The EU Commission has postponed its decision on a tax on vaping products until 2019, saying it did not find enough data to justify the move.
Meanwhile, a number of private groups have spoken out against the anti-vaping order. A Tennessee politician is calling for the state to take a more proactive approach to e-cigarettes. And a Filipino group is calling for a change in the public health community’s stance on harm reduction. Meanwhile, CASAA has just dealt a devastating blow to the CDC.
EU suspends tax on e-cigarettes
The EU Commission has reviewed the vaping literature and concluded that there is currently no basis for imposing a tax on the product across the bloc. They have not given up on the idea, however, and the EU will revisit the matter next year.
While the EU has been frustrating vapers with its draconian TPD legislation that imposes unnecessary restrictions on e-cigarettes, it is also determined to impose a draconian tax on the product. The idea was originally conceived by the EU Council, which wanted a consistent vape tax across the board. It seems the Council wants to make up for the shortfall in tobacco taxes, and wants the legislation to come from the EU Commission rather than individual governments.
The commission’s decision not to move forward with legislation for now is short-lived. A new report on EU tobacco taxes is due next year, and council members have already announced they will revisit the issue of vaping taxes by then. Anti-vaping groups have been lobbying hard, and their efforts are working, with council members saying the only option left is to tax vapes at the same rate as tobacco products.
Tennessee Commissioner Rejects NRT, Nominates Vapes as Alternative Product
In a column for The Tennessean, a member of the state house of representatives has argued that vapor products have an essential role to play in reducing the state's smoking rate. Pointing out that traditional quit products have a dismal failure rate, Representative Cameron Sexton cited the Public Health England review and several other sources, including FDA chief Scott Gottlieb's statement that there is a continuum of risks from nicotine products, to urge state lawmakers to take a more positive approach towards harm reduction.
A Tennessee legislator has argued that vaping has a key role to play in reducing the state’s smoking rate. Pointing out that traditional smoking cessation products have a high failure rate, Cameron Sexton cited the PHE report and other sources, including statements from FDA Chairman Scott Gottlieb, to convince lawmakers to take a more aggressive approach to tobacco harm reduction products.
Sexton, who represents District 25, pointed out that the state only has patches and gum as alternatives to cigarettes, despite having a reasonable e-cigarette law in place since 2015 that banned the sale of the products to minors and removed them from the state’s tobacco ban. It’s time for health officials to educate smokers about more reasonable harm-reduction products, he said.
Philippine consumer group puts pressure on health agency
The Philippines is known for its negative view of anything Rodrigo Duterte disapproves of, and it is not a country that likes vaping despite having a well-established local market. The media, including the Philippine College of Physicians, has been against vaping products for years. Now a consumer group is challenging the University to change its approach and follow the BMA’s example.
Tom Pinlac, president of the Philippine Vapers Association, has called on the University to consider the BMA’s change. The organization explained this in a statement released in November. While the content is still largely about non-existent dangers, it is still a positive process, and if it can convince Philippine health authorities, the lives of smokers will be much easier in the future.
CASAA criticizes CDC for misleading campaign
CASAA has issued a statement criticizing a CDC campaign for the misinformation it has spread to the community.
CASAA decided to voice its concerns after the public requested a new data collection system. The system was sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, and to the OMB for public comment. The CDC wanted to raise more funding and review data from its “Tips From Smokers” campaign. This was a good opportunity for CASAA to point out the misinformation about vaping being provided by the CDC.
The campaign was targeted with a story by Kristy, who said she used e-cigarettes and continued smoking until her lungs were severely damaged. CASAA pointed out that Kristy did vape, but she did not quit and then stopped using vaping products. There is no link between vaping and severe lung damage, but the CDC is claiming there is. CASAA is asking OMB to deny funding and for the CDC to rework the campaign to remove the false information.
Source: Fergus Mason - Vapingpost
Translated by: The Vape Club
