Tobacco Asia

74 tobaccoasia CLOSING NEWS 卷尾新闻 Istanbul Bans Shisha The Istanbul Governorate recently announced a temporary ban on shisha smoking in every public space in the city. The action is being taken as a precautionary effort to lessen the risk of forest fires and other potential hazards. Governor Davüt Gul announced the new regulation on his social media, saying, "Smoking shishas will be strictly prohib- ited in various locations, including beaches, forests, recreation- al areas and parks throughout Istanbul. However, it is impor- tant to note that licensed shisha lounges operating outside these designated areas will not be affected by this ban." The decision to enact this ban aims to protect the city's natural surroundings and prevent destructive forest fires. The governorate also plans to prevent the creation of harmful environmental effects and preserve the tranquility of public spaces, such as picnic spots, parks, and recreation zones. Seaweed Paper Ashtrays Fight Butt Littering Beachgoers in the UK's Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council area are being given ashtrays made of seaweed paper in an effort to cut down on beachside litter. It follows the discovery of 48,000 cigarette butts on beaches within the area in just one month. Campaigners Litter Free Dorset, which is conducting pop-up events, are in charge of the project. The portable ashtrays are printed on paper designed to reduce the number of cigarettes that are stubbed directly into the sand. The ashtrays are made from seaweed and plants, making them biodegradable, reducing plastic waste. Smokers only need to put some sand in the bottom of the ashtray, stub out the cigarette butt, and then stand the ashtray upright in the sand until they are ready to leave. After that, the paper ashtray can be folded over and disposed of in the trash. Look Out for "Vape Tongue" A dentist took to TikTok to warn e-cigarette users to look out for "vape tongue", a condition that could stop them from tasting properly. Dr. Stewart Beggs, a cosmetic dentist in the UK, said vape tongue has become increasingly common due to the popularity of disposable vapes with "ridiculous" flavors. According to Dr. Beggs, vape tongue side effects include dry mouth and dehydration. Quitting or at least cutting down on vaping is the first step of getting rid of vape tongue, along with drinking more water and prioritizing oral hygiene, especially brushing, flossing, and using a tongue scraper. And if vape tongue was not bad enough, it appears smoking and taking antibiotics can also possibly turn your tongue green and hairy, as a 64-year-old Ohio man discovered. The rare side effect apparently started three weeks after the man, who smokes, completed a course of clindamycin for a gum infection. While it was unclear how long he had been smoking and case study authors did not say if the condition was caused specifically by smoking, antibiotics, or both, previous research shows that smoking can cause plaque and bacteria to build up and antibiotics can alter the mouth's microbiome which would alter bacteria and allow them to accumulate of the tongue. Doctors diagnosed the man with "hairy tongue", which is indicated by an abnormal coating on the top surface of the tongue, also known as the dorsal area. A build-up of dead skin cells on the taste buds is what causes a hairy tongue. Then, the taste buds become longer than usual, giving the tongue a hairy appearance. According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), hairy tongue affects about 13% of Americans and can occur at any age, but most often found in older age and more common in men than women. The discolor- ation on the tongue is usually black, but can also be brown, yellow, or green. In this case, doctors advised the man to gently scrub his tongue with a toothbrush four times a day and counseled to stop smoking. He recovered within six months, and continued to smoke. New Set of Health Warnings for the Philippines The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) released a new set of graphic health warnings on tobacco products as man- dated by the Graphic Health Warnings Law. Images in the new health warnings show illnesses associ- ated with tobacco use, including tooth loss, foot gangrene, deep tissue infections, mouth cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and lung disease. To prevent the public from becoming accustomed to seeing the same images, the graphic health warnings are supposed to be changed periodically. These labels include images of both the people who are suffering from these illnesses and the affected body parts. Cambodia's New Tobacco Tax Expectations Cambodia's Ministry of Economy and Finance introduced further regulations to standardize value-added tax (VAT) for companies that import and distribute cigarettes. The new tax took effect on August 1 and intends to ensure a consistent and transparent application of VAT. The ministry made it clear in a directive released on July 25 to owners of businesses engaged in the importation or distribution of cigarettes that they would now be required to apply VAT in accordance with these new regulations. This process is similar to how VAT is applied to other taxable goods, with a flat rate of 10% applied to all cigarette supplies in Cambodia. The ministry also made it clear that output tax deductions would be allowed for VAT paid at the time of importation or local purchase. Additionally, according to the guidelines, businesses importing cigarettes for export purposes are allowed to pay a one-time VAT fee at the point of importation. According to the current laws and regulations, these businesses are required to file returns and pay taxes. McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors New Website McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors (RSA) launched their new website, ushering in a new era of innovation and transpar- ency for their clients. The new platform describes an array of exceptional advisory services to nicotine and cannabis clients, with an emphasis on providing clients with the best available regulatory services. Willie McKinney, c.e.o. of McKinney RSA, expressed his enthusiasm for the new website: "We are delighted to launch our new website, which represents a signifi- cant milestone in our journey to provide exceptional advisory services to our nicotine and cannabis clients. The revamped platform reflects our dedication to innovation, transparency, and client satisfaction, making it easier for clients to explore our services and access valuable regulatory resources." The new website offers a modern design that makes it easy for users to find the information they need quickly. It also features an intuitive navigation system that allows users to identify relevant services and access helpful resources rapidly. Additionally, the site is optimized for mobile devices so that users can access the site from any device at any time. McKinney RSA focuses on providing comprehensive solutions that meet complex regulatory requirements while also delivering superior customer service. With decades of industry experience under their belt, they are committed to helping their clients succeed by providing top-notch guidance every step of the way.

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