“ BAN CIGARETTES NOW ”
The UK could lead the world by immediately banning cigarettes to encourage smokers to switch to vaping , says a leading scientist . Dr Nveed Chaudhary , one of the world ’ s foremost authorities on tobacco harm reduction , told the Express newspaper : “ Banning cigarettes tomorrow would force smokers to use e-cigarettes which will end up saving many , many lives . Unless we do something like this , we will never see the change we require . We need to make combustible products like cocaine and make them illegal .”
VAPE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM LAUNCHED
The World Vapers ’ Alliance has launched a global Ambassador Program to nurture stronger connections between vape shop owners and thousands of consumers and activists . The initiative will also allow the ambassadors to ‘ amplify the voice of vapers in their communities .’ WVA community manager Liza Katsiashvili said : “ Most vape shop owners are passionate vapers and are helping people to quit smoking every day . We want to connect them even closer with consumer activists so they can become multipliers of our common message : ‘ vaping saves lives ’.”
YOU ’ RE KILLING US
An impassioned vape shop owner warned US tobacco control is a ‘ danger to public health ’ in a harrowing open letter . Marc Sils said the ‘ fairytale narrative ’ and ‘ deadly lies ’ of anti-vaping groups created a hostile world for those looking to ditch smoking . He also claimed ‘ bald-faced prohibition ’ from the Food and Drug Administration and its allies ‘ whips people into a moral panic ’ and pushes smokers back to cigarettes . Sils wrote : “ You tax , punish and segregate us , pass laws against us and your only ‘ tobacco control ’ message is ‘ quit or die ’… you ’ re killing us , literally .”
MEXICO WAVES GOODBYE TO E-CIGS
E-cigarette sales have been banned in Mexico after President Andrés Manuel López Obrador extended the country ’ s anti-vaping crusade . Almost five million Mexicans have tried vaping at least once , according to government figures , despite an import ban being in effect since October . Backing the new restrictions , Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López Gatell denied that vaping was considerably less harmful than smoking , saying the statement was ‘ a big lie .’
IN HIGH DEMAND
Vapouround editor Patrick Griffin recently took his wealth of experience and journalistic expertise beyond the pages of our magazine . He was a guest speaker for the World Vapers ’ Alliance Academy , helping teach the next generation of activists how best to communicate with the media . Patrick also appeared on The ConsEUmer Podcast – hosted by Bill Wirtz – where he discussed the financial benefits of vaping and the dangers of flavour bans . He said : “ To truly rid the world of smoking , we need to reach as many people as possible … so it was an honour to appear on these wide-reaching platforms .”
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