NEWS
STREETS AHEAD FOR COMPLAINTS
Coronation Street has been named the most complained about UK TV show for frequently depicting drugs , smoking and alcohol . The iconic ITV soap racked up 310 viewer complaints over the last five years – nearly four times more than Love Island ’ s 73 . Viewers were angry that cigarettes were openly on display at the local shop and that characters were seen smoking next to a baby in a pram . Vape Club compiled the figures to highlight how much pre-watershed TV exposes children to “ bad ” habits .
NO TO TASTELESS FLAVOUR BANS
Acclaimed director Aaron Biebert ’ s latest short film delves into the debate around flavoured vaping products . In ‘ The Flavors of Life ’ mini doc , experts and advocates highlighted the importance of variety when quitting smoking . Psychologist Dr . Chris Lalonde said : “ Adults , like every other human being , like flavours … and that ’ s the beauty of vaping .” Biebert added : “ Nobody should be forced to use cigarette-flavoured products to stay away from cigarettes … that ’ s twisted .”
THE BILLION POUND DEBATE
Philip Morris International ’ s controversial £ 1.1bn bid for inhaler maker Vectura has divided health officials , experts and harm reduction advocates . While supporters say that the tobacco giant should be allowed to ‘ reinvent ’ itself , critics have called the move ‘ unacceptable ’. Financial Times Chief Business Commentator Brooke Masters said : “ Tobacco companies have a horrible history , but we should cheer rather than shun PMI ’ s efforts to move away from cigarettes .” However , Cancer Research UK ’ s Malcolm Clark argued : “ It ’ s unethical for big tobacco to profit from treating diseases made far more prevalent because of its products .”
FOCUS SHIFT NEEDED
The current focus on preventing youth vaping in the US , could be hindering efforts to stop adults smoking , it is claimed . Public health expert Kevin Warner said : “ In my 45 years in the field of tobacco control research , I ’ ve never seen an issue as divisive as this one . The potential benefits of vaping for adult smokers … are not being fully realised in today ’ s environment of misinformation and a singular focus on the welfare of kids .” He and 14 other public health specialists have recently called for a more balanced debate on vaping .
4.5 MILLION TIMES ‘ NO ’
The US Food and Drug Administration has rejected twothirds of all PMTA applications and ordered 4.5 million products off the market . The applications from Texasbased JD Nova Group , the parent company of Vapolocity , were turned down for lacking adequate environmental assessments . The FDA said the products could no longer be sold or marketed but said the company could file again with the correct paperwork . It said a number of other JD Nova products , which met the paperwork requirements , were still being processed .
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