In its own words, the UK E-Cigarette Research Forum (UKECRF) “is an initiative led by Cancer Research UK in collaboration with leading experts in the field of e-cigarettes and tobacco control.” Independent researcher regularly touch base to review studies and discuss policy updates. The most recent meeting took place at the end of May.
“The Forum brings together policy-makers, researchers, practitioners and the NGO community to discuss the emerging evidence and knowledge gaps about e-cigarettes. The group also seeks to identify research priorities, generate ideas for new research projects and enhance collaboration between forum participants,” UKECRF says.
Cancer Research UK’s Kerry Pearson began by providing the group with a policy update. She told the group that, with the announcing of the general election, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill was dead in the water as it had failed to make the “wash up”.
Given the main driver behind the Bill was concern over teen vaping levels, Kerry then informed the group that latest figures from the anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health show “that youth vaping has plateaued”.
While it is highly unlikely that health bodies and the experts who presented to Parliament are about to reverse their calls for tough measures, this gives ammunition to the industry to protect our flavours – and us, if we write to our new MPs after the election.
The flavour debate is already being framed as one of health experts vs. the tobacco industry.
Kerry Pearson said: “Organisations such as World Vapers’ Alliance, which pushes the pro-vaping agenda, has been funded by tobacco companies such as BAT. They responded to the smokefree generation consultation in December last year, opposing restrictions on flavours and a disposable ban.”
Updating the forum on what is happening around the world since the last meeting, Kerry continued:
Europe
- The EU Commission has authorised a ban on disposable e-cigarettes in Belgium from January 2025.
- The World Vapers’ Alliance toured Europe with a “vape bus”, handing out branded merchandise and prizes. They have urged vapers to write to politicians to push pro-vaping policies.
USA
- Global Action to End Smoking, which was known as ‘Foundation for a Smoke-Free World’ and funded by PMI, announced recently that it will fund research to study nicotine dependence among low-income individuals.
Canada
- There has been an increase in the tax on e-cigarette pods.
Pakistan & Uzbekistan
- E-cigarettes have been banned in public spaces in Pakistan, and there has been a proposed ban on vapes in Uzbekistan
Kimberley Neve and Alice Burke gave an update on the Social & Behavioural Research being funded by Cancer Research UK.
- Working with ScotCen, a project looks at how adults use disposable e-cigarettes. The team are monitoring how a ban on disposables could impact quitting. There’s something about stable doors and horses here.
- Working with a range of academic institutions, a project on Stop Smoking Services includes some findings related to vaping. The results are due later this summer.
- Working with YouGov and Humankind, the Youth Policy Survey project looks at how young people engage with social media and how this might link to the use of e-cigarettes.
- Working with University of Stirling, the Accessibility of E-Cigarettes project is looking at the accessibility of e-cigarettes – interim results are due in the Autumn.
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.