CDC claims no single brand is to blame for the EVALI crisis
In the latest EVALI report by the CDC, the national public health institute has stated that there is no one brand to blame for the recent vape epidemic. In the CDC update, the health institute broke down the companies and demographics that are associated with EVALI.
According to the CDC report, “It is unlikely that one brand is responsible for the outbreak.” The CDC is still recommending that people should still avoid using any vaping products that contain THC.
Within the CDC report, the institute names multiple brands associated with EVALI, including Dank Vapes, TKO, Smart Cart and Rove, all of which were found to contain traces of harmful THC. Dank Vapes was the most commonly reported THC-containing product linked with hospitalized patients.
The report also notes that the majority of cases peaked around mid-September and have now been linked solely to THC containing products. While this has been announced by the CDC, other government entities have still placed the blame on liquid nicotine products, causing overall confusion and unwarranted criticisms of the vaping industry.
*https://observer.com/2019/12/cdc-brand-vape-lung-crisis/*
A new study shows vaping is 99% less carcinogenic than smoking
In a research project led by Dr. William E Stephens, entitled Comparing the cancer potencies of emissions from vapourised nicotine products including e-cigarettes with those of tobacco smoke (BMJ Tobacco Control), researchers aimed to compare the toxicity levels of e-cigarettes, combustible tobacco, and the newer heat-not-burn technologies.
After determining the average smoke intake for a 15 cigarettes-per-day smoker (30 litres in volume), the scientist then pumped the same amount of vapor, heat-not-burn smoke, and tobacco into three separate controlled glass chambers. Within these chambers, the researchers could perform a variety of tests involving a variety of products and under certain behavioural conditions. After completing tests the researchers concluded the following.
“The aerosols form a spectrum of cancer potencies spanning five orders of magnitude from uncontaminated air to tobacco smoke. E-cigarette emissions span most of this range with the preponderance of products having potencies<1% of tobacco smoke and falling within two orders of magnitude of a medicinal nicotine inhaler;”
This recent research paper aligns similarly with a 2015 study conducted by Public Health England. In the 2015 study, PHE researchers determined that vaping is 95% less harmful when compared to smoking.
*https://www.vapes.com/blogs/news/vaping-is-99-less-carcinogenic-than-smoking-says-research*
Massachusetts vaping ban will end with certain restrictions still in place
Massachusetts’ statewide vaping ban is set to end on December 11, 2019, but that doesn’t mean vape shops and vapers around the state are rejoicing.
The ban, originally enacted by Governor Charlie Baker in September 2019, was one of the strictest in the country and effectively banned the sale of all vaping related products in the state following an uptick in EVALI cases.
While the state is rolling back this total ban, a new law is set to take effect which would ban the sale of flavoured nicotine in Massachusetts stores. In addition to this ban, the state’s Public Health Council is expected to approve new regulations that would require signage in all stores that continue to sell vape products. This signage would state the health risks associated with vaping, as determined by the state.
According to local Massachusetts vape shop owner Frank White, “There’s no point to bring in non-flavored tobacco… That’s not what they’re looking for. They’ll drive to other states now, where they can get flavours.” Since the initial ban, White has noted that sales have dropped 70% and he does not expect customers to return.
*https://www.nepr.net/post/massachusetts-vaping-ban-end-new-restrictions-place#stream/0*
CDC finds that flavours aren’t the main reason kids vape
Despite the purveying thought that e-liquid flavours are directly marketed towards kids, the CDC has recently found that flavours are not the main reasons kids decide to try vaping. This new revelation was concluded after a new analysis of data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), released by the CDC.
Among the teens who were surveyed, 56.1% listed “curiosity” as the main reason for trying e-cigarettes. That was more than double the next most popular reason, ”friend or family member used them” (23.9%). Flavours actually appeared third on the list at only 22.3%.
*https://vaping360.com/vape-news/87277/cdc-survey-flavors-arent-the-main-reason-kids-vape/*
Philidelphia introduces new vaping law
As e-cigarette use among young people continues to increase, more cities are enacting their own e-cigarette regulations. However, unlike the strict regulations set in place by Massachusetts, New York, Michigan, and more, the city of Philidelphia has introduced a new law that aims to limit the availability of e-cigarettes to minors.
Unlike previous regulations enacted by other cities and states, Philidelphia has banned minors from entering stores that sell flavoured e-cigarettes. According to the Department of Public Health, lots of places that sell e-cigarettes are corner-type stores, which means the could hypothetically allow young people in and could sell them tobacco products under the table.
*https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/12/11/philadelphia-vape-law-explained/*
English 
French