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Groups call for Scots ban on plastic cigarette filters over 'horrific' environmental impact
Discarded cigarette butts and disposable vaping products are having "devastating" impacts on Scotland’s beaches and waters, according to leading public health and environment representatives.
The "horrific" environmental impacts of plastic cigarette filters, one of the most common forms of litter which is hitting Scotland's celebrated water and marine habitats are being spotlighted by health charity ASH Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, Zero Waste Scotland, Scottish Water and Keep Scotland Beautiful to mark World No Tobacco Day today.
They say that almost all of the 3.65 billion cigarettes smoked in Scotland each year are made of the plastic cellulose acetate.
The plastic cigarette butts can take more than 10 years to decompose and leach thousands of toxic chemicals, polluting seas and harming marine life.
The environmental and health organisations have called on the Scottish Government to take world-leading legislative action to tackle the negative impacts of plastic cigarette filters and include the items in a single-use plastic ban.
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We are asking people to consider the damage caused by discarded tobacco and related products. Cigarette filters continue to be a major source of plastics pollution with an estimated 600,000 kg of waste, enough to fill 50 bin lorries, threatening Scotland’s environment each year.”
Source: The Herald, 31 May 2022
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Tips and tricks to quit smoking - from setting quit date to changing diet
To coincide with World No Tobacco Day, the Mirror have released “expert tips and tricks” from Stuart Gale, chief pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, to support smoking cessation:
Gale recommends choosing a specific date to quit in order to prepare mentally and making environmental changes to support your quit attempt, such as throwing away cigarettes before the quit day.
Gale also recommends taking regular exercise to cut carvings and switching to an e-cigarette to simulate holding a cigarette.
Finally, Gale suggests making a note of practical benefits of quitting, such as how much money you are saving and notes the importance of managing one’s diet to prevent the development of new, unhealthy habits in the absence of smoking.
Source: The Mirror, 31 May 2022
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Rising sales of disposable e-cigarettes called “puffs” are causing a stir in France: Investigation by West France for World No Tobacco Day
“Puffs”, are disposable electronic cigarettes, sold for less than 10 euros (£8.50) each, with a colourful design, exotic or childish flavours which are proving popular in Middle (11-15 years) and High Schools (15-18 years) in France.
Disposable vapes are on sale legally for those aged 18+ (up to 20mg/ml of nicotine). Products must be notified to health authorities (ANSES), however the Minister of Health warns that “there are non-notified products also on the market and accessible to children, in particular via the internet, and some have nicotine levels above the legal limit of 20 mg/ml”.
Disposable vapes also have environmental consequences. Composed mainly of plastic, and a lithium battery, vapes are often thrown in the rubbish when there should be special processes for their collection. Consequently, several countries have passed laws to prohibit or tax these products. Germany has taxed e-liquids since 1st January and although France has not yet followed suit, excise duties on tobacco could well be extended to vaping products, in the upcoming revision of the EU Tobacco Tax Directive.
What is the attraction of disposable vapes to young people?
Chloe, 15, explains that “we use them from time to time in the evening or with friends” because we like “the smell, the vapour, the feeling, the taste”, in short, “the puff it’s cool.” Some are already smokers, others not, but all tell West France they have already vaped, with or without nicotine.
Manon, aged 17 who vapes from time to time alongside smoking says “we know about disposable vapes because of social media and from our school mates. They’re everywhere and frankly they’re easy to get hold of.” In fact, Lucie, 16 thinks they’re easier to get hold of than cigarettes.
However, Nicolas, 24 claims the majority of young people are occasional, rather than regular, users due their high cost: “The last time I bought one it was ten euros and it lasted me two days. Financially it’s not competitive with cigarettes or traditional e-cigarettes.” And behind its meteoric rise all of those questioned say they believe that the “Puff” is just a fad, which may last for a while, but will disappear as quickly as it appeared.
There are growing concerns over the endorsement of disposable vapes by social media influencers, “Some manufacturers use influencers to promote their products, offering substantial sums for posting or sending them free products” says Amelie Eschenbrenner from CNCT (the leading anti-smoking organisation in France). This is despite the fact that advertising vaping products is forbidden in France. The problem is that it is difficult to prove, as social media channels can pass under the radar using numerous influencers who are less visible than traditional advertising. And social media platforms are failing to successfully control these posts. For example, Tik Tok has banned use of the word “Puff ” but not “Puffs”.
Anti-smoking organisation CNCT monitors, compiles files, and takes legal action. It recently scored two victories against the Big Tobacco companies and is taking on a case against one of the leading Puff brands, WPuff. “It’s good because it puts us in the position of building case law. But these are penalties of a few thousand euros for companies which make millions. This is not a deterrent.”
Source: West France, 29th May 2022
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New South Wales: Young vapers rise as smoking rates fall
Statistics show more young people in New South Wales (NSW) are taking up vaping, even as the number of daily smokers continues to fall.
Speaking on World No Tobacco Day, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said she was impressed some 23% of NSW residents were now successful former smokers and urged more people to quit.
Dr Chant said: “The NSW quitters group now numbers about 1.5 million, which is amazing progress because we know quitting can be hard”.
“To anyone who wants to quit but is finding it challenging, be encouraged by the success of these people and know that there is support available to help you quit successfully.”
According to 2021's NSW Smoking & Health Survey, of those who still smoke, 41% are serious about quitting in the next six months and one in five (19%) plan to quit in the next month.
More than one in 10 young people aged 16 to 24 vaped between 2020 and 2021 - double the rate of 2019-2020.
Source: Mail Online, 31 May 2022
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USA: World No Tobacco Day - Why smokers have to pay higher premium for health insurance
A recent survey by insurance company, ICICI Lombard, ahead of World No-Tobacco Day, has revealed that 81% of smokers in the US are willing to pay an extra 20% on their health insurance premium, signifying that they found it difficult to quit smoking.
World No-Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year to spread awareness about the ill-effects of smoking and to encourage people to quit tobacco use and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
In the US, health insurance companies routinely ask an individual about their smoking habits while signing up for a plan. Most insurers ask if the individual smokes and if they have smoked in the past six months. Insurers conduct medical tests prior to issuing a cover to determine the premiums for coverage. For regular smokers, traces of nicotine can be found in the blood, urine, hair, and saliva. Insurers insist on taking medical tests if the individual has declared their smoking habit to ascertain his or her health condition before deciding on the premium.
Smoking can cause a number of health problems such as lung infections and cancer. As this makes smokers a higher risk to the company for future claims, they charge a higher premium. The premium depends on the state of the individual’s health. Insurance also depends on the seriousness of pre-existing lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes. At times, insurance companies deny cover to smokers with Type 2 Diabetes. They also deny cover to those who smoke over 20-40 cigarettes a day.
Source: CNBC, 31 May 2022
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How Indonesia’s young people are taking on Big Tobacco
19% of 13–15-year-olds (the majority male) in Indonesia are tobacco consumers – compared to 7% of that age group globally. Three quarters of Indonesian children see tobacco advertising and nearly two-thirds are exposed to second-hand smoke.
Indonesia is among only nine countries not party to, and the only Southeast Asian country to have not signed the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
However, the Indonesian Youth Coalition for Tobacco Control (IYCTC) is campaigning for change. Formed in 2021 of more than 43 organisations and communities, the IYCTC has documented promising tobacco-control advocacy done by various youth movements.
Young advocates have held public demonstrations against international tobacco-sponsored events and pro-tobacco regulations. They have organised seminars, mass social gatherings, and public campaigns for FCTC ratification. They have also pushed for tobacco advertisements to be fully banned and for the Supreme Court to review an Indonesian Broadcasting Bill that has loopholes that the tobacco industry exploits to advertise during television broadcasts.
They have also pushed for at least four of the six measures in the WHO’s MPower framework for reducing tobacco demand and called for protections from tobacco smoke; warnings about the dangers of tobacco; bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and increased taxes on tobacco products. Finally, they have conducted multiple studies to strengthen evidence-based advocacy efforts against the tobacco industry’s corporate social responsibility (CSR)-washing, especially those targeting children.
Source: East Mojo, 31 May 2022
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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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