The EU Commission has postponed a 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 health organizations to change their stance on harm reduction products. Meanwhile, CASAA has just dealt a devastating blow to the CDC.
EU suspends e-cigarette tax law
The EU Commission has reviewed the vaping literature and concluded that there is currently no basis for imposing a bloc-wide tax on the product. It has not given up on the idea, however, and will revisit the matter next year.
While the EU has been angering 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 introduce legislation for now is short-lived. A new report on EU tobacco taxes is due next year, and councillors have already said they will revisit the issue of vaping taxes by then. Anti-vaping groups have been lobbying hard, and their efforts have paid off, with councillors saying the only option left is to tax vapes at the same rate as tobacco products.
Tennessee Commissioner Rejects NRT, Nominates Vapes as Alternative
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 risk from nicotine products, to urge state lawmakers to take a more positive approach towards harm reduction.
A Tennessee lawmaker has argued that vaping has played a key role in reducing the state’s smoking rate. Pointing to the high failure rates of traditional smoking cessation products, 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 harm reduction products.
Sexton, who represents the 25th District, 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 notorious for its negative view of anything Rodrigo Duterte disapproves of, and it’s not exactly a vaping country despite having a fairly 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 college to change its approach and follow the BMA’s example.
Tom Pinlac, president of the Philippine Vapers Association, has urged 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 that, if it can convince the Philippine health authorities, will make life much easier for smokers in the future.
CASAA criticizes CDC for misleading campaign
CASAA has issued a statement criticizing a CDC campaign for the misinformation they have been spreading to the public.
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 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 misinformation about vaping being provided by the CDC.
The campaign featured a story by Kristy, who said she used e-cigarettes and continued to smoke 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
