More public opinion research results have recently appeared on the Library of Canada web-site. Among them are the results of two series of focus groups conducted as part of the overhaul of health warning messages (HWM) that are printed on the outside of tobacco product packages and Health Information Messages (HIM) that are printed on the…
On January the 8th, several elements of Israel’s law prohibiting advertising of tobacco and smoking products came into effect. Among these were requirements that tobacco products and smoking products (including e-cigarettes, heat not burn products like IQOS, and non-tobacco products designed for smoking like shisha) be sold in generic packages. In addition to plain packaging, the…
Last spring the federal Privy Council Office (the department which serves the Prime Minister and Cabinet) commissioned a series of focus groups across Canada to gain information on a number of topical issues. The topics ranged greatly, with Canadians being asked for their input on possible names for national pharmacare and climate plans, to their…
Last week, Health Canada made public its plans to ban advertising of vaping products wherever they can be seen or heard by youth. At the same time, they also released two surveys that provide information and insight into young people’s vaping behaviours. These surveys are: The Canadian Student Tobacco Alcohol and Drug Survey (CSTADS). This survey…
We welcome the steps taken today by Health Canada to restrict e-cigarette promotions as an important initial step towards the comprehensive measures that are needed to protect children from vaping. We are especially pleased to see the Hon. Patty Hajdu make these proposals so quickly after she assumed responsibilities as the federal Minister of Health….
Many researchers are focusing on the role played by e-cigarette flavourings in encouraging young non-smokers to use these products. Earlier this year, the Nordic Welfare Council produced a report intended to inform public health efforts by governments in the Nordic Region (Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Faroe Islands, Finland, Aland, and Greenland). Their report – The significance…
[NB: On December 4th, VITA issued a statement objecting to and correcting some of the information provided in this blog. The original blog appears below, but is now annotated with reference to their objections and corrections.] Last week the first webinar was held between the Vaping Industry Trade Association (VITA) and its membership. Unexpectedly, one of…
A price war is underway among the four main manufacturers of the pod-style vaping products that are sold in convenience stores. Over the fall, each of the companies which sell these JUUL-type products has reduced its retail and/or on-line prices. The cost of a tellingly-labelled “starter kit” for JUUL imitators (Logic and Vype) is now…
Last week yet another published study raised concerns about health impact of e-cigarettes. Much of the attention this fall has been on injuries to the lung, especially the Ee-cigarette or vaping product associated lung injury (EVALI) that has been experienced by thousands of American vapers and a much smaller number in Canada. Less reported have been papers exploring…
Yesterday Altria made a regularly-scheduled presentation to investors, giving them an update on their business results for the first 9 months of their fiscal year. Altria sells that country’s most prominent cigarette brand (Marlboro), but there was very little interest in its report of the cigarette marketing. Instead, investors’ focus was on Altria reports on the…