Political will is the vaccine needed against Big Tobacco in Africa
Tobacco kills an estimated eight million people each year globally. And it’s known that the African continent is being targeted by tobacco companies. Are we doing enough to limit its harmful effects? Over the past three weeks, a series of reports has emerged exposing how tobacco giant British American Tobacco has allegedly been manipulating governments in Africa...
Costa Rica’s strict anti-smoking laws
Costa Rican lawmakers this week approved a project that will ban the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices in public. The legislation will also impose a tax on such devices, with the proceeds supporting the Social Security Fund (CCSS). In that context, we’re revisiting Costa Rica’s major anti-smoking law that passed in 2012. Precursors to...
The tobacco ‘endgame’: Is it possible?
Dr Eduardo Bianco, Chair of the Tobacco Expert Group at the World Heart Federation discusses the ongoing battle to end the tobacco epidemic, and how e-cigarettes may be part of the problem Open Access Government speak with medical doctor, clinical cardiologist, and expert on tobacco dependence treatment Dr Eduardo Bianco, who has been working on...
Vaping: FDA approves e-cigarette in US for first time
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates medical products in the US, has approved an e-cigarette for sale for the first time. It authorised the marketing of three products from RJ Reynolds, under the Vuse brand. The FDA decided that the benefit to adults trying to quit smoking outweighs the risk of teenagers becoming hooked. The...
Kenya ought to lead with science in the control of tobacco
Tobacco smoking claims the lives of more than 8,000 Kenyans every year, according to the Tobacco Control Study released by the Ministry of Health earlier this year. Yet, Kenya is lagging in embracing the latest scientifically evidenced innovative and sustainable methods on how to help smokers quit. Non-evidence-based policymaking and misinformation are considered some of...
South Africa : Anti-smoking body slams Sars for accepting gifts from tobacco lobby group
Sars accepted three hammer mills - which it uses to destroy illegal cigarettes - from the Tobacco Institute of South Africa. The National Council Against Smoking (NCAS) has slammed the South African Revenue Service (Sars) for accepting donations from the Tobacco Institute of South Africa (Tisa). According to media reports, Tisa donated three hammer mills that...