholders Welcome ‘Economic Sabotage’ Law

    Stakeholders Welcome ‘Economic Sabotage’ Law

    Photo: PMFTC

    Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 26 signed a law protecting the agricultural sector, including tobacco growers, from illegal products, reports the Manila Standard.

    The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act aims to make food more affordable and provide better income to local farmers. The law classifies smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartel formation and financing of these crimes involving agricultural and fishery products as acts of economic sabotage. Violators risk life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved.

    “We are deeply grateful to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and his administration for their unwavering support in enacting this law,” said Saturnino Distor, president of the Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA), after the signing of Republic Act No. 12022. “With its implementation, we are hopeful that tobacco farming will receive adequate protection against the entry of illegal products.”

    The PTGA, which represents 50,000 tobacco farmers, described the law as a critical step to protect the industry from smuggled tobacco. Distor noted that illegal cigarettes harm farmers, especially with the rising prices of legal cigarettes due to tax increases. “We hope the government’s action against smugglers will improve the state of Philippine tobacco and bring relief to our farmers and their families,” he said.

    “We’ve seen the damaging impact of smuggling, particularly the proliferation of fake and illegal nicotine products,” said Anton Israel, founder of the Nicotine Consumption Union of the Philippines. “This new law strengthens the fight against illicit cigarette and e-cigarette trade,” he said.

  • PMI Seeks Dismissal of Zyn Lawsuit

    PMI Seeks Dismissal of Zyn Lawsuit

    Photo: PMI

    Philip Morris International and its Swedish Match North America subsidiary have asked a U.S. federal judge in Connecticut to dismiss a lawsuit claiming they falsely marketed nicotine pouches as safe and targeted adolescents, according to the USA Herald.

    In July, Florida resident Ethan Norris filed a court case claiming that Philip Morris and Swedish Match marketed Zyn nicotine pouches to adolescents by promoting them as a healthy alternative to tobacco. The lawsuit suggests the companies misled consumers by highlighting the pouches’ “food-grade flavorings” and “natural additives.” Norris further alleges that the companies employed social media influencers to target younger consumers.

    In its motion filed Sept. 24, PMI argues that the lawsuit is preempted by federal law as the labeling of its Zyn nicotine pouches is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    In a separate motion, Swedish Match North America made a similar argument and added that because Norris is a Florida resident who purchased and used the products in Florida, the case has no direct connection to Connecticut.

    PMI urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit or require Norris to provide a more specific complaint.

  • PMI Biggest Beneficiary of HTP Tax Cuts: Critics

    PMI Biggest Beneficiary of HTP Tax Cuts: Critics

    Image: Comugnero Silvana

    Philip Morris International would be the biggest beneficiary of New Zealand’s tax cuts for heated-tobacco products (HTPs), critics told Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, according to RNZ.

    In July, Costello announced a 50 percent cut to HTP excise taxes, arguing that doing so would encourage cigarette smokers to migrate to less unhealthy nicotine products.

    The government of New Zealand will set aside NZD216 million ($127.39 million) to pay for the tax reductions.  

    According to critics, the only commercial beneficiary of the tobacco tax cuts is PMI, which is the sole supplier of HTPs in New Zealand.

    In briefings to Costello, treasury officials questioned whether PMI would pass on the excise cut to consumers given its dominance in the market, according to documents obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act.

    “It may be that the reduction in excise taxes is not passed through to consumers in price reductions but rather is retained by the sole importer,” the officials warned.

    In response to questions about her motivations, Costello stated that she had no connections to the tobacco business. “It’s completely wrong to suggest that the tobacco industry has anything to do with these policies, which are aimed at helping people quit smoking,” she was quoted as saying.

    Costello has repeatedly said the excise tax cut for HTPs is designed to lower smoking rates by offering alternatives for people struggling to quit. She has claimed that “HTPs have a similar risk profile to vapes.”

    Treasury officials reportedly cited evidence that HTPs are more harmful than vaping.

  • Europe OKs French Ban on Disposables

    Europe OKs French Ban on Disposables

    Photo: justoomm

    The European Commission on Sept. 25 approved France’s bid to ban disposable vapes, reports the Connexion.

    France started the process of banning single-use e-cigarettes in December 2023, citing concerns about youth uptake and environmental pollution. Disposable vapes contain microplastics and chemical substances and are generally powered by nonrechargeable, nonrecyclable lithium batteries.

    The National Assembly’s proposed ban gained approval in the French Senate in February 2024.

    Europe’s validation was the final step in making the ban possible.

    “This is a great victory for the environment and for the health of our children, who are the main targets of these marketing campaigns,” Francesca Pasquini, co-writer of the bill, was quoted as saying.

    Lawmakers have yet to determine when the legislation will take force. The next step is for senators to vote definitively on a ban before it is formally put into effect.

    France will be joining Belgium, where the sale of disposable vapes will be illegal from Jan. 1, 2025.

    According to an investigation by the French anti-smoking federation ACT, 15 percent of teenagers aged between 13 and 16 have used e-cigarettes.

  • Atlas to Increase Air-Cured Production

    Atlas to Increase Air-Cured Production

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    Atlas Agri Zimbabwe plans to significantly increase its air-cured tobacco hectarage this season.

    According to The Herald, the sole contractor of this variety in Zimbabwe intends to grow 100 ha in 2024–2025.

    “So far, we have engaged over 150 farmers to produce the crop on over 100 hectares, up from last year’s 10 hectares that were done by 17 farmers,” Atlas Agri CEO Alex Mackay was quoted as saying.

    According to Mackay, many of the farmers who participated in the inaugural test expressed satisfaction with their sales. The top performing grower delivered 608 kg and received an average price of USD3.10 per kilogram.

    The success of the project has attracted more farmers.

    “We have seen over 300 new farmers applying for contracts, expanding our reach to Plum Tree, Fig Tree and the wider Mangwe region,” said Mackay. “Looking ahead, we have several initiatives in the pipeline aimed at enhancing yield and quality.”

    Atlas Agri aims to boost returns for its farmers while protecting the environment. Instead of relying on wood for curing fuel, the company’s contracted farmers rely entirely on natural elements.

    With the support and guidance from Agritex and the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), the company hopes to benefit both farmers and the economy in line with the government’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, according to Mackay.

    TIMB acting CEO Emmanuel Matsvaire noted that the cost of producing air-cured tobacco is relatively low at around USD400 per hectare.

  • Brazil Mulls Legalizing the Vaping Business

    Brazil Mulls Legalizing the Vaping Business

    Image: Patricia Fragoso

    Brazilian lawmakers are considering a proposal to legalize the vaping business, reports JP.

    E-cigarettes are currently prohibited in Brazil, but they are widely available throughout the nation. To restore order to the market, Senator Soraya Thronicke has proposed legislation that would regulate the production, commercialization, importation and use of vaping devices, as well as establish rules for control, inspection and advertising.

    Among other measures, the proposed legislation would require vaping companies to register their products with the health regulatory agency, the federal revenue service and other agencies. It also prescribes fines ranging from BRL20,000 ($3,678) to BRL10 million for those who sell vapes to buyers under 18 years of age.

    Proponents see regulation as a way to combat the illegal market and protect the population, especially youth. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, 22.7 percent of Brazilian teenagers have experimented with electronic cigarettes.

    Lauro Anhezini Jr, a board member of the Brazilian tobacco industry association Abifumo, believes the ban is ineffective because it enables suppliers to skirt quality standards. “What we have in Brazil today are illegal products, without any type of oversight, and they pose a risk to consumers’ health, especially teenagers,” he was quoted as saying.

    Anhezini cited the example of the United States, where strict regulations have reduced youth consumption. “In the United States, after the creation of clear rules, the use of electronic cigarettes by teenagers dropped from 27.5 percent in 2018 to 5.9 percent in 2024. This demonstrates how regulation can bring a safer and more controlled scenario for consumers,” he said.

    According to Anhezini, regulation would allow for greater control over product quality, reducing health risks and especially protecting young Brazilians who have easy access to illegal products.

    The discussion also involves economic considerations. The federal revenue service estimates that controlled legalization of e-cigarettes could generate up to BRL700 million in annual revenue.

    However, the federal highway police warns that legalization will not necessarily reduce smuggling, citing the rampant illicit trade in the regulated combustible cigarette market.

    The bill is currently in the Senate’s Economic Affairs Committee and expected to return to the agenda in November.