Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Another Vaping Teen Tased and More! Tobacco Harm Reduction News

Black teen tased by Atlanta police for vaping outside. Acting Director named for FDA Center for Tobacco Products. Houston bans public vaping based on lies. Calls to Action in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Lawmakers push pointless policies on Netflix and more!

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the audio/video versions of this post!

CALL TO ACTION // Rhode Island

FOUR bills that would ban the sale of flavored vapor products had a public hearing on March 29th. Click the link below to find out how you can oppose these bills. Please TAKE ACTION NOW!

TAKE ACTION: Rhode Island – Fight More Flavor Ban Legislation

CALL TO ACTION //  Connecticut Update

While the flavor ban passed committee on 3/23, it still has to pass in the Senate & House. Your steady contact with can make a difference prior to floor votes. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to reject SB 367!

TAKE ACTION: Connecticut – Stop a Flavor Ban


TOBACCO CONTROL // Social Justice Concerns Increasing

The most terrifying health risk from vaping is baseless, unscientific regulation.

I was scared, because you know, past events, of police officers and Black people, you expect him to be shot, but she didn’t,” said Brendon Aldridge.

“He was only vaping.”

https://twitter.com/Noll_Marsh/status/1507740852290043907

READ MORE: He Was Only Vaping, Says Witness at Skate Park Where Teen was Tased by Police

AROUND THE WORLD // Australia’s Unsurprising Black Market

“Most brands don’t even use the word nicotine in an effort to get around regulations,” Dr. Morgan said.

Maybe this is a good time to review the regulations and figure out why there is consumer demand for illicit products instead of regulated products?

READ MORE: Illegal nicotine vapes are not what they say on the packet, says expert Dr Jody Morgan

TOBACCO CONTROL // WHO’s Being Irrational Now?

Yet another example of WHO letting ideology and Anti-Nicotine and Tobacco Zealotry (instead of science) dictate policies, potentially putting millions of lives unnecessarily at risk.

READ MORE: WHO Rejects Medicago COVID Vaccine Due to Tobacco Link

PUBLIC HEALTH // Anti-Vaping Programs Could Lead to Smoking

Discouraging teen substance use is laudable, but the CATCH program focuses on vilifying vaping without providing sufficient coping alternatives or covering relative risks. This may have the unintended consequence of high risk youth smoking instead of vaping.

READ MORE: Local Agencies Offering Vape Prevention…

CASAA IN ACTION // Twitter Spaces with Dr. Brad Rodu

Don’t miss this week’s Space where we spoke in-depth with Dr. Brad Rodu about the latest data on youth vaping in the US!

LISTEN: https://t.co/Nk4jWtGuGm

UPDATE // Houston Public Vaping Ban

The Houston Health Department used the standard exaggeration, lies and junk science about vaping–“gateway to smoking,” “youth vaping epidemic,” “toxins” and “adolescent brain damage”–to convince lawmakers that “science” supports banning vaping in public.

READ MORE: Vaping is Now Banned in Public Spaces Across Houston

TOBACCO CONTROL // Lies and Hypocrisy

Thank goodness BJ McCollister of Flavor Hooks Kids Maine isn’t worried about a flavor ban creating a black market (apparently prohibition never creates illicit markets?) and he has sage advice for adults who depend on the products to not smoke: Just quit.

READ MORE: Bill Proposes to Ban Flavored Nicotine Products

Obviously, we’re being extremely sarcastic. Here’s the Call to Action to tell your lawmakers to OPPOSE this ridiculous flavor ban bill:

TAKE ACTION: Maine – Stop a Flavor Ban

IN THE NEWS // FDA

FDA Center for Tobacco Products will name current CTP Deputy Director Michele Mital as acting director when Mitch Zeller retires in April. The agency is conducting a search for a permanent director, but Mital is thought most likely to keep the job.

READ MORE: CTP Deputy Will Serve AS Acting Director When Zeller Retires

PUBLIC HEALTH // Ignoring the Real Problems

Teens use drugs and alcohol because they’re stressed, anxious, depressed, rebellious, neglected and/or abused, not because they see tobacco use or vaping on Netflix.

But rather than tackle those important issues, lawmakers fall back on “do something/anything” policies…which ultimately accomplish nothing.

READ MORE: Senators Push Netflix on Tobacco and Nicotine Imagery

CASAA IN ACTION // CASAA Live

If you missed the most recent CASAA Live show, check out the replay now! CASAA Live is on Saturdays at 4:30 PM ET/3:30 PM CT/2:30 PM MT/1:30 PM PT on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter!

TAKE ACTION // CASAA State Facebook Groups

Have you joined your CASAA State Facebook group yet? Check it out now! Click the link below, click on your state on the map, then click the “Join Now” button to go to your state’s group page. It’s as easy as that to stay updated on local happenings, meet local advocates and never miss a Call to Action in your state!

Don’t forget to also follow our official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CASAAmedia

FIND YOUR GROUP: CASAA State Locator

CASAA STORE // Apparel and More

Show your support by shopping our store! Our president (and brilliant website/swag designer) Danielle has added some awesome new designs to CASAA’s apparel shop, plus there are still Black Friday deals on all items!

VISIT: CASAA Apparel and Swag Store

CASAA MEDIA // Podcast

Catch up on past tobacco harm reduction news with Alex and Logan on the CASAA podcasts on SoundCloud every Monday and now live on YouTube and Facebook every Saturday at 3:30 PM.

SoundCloud: