Another 17,200 New Zealanders need to quit tobacco smoking each year until 2025 if the country is to reach its goal of having under five percent of the population smoking daily by then, according to a story by Amy Wiggins at nzherald.co.nz, citing the results of a new study.
The 17,200 figure is more than double the current quit rate, the study, published in Friday’s New Zealand Medical Journal, reported.
The research, headed by Professor Nick Wilson of the department of public health at Otago University’s Wellington campus, found the country was set to fall far short of the Smoke-free Aotearoa 2025 goal if the current trend continues.
It was estimated that, in line with the current trend, 17.4 percent of Māori and 7.2 percent of non-Māori people would be smoking in 2025.
To reach the 2025 target, it would be necessary to increase the number of long-term quitters by an average of 8,400 in the case of Māori and 8,800 in the case of non-Māori.
The authors estimated Quitline and funded face-to-face smoking cessation services helped 8,100 people quit each year – 2,000 Māori and 6,100 non-Māori.
That was 19 percent of the Māori quitters and 34 percent of the non-Māori quitters needed each year to reach the 2025 goal.
Based on these figures, the authors concluded that an unrealistically large increase in the use of cessation services would be needed to meet the target; so other strategies were needed.
They proposed the continuation of large tax increases on tobacco, extra funding for cessation services and advertising campaigns, and subsidies to help people switch to electronic cigarettes.
Category: Harm Reduction
Quitting off target
Taxes reflect risk
Malaysia’s Customs Department is considering the tax status of heat-not-burn products, according to a story in The Sun Daily.
“We are still studying this as the product is new,” the Department’s director-general Datuk Seri Subromaniam Tholasy was quoted as saying.
The director-general was responding to a query from the Sun Daily as to whether IQOS should be subject to tax in line with the Government’s aim of reducing tobacco consumption.
“There is already excise duty on the tobacco. As for the device, it is an issue of classification.”
“That device is an electronic gadget,” he said. “Classification of a product is something international and we will need to consult the World Customs Organization and other countries.
“However, we are open to the idea and will further study this.”
The Sun said that IQOS retailed mainly in vape stores and upmarket tobacco dealers, at between RM260 and RM600, depending on what accessories were included.
The IQOs device’s Heets tobacco sticks, which were also available at gas filling stations and convenience stores, retailed for RM14.00 for a pack of 20. A pack of premium combustible cigarettes sold at RM17.40.
The excise duty on each stick of Heets, about 24 sen, was about 40 percent lower than that on a regular cigarette, 40 sen.E-liquid rules 'defy logic'
The owner of two vaping stores in Portland, Oregon, US, is asking a judge to throw out a state list of banned words and pictures on vaping liquid packages, according to a story by Aimee Green at oregonlive.com.
Paul Bates says the state’s “ridiculous” rules defy logic. For instance, he says in his lawsuit that the packages can’t use the words ‘apple or ‘strawberry’ even to describe the apple- or strawberry-infused liquids he sells for use with electronic cigarettes.
The same goes for pictures of apples or strawberries.
Employees at his Division Vapor stores in Southeast and Northeast Portland use white stickers to cover images on the labels that don’t comply with state rules, and that amounts to censorship and a violation of free speech, the suit contends.
“The new rules are just mind-boggling,” Bates reportedly told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Wednesday.
His suit lists the Oregon Health Authority, which is responsible for creating the banned list, as a defendant. Delia Hernandez, a spokeswoman for the agency, declined comment because of the pending litigation.
Hernandez, however, said the recent packaging rules were sparked by concern from the state lawmakers, who passed a law in 2015 requiring that packaging not be attractive to children.
In response, the Oregon Health Authority adopted a rule that said vaping liquid labels can’t depict images that might be appealing to minors – including those of “celebrities, athletes, mascots, fictitious characters” or “food or beverages likely to appeal to minors such as candy, desserts, soda, food or beverages with sweet flavors including fruit or alcohol”. This year, health officials added words, such as “tart, tangy, sweet, cool, fire, ice” and the names of fruits.
Bates, who buys his entire inventory from other companies that mostly don’t comply with Oregon regulations, said the health authority hadn’t forced him to follow the latest rules – yet.
The suit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Beaverton attorney Herbert Grey is representing BatesE-cig rules could change
In response to a UK parliamentary report on electronic cigarettes, the Government has agreed to review e-cigarette regulations once EU legislation ceases to apply, according to a story by Carolyn Wickware for the Pharmaceutical Journal.
In its response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s report on e-cigarettes (see TR news report, Harm reduction within reach, August 17), the Government has agreed with recommendations for a review of e-cigarette regulation ‘to identify scope for change post-Brexit’.
The committee had recommended in its e-cigarettes report, published in August, that the regulations, ‘which are currently applied under EU legislation,’ should be changed as ‘part of a wider shift to a more risk-proportionate regulatory environment,’ in which restrictions, advertising rules and taxes ‘reflect the evidence on the relative harms of the various e-cigarette and tobacco products available’.
In its response, the Department of Health and Social Care said it was committed to a review ‘to re-appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s health’.
The response added: ‘We will look to identify where we can sensibly deregulate without harming public health or where current EU regulations limit our ability to deal with tobacco’.
The government also committed to ‘consider reviewing the position on snus,’ which is banned within the EU outside of Sweden. The response document said it would consider whether snus would promote ‘proportional harm reduction’.Technology that satisfies
British American Tobacco said yesterday it had launched two products in which new puretech blade technology had replaced the coil and wick heating mechanism traditionally found in e-cigarettes.
In a note posted on its website, BAT said that it was launching two new electronic cigarettes, Vype iSwitch and Vype iSwitch Maxx, in five of its VIP branded stores in London.
The company said the new products were powered by the world-first vaping technology, Vype puretech, as it sought to provide an even more satisfying option for adult smokers looking for a potentially reduced-risk alternative to traditional cigarettes. The new products were aimed at smokers who had yet to find a vaping alternative that satisfied them.
Vype iSwitch and Vype iSwitch Maxx are driven by new-to-world puretech blade technology – replacing the coil and wick heating mechanism traditionally found in e-cigarettes,’ the note said. ‘This breakthrough heating technology is proprietary to BAT and protected by multiple patents.’
BAT highlighted that:- ‘It is a fabric-free technology – an ultra-slim stainless-steel blade, which replaces the traditional coil and wick, heating the e-liquid to create the vapor which the consumer inhales.
- ‘The blade, which is around the thickness of a human hair, has a surface area ten times larger than a traditional coil and wick heating system, providing a much more precise and measured way to heat the e-liquid.
- ‘Results in increased consumer taste satisfaction by ensuring a smoother, richer and more consistent vape.
- ‘The power and design of the technology delivers nicotine more effectively – even with lower strength nicotine e-liquids.
- ‘Vype puretech, as tested on Vype iSwitch, also produces a vapor which contains around 99 percent less toxicants than the smoke from a conventional cigarette – the biggest reduction, to date, that BAT has seen in its portfolio of Vype vapor products.’
BAT said the new range had been designed to have a premium look and feel.
‘Vype iSwitch and Vype iSwitch Maxx are closed-system vaping devices with consumer-centric design features, such as the “slide and lock” mechanism to easily change the specially designed cartridges – containing Vype puretech blades,’ the note said. ‘The cartridges are available in three flavours (Fresh Mint, Virginia Tobacco and Forest Berries) and three nicotine strengths (3mg/ml, 5mg/ml and 8mg/ml).’
BAT said the limited launch was intended to facilitate consumer interaction with the new product so that the company could take ‘learnings and consumer feedback ahead of a wider roll-out’ further in the UK and online in 2019.Reporting harm reduction
British American Tobacco yesterday published its 2018 Harm Reduction Focus Report, which looks at the company’s strategy of ‘transforming tobacco’ by seeking to provide consumers with satisfying, reduced-risk alternatives to smoking.
‘This new report highlights BAT’s continued commitment to contributing to tobacco harm reduction,’ the company said in a note posted on its website. ‘It demonstrates how the company has made tremendous progress in its long-held ambition to provide consumers with less risky tobacco and nicotine choices. Adult consumers are offered a much broader range of alternatives than ever before, including vapor products, tobacco heating products and oral tobacco and nicotine products in 28 countries globally.’
BAT said the report focused also on how the company was maximising the potential of its products to contribute to harm reduction by continuously investing in innovation, building reliable evidence backed by robust science, and driving responsible growth of the industry through collaborative efforts.
“At BAT, we’re committed to transforming tobacco by providing consumers with satisfying alternatives to smoking,” chief executive Nicandro Durante was quoted as saying. “Without the right products, tobacco harm reduction will never be a reality, which is why our approach is centred on developing an outstanding product portfolio.
“But these products can only meet their potential if the right regulatory and market conditions are in place. Stakeholders from across government, industry and public health need to continue to work together to create an environment for tobacco harm reduction to be successful.
“As I come to the end of my eight-year tenure as CEO of this fantastic company I am immensely proud of the progress we have made with regards to harm reduction. But this is just the beginning of BAT’s mission to transform tobacco.”
The report highlights are said to include:- Expert viewpoints from BAT’s senior leadership in which Durante comments on BAT’s progress in its commitment to harm reduction under his leadership, and in which scientific and R&D director Dr. David O’Reilly writes about the transformation of the tobacco industry and what it means for BAT.
- An expert stakeholder viewpoint from Dr. Saul Shiffman, a professor of clinical and health psychology, who has been conducting behavioral research on nicotine and tobacco for 45 years.
- Information on BAT’s diverse range of potentially reduced-risk products (PRRPs) – from vapor products and tobacco heating products, to oral tobacco and nicotine products – that are now available in 28 countries.
- An overview of the scientific assessment framework BAT has developed to assess the reduced-risk potential of its products.
- A reference to the growing body of independent evidence that demonstrates the reduced risk of emerging tobacco and nicotine alternatives to smoking.
- The importance of effective regulation, including product quality, and safety standards.
- BAT’s continued commitment to tobacco harm reduction – how it will continue to invest in seeking to develop less risky alternatives to cigarettes, provide sound science behind its products, engage with regulators to raise awareness about the potential benefits of PRRPs, and responsibly market its products to adult consumers looking for potentially less risky alternatives.
FDA committee meeting set
A committee that advises the US Food and Drug Administration is to meet to discuss an amendment to Swedish Match North America’s (SMNA) modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications for eight General Snus products, and an MRTP application submitted by US Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) for its Copenhagen Snuff Fine Cut tobacco product.
In a note issued through its Center for Tobacco Products, the FDA said it had issued a Federal Register notice announcing a meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) scheduled for February 6-7 at the FDA White Oak campus.
The committee is due to discuss scientific issues related to SMNA’s amendment – made public in October – to its MRTP applications for eight General Snus products. It is due to discuss also the MRTP application submitted by USSTC for its Copenhagen Snuff Fine Cut tobacco product, which is currently under scientific review by FDA.
‘The Tobacco Control Act defines an MRTP as any tobacco product sold or distributed for use to reduce harm or the risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products,’ the FDA said in its note. ‘MRTP information may communicate to consumers that the product is less harmful or presents a lower risk of tobacco-related disease than other commercially marketed tobacco products, reduces exposure to a substance, or does not contain or is free of a substance.
‘During this upcoming meeting, representatives from Altria (parent company to USSTC) and FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products’ Office of Science will present information about the company’s MRTP application currently under FDA scientific review.
‘In addition, TPSAC members will hear presentations from SMNA and FDA about that company’s recent amendment to their MRTP applications for eight General Snus smokeless tobacco products, which FDA previously acted on in December 2016.
‘TPSAC members may then discuss available scientific evidence related to issues and questions posed by FDA about the USSTC application and SMNA amendment. During this discussion, TPSAC voting members may vote on specific issues and questions or other topics arising during the committee’s discussion.’Thais favor harm reduction
Thai people would like to see the Government and the private sector working together on making available smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes, according to a story in The Nation citing the results of a new study.
The study, which was commissioned by Philip Morris (Thailand) Limited (PMTL) and conducted by Ipsos, found that 64 percent of the 1,200 smokers and non-smokers who participated nationwide said they would like their friends and families to have the opportunity to use potentially less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.
Although awareness within Thai society of less harmful products is limited to 15-20 percent of the population, the study found that 48 percent of people said innovative tobacco products should play a role in achieving a smoke-free Thailand.
Pongsathorn Ansusinha, the director of corporate affairs at PMTL, was quoted as saying there was no question that tobacco products were harmful to a smoker’s health, and that the best approach was to stop or never start smoking.
‘Nevertheless, many people will continue to smoke, and we believe that they have a right to accurate information about, and access to, smoke-free products that are a better choice than cigarette smoking,’ he said in a statement.
According to the survey, he added, 58 percent of the respondents or 69 percent of Thai smokers agreed that the government and the private sector should work together on smoke-free alternatives; so PMTL was fully committed to designing a smoke-free future in Thailand in an open and transparent way.HNB grabs big market share
More than 230 million packs of heat-not-burn (HNB) sticks were sold in South Korea between January and September, according to a story by Kim Hyun-bin at koreatimes.co.kr citing figures published by the Ministry of Economics and Finance.
This means that HNB sticks have captured more than nine percent of total cigarette sales since Philip Morris launched its IQOS device in May 2017.
The Government is said to be concerned that HNB devices are popular among teenagers and that this popularity is spreading.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Young Adults’ Health Condition Report, the ‘smoking’ rate among middle to high school students rose to 6.7 percent from 6.4 percent last year.
About 9.4 percent of male students smoked, down from 9.5 percent in 2017, while the smoking rate among female students rose from 3.1 percent to 3.7 percent during the same periods.
Of those male and female students who reported smoking, 43 percent were said to have used HNB devices.
The story quoted ‘experts’ as saying that HNB devices were popular among teenagers as they created less odor than did conventional cigarettes. Most students smoked discreetly because they feared being caught by teachers and parents.
The risks associated with using HNB devices were called into question after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety released a report stating HNB devices delivered five cancer-causing substances and tar levels in excess of those delivered by combustible cigarettes.
The Ministry announced the results after testing IQOS, British American Tobacco’s glo device and KT&G’s Lil.
Philip Morris is suing the Ministry for declining to provide information on its research methods.Commission out of touch
The public health community needs to adopt a consistent science-based view of new generation tobacco products in order to inform regulators around the world and thereby shape a stable framework, according to a EURACTIV.com interview with Dr. James Murphy, the head of Reduced Risk Substantiation at British American Tobacco.
Speaking to EURACTIV’s Sarantis Michalopoulos on the side-lines of the E-Cigarette Summit organized by the Royal Society in London, the world’s oldest independent scientific academy, Murphy said these products had the potential to become a global business.
“We think that by 2030, new generation products will be 30 percent of our business and by 2050 they could reach 50 percent,” he said.
Murphy said there was a huge body of scientific evidence, from academic, regulatory and public health science suggesting that the use of electronic cigarettes was far less harmful than was traditional smoking.
But Michalopoulos pointed out that the World Health Organization and the European Commission were still sceptical when it came to electronic cigarettes.
Martin Seychell, deputy director-general for health and food safety at the European Commission, was said to have told EURACTIV recently, “We should promote the concept that people should not be addicted in the first place”. “In a few words, prevention of addiction,” Seychell said.
