Author: Bill Tarling

“In its annual survey, carried out by YouGov, Action on Smoking Health (ASH) found numbers had declined from 3.6 million users in 2019 (7.1% of the UK adult population), to 3.2 million (6.3%) in 2020. The charity, which supports the use of e-cigarettes, suggested that ‘unfounded concerns’ over the health risks were likely behind the decline, after its survey also found that only 39% of smokers in the UK currently believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking. It comes as an international review published earlier this week (14 October) by Cochrane found e-cigarettes are 70% more effective than nicotine replacement therapy – including patches, gum, oral strips, lozenges, and nasal spray – at helping smokers kick the habit. Health professionals have an important role to play, as they can ‘give smokers the confidence to try an e-cigarette’, by providing information on how they can be used to manage cravings and that they are a much safer alternative to smoking.”

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‘Unfounded concerns’ over health risks likely behind fall in e-cigarette use, charity suggests

“The Bailiwick of Jersey, known to most simply as the island of Jersey, is famed for its welcoming tax legislation for the wealthy. Many companies set up operations on the British Crown dependency to take advantage of the secrecy and beneficial rates. Claiming the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the Channel Island’s income, the government has announced it is looking at levying a tax on vape companies which could lead to price rises in the United Kingdom.”

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COVID Prompts Vape Tax

“Riccardo Polosa is one of the most prolific academic authors on the subject of vaping and tobacco harm reduction. As the founder of the Centre of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, President of the Italian Anti-Smoking League, and Special Scientific Advisor to the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations, Riccardo has pressed governments around the world to adopt common-sense approaches to vaping. Now he follows up a COPD study he conducted five years ago. “We present findings from a 5-year prospective assessment of respiratory parameters in a cohort of COPD patients who substantially reduced conventional smoking or achieved abstinence by switching to ECs. Those in the EC user group achieved a marked decline in cigarette smoking or abstinence. COPD EC users had a significant diminution in COPD exacerbations. Significant and constant improvements in lung function, CAT scores and 6MWD were reported in the EC user group over the 5-year observation period compared with the reference group.”

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Polosa’s COPD Follow-up

“Baltimore City leaders want to impose a 30% tax on the distribution of electronic smoking devices. City Council President and Democratic nominee Brandon Scott is spearheading the proposal, which was introduced during a routine city council meeting Monday. “The COVID-19 fiscal hit that we have take, we have to be thinking about how we can generate revenue as a city,” said Scott. This bill establishes a 30% tax on the process. It also repeals our local tobacco tax.“ Economist Anirban Basu, CEO of the Sage Policy Group estimates the move would generate millions annually for the city. The bill has been submitted to the Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee for review.”

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City leaders want to impose a 30% tax on the distribution of E-cigarettes

“Cabinet is prepared to table its new Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, which is likely to dramatically change things for smokers in South Africa. As well as extending its reach to the vaping industry, the threat of a ‘public cigarette ban’ also looms large. It’s since been reported that the Bill will be sent forward for processing ‘before the end of the year’, and covers the following: The Bill aims to bring e-cigarettes and vaping accessories under stricter regulations. It wants to limit the use, marketing, and sales of certain tobacco products in South Africa. What is more, this Bill gives provision to the government to implement their ‘100% public cigarette ban’. The Vapour Products Association of South Africa’s (VPASA) stated that, contrary to popular belief, the industry welcomes the introduction of regulatory frameworks”

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Smokers in SA face new restrictions – including a ‘public cigarette ban’

“Missoula could become the state’s first city to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products. City officials will take up the idea Wednesday morning. A coalition of Missoula physicians, parents, teachers and youth leaders is now asking the local city council to ban the sale of all flavored cigarellos, hookah, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarette products. That includes candy flavors, menthol and mint flavored tobacco products. The Montana Smoke Free Association, a trade group of about 15 vape shops issued a statement to MTPR Tuesday saying, “Montana Smoke Free Association can’t understand why Missoula County continues to push this agenda when the Legislature has already spoken.” The Missoula City Council’s Public Safety and Health Committee will discuss the proposal Wednesday morning. The full council is scheduled to take final action Monday, October 26.”

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Missoula Considers Ban On Flavored Tobacco Products And E-Cigarettes

“A measure on the November ballot would create Oregon’s first tax on electronic nicotine products and dramatically raise taxes on cigarettes. Opponents of the tax have mounted almost no campaign, raising just $7,000 and inserting two arguments against it in the state voter’s pamphlet, compared to 49 yes arguments from proponents. If voters approve the measure, the state would tax all nicotine vape products, including nicotine-containing liquids and the devices people use to vaporize them, at 65% of a product’s wholesale price. The tax would not apply to marijuana-based products. Taxing vaping products would increase prices for buyers, which would make it less affordable, could help curb what health officials have said is an ever-growing epidemic. The only political action committee campaigning against the proposal, No On 108, has raised $7,000 from four vape shops, one of them in Medford, one in Roseburg and two in Portland.”

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Oregon Measure 108 would ratchet up cigarette taxes and create new tax on vape products

“Researchers at Curtin University, University of Sydney, and University of Exeter are concerned about a growth in vaping through online retailing and social media consumption. They conducted a study looking at posts on the Twitter social media platform and discovered that advocates are not listening to their lies and promoting tobacco harm reduction. The team hold a slightly odd opinion of what constitutes vape advocacy too. Their paper cites this one as coming from an e-cigarette advocate. Unlike Simon Chapman, vape advocates engage and want evidenced facts, whether they agree with what they want to hear or not.”

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Australian Advocates Not Listening

“The U.S. election will likely be a net negative for tobacco companies with exposure to the U.S. market regardless of the outcome, according to Goldman Sachs. The investment bank recently took an in-depth look at the key tobacco policy issues potentially at stake, including greater excise taxes, flavor bans, a federal nicotine cap on cigarettes and possibly a push for raising the minimum tobacco purchasing age to 25. Goldman Sachs says the highest likelihood is for greater excise tax increases, regardless of the election outcome, given the severity of government budget shortfalls in the wake of Covid-19.”

BILL TARLING — Reminder that the higher tobacco taxes don’t actually affect tobacco companies and cigarette sales as much as is usually claimed; since the Tobacco Companies usually just pass on that tax to to the consumer end (and may even additionally increase the retail price to hide the higher profit charge in with the tax increase)

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Goldman Sachs: U.S. Election a Net Negative for Tobacco

“Michigan prepares to ban flavored nicotine vaping – again – without legislative approval. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration is working on another statewide ban on flavored nicotine vaping products after her emergency order was struck down by courts. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is holding a virtual public hearing at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to solicit public comments on its proposal to permanently ban the sale and distribution of flavored nicotine vaping products. MDHHS is accepting comments until Friday.”

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Michigan prepares to ban flavored nicotine vaping – again – without legislative approval