Pushing Through Prohibition In a Time of Pain

Join Dr. Marewa Glover and tobacco harm reduction journalist Michael McGrady as they discuss the exploitation of the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to implement prohibition measures for restricting tobacco and alcohol access across the nation of New Zealand in a new interview. [...]

2020-04-02
anchor.fm

Being a Smoker or Vaper in the Time of COVID-19

During a recent walk outside of the confines of my COVID-19 quarantine in Baltimore, I passed by someone resting on their marble front steps. As our eyes met, I could sense our shared heaviness, confirmed through our silent nods. An all-too-common exchange these days. The woman lit her cigarette, took a deep drag and exhaled. And I exhaled too. I don’t enjoy smoking all that much, with the exception of a cigarette or two a year. Ideally on a summer patio. [...]

2020-04-02
filtermag.org

UK Survey Indicates That Opinions About E-Cigs Remain Skewed

While panic and concern about vaping keeps spreading across the US due to the EVALI outbreak and concerns about teen vaping, British medical and health authorities, including the National Health Service and Public Health England, have fully endorsed vaping as a smoking cessation method and keep urging smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. Sadly, this positive stance is still not rubbing off on the UK public as intended. The survey sought to identify the UK public’s views on using e-cigarettes as a smoking-cessation tools, and whether they believe that the devices have a public-health benefit.

2020-04-02
vapingpost.com

British American Tobacco working on plant-based coronavirus vaccine

British American Tobacco, the maker of brands including Lucky Strike, Dunhill, Rothmans and Benson & Hedges, has said it has a potential coronavirus vaccine in development using tobacco plants. Dr David O’Reilly, the director of scientific research at BAT, said: “Vaccine development is challenging and complex work but we believe we have made a significant breakthrough with our tobacco plant technology platform, and we stand ready to work with governments and all stakeholders to help win the war against Covid-19.

2020-04-02
theguardian.com

Boost for smokers: Western Cape lifts ‘lockdown ban’ on cigarette sales

Just days after the National Disaster Act outlawed the sale of cigarettes during our three-week lockdown period, the Western Cape government have relaxed this law almost entirely. They have confirmed on Wednesday that smokers will be allowed to get their ciggies, but there’s a small caveat… After the ban on purchasing cigarettes was lifted in several local districts, the entire Western Cape has decided to follow suit. A recently released statement explains that smokers can indeed get their fix, but they must only purchase tobacco if they’re also shopping for essential goods. [...]

2020-04-02
thesouthafrican.com

Working from home means smoking from home

Big Tobacco is one of the sectors that’s sticking to its forecasts as the coronavirus outbreak hardly dents cigarette demand — and may be leading to smokers lighting up on the job when they work at home. Imperial Tobacco, the maker of Kool cigarettes, said Tuesday the outbreak has had no material impact on its business and that current trading remains in line with expectations. British American Tobacco, whose brands include Lucky Strike and Kent, said something similar two weeks ago, when it reiterated its 2020 guidance. [...]

2020-04-02
bostonglobe.com