Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/658237
36 tobaccoasia E-CIGARETTE NEWS 电子烟新闻 UK Data Refute Nay Sayers The most recent data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, a periodic study of smoking cessation trends in England, revealed that the success rate for smokers who tried to quit in the past year had increased dramatically from 14% in 2011 to 23% in 2016. The quit rate remained steady from 2007 to 2011, then rose steadily from 2011 to 2015 and then increased dramatically over the past year. One likely reason for this spectacular increase in smoking cessation rates is that a shift in methods used for quitting may be propelling this change. Starting in 2011 and coinciding precisely with the increased quit rate was a dramatic shift away from the use of nicotine replace- ment therapy (NRT) in quit attempts and towards the use of e-cigarettes. Prior to 2011, virtually no smokers in the UK were using e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking, while approximately 30% were using NRT. By late last year, only about 10% of smokers were using NRT in quit attempts compared to about 40% using electronic cigarettes. In addition, the percentage of smokers who quit in the past year increased dramatically from only 4.6% in 2011 to 7.2% in 2014 and to 7.5% so far in 2016. Since the overall percentage of smokers making quit attempts did not change appreciably between 2011 and 2016, it appears that it is the dramatic rise in e-cigarette use that has fueled the increased rates of smoking cessation in the UK during the past five years. US New Poll Alarming A new poll out of Ohio shows that the anti-vaping groups, through their relentless campaign of deception about e-cigarettes, have completely under- mined the public's appreciation of the hazards of smoking. The poll of approximately 800 adult Ohio residents conducted by the Ohio Health Issues Poll (OHIP), which is funded by Interact for Health, revealed that only 34% reported correctly that tobacco cigarettes are more hazardous than electronic cigarettes. The majority of adults – 66% – either did not know that cigarettes are more hazardous than e-cigarettes, thought that cigarettes are no more hazardous, or actually thought that cigarettes are safer than e-cigarettes. Barely 34% believed that e-cigarettes were safer than tobacco cigarettes. Men (45%) were nearly twice as likely as women (23%) to say that e-cigarettes are safer than tobacco cigarettes. More than 5 in 10 adults ages 18-29 (55%) said e-cigarettes are safer than tobacco cigarettes. This compares with 3 in 10 adults ages 30 and older (30%) who said this. The results are troubling to say the least. The false beliefs were particularly striking among women, among whom 77% did not believe that smoking was any more dangerous than vaping, and among African Americans, among whom 81% did not believe that smoking was more hazardous than vaping. These data should serve as a wake-up call to the major anti-vaping organizations, including government health agencies such as the FDA, CDC, and state health departments, exposing their complicity in renormalizing smoking by undermining the public's appreciation of its unique hazards. Oman Full Ban on E-Cigs Oman's Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) has recently banned all e-cigarette and e-shisha products. Anyone found selling the cigarettes will be slapped with a OMR 500 (US$1,300) fine. The fine will be doubled for repeat offenses. The PACP says it will intensify inspections across the country to ensure the safety of the public. Traders should remove all stock of e-cigarettes and e-hookah from shops in Oman. The move is not altogether surprising as other Gulf states have already banned the sale of e-cigarettes. "This ban came into effect as there is no scientific proof that e-cigarettes help cure addiction or are a better alternative to real traditional cigarettes," said Dr Jawad Ahmed Al Lawati, director of the department of non-communicable diseases control at the Ministry of Health. The electronic cigarette is one of the many products that smokers try to kick their tobacco addiction and e-cigarette users are now doing whatever they can to lay their hands on the devices. "I haven't had a real cigarette in three weeks and I feel a lot better. I have more energy and it is easier to breathe. I have also regained my sense of smell and taste and have no desire to smoke a real cigarette. But I just wish e-cigarettes were readily available in the Sultanate," one such user of e-cigarettes said. New UK Vaping Laws: What You Need to Know As reported by The Independent, 2015 saw e-cigarettes hit the mainstream in the UK as Britons took up vaping in record numbers. It's believed that 2.6 million adults in Britain cur- rently use e-cigarettes and the figure is rising. Yet, as their popularity increases, so too have calls for greater regulation. New rules from the EU that come into force from May 20, 2016 are set to make some big changes to how UK residents will vape. From this date, the 2001 Tobacco Products Directive will be updated so that e-cigarettes are classified as a "tobacco related product". New rules will include: Smaller refill containers There are currently no limitations on the size of refill containers, however a new maximum size of 10ml will be enforced. This means users will no longer be able to bulk buy to save money; resulting in a possible overall price increase. Weakened potency Currently the maximum strength permitted is 24 mg, this will drop to 20 mg. Smaller tanks and cartridges Cartridges will be reduced to 2ml. Child-proofing Due to the sudden popularity of vaping, there have been concerns that they could become popular with school children as smoking be- gins to appear 'cool' again. Under new EU regulation, all e-cigs and related packaging must be 'child proof'. Greater government scrutiny Manufacturers in the industry will be asked to submit to the government open, detailed and transparent information about what the prod- ucts they sell do and contain. Opens up the possibility of banning e-cigs altogether If at least three EU member states express a desire to ban e-cigarettes, it will be possible to initate processes towards banning them.