Advocacy In Action - 8 July 2022

Welcome to the latest edition of the ACOSH Advocacy in Action e-bulletin for 2022.
We aim to provide topical information on advocacy for tobacco control in Western Australia, Nationally and around the world. Please forward to others who may be interested.
Thank you for your support.

Has a colleague forwarded this to you? Subscribe here to receive your own copy

Biden administration says it plans to cut nicotine in cigarettes

A significant move by the Biden administration could be the key to reduce smoking-related deaths.

“The Biden administration said Tuesday it plans to develop a rule requiring tobacco companies to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes sold in the United States to minimally or nonaddictive levels, an effort that, if successful, could have an unprecedented effect in slashing smoking-related deaths and threaten a politically powerful industry.”

“Supporters say slashing nicotine, the addictive ingredient in cigarettes, would be a milestone in public health that would save millions of lives over generations”

See the strategy to slash nicotine

The end of the illusion that smoking is a choice

In this guest essay, Dr Sarah Milov discusses how the FDA’s proposal to lower nicotine in cigarettes to less addictive levels will test Big Tobacco’s claim that smoking is a choice.

“Selling the cigarette has always involved selling both the illusion of choice and a product designed to preclude it.”

“The F.D.A.’s nicotine proposal is, at long last, an opportunity to test one of the industry’s core propositions. Only then will we truly see if smoking is a free adult choice rather than the consequence of addiction and skillful product design.”

Putting Big Tobacco’s claims to the test

TikTok vape warning after young woman’s terrifying health scare

A young woman has issued an emotional warning for young people to stop vaping after a terrifying hospital visit that “freaked out” her doctors.

The warning that could save lives

Tobacco firm uses loophole to target price-sensitive smokers

“It looks like a cigarette, it’s marketed like a cigarette, but Philip Morris NZ’s new ‘cigarillo’ is about $3 cheaper for a pack – to the dismay of health experts”

See what’s causing “extreme concern” for NZ Government

Vape shop shut amid crackdown

A vape shop owner has closed his doors as the Government cracks down on illegal vape sales

“The business model for every dedicated vape shop in WA has been blown up, and has been illegal since the WA Supreme Court’s decision in 2016” said ACOSH’s Maurice Swanson.

What happens when you break the law

We need to make Big Tobacco pay for its environmental harms

Millions of trees cut down, millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted, and trillions of discarded butts – all to sell products which bring no benefits, only illness and death.

See Tobacco’s trail of damage

Why young non-smokers in NZ are taking up vaping more than ever

The number of young New Zealanders aged 15 – 17 who vape every day tripled in two years from 2019 to 2021. Here are 5 reasons why, according to the latest research.

The 5 reasons why

Vapers’ facelift: new pitch, same sponsors

This exposing piece by the Opinion explores the new approach for the tobacco and vaping lobby.

“That didn’t take long – six weeks into a new government and the tobacco and vaping lobby has rearranged the deck chairs, ready for a completely new approach. Yes, they want a vaping inquiry. Another one. This time it’s all about human rights. And they have high hopes for the new Labor government…”

“…Vaping activist Alex Wodak has been telling supporters Anthony Albanese is “not a prohibitionist”, a rosy-eyed view shared by Victorian MP Fiona Patten fresh from her industry-sponsored trip to the Global Forum on Nicotine in Warsaw. It must be the time to travel. On June 16 Colin Mendelsohn, founder of Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association, was on a panel at the World Vape Show in Dubai, beside Philip Morris and British America Tobacco executives.”

“In September National Retail Association chief Dominique Lamb, who had not spoken previously about e-cigarettes, overnight became a passionate advocate for vaping. She wouldn’t say whether the NRA had received funding from Philip Morris, but the June 2021 accounts did reveal a new benefactor. Policy services revenue jumped $473,000—that’s money contributed to promote a particular policy…”

“…The new funding has helped the NRA employ no less than three lobbying firms—TG Public Affairs, Hawker Britten and JPG Advisory, run by former Canavan staffer Jeremy Greenwood. Another inquiry? It’s a long game. Give it 12 months.”

The vaping lobby exposed

Out now: Quit Smoking Weapons of Mass Distraction

A new book by one of Australia’s leading experts on tobacco harm minimisation strategies has just been published. In his book, Simon Chapman covers the rise of assisted quitting: a multibillion dollar industry promoting what Simon calls “weapons of mass distraction”. He puts forth actionable policy solutions to make positive change and help smokers quit for good.

Read the Introductory chapter for free

Order the book on Amazon

Tweet of the week!

Tobacco control news

EU proposes ban on flavoured electronic cigarette products to combat cancer rates – ABC
How can we reverse the vaping crisis among young Australians? Enforce the rules – The Conversation
Four tobacco retailers in Greater Bendigo caught selling cigarettes to children under 18 – Northern Beaches Review
Don’t start: Australia’s health council issues advice on harmful vaping – 9 News
‘Personal’ donations to the Liberal Party came from vaping lobby during debate over policy – ABC
Some students want to rebel and think vaping is cool and tastes good, research finds – ABC

News