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Alliance Health Spokesperson, South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has welcomed the new regulations that will come into force on February 1. This regulation prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine inhaled products to people under 18.
Ms Bradshaw has said it will surprise many parents that a ban had not already been in place, with children have been able to purchase the nicotine products in Northern Ireland since they were introduced to the UK market in 2007. She says that this is “another case” of NI having to play catch-up with the UK and highlights an “unfortunate consequence” of the Assembly collapsing for three years.
Along with the ban on selling e-cigarettes to those under 18, a ban on smoking in a private vehicle when children or other adults are present will also come into force on February 1.
Source: Belfast Live, 11 January 2022
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In a letter published in the Financial Times, Richard Ross, Chairman, Rosetrees Trust London, has responded to Elizabeth Mortimer’s letter: Funding the NHS ensures the health of the economy, which suggests the “NHS needs to also be funded by income tax.”
Ross argues that there will never be enough money to completely fund the NHS , stating that “we need to adopt healthy diets and exercise more and this needs motivation.” He highlights that the heightened risk associated with COVID-19 prompted many people to lose weight, emphasising that “if we see a reason, not just to start, but to maintain change there will be long-term benefits.”
Ross observes that we should learn from the effective anti-smoking campaign, which emphasises the harms of smoking while also increasing taxes on tobacco, resulting in a long-term decrease in smoking. He also asks whether financial incentives could be effective for motivating people to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Source: Financial Times, 12 January 2022
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New research published in the respiratory journal Thorax has suggested a link between secondhand exposure in the home to nicotine-containing vapour from e-cigarettes and an increased risk among young adults of bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath. The research did not however establish causation.
The research involved 2090 participants in the Southern California Children’s Health Study in the US. The study collected data from 2014 to 2019, when participants were on average 17-years-old. It considered a variety of bronchitis symptoms and checked for wheeze, based on self-reported wheezing or whistling in the chest during the previous 12 months and shortness of breath, based on reported breathing difficulties when walking quickly on level ground or walking up a slight hill.
Compared with participants who had not been exposed to secondhand nicotine vapour, and after adjusting for secondhand smoking, cannabis exposure, active vaping, and smoking, those who had been exposed to secondhand nicotine vapour were 40% more likely to report bronchitic symptoms and 53% more likely to report shortness of breath, though there was no increase in wheeze.
When the analysis was restricted to the 1181 participants who reported no personal vaping or smoking in the past 30 days, stronger associations emerged. These participants were more than twice as likely to report wheeze, three times as likely to report bronchitic symptoms, and twice as likely to report shortness of breath. The researchers now say that further studies to explore possible causality are necessary to draw out the implications of the study for public policy.
Editorial Note:
Over 90% of those in this study exposed to secondhand vapour either smoked or vaped themselves or were also exposed to secondhand smoke leaving only 15 people whose only exposure was to secondhand vapour. Evidence from other reviews [e.g. 2018 review from PHE: Evidence review of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products] have not found evidence of harm to bystanders from exposure to secondhand vaping.
Source: Scienmag, 11 January 2022
See also: Thorax - Secondhand nicotine vaping at home and respiratory symptoms in young adults
Science Media Centre - expert reaction to study looking at second hand nicotine vaping in the home and respiratory symptoms in young adults
Daily Mail – Exposure to second-hand nicotine from VAPING doubles risk of young adults developing a wheeze, study finds
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According to a new report, young people were exposed to frequent instances of smoking and vaping imagery while watching some of the year’s most popular TV episodes, movies, and music videos, which has been shown to raise the risk of their trying tobacco.
The study estimates that 27 million young people were exposed to smoking and vaping imagery in 2020 from streaming shows alone. Findings from the study reveal more than 60% of the most popular binge-watched shows among 15- to 24-year-olds featured depictions of tobacco use. The figure is down 13% points from the 2019 study but remains a worrisome total. The study notes that a coronavirus pandemic-fuelled increase in streaming activity in 2020 “raises concerns that overall exposure to tobacco imagery may be greater.”
Netflix was deemed tv’s worst offender for the fourth year in a row, led by hit period drama “The Queen’s Gambit.” In 2019, Netflix adopted a tobacco-free policy for new shows aimed at younger audiences (14 or under). Still, the new edict did not apply to the current series and included exceptions for “creative vision” and historical accuracy.
Tobacco is often depicted in entertainment as something to reach for in a stressful situation. Experts note this sends a harmful message, notably as youth depression and anxiety has doubled during the pandemic. The 2020 study urges creators to develop “transparent anti-tobacco policies,” continue airing anti-tobacco and anti-vaping ads, and expand education and outreach.
Source: USA Today, 11 January 2022
See also: Truth Initiative - Nicotine on demand
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