Author: Matthew Ma

If you're trying to quit smoking, you may have considered various nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) options, such as patches or gum, to help reduce cravings. However, a newer product on the market, nicotine pouches, has been gaining popularity as an alternative to smoking and vaping. But are these tobacco-free sachets really an effective tool for kicking the habit? Let's take a closer look. What Are Nicotine Pouches? Nicotine pouches, first introduced in the UK in 2019, are small, tobacco-free sachets containing a powder made up of nicotine, flavorings, and other additives. They are placed between the upper lip and gum,…

Russian health authorities have reported the first case of "popcorn disease," also known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), in a teenage vaper from the Tomsk region. The regional office of Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian consumer protection agency, revealed this information in a recent press release. According to the report, several cases of illnesses among teenagers have been identified in Tomsk, stemming from the use of e-cigarette smoking mixtures. One patient was diagnosed with EVALI, while another experienced toxic effects on the central nervous system due to these mixtures. EVALI, or "popcorn disease," is a type of bronchiolitis…

In recent years, vaping has taken the world by storm, particularly among younger generations. Marketed as a "safer" alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaporizers have become increasingly popular. However, as more research emerges, experts are sounding the alarm about the potential health risks associated with vaping. To shed light on this critical issue, we spoke with Dr. Hernán Provera, a cardiologist and Head of the Cardiovascular Risk Department at the Buenos Aires Institute of Neurosciences (INEBA), who debunked common misconceptions and explained why vaping might be even more dangerous than it appears. The Rise of Vaping: From Smoking Cessation…

Recent news reports have highlighted the potential dangers of snus and nicotine pouches, particularly for young people. Two 13-year-old girls in Ferrara, Italy were hospitalized after reportedly consuming snus in class, experiencing symptoms like headaches, palpitations, nausea, and dizziness. But what exactly are snus and nicotine pouches, and why are they harmful? Let's break it down. Snus: A Closer Look Snus is a type of moist powdered tobacco that originated in Sweden. It's produced by mixing raw tobacco with water, sodium carbonate, and flavorings, then using steam to moisten the mixture. Users typically place a small pouch or "pinch" of…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forward a significant new rule that aims to drastically reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products. This proposed regulation has far-reaching implications not just for public health, but also for businesses and communicators across various industries. Let's break down what this rule entails, the potential challenges it faces, and how industry leaders can navigate this changing landscape effectively. The Goal: Reducing Smoking-Related Deaths At its core, the FDA's proposed rule seeks to address a major public health issue: the high number of deaths attributed to smoking. By lowering…

Alabama legislators are reworking a proposed bill that aimed to regulate the sale and possession of CBD and vape products in the state. The original version of the bill sought to classify these products as narcotics, placing them in the same category as heroin and making their sale or possession a felony offense. However, on Wednesday, the Senate Health Committee confirmed that they are refining the bill to remove the felony classification and instead focus on stricter penalties for businesses that allow minors access to these products, as well as imposing a 6% tax on their sale. Understanding the Controversy…

The UK government has announced a major new study to investigate the long-term health effects of vaping on children and adolescents. The £62 million ($78.1 million) research project will track 100,000 individuals aged 8-18 over a period of 10 years, collecting data on behavior, biology, and health records. The study comes amid growing concern about the rapid rise of vaping among British youth, with estimates suggesting that a quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds have tried e-cigarettes. The government has been taking steps to address this issue, including: The health department emphasized the need for this comprehensive study, stating, "The long-term…

The tobacco industry has a long history of exploiting marginalized groups, and the LGBTQ+ community is no exception. From the 1990s "Project Scum" initiative in San Francisco to modern-day marketing tactics at Pride events, Big Tobacco has strategically courted queer smokers. Now, Medina County Health Department (MCHD) and LGBTQ+ advocacy group OutSupport are teaming up to dismantle this harmful influence and provide culturally competent cessation resources. Why This Partnership Matters LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionately higher smoking rates compared to cisgender peers. According to the CDC, while 10.8% of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes in 2022, 15% of LGBTQ+ adults and up…

A recent comprehensive analysis of 40 global studies, published in the peer-reviewed journal Evidence-Based Dentistry, has reignited discussions about the oral health implications of vaping versus smoking. While e-cigarettes are often marketed as a "safer" alternative to traditional tobacco products, the research reveals nuanced risks that vapers—and even former smokers—should not ignore. The Unexpected Oral Health Impacts of Vaping Modern e-cigarettes deliver nicotine through vaporized aerosols, avoiding the combustion byproducts of cigarettes like tar and carbon monoxide. However, this doesn’t mean they’re harmless to your gums. The systematic review uncovered three critical findings: 1. Oral Microbes Shift Unfavorably E-cigarette users exhibited altered…

In a recent presentation at the Philippine Neurological Association's annual convention, Israeli cardiologist Professor Reuven Zimlichman challenged the common perception of nicotine as the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. Zimlichman, director of The Brunner Cardiovascular Research Institute at Tel Aviv University, asserted that while nicotine is addictive, it is not carcinogenic and does not directly cause heart disease or blood vessel disease. According to Zimlichman, the real harm from smoking comes from the thousands of chemicals produced by the burning of tobacco, not from nicotine itself. This distinction has important implications for public health strategies aimed at reducing the burden…