Author: Bill Tarling

“People will no longer be allowed to smoke in most restaurants and bars in Japan starting Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The ban, which includes heated tobacco like cigarettes and cigars but not e-cigarettes, protects people “who want to avoid getting exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke,” according to a health ministry document explaining the law. Businesses can also set up a designated smoking room, where eating and drinking are not allowed, or a separate room where smoking heated tobacco only are allowed while eating and drinking, ministry’s website said. Staff members 19 years old or younger are not allowed to serve in smoking areas, said Okinawa prefectural government spokeswoman Naoko Nagahama.”

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Japan’s ban on smoking inside restaurants and bars takes effect this week

“Doctor Ranti Fayokun was made some absurd statements about vaping recently. In her role as a representative for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Fayokun has attended a series of congressional hearing in the Philippines. Finally, contradicting what she has previously said, Fayokun has admitted that vaping poses less risk to users than smoking cigarettes. The Manilla Standard reports that Fayokun finally made her admission of vape’s safety after pressure from harm reduction advocates. The WHO’s position on tobacco harm reduction products continues to defy the evidence amassing on a monthly basis”

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WHO’s Fayokun In About-Turn

“E-cigarette makers in South Korea suffered a further setback after the Constitutional Court swiftly dismissed a petition by an industry body challenging the government’s warnings against the devices. The association’s petition was a formal challenge to recommendations by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and disputed the ministry’s claim that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are not safer alternatives for smokers who are trying to quit conventional, or combustible, cigarettes. Specifically, the association took issue with the claim that small amounts of vitamin E acetate — a thickening agent that has been linked to vaping-related lung injuries — has been found in some products. The court, however, ruled that the government’s directives do not infringe on e-cigarette companies’ constitutional rights, as they are only recommendations, and are not legally binding.”

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South Korean court delivers latest blow to e-cigarette makers

“The American Consumer Institute published a report on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and public health on March 9, adding to the long list of studies that indicate that the e-cigarette is less harmful than the conventional (combustible) cigarette, despite the controversies. Many call on legislators and regulators to position e-cigarettes as part of a comprehensive harm reduction strategy. According to the American Consumer Institute, “they have to determine what policies are most appropriate to protect the public while encouraging smokers to consider e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative”. The danger lies not in the product, but in inappropriate decisions and “overzealous or ill-designed restrictions on vaping, coupled with misleading information about the real health risks, which deter smokers from seeking a potentially life-saving alternative”.”

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Electronic Cigarettes Hailed as Less Harmful Alternative – What Does Science Say?

“The hardware manufacturers in China that produce vapor products for the world market are back in business after a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based mostly in Shenzhen, the world’s electronics and e-cigarette capital, companies say that they are implementing new standards and processes to keep employees and customers safe. Several companies have also intensified their data-collection efforts for premarket tobacco product authorizations (PMTA) in U.S. market. “The coronavirus is indeed having an impact on the PMTA process,” says Welford Ou, CEO for SmokTech, a major manufacturer. “For example, the behavioral investigations have been stopped, and it also taking more time for us to prepare all the products for the PMTA.” As of this writing, PMTA applications are due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 12.”

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Chinese Vapor Hardware Manufacturers Normalizing Operations After COVID-19 Closures

“Doctor Riccardo Polosa, a Professor of Internal Medicine and specialist of Respiratory Diseases and Clinical Immunology at the University of Catania, was angry when Italy closed all vape shops. He argued that the government’s action to limit the spread of COVID-19 placed lives at risk of tobacco-related harm. Sense has prevailed and the stores have reopened. As a genuine expert in the area of chest infections, Dr Polosa has taken a keen interest in how Italy and the world has responded to the coronovirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He was quick to respond to the Mayor of New York City’s announcement that vaping could increase the risk of contracting the disease: “Where is the evidence? Stop placing smoking and vaping on the same level. Get your facts straight Mayor!””

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A Victory for Italy

“Millions of U.S. citizens are held up in their homes, trying their utmost to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. At this point, we have no idea how long people will be asked to observe social distancing or what other measures may be necessary to save lives and prevent the country’s healthcare infrastructure from being overwhelmed. Federal and state authorities are scrapping rules and regulations that impede social distancing or limit the healthcare sector’s ability to respond to the crisis effectively. Scrapping online sales bans help keep vape shops in business and will prevent unnecessary trips outside of the home, assisting with social distancing and preventing relapse back to smoking. The kinds of e-liquids and devices found in vape shops are not available at your local 7-11 or grocery store.”

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States must scrap online e-cigarette bans during coronavirus pandemic

“A study from the University of Dundee, published in November 2019 and funded by the British Heart Foundation, suggests that vaping may be less harmful to your blood vessels than smoking cigarettes. Within just one month of switching tobacco for electronic cigarettes, measures of blood vessel health, including blood pressure and stiffness of their arteries, had started to improve. The study looked at 114 people who had smoked at least 15 cigarettes a day for at least two years.”

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Is vaping safe?

“The observed ‘gateway’ effect of e-cigarette use among teens is “likely to be small,” with only a tiny proportion of experimental vapers going on to smoke regular cigarettes, suggests research published online in the journal Tobacco Control. If anything, young vapers are less likely to go on to smoke regular cigarettes than their peers who try out other tobacco products first, the findings indicate.”

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Observed ‘gateway’ effect of e-cigarettes among teens ‘likely to be small’

“Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) our March 2020 Porker of the Month for wanting to ban flavored tobacco vaping products. On February 28, 2020, the House of Representatives voted to pass Rep. Frank Pallone’s bill. Rep. Pallone’s legislation would also impose a $9.9 billion tax on vaping products over 10 years, which would destroy tens of thousands of jobs. It’s been proven that vaping and e-cigarettes have been more successful than gum or patches to help people quit smoking. In the United Kingdom, there is no ban on flavored tobacco products, and a March 4, 2020 report found that “smoking rates are continuing to fall rapidly and harm from vaping is rare.” Rep. Pallone is blatantly ignoring the U.K.’s success on vaping.”

NOTE: “Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.  For more than two decades, Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers and government officials who have shown a blatant disregard for the interests of taxpayers”

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Citizens Against Government Waste Names Rep. Frank Pallone March 2020 Porker of the Month