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** 24 February 2025
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** UK
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** Unpublished study argues vaping causes long-term health problems (#1)
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** Chinese vape firms create new designs to bypass disposable ban (#2)
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** Illegal tobacco and unsafe vapes confiscated in Telford enforcement raid (#3)
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** UK
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** Unpublished study argues vaping causes long-term health problems

The unpublished research, led by Dr Maxime Boidin from Manchester Metropolitan University, suggests that long-term use of e-cigarettes may lead to severe health conditions such as heart disease, organ failure, and cognitive decline. Participants in the study, aged between 18 and 45, underwent stress tests measuring blood vessel elasticity and brain blood flow. Results showed that vapers exhibited similar vascular damage to smokers, raising concerns about future cardiovascular and neurological issues. Dr Boidin attributes the harm to nicotine-induced inflammation and exposure to chemicals found in vaping liquids.

Source: The Mirror, 23 February 2025

Editorial note: Media coverage of this unpublished study suggests that vaping induces a level of stress on blood vessels comparable to that of smoking. According to The Mirror, the research includes individuals who formerly smoked or currently use tobacco products alongside vaping, making it difficult to isolate the specific impact of vaping alone. This ambiguity undermines efforts to clearly understand the health risks associated with vaping.

It's important to emphasise that as this study is currently unpublished, it is not possible to know if it has undergone peer review, a crucial process where experts critically assess its scientific validity and objectivity before its findings can be considered reliable.
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** Chinese vape firms create new designs to bypass disposable ban

Concerns have been raised about vaping products, manufactured in China, designed to bypass the UK's forthcoming ban on disposable vapes. These devices, which use rechargeable batteries and refillable pods, comply with existing regulations while offering significantly more usage than traditional single use vapes. With flavours and branding appealing to young people, concerns are growing over their accessibility and appeal to this age demographic.

Dr Caroline Johnson, Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, proposed an amendment to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to restrict refill tank sizes and prevent modifications that increase a device’s nicotine capacity beyond legal limits. The amendment was not accepted by the Government at Committee stage of the Bill. Critics warn that without such measures, the ban set to take effect in June may prove ineffective, as manufacturers rapidly adapt their designs to remain legally compliant.

Source: Daily Mail, 23 February 2025

Editorial note: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will grant the government new powers to regulate vape product designs, including liquid and re-fill capacity. It will also introduce stricter controls on branding to prevent packaging and flavours from appealing to children and young people. The disposable vapes ban alone will not sufficiently regulate the vape market to ensure the Government is able to reduce youth vaping while maintaining vaping as an option for adult smokers looking to quit.

You can read more about what the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will do in the Explanatory Note, linked here ([link removed]) .
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** Illegal tobacco and unsafe vapes confiscated in Telford enforcement raid

Trading Standards officers carried out a raid on a premises in Telford Town Centre following a tip-off, seizing 60 packs of illicit hand-rolled tobacco and 470 non-compliant vapes. The vapes failed to meet legal safety standards, posing potential risks to consumers.

Source: Shropshire Live, 24 February 2025
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.

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