Vaping News Headlines
Vaping NOT To Blame For US Death | World Vape Show Announced | Egypt Vape Ban? | FDA Still Wants To Link Vaping With Seizures
Black Market THC Probable Cause Of One US Death and Lung Disease Cluster
One death and a spate of series respiratory diseases across America should not be blamed on vaping say UK experts.
There have been 193 reported cases showing various symptoms and whilst no official explanation is forthcoming, what is clear is that all appear to be linked to black market bought cartridges containing Tetrahydrocannabinol – THC – the active ingredient in the cannabis plant.
By black market, I mean homemade in this instance, and none of the cartridges appears to have been bought from reputable stores. I wrote about this in last weeks Vaping News.
As you might expect, the media in America and indeed across the globe has been quick to pounce suggesting this is the “first reported death from vaping” using sexed-up headlines and shock stories.
Shame on them for using someone’s death to score points and without meaning to do so myself, I have to say the timing of these lung disease ‘clusters’ is significant as America creeps to a slow ban of all things vape.
Thread 1/2: Further update on #vaping related cases of respiratory illness & one death. These cases are occurring in clusters, and so far only USA. The evidence to date suggests this has nothing to do with regulated #nicotine containing e-liquids of the type available in UK/EU
— Linda Bauld (@LindaBauld) August 25, 2019
Now two highly respected UK medical experts have stepped into the debate.
Professor Linda Bauld, from the Health Policy at the University of Edinburgh, said:
We have no evidence that they are linked to the types of e-cigarettes used by over 3 million people in the UK.
Details from the USA are sketchy and clearly, further investigation is needed, but these cases appear to be linked to contaminated or black market e-liquids.
They may also be linked to vaping substances other than nicotine including cannabis oils that have been tampered with or modified.
These reports from the USA do not change available evidence that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking when the devices are used as intended (to deliver nicotine to smokers trying to quit).
However, these reports from the USA may serve as a reminder that vapers, and smokers considering vaping to quit, need to buy products from reputable retailers that comply with content, packaging, labelling and marketing requirements.
Wise words.
She was joined by Prof Robert West, from the Department of Behavioural Science and Health at University College London, who said:
Whenever reports appear of serious health problems of a kind that are previously unheard of in users of a novel product, these must be investigated as a matter of urgency.
However, it is not good practice to assume a causal link ahead of such an investigation.
If a causal link looks plausible – for example, if the probability looks significantly greater in users than non-users – then we should ask whether this is intrinsic to the product or a result of faulty production. It appears that official reports and newspaper coverage of the incidents linked to vaping have not followed this practice.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of the person that died and I really hope those affected with the respiratory disease have a swift recovery.
What I do condemn is the media and politicians hungry to ban vaping scoring cheap political points and scaremongering headlines before the true facts are known.
UAE To Host World Vape Show
After ‘legalizing’ vaping back in April, the United Arab Emirates is positioning itself to become one of the global leaders in the promotion of e-cigarettes as a healthier option to smoking.
The country has recognized not only the health benefits but also the financial profits to be made with vaping expected to be worth US$53.4 billion by 2024.
The World Vape Show will be held across 3 days in June 2020 at the prestigious Dubai World Trade Centre. Running parallel will be the Future of Vape Conference where 50 industry experts will be discussing a wide range of topics.
Steve Diprose, Managing Director at Quartz Business Media – the company organizing the event said:
We have created this event to bring the industry together in a new market, to understand how suppliers can reach end users, how the vaping category in-store can drive footfall, sales and profits, and what we can learn from both specialist outlets and the big retailers.
The three-day exhibition will provide manufacturers with a unique opportunity to showcase products to thousands of international retailers, wholesalers, distributors and consumers in Dubai. The first two days of the event will be dedicated to business buyers, whereas the 3rd and final day will open its doors to the general public.
We’ve created a conference agenda to cover the full spectrum of the market, from innovation to public health to a specific session on the UAE’s market,” added Diprose.
One of the sessions which will be of most benefit to our visitors is ‘Building and Branding your Vape Business’ which will provide practical advice on how to establish your vape business, promote it within the market regulations and grow it.
These kinds of sessions are vital for an emerging industry.
Sounds like a fantastic event and for more info check out the World Vape Show website.
Call To Ban Vaping In Egypt
Vaping in Egypt is in a bit of a grey area, but now a prominent MP wants it banned completely.
Technically e-cigarettes have been banned in the country since 2015, however, many shops do business openly despite reports of vaping gear being confiscated at customs.
Egypt has the largest number of vapers in the area and 12.6 million of the population use lit tobacco of some form.
Now Member of the House of Representatives Amal Rizk-Allah, a long time anti-vape campaigner, wants them banned outright.
She has issued a motion to prohibit the sale, distribution, and import of all electronic nicotine delivery systems across the nation using various studies including the opinions of the World Health Organization, who are about as anti-e-cigarette as you can get.
We’ll let you know how this one goes.
FDA Calls For Public To Report Any Seizures Linked to Vaping
I thought we’d put this one to bed, but nope, the FDA is still ‘investigating’ any possible link to a spate of seizures among a handful of people who blamed vaping.
It’s yet more bad press for vaping in America [see above] as politicians and supposed health experts crank up the war on vaping.
You may remember it was former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb who on his last few hours in office made the silly claim that vaping led to seizures. Since then a few more cases have come forward and the FDA wants more!
It was found many of those affected had already had seizures of some form, whilst others were illegal drug users!
Now acting FDA supremo Norman ‘Ned’ Sharpless is cranking up the fear factor saying:
It is imperative that healthcare professionals, consumers, parents, teachers and other concerned adults, as well as youth and young adult users, report detailed information about any past or future incidents of seizures following e-cigarette use to the FDA.
We’re committed to monitoring this issue closely and taking additional steps as necessary to protect the public, especially our nation’s youth, from the dangers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Whilst any health risk attached to vaping should, of course, be looked into thoroughly, this kind of widespread peddling of panic should be treated with utter contempt IMHO.
As an aside, it’s quite remarkable how all these health scare stories have ‘suddenly’ appeared as the anti-vape brigade get more vociferous…or is that just me being a cynical old sod 😉
More Vaping News on Sunday!
I love hearing a realistic view to all these american stories. I’ve always had my doubts about their portrayal, even if it does still put that negative itch at the back of my mind. But I guess thats why they’re doing this.
It’s fucked up what’s happened to these people but the way the media has handled it is even more sickening.
Thanks for being reliable, man.
Appreciate it.