Harvard and Johns Hopkins number among the seventeen universities who have declared their intention to refuse any research cash from Derek Yach’s pro vape foundation. They object to Philip Morris pumping $1 billion into it – presumably because the cash they get from Big Pharma is so much cleaner.
Harvard’s Karen Emmons said: “The idea of taking money that’s from the tobacco industry is just antithetical to everything we do. Philip Morris in particular has focused very hard to undermine the strategies that we know will reduce smoking rates.” So, damning today’s smokers for Big T’s sins yesterday.
Over 5,000 people were arrested in Muntinlupa, Philippines, for a multitude of sins last year. Out of the 5,569 busted, 1,237 were smokers and vapers who had breached the new restrictions on where they are allowed to enjoy nicotine. Quite a few – but not as many as the 1,600 who were picked up for not abiding by the semi-nude laws.
An elderly couple from Israel have discovered that when Thailand bans vaping it means it. They found themselves having to pay a fine of over £850 for “possessing an e-cigarette”. With such OTT measures, it’s not surprising that voices demanding common sense are getting louder, calling the actions “a crime without victims”.
Frankie Anchondo may have been driving erratically, might have had a woman hanging out of his passenger window, but probably didn’t expect to be shot dead for swearing. Police mistook his vape device for a gun and took instant action, and have now released a video to support their side of events.
Leicester is linked with vaping again as university researchers begin looking at how vape shops can help to support smokers quit. They write: “shops provided a commercial environment, adapting to legislative changes to ensure easy access to value products. Vape shops can provide effective behavioural support to quitters which could, in partnership with health professionals, be capitalised on for the purpose of maintaining smoking abstinence.”
Lastly, according to Autosport, Ducati broke with Marlboro as a sponsor in 2010, but maintained a close relationship with owners Philip Morris (through ties with the Ferrari Formula 1 set up). A deal is expected to be sign within the next couple of weeks, that will see the IQOS brand appear on the company’s machines for the 2018 MotoGP.
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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Parliament Fears Two
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs faced questions from a Conservative MP and, oddly, a member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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by Dave Cross
Harm Reduction For The Rich
The United Kingdom risks becoming a harm reduction country only for the wealthy, according to Michael Landl of the World Vapers’ Alliance
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by Dave Cross
Sacrificing Health For 2p Cut
Tory Government alienates vaping voters with its mission to cut tax by an unaffordable 2p to attract voters by placing a tax on vape products in the forthcoming budget
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Scotland Announces Single-Use Vape Action
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland is due to come into effect on 1 April 2025, under proposed legislation published today
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by Dave Cross
