US Postal Service issues final rule on vape mail ban. Heads up for vaping in Wisconsin. Anti-vaping research gets debunked. News from around the world. Public Health behaving badly and more!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the audio/video versions of this post!
CALL TO ACTION // National Nicotine Tax
A proposed federal tax on far safer alternatives to smoking will disproportionately impact the very communities who need more support not more stigma and financial burden. Harm Reduction should not be discouraged! Take Action!
TAKE ACTION: Stop an Excessive Federal Tax on Safer Nicotine Products
CALL TO ACTION // Washington County, Oregon Update
The Board of Commissioners is moving forward with a proposal to ban sales of flavored nicotine products (synthetic or tobacco derived). PUBLIC HEARING November 2nd!
TAKE ACTION: Stop a Flavor Ban!
VAPE MAIL BAN // Call to Action Update
The United States Postal Service issued a final rule tomorrow that bans delivery of vaping products through the U.S. Mail. More details from CASAA director Jim McDonald (@whycherrywhy) reporting for Vaping360.
https://twitter.com/LizSetsFire/status/1441527321522057221
READ MORE: USPS Vape Mail Ban Is Now in Effect
HEADS UP! // Wisconsin
The American Cancer Society is pushing for harmful “sin” taxes; unnecessary law banning public vaping (businesses can already prohibit vaping and most do,) and flavor bans that almost exclusively impact ADULTS who vape or smoke.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) makes hundreds of millions of dollars a year because people get cancer which ensures funding and donations to ACS.
Vaping has o.5% the risk for cancer compared to smoking.
ACS doesn't want smokers switching to vaping.https://t.co/tIK9gc7nh2 pic.twitter.com/vuVVUNGcXa
— VAEPworld (@VAEPworld) October 13, 2021
READ MORE: Tackling the Leading Cancer Killer
RESEARCH // Vaping and Smoking Relapse Prevention
This study seems to find vaping doesn’t prevent smoking relapse better than no nicotine use. However, it’s important to first note that those who scored highest for dependency (and most likely to relapse) also were the most likely to try vaping. So, they will also have the most difficulty quitting smoking.
Additionally, vapers who relapsed were associated with a higher rate of “requitting” for 3 months or more after relapse. Meaning, those who vaped were more likely to keep trying after relapse than those who didn’t vape, so are more likely to become smoke-free AFTER the study.
Researchers also defined “relapse” as being “even one or two puffs” at the second follow up, which greatly skewed the results. There is considerable debate as to whether or not an occasional cigarette really counts as a “relapse.”
This cross-sectional, observational study can’t determine if those who vaped would have made any quit attempts if they hadn’t tried vaping. So-called “accidental quitters” often try vaping without the intent to quit smoking, so may “relapse” longer/more frequently than those who intended to quit smoking.
Obviously, a product or method can only be successful if it’s used. Many using vapor products had no intention of using other methods, so the fact that ANY of those vaping with no intention to fully switch remained smoke-free for the study duration is a VERY important finding!
A new study suggests that smokers who take up #vaping may "relapse" to cigarettes. But this is more a problem of definitions than evidence that e-cigarettes don't promote smoking cessation.https://t.co/rGgx74Gs0q
— ACSH (@ACSHorg) October 20, 2021
Swift and strong reaction from Prof. Peter Hajek to a study claiming ex-smokers who vape are more likely to relapse to smoking.
Read more: https://t.co/9TE0UDLcCr #HarmReduction #Vaping https://t.co/93t9GgthpB pic.twitter.com/ZXBXId9PhT
— American Vaping Assn (@AVABoard) October 19, 2021
EXPERT OPINION: Expert reaction to study on vaping and staying off cigarettes
RESEARCH // “Useless” COPD Study
Another useless cross-sectional study can’t prove causation but claims it does anyway. Researchers studied vapers reporting COPD, but major limitations include not distinguishing between short vs long term use, not knowing frequency of use, and not accounting for previous smoking as likely the real cause of the COPD.
https://twitter.com/CarlisleMelodie/status/1449160023989526532
I can't say enough how lucky I was to discover #Vaping after smoking left me with #COPD. Folks, it was a true life-saver for me! https://t.co/DFPJrwxcxa
— Michelle Hughes (@MichelleHughes_) October 21, 2021
READ MORE: E-cigarette use increases odds of developing asthma, COPD
AROUND THE WORLD // Hong Kong
Just as US authorities begin authorizing the sale of tobacco harm reduction products, Hong Kong officials decide to ban all sales (but not cigarettes,) while “graciously” allowing adults who would otherwise be smoking to keep using them.
Shops catering to the vaping crowd were cutting back on supplies while customers stocked up on their favourite products after lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday aimed at outlawing the business of e-cigarettes in Hong Kong.https://t.co/SpcbXH6rE3 @scmpnews
— Xinlu Liang (@liang_xinlu) October 21, 2021
READ MORE: Hong Kong bans sale of e-cigarettes and other heated tobacco products but personal use still allowed
AROUND THE WORLD // Mexico
With seven votes in favor, the Mexican Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) ruled that the absolute prohibition in Mexico of electronic cigarettes and vapers is a disproportionate and unconstitutional measure.
INDEED, reason and logic prevailed. A step in the right direction. https://t.co/zpHG15P21r
— Roberto Sussman (@RobertoSussman) October 20, 2021
READ MORE: Prohibición de vapeadores y cigarros electrónicos es inconstitucional: Suprema Corte (English Translation Available)
PUBLIC HEALTH // Exposing Anti-Vaping Lies
Senator Dick Durbin doubles down on anti-vaping rhetoric, ignoring the fact that most vape brands aren’t made by “big tobacco” and the so-called “teen vaping epidemic” was apparently just a fad, with teen vaping declining nearly 60 % in the past two years. He also falsely claims that the Vuse Solo is “more popular” with youth than Juul!
https://twitter.com/phil_w888/status/1451281825872154629
READ MORE: Op-Ed: Sen. Dick Durbin’s message to the FDA: Vaping targets kids
PUBLIC HEALTH // A Blatant Lie
Despite official CDC data and numerous news reports showing a roughly 40% decline in youth vaping, Mr. Josh Benson, South Central (WI) Alliance for Tobacco Prevention, uses his position of “trusted authority” as an anti-tobacco youth engagement coordinator to mislead the public, claiming “no slow down” of youth vaping during the pandemic.
Interesting indirect pandemic effects.
Teen vaping, already on decline, stayed down.@JPBelinkieMD https://t.co/MtExaZHMy4 via @Brief_19
— Jeremy Faust MD MS (ER physician) (@jeremyfaust) May 3, 2021
Teen vaping – the excuse the FDA are using to deny millions of people an alternative to lethal cigarettes – has dropped by 40%. https://t.co/aR4aOmGu6o via @Vaping360
— James Dunworth (@inijames) October 5, 2021
READ MORE: LETTER: No slow down of youth e-cigarette use during pandemic
READ MORE: Teen vaping drops roughly 40% in 2021 amid COVID school closures
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 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.