Vaping News Headlines:
Fall In French Smokers – Top Aussie Doc Anti E-Cigs – The Rise Of the Vape – University Bans Vaping – UK Hospital Allows Vaping – World No Tobacco Day – Vaping Out Of Her Ears and Beware Of Rusty Lung Syndrome…
Ooo La! La! 1 million Less Smokers In France
When I was growing up France was the epitome of a smoking nation and not just the women either.
It seems everyone and his dog smoked and if any of you tried a Gauloise ‘back in the day’ you’ll know the French liked it harsh!
So whilst it’s pleasing to see the media filled with the success story of fewer French smokers you’d have a hard time finding even a slight nod to the growing popularity of vaping and e-cigarettes in the country.
Indeed a recent report showed that France has more vape shops per person than either the UK or US!
However politicians were quick to point to their so called ‘sin taxes’ and other measures rather than vaping as being key to the downturn – something we’ve come to expect sadly.
However and almost grudgingly it would seem when asked about the popularity and rise of e-cigarettes as a stop smoking tool the country’s public health spokesman Francois Bourdillon mumbled something about e-cigarettes ‘clearly’ being the tool of choice for smokers looking to quit.
Listen Monsieur – you don’t get a 1 million drop purely by raising taxes – especially when you see the sheer amount of vape shops opening in your country!
Vive la Vape!
New Top Aussie Doc Says NO To E-Cigs
The new president of the Australian Medical Association [AMA] says there’s no chance of the organization changing its negative stance on e-cigarettes and vaping.
As it stands now and as we’ve highlighted many times whilst vaping is legal down under the use of nicotine within e-liquids is not only banned but a criminal offence with huge fines and jail sentences for repeat offenders.
Speaking to the media GP Tony Bartone from Melbourne said:
As far as we’re concerned, (using e-cigarettes) seeks to normalise the behaviour that is smoking without actually addressing the issue and the heart of the matter; that is, that tobacco smoking has significant … health consequences.
The products that are used sometimes contain harmful carcinogens and we do not have the long-term data about the risk profile of them.
We know that there are carcinogens of at least certain toxicity and the ultimate effect has yet to be proven.
When the evidence comes through and it can be shown to be a therapeutic aid to cessation from smoking, that’s when we will sit down and significantly look at our position and move in line with the evidence that’s presented.
Not good news for the 3 million beleaguered smokers down under of whom 2 out of 3 will die from tobacco related diseases or indeed the vapers who run the risk of getting arrested.
Even the Cancer Council Australia is now in favour of e-cigarettes with policy director Paul Grogan saying:
The consensus is very strongly of the view that the risks (of e-cigarettes) are significantly lower (than those of smoking tobacco). We don’t dispute that.
As you can see from the chart above – latest reports show that whilst countries that allow e-cigarettes have show a significant drop in the number of smokers – in Australia the complete opposite is happening.
As I keep saying the only criminals around vaping in Australia and the politicians and misguided ‘medical professionals’ that refuse to see the benefits e-cigarettes bring to the people…
How different things are in neighbouring New Zealand that recently lifted the ban on vaping.
Only this week a leading stop smoking and health expert championed vaping.
Dr John McMenamin is now promoting e-cigarettes to smokers desperate to quit and said:
Vaping nicotine is about 95 per cent safer than smoking cigarettes – but not totally safe.
Vaping to quit gives us another option to offer people and for many it will offer a very realistic way of successfully quitting.
We’re very keen for people to vape rather than smoke. The issue is that there is some harm associated with vaping.
I’ll say it again it’s crazy to not only stop smokers making the switch down under but down right criminal…
And in a bizarre twist the outgoing president of AMA – Michael Gannon – says he’s actually ‘open minded’ about the potential health benefits of e-cigarettes!
Pity he didn’t feel that way when in office – you can see the podcast on this HERE.
The March Of The Mods – Vaping’s Rise In Charts
The BBC has been a little shall we say on the fence around e-cigarettes and vaping however a piece this week was actually quite an interesting read.
I say ‘on the fence’ let’s put it this way they have one foot over the other side so to speak – the side that’s a bit anti if I’m honest…
However this is almost a positive piece and lists 5 facts about the growth of vaping and includes extremely easy to read and certainly enlightening charts.
The topics covered are:
- Vaping is increasingly popular
- Spending on e-cigarettes is growing
- Open-system e-cigarettes are the most popular
- Most e-cigarettes are purchased in-store
- Why do people vape?
However in I’m hoping the spirit of ‘balanced reporting’ the writer does end the piece with a list of ‘concerns’ expressed by anti-vapers the World Health Organization.
Other than that a very good read and well worth a look.
Irish University Bans Smoking AND Vaping
As of June 1st the University of Limerick will become a total smoke and vape free zone.
It had already introduced strict no smoking and vaping areas but this new rule means exactly what it says on the tin.
College president and former smoker Professor Desmond Fitzgerald said:
This is a major step towards a healthier campus. I hope it will help those who want to quit smoking and also help prevent incoming students from taking up the habit.
As a former smoker, I know how addictive nicotine is and how tough it is to stop smoking. I’m sure current smokers will struggle with this, but I also know that they do not want to see others start and that their sacrifice will save lives.
Interestingly anyone ‘caught’ vaping or smoking will be sent to the healthcare department for what they’re calling ‘appropriate’ smoking cessation programmes…errmmm like er e-cigarettes maybe?
Apparently not as the prof explains:
Vaping includes the use of electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes or other such electronic delivery systems intended to simulate smoking, whether they deliver a nicotine dose or not.
I have a degree of difficulty explaining the thinking or indeed ‘working out’ of this one to say the least…
UK Hospital Bans Smoking But Allows Vaping
If you’re a patient – visitor or employed at the Royal United Hospital in Bath you won’t be allowed to smoke anywhere in the grounds but vaping will be allowed.
The news comes as Wales NHS bans smoking and vaping outside all its hospitals and schools including playgrounds and is yet another sign the NHS is severely lacking a clear policy on smoking and vaping.
As it stands now smokers are allowed to smoke in designated shelters but these will be switched to vaping only by the end of 2018.
The news has split the staff and indeed nearby residents who have voiced their concerns of having smokers outside their homes.
However Director of people Claire Ridley [weird title lol] said:
There is some concern we are giving conflicting messages. We are smoke free but have smoking shelters.
We have some work to do to build support for our staff around smoking cessation. Probably the most challenging aspect is enforcement.
What expectation do we have on our staff? What sanctions could there be for repeat offenders? Enforcement is the key to this.
As to the complaints from nearby residents Chief Executive James Scott said:
There’s nothing we can do about that, other than be aware about the increased risk of complaints. Engaging with our neighbours will be helpful.
I think helpful is an understatement lol…
World No Tobacco Day Ignores Vaping
You probably didn’t notice but this week was the World No Tobacco Day campaign.
Organized by the anti vape lot over at the World Health Organization this year’s theme was tobacco damages the heart – well actually smoking it does but hey let’s not quibble over such matters.
However nowhere in their worldwide campaign was any mention of the benefits or indeed the amount of quit success stories from smoking to vaping.
And they even snubbed vape advocacy groups from across the world – including the UK’s New Nicotine Alliance – I’m guessing for not adhering to the WHO’s almost fanatical anti-vape stance.
That’s enough said about that and please feel free to read my take on the matter: World No Tobacco Day – WHO Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Adhanom..?
…and finally…Vaping Out Of Her Ears…
Listen vape tricks are like it or not pretty cool for a few minutes at least…
Hey I’m just jealous because even blowing an O-ring is stretch for me lol…
But this video of a woman vaping from her ears and gone viral and yeah there’s a ‘science’ behind it too!
According to Inverse the reason is simply down to her having a history of ear infections…
Either way I think it’s funny though in the spirit of this ‘nanny world’ we live in I shall utter those immortal words:
Don’t try this at home kids…
😉
And BTW photo of the week has to be this very clever yet subtle pic on Twitter from vape advocate Dr Colin Mendelsohn…
Yes folks beware inhaling that oxygen look what the hell it does to that chain!
Be careful out there…you don’t want rusty lung syndrome from all that breathing…
*Shuffles Papers*
