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UK to Push Vaping: Wants Smokers to Switch

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While the US continues to go after Juul for providing a non-smoking way to get nicotine, the UK is a huge step ahead. After an independent advisory put out a report last year which confirmed that vaping is a much healthier option than smoking, the government of the UK is now instituting measures to get smokers to switch to vaping.

What was the report about?

On June 19th of 2022, the UK published an independent report which had been commissioned by health secretary, Sajid Javid. The main purpose of the review, is to better enable the government to tackle the issue of smoking in the UK; which has a goal to be smoke-free by 2030 (down to 5% or below). Led by Dr Javed Khan OBE, the review looked to identify more ways in which the UK government could help smokers kick the habit, with the hope of residents leading more healthy lives.

The report made 15 recommendations. These points cover different aspects of the issue including increasing money for cessation programs, yearly raising the smoking age until its no longer legal for any age (similar to New Zealand), licensing requirements for tobacco providers, assessing packaging to create less desirable-looking products, large anti-smoking campaigns, and using vaping as a way to get smokers to switch from cigarettes.

This last point is interesting, because of how blatantly different it is from the government stance of the US. Not only does the US government continue to tell residents that vaping is dangerous, (despite it so obviously being better than smoking), but it also keeps going after and bullying the biggest retailer for nicotine vaping – Juul; despite no confirmed reports of actual injury directly related to their products.


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The reason the UK put out the report is to combat the rising death and injury caused by smoking. Every year, approximately 78,000 people die across the UK, and about one in seven is an active smoker. In the year 2019-2020, 506,100 people were admitted to a hospital for smoking-related issues, a 10% increase from 10 years before. Also that year, 710,000 products to quit smoking were sold; which shows a huge desire among the people themselves for an answer to the addiction.

According to Action on Smoking and Health, the Global Burden Study of Disease 2019 points to smoking as the biggest risk factor for death. Whereas being overweight contributed to 56,215 deaths, and alcohol to 25,242 deaths, smoking contributed to 119,776. Incidentally, sedentary lifestyles contributed to 14,335, and drug use outside alcohol, 5,015.

Main causes of smoking deaths relate to heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In fact, 52% of all cancer deaths were related to smoking, equating to about 35,500 deaths. Smoking was also responsible for 35% of deaths related to respiratory issues for that year, making for approximately 23,700 deaths. About 14,700 deaths came from circulatory issues, which accounted for 13% in the category; and 15% of deaths overall were eyed as smoking-related in general.

UK government officially pushing vaping over smoking

The report came out many months ago, and now, the UK is finally releasing some of the new programming to come out of the recommendations. All new policies are designed to meet three goals: help adults quit smoking, to use vaping to help people quit smoking, and to stop people from starting to vape.

One of the first measures? To promote a campaign for people smoking to switch to vaping. Put out by the Department of Health and Social Care along with Neil O’Brien MP, the plan is to help one million cigarette smokers, under the name ‘Swap to Stop.’ This is not about giving people friendly advice about vaping, the government will actually provide vape starter kits to the million people.

Which means the UK government isn’t just saying vaping is a better option, its actively trying to get people to do it over smoking. Plus, it doesn’t stop with this swap, but is accompanied by behavioral support to effectively quit. Right now its all to be handled through the federal government, but local governments will participate later in the year; and will be able to prioritize who gets the vape products in their respective jurisdictions.

Nicotine vapes
Nicotine vapes

What else does the new anti-smoking programming entail?

Apart from the UK government encouraging vaping to get people to stop smoking, the government is instituting some other programming to reduce smoking rates. One is geared toward pregnant women, who will be offered financial incentives to stop smoking in the form of vouchers. This will be relevant to every smoking mother, and is to be instituted in full by the end of 2024. The hope is this will lead to less underweight/underdeveloped babies in need of care, and fewer miscarriages and stillbirths.

Another thing? The government wants those opening cigarettes to be met with positivity and smoking cessation information. It will eventually (after consultations) establish mandatory requirements for inserts in each package. At the same time, it wants to reduce any attractiveness in packaging, that could itself attract buyers.

Furthermore, since the government is now the entity providing the vapes, its cracking down on illicit sales. The government doesn’t want residents to buy anything from which it doesn’t get a cut. This keeps out dirty products, but it also means that the government is going to make people wait to quit, since it can’t provide devices to everyone at once…a huge indication this is about illegal markets as much – if not more – than improving heath. The government is shutting down illicit sellers; under the line that its to keep kids from starting to vape.

The government is putting £3 million into creating an ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad,’ which actually sounds quite extreme considering its about to give the same devices out to the public. It must really want to root out competitor business. Along with this, the new strategy will also seek to stamp out illicit tobacco sellers via new regulations to be made by HMRC and Border Force. This includes targeting, catching, and punishing illicit operators. Again, this all points to ensuring tax revenue.

Direct from the government

In his announcement, Health Minister Neil O’Brien stated: “Up to 2 out of 3 lifelong smokers will die from smoking.” And that “cigarettes are the only product on sale which will kill you if used correctly.”

He went on, “We will offer a million smokers new help to quit. We will be funding a new national ‘swap to stop’ scheme – the first of its kind in the world. We will work with councils and others to offer a million smokers across England a free vaping starter kit.”

UK to push vaping over cigarettes
UK to push vaping over cigarettes

According to the ministry of health, 2021 smoking numbers were the lowest on record at 13%, which shows an already existent trend away from smoking. The UK government doubled the taxes on cigarettes back in 2010, making it one of the highest cigarette taxers in the world. According to 2015 WHO data, the UK taxes cigarettes at 82.16% (85.69% as per EU data), which means the UK government makes a lot of money from these taxes. The thing is, many sales are not for legal companies, and for those sales, it collects nothing.

More recently in 2021-2022, the government allocated £68 million from public health grants to services for smoking cessation. The government is also committing £35 million to the NHS this year so that every smoker admitted to a hospital can receive services to quit smoking.

In terms of vaping, the NHS says that in 2021, in the age range 11-15, that 9% were using tobacco vape products, which is up from 6% in 2018. And while this should be looked at as a good thing in that it means they’re not smoking, this increase is not only being called ‘sharp,’ but O’Brien is set to launch “a call for evidence on youth vaping to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vape products – and explore where government can go further.”

For those paying attention it means his ‘call for evidence’ is only after setting a policy. There is a massive contradiction in using vapes to help people stop smoking, just to turn around and say they’re too dangerous for kids to know about. Logically this will never make sense as tons of movies and shows depict constant smokers, something kids will learn about young. My guess is that there isn’t any intention to have kids stop vaping, and this is a move of optics. After all, the government is working so hard to corner the industry, why would it want to lessen its base of potential buyers?!

Conclusion

For the most part this is great news. Even if its also an effort to streamline an industry to help ensure less illicit non-taxpaying sellers. Despite that as a possible co-motive; given the smear campaigns against vaping in the States, its a nice dose of reality. It will be interesting to follow this story, and track progress over time.

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Cannabis Rescheduling Takes The Next Steps

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The Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling takes the next step

The Department of Justice is moving marijuana rescheduling to the next step. The administration has proposed moving the drug from Schedule I, a strict classification including drugs like heroin, to Schedule III, which is more on the level of Tylenol. It also marks the federal government acknowledgement the plants medical benefits. The industry will watch over the next few months as the process of moving it forward grinds ahead.

RELATED: Americans Want It, Some Politicians Prefer a Nanny State

President Joe Biden announced move on his official account on X (formerly known as Twitter.  In a video Biden shared “This is monumental, It’s an important move towards reversing long-standing inequities. … Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to righting those wrongs. You have my word on it.”

Vice President Kamala Harris also released a video Thursday, hailing the progress. It seems she has progressed in her position over the last 5 years.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

A key part of the next step is a 60-day comment period. This will allow any and all parties to provide information, opinion, support or random thoughts. Already a group of GOP Senators want to either slow or stop the process. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) has started leading an effort to stall the plan if not outright stop it. They are going against the general public opinion with 85%+ believe it should be legal in some form.

The Drug Enforcement Agency is not 100% on board and there are still hurdles to rescheduling. After the comment person, there could be a review from an administrative judge, which could be a drawn-out process.  The total process can take from 3 months to a year, although it is unlikely the issue will not be resolved before the election.

RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

Considering the stance of the federal government, Senator Mitch McConnell, and certain other opponents, the road is still going to be a bit bumpy.  The industry, in an awkward growth mood, is in need of the government not to be a hindrance.  But only time will tell.



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Slovakia And Cannabis

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Despite being landlocked – it become a tourist destination for it’s beautiful outdoors – but can you chill in Slovakia?

The Slovak Republic came into being in 1993 after  centuries under Russia, Austria, monarchs and more. Beautiful towns, breathtaking outdoors and affordable prices makes the country a tourist hot spot. They receive as many tourists and they have citizens, so the place is hopping. But what about Slovakia and cannabis? Well, not so breaktaking.

RELATED: Americans Want It, Some Politicians Prefer a Nanny State

Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with Catholics a majority of the population. It ranks the 46th of the richest country in the world. The capital, Bratislava, is the -richest region of the European Union with 90% of citizens owning their homes.  Traditionally more Euro friendly, it has lately become polarized and embracing a backward phase, which has hurt in the way of cannabis use.  The attempted assassination of the Prime Minster, whose government seems to be at least open to listening about the benefits of medical marijuana, is another set back.

Photo by HighGradeRoots/Getty Images

Canada, the United States and some of Europe is taking a more modern approach to cannabis allowing for medical, and increasingly, full recreational.  Bringing a healthy illicit market into the legal sphere has been a boon for tax revenue and has unexpected positive effect for the population. The medical community has embraced the plant for its currently know medical benefits and are pushing for research.  But in Slovakia, marijuana is illegal and possession of even small amounts of the drug (a joint) can lead to lengthy prison terms. Having a small amount can end with the offender spending up to eight years in prison.

RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess

The country was once joined with the Czech Republic, who allows personal possession has  since it was decriminalized in January 2010 with medical cannabis has been legal since 1 April 2013. Unlike Slovakia, which is prominently Catholic, the  Czechs are less religious and have a pragmatic and practical view of the world.

If you are visiting, you should be very careful bringing or buying anything in country.



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Does Francis Ford Coppola Consume Weed

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His talent created Apocalypse Now, the Godfather movies and now Megalopolis – but does he consume marijuana?

He is a legend in the film industry and directed Apocalypse Now and the Godfather. He burst on onto the scene in the 1960s and 70s and brought in a new generation of movies. Known as one of the greatest directors of all time, he also went on to make a name in the wine industry. Displayed at one of the wineries are some of his five Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Palmes d’Or, and his British Academy Film Award (BAFTA). With all the creativity and pressure, does Francis Ford Coppola consume weed?

RELATED: Vinyls and Marijuana Go Together

The 60s and 70s were when weed came out of the closet and from New York to LA creatives, artists, celebrities and every day people tried a little. “Turn on, tune in, drop out” was the counterculture-era phrase popularized by Timothy Leary in 1966. The talented director was able to reflect the past and embrace the new with his film.  It was one of his early successes, Apocalypse Now, which  marijuana burst into the open. There are great clips of Dennis Hopper stoned on set.

Megalopolis could be the last major project film for the director, and it has taken him 40 years to get it made.  His unique approach is again make headlines with the team sharing he has spent hours on end smoking plenty of cannabis while everybody waited.

“I never took any drugs in my life at all except for some grass,” Coppola said. “I found that the effect that the grass would have on me is interesting. One, it would make me extremely focused, so if I was trying to evaluate a script or write a script, I wasn’t thinking of all the things where my feelings were hurt about this or I was worried about that.”

He added, “I’m sure grass affects different people in different ways. For me, I tended to be very focused. If I smoked a joint, I couldn’t fall asleep. I’d want to work. And often, I stayed up all night trying to rewrite a script.”

RELATED: How To Microdose Marijuana

A savoy businessman, he turns his passion into money. His love of wine had made him money with two wineries, his love of beauty and travel has brought him a luxury hotels and his love of cannabis has brought him into the industry. Coppola launched Sana Company in partnership with Humboldt Brothers in 2018 and released the brand known as The Grower’s Series.

 



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