Strict vaping bans linked to high cigarette use, global study finds
A global study links strict vaping bans to continued high rates of cigarette use and tobacco-related deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.Summary
A new global study by the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) reveals a correlation between strict bans on vaping and continued high rates of cigarette use worldwide. The report indicates that four out of five of the world’s smokers live in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where vaping is restricted, and global tobacco use remains stagnant at 1.25 billion despite decades of tobacco control efforts. Countries with restrictive policies, such as China, Egypt, India, and Mexico, exhibit high male smoking rates. Conversely, nations allowing access to less harmful alternatives like vaping, such as New Zealand, have seen more significant declines in smoking rates – a 10% annual drop compared to Australia’s 5% drop between 2016 and 2023. Researchers at the University of Queensland attribute this to New Zealand’s more permissive vaping regulations, while highlighting the challenges faced by smokers in countries like India due to limited cessation support and a large illicit cigarette trade.
(Source：The Manila Times)
