Researchers call for stronger regulations to reduce health burden of smokeless tobacco

Researchers at the University of York are calling for more stringent regulatory measures to reduce the health burden of smokeless tobacco, a product often found in UK stores without the proper health warnings and as a result of illicit trading. Smokeless tobacco is particularly popular in Asia and Africa and includes chewing tobacco as well as various types of nasal tobacco. They contain high levels of nicotine as well as cancer producing toxic chemicals, making head and neck cancers common in those who consume smokeless tobacco products.

2021-01-13
news-medical.net

Marijuana use typically drops at the beginning of the year, then climbs in summer and fall

Marijuana use increases throughout the calendar year, with use up 13 percent on average at the end of each year (2015-2019) compared to the beginning, according to a new study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. "We found that marijuana use is consistently higher among those surveyed later in the year, peaking during late fall or early winter before dropping at the beginning of the following year. We think this may be due, in part, to a 'Dry January' in which some people stop drinking alcohol or even stop using marijuana as part of a New Year's resolution," said Joseph Palamar, [...]

2021-01-13
sciencedaily.com

When Colorado Hiked Up Cigarette Taxes, Big Tobacco Stood Aside. Why?

Big Tobacco did something unusual in Marlboro Country last fall: It stood aside while Colorado voters approved the state’s first tobacco tax hike in 16 years. The industry, led by Altria Group, one of the world’s largest tobacco companies, has spent exorbitantly in the past to kill similar state ballot initiatives. In 2018, Altria’s lobbying arm spent more than $17 million to help defeat Montana’s tobacco tax ballot initiative. That same year, it spent around $6 million to help defeat South Dakota’s similar measure.

2021-01-13
cpr.org

Why cigarettes are becoming more expensive in Ukraine?

Since January 1, 2021, the specific rate of excise duty on cigarettes has increased by 20% and is UAH 1,088.64 (39 USD) per 1,000 cigarettes, and the minimum rate is UAH 1,456.33 (52 USD) per 1,000 cigarettes. "The price of traditional cigarettes is expected to increase not only due to the increase in excise taxes but also with the increase in production costs (increase in the cost of electricity, the size of the minimum wage and other macroeconomic factors)," the press service of British American Tobacco Ukraine (BAT) noted. Cigarillos will also rise in price. [...]

2021-01-13
112.international

Opinion: Referendum Against California’s Ban on Flavored Tobacco Targets Our Kids

Last year, the California Legislature passed the toughest law in the nation to protect kids like mine from getting hooked on Big Tobacco’s menthol cigarettes and sugary-sweet, candy-flavored e-cigarettes. As a parent and a volunteer advocate for Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes, I felt like I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The feeling was short-lived. A month before this life-saving law was set to take effect, the tobacco industry submitted signatures to reverse this measure through a referendum on the 2022 statewide ballot. [...]

2021-01-13
timesofsandiego.com

What does vaping really do to our lungs?

Vaping is touted as a lesser of two evils for smokers trying to quit - but a Kiwi scientist says there's much about e-cigarettes' long-term effects that we still don't know. The University of Auckland's Dr Kelly Burrowes has now launched the most advanced study of its kind in the world, using human trials and state-of-the-art 3D computer models to get a precise look at what vaping does to our lungs. Worldwide sales of e-cigarettes have boomed around the globe over the past decade, and today an estimated three in 100 Kiwis use them at least once a day.

2021-01-13
nzherald.co.nz