Vape News Headlines:
EVALI Outbreak Latest – NHS Scotland Backs E-cigarettes – Ireland Vape Ads Ban – New York Flavour Ban Latest – Jersey Smoking Rates Fall – Philippines FDA Goes Crazy and that Vape Mods ‘Disguised’ As Assault Weapons Spoof!
Not ONE Single Nicotine E-liquid Linked To EVALI
It’s what we knew all along but the CDC has confirmed that not one shop bought nicotine based e-liquid has been linked the spate of deaths and illnesses across America.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has listed the main THC brands believed to be involved, with Dank Vapes responsible for a staggering 56% of all cases.
The ‘illness’ has been called EVALI – e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury.
In a press release, the CDC said:
Nationally, Dank Vapes were the most commonly reported THC-containing product by hospitalized EVALI patients, but a wide variety of products were reported, with regional differences.
Data suggest the outbreak might have peaked in mid-September.
Other brands linked to EVALI includes The TKO – Smart Cart and Rove.
The CDC also highlighted a number of other brands:
Other products included 146 unique products.
Dabwood and Brass Knuckles were reported by 10% of patients in the Northeast and West regions.
Off White, Moon Rocks, Chronic Carts, Mario Carts, Cereal Carts, Runtz, Dr. Zodiac, Eureka, Supreme G, and CaliPlug were reported by 1%–5% of patients nationwide.
Use of 134 other products were reported by 1% of hospitalized patients.
Whilst the EVALI outbreak is slowing – after peaking in mid-September, the CDC is still advising THC cartridge users to only buy from reputable stores.
As to what caused the outbreak, rogue vitamin E cutting agents are still the main suspects with the CDC adding:
Although it appears that vitamin E acetate is associated with EVALI, many substances and product sources are being investigated, and there might be more than one cause.
The CDC still – wrongly – tells vapers to er stop vaping!
Therefore, while the investigation continues, persons should consider refraining from the use of all e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
*sighs*
It goes without saying it’s so very sad so many people had to die and become seriously ill.
Now the nicotine e-liquids have been cleared – are we likely to see any lifting of the ridiculous flavour bans in the US?
One doubts it which in itself is a tragedy.
Read more:
NHS Scotland Finally Backs Vaping
20 health organizations, including NHS Scotland, say vaping is ‘definitely’ much safer than smoking.
It’s the first time NHS Health Scotland has publicly backed vaping and said the groups had reached a consensus in order to clear up ‘confusion’ around its stance on all things vape.
The Consensus statement on e-cigarettes is co-signed by groups such as Cancer Research UK – ASH Scotland – the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and of course many more.
In a message to health professionals, the consensus says:
Do not turn anybody away because they choose to use e-cigarettes.
Excellent!
Director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland, Dr Andrew Fraser said:
E-cigarettes have been around for a number of years now and we are learning more and more about them but I think it is safe to say that they are a lot safer than cigarettes.
If we are trying to help people make a decision about giving up smoking tobacco then e-cigarettes are a good option to consider.
They contain nicotine, which is addictive in itself, and they contain and a number of other combustible materials.
But if you take it all in the round and compare it with the alternative they are a lot less harmful than cigarettes.
Good news indeed.
Ireland Clamping Down On Vape Advertising
As part of new vape legislation, the Irish government looks likely to bring in an e-cigarette advertising ban.
Politicians have been under pressure from a growing band of anti-vape groups calling for a complete flavour ban to – and yeah you’ve guessed it – protect the children.
Minister for Health Simon Harris was speaking at a ‘focus group’ where 3rd and 4th year students were discussing whether e-liquid packaging was aimed at children.
He said he would certainly take a look at calls for a flavour ban, but said legal technicalities might get in the way.
The event was organized by anti-vape health groups – Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) and Irish Cancer Society.
They are adamant e-cig companies use advertising and packaging to attract children, and yup – the ‘focus group’ of kids agreed lol.
Tim Collins, chief executive of the IHF said:
The fact that the only purpose of flavours like strawberry milkshake, cherry crush, chocolate mint and caramel is to lure a whole new generation of children into nicotine addiction has been endorsed resoundingly by the teenagers who took part in this research.
*sighs*
Joe Dunne, spokesman for Vape Business Ireland, said:
It is our view that vaping products are a product of choice for adults and should never be sold to those under 18.
Therefore, marketing and advertising of vaping products should be socially responsible and directly only at adults.
Absolutely – so no need at all for any flavour ban IMHO.
New York Flavour Ban Latest
New York’s emergency vape ban order brought in back in September looks likely to end BEFORE it can be enforced.
The 90 days are almost up and the ban legislation is held up by court cases brought by the Vapor Technology Association.
However, a Health Department panel is hoping a vote on December 12th will see the Supreme Court in Albany County confirm the ban.
Jill Montag, spokesman for the panel was upbeat:
[…we are] confident that the court will agree that this is a public health emergency demanding immediate action to help ensure the wellbeing of our children.
Tony Abboud, executive director of the Vapor Technology Association, said New York State needs to:
…reevaluate its plan for issuing a second unlawful and misguided emergency rule banning flavors.
The State is going to waste more taxpayer dollars and create a bigger public health crisis by driving people back to combustible cigarettes or to illegal sales in a new and larger black market.
We shall of course keep you updated on this developing story.
Jersey Smoking Rates Decline – Vaping Goes Up
The little island of Jersey has shown a huge decline in the number of smokers – thanks in part to e-cigarettes.
Back in 2005 19% of the population smoked – now it’s down to 11%.
Two thirds of those still smoking [64%] are dual users, as in using lit tobacco and e-cigarettes, however almost a quarter of ex smokers are now vaping.
The data comes from the 2019 Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey.
The drop in the number of smokers has left a £2 million tax short fall made up by an increase in petrol and alcohol prices.
Jersey has recently been accepted into the WHO’s framework convention for tobacco control.
As we know only too well, the WHO are vehemently opposed to vaping.
Let’s hope Jersey convinces more smokers to quit via e-cigs despite the negativity from the WHO 😉
Crazy Talk From the Philippines FDA!
It’s all kicking off in the Philippines with the war on vaping going into cloud cuckoo land!
Last week we had reports that anti-smoking and vaping President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered a ‘hit’ on Hon Lik – the inventor of e-cigarettes!
He told a crowd:
Who is the demon who invented vaping?
I want to find him.
I will order his extrajudicial killing.
Ha!
Of course it’s a joke, however, Duterte is known for his tough – some might say brutal – stance on anything he disapproves of.
And it appears his recent ban on vaping in the Philippines – with prison sentences for ‘offenders’ has ‘infected’ the country’s FDA.
In a quite remarkable statement – remarkable as in WTF! – the FDA warns medical professionals that vaping is considerably more dangerous than smoking!
Like I said…WTF!
And you thought the US FDA was awful!
The statement reads:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informs heads of hospitals that e-cigarette companies are currently engaging physicians, from both the public and private sector, in an attempt to recruit them in disinformation campaigns that promote electronic cigarette use as viable harm reduction options.
Please understand that e–cigarettes (electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems, heated tobacco products, and hybridizations and modifications thereof) have been proven to introduce new risks above and over those already present in traditional combustible cigarettes.
And don’t forget the kids or the fact that as we all know – vaping leads to drug abuse:
In addition, these products have been demonstrated to be gateway options for subsequent tobacco and illicit drug use, especially for the youth, blunting any purported public health benefit from e-cigarette implementations compliant with the relevant public health standards.
Like I said, WTF!!!
BTW, if you’re traveling to the Philippines anytime soon – leave that vape behind or risk huge fines and maybe even jail.
And for the record, there’s currently 17.3 million smokers in the Philippines which is almost 50% of the population.
Lit tobacco and cigarettes are of course still on sale.
Crazy times we live in.
and finally…Superb Vaping Satire!
The Babylon Bee is one of those outrageous funny fake news websites and it’s targeted vaping in a very clever satirical piece.
The title says it all: More E-Cigs Being Disguised As AR-15s To Avoid Ban
As I said on the EcigClick Facebook page – how close is that to the truth!
Well worth a read in these dismal days of anti-vaping stories everywhere!
More Vape News on Sunday!
