Cannabis associated with bad COVID-19 outcomes, like tobacco

Many studies have shown that current and past tobacco use is associated with poorer outcomes among people infected with COVID-19. Now Nicholas Griffin and colleagues have published a large well-done study showing that cannabis use is also associated with poorer outcomes among people who have developed COVID-19. The collected data on cannabis and tobacco useContinue reading “Cannabis associated with bad COVID-19 outcomes, like tobacco”

Implications of new RCT showing similar effects on quitting for nicotine e-cigs vs varenicline

Almost all the randomized controlled trials of e-cigarettes as clinical interventions for smoking cessation have compared e-cigarettes to nicotine replacement therapy.  Varenicline, which is a prescription medication that works by blocking nicotine receptors rather than replacing the nicotine that cigarettes provide, is more effective than NRT.  Anna Tsiku and colleagues new paper “Electronic Cigarettes vsContinue reading “Implications of new RCT showing similar effects on quitting for nicotine e-cigs vs varenicline”

Recording of ProfGlantz June 4 presentation “Are ecigs safer than regular cigs?” is now available

On June 4, 2004, I gave a presentation to the Clean Air Coalition of British Columbia, which includes the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, entitled “Are E-Cigarettes Safer than Regular Cigarettes?” Several people asked if I a recording was available. It is.    The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/rz8sgGt3JyCFS-wWHJJE94ynyXkVsqNOjKUnxnrHsKJbhcTo-_MQDQUxf_Kl0PYf.E35DQkP5nljY9V95 Passcode: ?FCk!$3& An open accessContinue reading “Recording of ProfGlantz June 4 presentation “Are ecigs safer than regular cigs?” is now available”

ProfGlantz to give public Zoom presentation on disease risks of e-cigarettes on June 4

On Tuesday June 4, 2024 I will be giving a presentation to the Clean Air Coalition of British Columbia Knowledge Exchange, which includes the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society at 9 to 10 AM Pacific Time.  This presentation, which will be designed for a non-technical audience, will include a discussion ofContinue reading “ProfGlantz to give public Zoom presentation on disease risks of e-cigarettes on June 4”

Tobacco companies use subliminal menthol to achieve the same goals as menthol as a characterizing flavor. Regulators should prohibit all menthol, not just as a characterizing flavor.

While most countries, including the US FDA, regulate menthol as a “characterizing flavor” — at levels that impart a discernible taste — previously secret tobacco industry documents show that tobacco companies have long used menthol at subliminal levels — below levels that impart a discernible taste — to reduce smoke harshness, reduce dryness, increase smokeContinue reading “Tobacco companies use subliminal menthol to achieve the same goals as menthol as a characterizing flavor. Regulators should prohibit all menthol, not just as a characterizing flavor.”

Glantz and Duffy appear on The Newsmakers to discuss England’s misguided approach to ecigs

Last week Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, appeared in an English language episode of Turkish Radio and Television Corporation‘s “The Newsmakers” to discuss England’s approach to e-cigarettes. They also has the director of the tobacco industry front group Consumer Choice Center. Sheila was quite strong in pointing out that Scotland, Wales and IrelandContinue reading “Glantz and Duffy appear on The Newsmakers to discuss England’s misguided approach to ecigs”

JHU Public Health on Call podcast on study comparing e-cig and cig disease risks

The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health “Public Health on Call” podcast did an episode on our paper comparing the risks of e-cigarettes and cigarettes. You can listen to it here.

Why does the Royal College of Physicians report on ecigs and harm reduction minimize knowledge of the adverse effects of nicotine beyond addiction?

E-cigarettes and Harm Reduction: An Evidence Review, the latest in a series of reports it has published since 2007 endorsing e-cigarettes for harm reduction.  In this report, the RCP minimizes the adverse health effects of nicotine (beyond addiction), concluding that “There is little evidence of a long-term harmful physiological effect of nicotine that is notContinue reading “Why does the Royal College of Physicians report on ecigs and harm reduction minimize knowledge of the adverse effects of nicotine beyond addiction?”

Why is the Royal College of Physicians concluding the ecigs help smokers quit when a large body of evidence shows that, as consumer products, they don’t?

On April 18, 2024 the UK Royal College of Physicians published E-cigarettes and Harm Reduction: An Evidence Review, the latest in a series of reports it has published since 2007 endorsing e-cigarettes for harm reduction.  In this report, the RCP recommends that “e-cigarettes should be promoted as an effective means of helping people who smokeContinue reading “Why is the Royal College of Physicians concluding the ecigs help smokers quit when a large body of evidence shows that, as consumer products, they don’t?”

Why is the Royal College of Physicians concluding e-cigs reduce harm while ignoring the substantial associations between e-cigs and actual disease?

On April 18, 2024 the UK Royal College of Physicians published E-cigarettes and Harm Reduction: An Evidence Review, the latest in a series of reports it has published since 2007 endorsing e-cigarettes for harm reduction.  The report covers a wide range of topics, including assessing the health risks of e-cigarettes, the central question on whetherContinue reading “Why is the Royal College of Physicians concluding e-cigs reduce harm while ignoring the substantial associations between e-cigs and actual disease?”