NEWS
SHORTFILLS
Four pages filled with short vape-related stories and research making news from around the world .
Shortfill section editor : Jordan Millar
NOW THAT ’ S FAST TALKING
Smoking rooms on some Japanese bullet trains are being converted into ‘ Zoom Rooms ’ to allow online video meetings at almost 200mph . Passengers will have super-fast Wi- Fi speeds and charging points at every seat in the special carriages , as well as access to a laptop tray with a wrist rest . A mouse will even be supplied for those who dislike using touchpads and privacy screens are also available . Smoking has been banned on Japanese trains since 2020 and the trial is taking place on the 186mph N700S tilting trains .
GOOD COP BAD COP
GET REAL TO SAVE LIVES
Around three quarters of Norway ’ s smokers either don ’ t want to quit or are ambivalent about giving up . Researcher Karl Erik Lund , from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health , said smoking habits embraced ‘ identity , being social and joyous experiences ’. He said : “ Our study shows that it might be time to better facilitate a transition from dangerous tobacco products to less harmful ones , such as e-cigarettes and snus . “ Today ’ s politics aim for a tobacco-free society … but harm reduction is far more realistic .”
Advocates fear that a major climate conference completely overshadowed a crucial tobacco control summit taking place at the same time . While the COP26 environmental conference made international headlines , the COP9 tobacco control summit was held in secret . Public health expert Professor Gerry Stimson said : “ Global leaders are making important climate change pledges under the glare of the media spotlight . They must demand more from delegations inside the closed and unscrutinised rooms of COP9 … the age of combustion – for tobacco as for fossil fuels – must end .” Check out our story ‘ Let us in … there is no COP-romise ’ later in this issue for more .
‘ UTTER IGNORANCE ’
Experts say Israeli policymakers are ‘ ignoring years of international scientific studies ’ after they signed-off on the world ’ s biggest vape tax to date . Officials claim the record-breaking tax hike – 270 percent for e-liquids and 360 percent for disposables – will protect people from the ‘ risks ’ associated with vaping . But Professor Riccardo Polosa , a physician and harm reduction advocate , said it stands against the ‘ vast scientific literature ’ that supports vaping as a reduced risk alternative . He said : “ This indicates utter ignorance … the scheme will only restrict access to safer nicotine products , blunting any potential prospects of additional quitting .”
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