TAXED TO DEATH ?
The Canadian government is being accused of putting tobacco tax revenues ahead of saving smokers ’ lives . Geoff Russ , writing in The National Post , said vaping was the ‘ biggest threat ’ to tobacco tax revenues . He wrote : “ Switching from cigarettes to vapes got millions away from inhaling deadly carcinogens . So why are Canadian governments so keen on punishing vapers and the vaping industry with new taxes and regulations ? “ Federal and provincial governments love the revenue tobacco brings them and will fight to protect it — even if it means high rates of smoking and more deaths .”
THIS SHOULD BE EASY
US regulators are being told that allowing smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives should be an ‘ easy decision ’ to make . A briefing paper from lobbyists Citizens Against Government Waste , said current US government policy made no sense . It said : “ The success of THR products in England , Sweden , and other countries should be followed to help reduce the harm caused by smoking cigarettes . “ Yet , Congress and federal bureaucrats have instituted regressive taxes , strict regulations and outright bans on harm reduction products .”
WHEN VAPING GETS TOO POPULAR … BAN FLAVOURS
Lithuania will ban flavoured e-liquids from July … apparently because vaping is becoming too popular in the country . Its MPs voted to ban all flavours , except tobacco , to reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes . Critics say it makes no sense to discourage vaping , especially as around 28 percent of Lithuanians smoke – five percent higher than the EU average . It is also illegal to sell e-liquids containing additives , vitamins , caffeine or other stimulating compounds under current laws .
QUIT-E THE STRUGGLE
Smoking doesn ’ t just impact physical health but can ‘ wreak havoc on your self-esteem and mental wellbeing ’ too , say vape advocates . Longtime smoker turned harm reduction activist Janine Timmons recently tweeted about the toll that failed quitting attempts can have on your self-worth . She said : “ With every failed attempt I felt worse and resigned myself to an abbreviated life … but quitting in two weeks by switching to vaping restored my self-pride .” Hundreds flocked to the post , echoing the message that kicking the habit through vaping can liberate smokers and praising Janine for shedding light on the often-overlooked struggle .
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