KAC calls for tobacco harm reduction in sub-Saharan Africa

It is reported that on September 16, local time, a new briefing released by the Knowledge Action Change website (KAC) shows that more than 200,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa die each year due to smoking, and the region urgently needs to accept tobacco harm reduction actions.

The KAC believes that tobacco harm reduction can bring substantial public health benefits to sub-Saharan African countries, which is especially critical at a time when the number of tobacco（heated tobacco） users across the continent is set to increase to 62 million by 2025.

“Many people can’t or don’t want to quit nicotine use, but smoking is deadly,” KAC wrote in a press release. A selection of products, including vaping products, smokeless nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products(herbal heatsticks).”

Tobacco Harm Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa, written by Chimwemwe Ngoma, founder of THR Malawi, examines the current state of tobacco harm reduction in 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Chimwemwe said: “To become smoke-free, Sub-Saharan Africa needs safer nicotine products(heat not burn tabak) that are locally viable, affordable, appropriate, accessible and culturally acceptable, with reasonable Product regulation. To achieve this, African governments should strive to remain independent, conduct their own socio-economic impact assessments, and develop science-based policies that actively engage in tobacco harm reduction.”

Several studies refute link between vaping products and smoking

According to reports, on September 17, an anti-smoking group announced that multiple previous studies on vaping products had no direct evidence that the use of vaping products and heated tobacco products (HTPs) caused non-smokers and young adults. Man smoking cigarette.

According to media reports, Action on Smoking and Health UK (ASH) cited the results of five large surveys of 11- to 16-year-olds in the UK between 2015 and 2017, showing that “the majority of young people who have tried vaping products do not not become a regular user”.

“Overall, there is no evidence that vaping products increase smoking rates in this age group,” ASH said. “In fact, smoking rates among young people have declined since vaping products entered the market.”

A time-series analysis conducted in the UK from 2007 to 2018 by researchers led by Emma Beard showed that the increase in the prevalence of vaping product use across the UK sample appeared to be associated with an increase in smoking among young people aged 16 to 24. It doesn’t matter.

A 2022 study by researchers at the University of Bristol found, “Based on the current balance of evidence, using triangular data from recent population-level cross-context comparisons, individual-level genetic analysis and modelling, we Indeed, causal claims for a strong pathway effect of vaping products on smoking are unlikely to hold, and it is too early to rule out other smaller or opposite effects.”

Drs Colin Mendelsohn and Wayne Hall concluded in a 2020 study that claims that vaping products are the road to smoking are unconvincing. “Cigarette smoking precedes vaping, non-vaping precedes cigarette smoking, and non-cigarette smokers are less likely to vape on a regular basis,” they said.

The University of Queensland, Australia, published another comprehensive analysis of whether vaping products lead to smoking. The study also concluded that there was little evidence of an “entrance effect”. Even if the portal effect does exist, it’s unlikely, the study said.

A 2021 study by Wayne Hall and Gary Chan on the “entrance” effect of vaping products found that “the use of vaping products in the United States was not It’s the main entry point for smoking, it’s going to be different.”

Brazil’s Ministry of Justice issues ban on sales of vaping products

According to reports, on September 15, local time, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice stated that it gave local companies 48 hours of transitional time to suspend the sales of vaping products in response to the “requiring 32 companies to suspend the sales of vaping products” issued earlier this month. .

Proposal Law No. 5087/2020 to “prohibit the manufacture, import, sale and promotion of vaping devices, including vaping products and heated tobacco products, as well as accessories and supplements thereof”, is currently under consideration by the House of Representatives, the lower house of the National Assembly .

The companies mentioned in the ban include websites such as OLX, Enjoei, Via Sa (owner of the Extra, Casas Bahia and Ponto Frio brands) and other prominent performers in the field, including Beetle Juices, according to information published in the Brazilian Official Gazette. enterprise.

Earlier this year, Brazil’s national drug agency Anvisa launched an opinion poll on vaping with the aim of gathering real scientific information to help regulate products accordingly.

“As early as 2009, Anvisa banned the sale of vaping products across the country, and this year Anvisa has reiterated its position, delving into the dangers of these products to human health.” Rodrigo Roca, secretary of the National Consumer Protection Association said.

Filter says FDA is cracking down on unauthorized vaping products

It is reported that on September 15, local time, the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking a court order, threatening to file a lawsuit and requesting the destruction of unauthorized vaping products.

Filter magazine says it has confirmed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified the Justice Department by Sept. 1 that at least two open-system vaping companies violated federal food, drug, and cosmetic laws because Manufacturers do not submit premarket tobacco product applications and continue to market their products.

“We plan to seek a court order permanently prohibiting you from … directly or indirectly producing, distributing, selling or offering for sale any new tobacco product in or from your facility unless the product is received and actually obtained FDA sales authorization,” reads a letter signed by Christina Parascandola, a senior DOJ litigator.

The two companies that have received letters so far have been ordered to destroy their vaping products under FDA supervision.

Amanda Wheeler, owner of a vaping store in Arizona, told Filte magazine: “It is simply unacceptable that the FDA is now enlisting the Department of Justice in this botched war on vaping. Vaping Products are helping ordinary Americans quit smoking, who are now facing eye-popping threats from federal law enforcement.”