"Blocking smokers access to better alternatives like vaping transgress human rights" says health group

"Adult smokers should be given assistance and information to quit smoking, such as access to safer alternatives," said a spokesman for ECST.

Denying adult consumers access to smoke-free products is a violation of human rights, public health advocacy groups said in a letter to the United Nations (UN).

Asa Saligupta, director of ENDS Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST), one of the signatories in the open letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk dated October 16, 2023, said the World Health Organization (WHO) is depriving adult smokers of the right to choose less harmful products which violates their human rights.

The WHO, founded in 1948, is the UN agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.

"How will history judge the WHO 20 to 30 years from now? The global agency tasked to look after the health of the world causes millions of deaths because it's ignoring the science that supports tobacco harm reduction," Saligupta said in reaction to the open letter.

ECST and other signatories issued the statement as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control prepares to convene the Tenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) on November 20 to 25, 2023.

The WHO FCTC has refused to acknowledge the contribution of innovative smoke-free products in the decline of smoking prevalence in countries like Sweden, Japan, and the UK.

Despite decades of WHO's tobacco control programme, in excess of 1 billion people across the world continue to smoke, according to Saligupta.

Saligupta said all citizens have the "Right to Health" as recognised and enshrined in UN treaties and documents, the WHO constitution, and its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

"Adult smokers should be given assistance and information to quit smoking, such as access to safer alternatives," Saligupta said. "They should be understood and helped, not stigmatised or alienated."

Studies show a switch from smoking to safer alternatives reduces the harm caused by smoking. The open letter says encouraging harm reduction helps people take positive steps to protect their health while respecting their freedoms and rights.

Saligupta said no less than the UN Human Rights Office recognises the harm reduction approach to drug use as an "obligation" under the Right to Health.

Unfortunately, the WHO adopts a different approach to harm reduction in relation to smoking. "By implementing policies that prevent access to safer alternatives to smoking, governments are violating the Right to Health and making global public health less equitable," the groups said in its open letter.

Saligupta said it's vital adult smokers are provided with scientific information that will assist them  to decide on their options, including the availability of safer alternative nicotine products compared to combustible cigarettes.

A 2022 Cochrane review on vaping for smoking cessation showed nicotine vaping helps more people quit smoking at six months or longer than nicotine replacement therapy. Cochrane is a global, independent network of researchers, practitioners, patients, caregivers, and health stakeholders who collect high-quality evidence on specific health topics.

Saligupta said harm reduction, or the use of less harmful alternatives like electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, and other smoke-free products, is aligned with the Right to Health.

"Governments and health authorities should respect the rights of adult smokers to move away from smoking with the help of innovative products that deliver far less harm. Depriving them of this opportunity isn't just a violation of human rights but also a failure to help adult smokers enjoy better lives," said Saligupta.

Saligupta joined the call for the WHO FCTC to recognise harm reduction in relation to smoking as a legitimate and evidence-based strategy.

He said the WHO should review its position on safer alternative nicotine products based on the latest scientific and empirical evidence and not on moralistic or prohibitionist policies that failed to address the smoking problem over the past decades.

Signatories in the open letter said tobacco harm reduction strategies are supported by the weight of scientific evidence showing safer alternative nicotine products are effective tools to help smokers change and move away from smoking.

FACTFILE: Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST) is a consumer advocacy organization that strives to promote tobacco harm reduction in the face of blanket bans, fines and jail time for consumers who wish to use alternative nicotine consumption products, specifically Electronic Liquid Vaporisers.

(Image courtesy R-Region from Pixabay)

Scientists Confirm Tobacco Use by Ancient Mayans

Mass Spectrometry Detects First Physical Evidence of Nicotine in Mayan Container

Archaeologists examining late period Mayan containers have identified nicotine traces from a codex-style flask, revealing the first physical evidence of tobacco use by ancient Mayans. The study published in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry reveals the flask is marked with Mayan hieroglyphics reading, “y-otoot ’u-may,” (“the home of its/his/her tobacco,”) making it only the second case to confirm that the text on the exterior of a Mayan vessel corresponds to its ancient use.

“Investigation of food items consumed by ancient people offers insight into the traditions and customs of a particular civilization,” explains Jennifer Loughmiller-Newman from the University at Albany in New York. “Textual evidence written on pottery is often an indicator of contents or of an intended purpose, however actual usage of a container could be altered or falsely represented.”

Many of the Mayan flask vessels from the Kislak collection of the Library of Congress examined in this study were filled with other substances, such as iron oxide used in burial rituals, making it difficult to detect the original content.

The most indisputable evidence of a container’s usage is obtained when hieroglyphic text or pictorial illustrations on the exterior of a container is consistent with the chemical analysis of interior residues. For the current investigation, researchers analyzed samples extracted from the Late Classic Maya period (600 to 900 AD) using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS).

Nicotine—the signature alkaloid in tobacco—was identified as the major component of the extracts from one of the 150 vessels in the collection. The flask was determined to be made in southern Campeche, Mexico and dates to around 700 AD.

Prior to the current discovery, the only existing evidence showing a Mayan vessel to have the same content as indicated by hieroglyphic text was the identification of theobromine, an alkaloid found in cacao, more than 20 years ago.

“Our study provides rare evidence of the intended use of an ancient container,” concludes Dr. Dmitri Zagorevski from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. “Mass spectrometry has proven to be an invaluable method of analysis of organic residues in archaeological artifacts. This discovery is not only significant to understanding Mayan hieroglyphics, but an important archaeological application of chemical detection.”
This study is published in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact Physicalsciencenews@wiley.com

Full citation:
Dmitri Zagorevski, Jennifer A. Loughmiller-Newman, “The Detection of Nicotine in a Late Mayan Period Flask by GCMS and LCMS Methods,” Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry; January 2012, DOI: 10.1002/rcm.5339

Paper URL upon publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/rcm.5339

E-Lites prove to be a popular hit in the East End

Eastender’s fans switched on to their favourite soap last night to be greeted by the UK’s leading electronic cigarettes, E-Lites, which appeared on the show for the second time this year.

The show’s millions of viewers were re- introduced to the electronic cigarettes, which are healthier, cheaper and less restricted than tobacco cigarettes, by Roxy’s shady solicitor who lit up in the popular Café on Albert Square.

Before taking a puff on the smoking alternative, with its signature green light, the character who has been brought in to help Roxy win custody of her child with Jack Branning, turned to onlookers and said: “My first one of the day”. However, he need not be worried, as E-Lites contain no tar, tobacco or harmful chemical ingredients that are found in conventional cigarettes.

Those in the café enjoying breakfast didn’t need to panic either, as E-Lites produce only a harmless vapour and no nasty odour, meaning they can be smoked almost anywhere.

Adrian Everett, one of the founders and directors of E-Lites, said: “As the UK’s leading electronic cigarette brand, we were delighted to be asked to supply E-Lites to the makers of EastEnders. Seeing the electronic cigarettes being featured for a second time on the show, just shows how widely accepted they are becoming. The fact that these can be smoked almost anywhere and are much healthier and cheaper than traditional tobacco cigarettes, makes them an ideal alternative for both the world of soap as well as in reality.”

For details visit www.e-lites.co.uk

E-Lites (www.e-lites.co.uk) was established in the UK in 2007 and is already a leader in its field, producing some of the most advanced electronic cigarettes on the market. The company is expanding nationally and internationally as demand grows for its innovative products.

These are the result of extensive UK research and development. The evolution of E-Lites has been supported by significant investment in design and testing to ensure its electronic smoking devices are made to the highest standards and deliver the most authentic and luxurious smoking sensation possible. The company’s manufacturing facility uses the latest state of the art micro-electronic technology, ensuring E-Lites set the standard within the electronic smoking industry. E-Lites are globally patented, internationally trademarked, and are backed by an international parts replacement guarantee.

E-Lites have attracted the interest of numerous celebrities. Musicians and singers at the 2010 Royal Variety Performance were introduced to E-Lites, with members of N’Dubz, Take That, Jamie Cullum and Russell Watson among the stars fascinated by the product. E-Lites were also included in backstage goodie-bags at the Brit Awards 2011.

One of the directors of E-Lites, Michael Ryan is also chairman of the Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association (ECITA), a representative body which provides advice, guidelines and support to members, as well as working to ensure the correct regulatory framework is applied to such products. For more information, visit www.ecita.org.uk

Intellicig USA to star at NACS

Intellicig, a world famous pioneer of Smoking Harm Reduction technologies, will be starring at the NACS 2011 Exposition. Executives from the UK company will fly out this weekend to join the Intellicig USA team at McCormick Place, Chicago, for the retail industry's big event.

The Intellicig Electronic Cigarette took the world by storm three years ago and was closely followed by Intellicig ECOpure, the liquid used in the device. Intellicig developed ECOpure nicotine and non-nicotine liquid preparations to be the purest available and they are now manufactured to cGMP standard in an ISO Class8 Clean Room facility at their laboratories within UMIC (University of Manchester Incubator Company), the world-class Bioscience Facility in the heart of Manchester’s health corridor.

Being able to guarantee laboratory standards and providing Certificates of Analysis for every batch of liquid produced have been major factors in Intellicig becoming a premier worldwide distributor and innovator.
End users have the assurances they deserve that the product is tested to the highest standard.Over 8,000 pharmacy and retail stores carry the Intellicig range and the vast majority chose Intellicig because of its impeccable pedigree.

Intellicig USA offers the same guarantees to its growing number of Trade Partners and will have the range of Intellicig and ECOpure products at the Exposition on Booth 1456. Ten staff from the USA and UK offices, including the Director who developed ECOpure in 2008 and the Biochemist who is now steering the product toward achieving a Medical License in the UK, will be available to discuss products and retail opportunities.
Intellicig is on track to become the global brand and ECOpure is already established worldwide as the liquid of choice for end users and other companies in the industry who might not be able to commit to the kind of investment in developing,manufacturing, and HPLC testing that Intellicig has made.

Around 435,000 US citizens die each year from smoking-related causes. Intellicig can offer them a socially acceptable alternative that is far less harmful. Intellicig is the clean future for smokers who enjoy the sensation but not the stigma.

Intellicig USA can tailor individual packages for retailers or chain stores, just give us a call.

Please contact their USA office Toll Free on: 855-281-3444

Email enquiries to: Sherry@intellicig.com

Postal enquiries to:

Intellicig USA
1590 N Roberts Rd
Suite 201
Kennesaw
GA 30144

Smoking ban sees rising numbers switching to E-Lites electronic cigarettes

The growing popularity of E-Lites has been quite phenomenal over the past few months, report their manufacturers.

Today Friday 1st July marks the fourth anniversary of the UK ban on smoking. But back in 2007, very few people would have foreseen that by 2011 many smokers would be switching to so-called electronic cigarettes for the freedom to smoke almost anywhere they want to smoke.

Top UK brand E-Lites have seen a steep rise in sales during 2011, with 20% month-on-month growth since January. The growth of the electronic cigarettes market as a whole is estimated at being an impressive 500% from 2010 to 2011.

E-Lites have the advantage of being significantly cheaper and healthier than conventional cigarettes, but it is the fact that there is NO restriction on their use in public places that is often cited as a key factor by those who make the switch.

With pubs across the UK closing at a rate of about 25 per week and the smoking ban regularly blamed as a reason for this, many smart landlords have taken the step of selling e-cigarettes to keep smokers coming through their doors.

One such landlord is Reg Pearson, landlord of The Robin Hood pub in Clifton Reynes, Buckinghamshire. He said: “I came across E-Lites and was struck by the novelty factor at first, but they have become a big hit among several of our regulars. It means they can sit in the bar and enjoy a smoke while drinking, without being forced outside in all weathers.

“The other important thing is that they don’t upset other customers, because they just produce a harmless vapour that doesn’t smell. Pubs have always had to adapt to change and I think this is one of the ways we can move forward.”

E-cigarettes are a fast-growing trend. In the UK alone, there are now over 900,000 individual Google searches for ‘electronic cigarettes’ every month. World-wide stars like Johnny Depp, Katherine Heigl and Leonardo Di Caprio have all been spotted with e-cigarettes.

E-Lites replicate the experience of smoking with a realistic-looking device that turns a pure nicotine solution into a vapour that is inhaled as with a cigarette.

E-Lites director Dermot Ryan stated: “The growing popularity of E-Lites has been quite phenomenal over the past few months. I think more and more smokers are recognising this product as a genuine, credible and enjoyable alternative to normal cigarettes. In many ways, the smoking ban has really sidelined smokers but with a product like E-Lites they can enjoy the same experience without feeling uncomfortable.”

For more information go to www.e-lites.co.uk

FACTFILE:
E-Lites was launched in the UK in 2007 and is already a market leader, they claim to produce some some of the most advanced electronic cigarettes available.

Its latest range of new-generation E-Lites includes the disposable device that provides the equivalent of 40 cigarettes and is priced at £9.99.

Michael Ryan, one of the founding directors of E-Lites, is also chairman of the Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association (ECITA), a representative body which provides advice, guidelines and support to members, as well as working to ensure the correct regulatory framework is applied to such products. For more information, visit www.ecita.org.uk

(EDITOR: Whilst the consumption of nicotine is, obviously, not a good idea, far better, one would argue, to use a product that doesn't put smoke, tar and the like into the lungs of the smoker and other people.)