Public attitudes towards e-cigarette regulations and policies in Taiwan

Background: There are various approaches to e-cigarette regulation globally. In Taiwan, the term “e-cigarette” is not found in existing regulations, but health authorities apply explanatory notes derived from standing laws to e-cigarette. Taiwan health authority is in the process of regulative reform to include “e-cigarette” in standing tobacco law. Our objective was to investigate the public’s attitudes towards potential policy options for e-cigarette regulations in Taiwan.Design and Methods: We conduct an anonymous online survey in the general public. A questionnaire in Mandarin was posted on the website Stop-tabac.ch between July and November 2017.Results: Participants (n=236) were mostly male, young, highly educated, employed, and smoked or had smoked cigarettes in the past. Half were e-cigarette users. Four measures banning e-cigarettes, labelling content and nicotine level and establishing a maximum-allowable nicotine level were supported by more than 70% of participants. Vaping status was strongly associated with support for most measures after controlling for other factors in multivariate models.Conclusion: We documented attitudes of a self-selected sample of the general public in Taiwan regarding e-cigarette regulations and policies. These results may be useful to design studies in more representative samples and to inform e-cigarette regulations, policies and education campaigns

Support for e-cigarette regulations among Australian young adults

Background: Surveying support for various regulatory options relating to e-cigarettes can assist policymakers to identify those that have broad support and are therefore likely to be easier to implement. However, data on support for potential e-cigarette regulations in Australia are limited. To inform regulatory efforts, the present study assessed attitudes to the regulation of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults, the most prevalent users of e-cigarettes and therefore the most likely population segment to be affected by e-cigarette regulations. Methods: A total of 1116 Australians aged 18 to 25 years (59% female) completed an online survey where they were presented with various statements relating to the regulation of e-cigarettes and asked to report on the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with each. Statements presented either a restrictive or non-restrictive approach to e-cigarette regulation. Results: Across all statements, 10-22% of respondents responded "don't know" while 23-35% neither agreed nor disagreed, indicating general ambivalence. There was a moderate level of support (33-37%) for regulating e-cigarette sales/use and treating e-cigarettes like tobacco products. Only 20% of respondents were in favour of allowing the use of e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas. Smokers, e-cigarette users, and those who did not believe in the harms associated with e-cigarettes were typically less likely than other respondents to support restrictive approaches. Conclusions: The young Australian adults surveyed were somewhat supportive of restrictions around the sale and use of e-cigarettes, but generally opposed outright bans and any need for a prescription from a medical practitioner. Increasing awareness of the harms associated with the use of e-cigarettes represents a potential strategy to gaining regulatory support

How Stricter E-Cigarette Regulations Will Keep The Traditional Cigarette in Power

First harvested for export in 1612, tobacco has remained a large, and controversial, part of the United States’ identity. In 1966, 42.6% of the American population smoked cigarettes. Currently, cigarette usage rate is around 14%, its lowest rate ever. Even with this sharp decline, cigarettes remain the number one cause of preventable deaths in the United States resulting in approximately 480,000 deaths per year. Nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco, is an addictive drug, and many treatments exist for those attempting to quit. Recent studies have shown, however, that electronic nicotine delivery systems, more commonly known as “vapes” or “e-cigarettes”, are more effective than the other forms of commonly used cigarette cessation devices. E-cigarettes have been marked by their own controversy, however, as they have shown to be exceedingly popular among adolescents. Due to the high underage use, many states began implementing their own regulations or bans on e-cigarettes, with the federal government eventually stepping in to attempt to limit underage use. These attempts may have the consequential side-effects of leading those using e-cigarettes as a cessation device to return to using traditional cigarettes and adding a barrier to current cigarette smokers wanting to quit. To remedy this, I propose that the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) provide e-cigarettes with a specialized Over-the-Counter monograph that would allow adults access to what has shown to be an incredible cigarette cessation tool, while also limiting accessibility to minors

Reactions to FDA e-cigarette regulation : how vape shops in different socioeconomic areas of Kentucky use Facebook.

In May 2016 the FDA deemed e-cigarettes a tobacco product. The “deeming rule” gave regulation to e-cigarettes where none had existed prior. Some of the regulations included: prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, prohibiting giving away free e-cigarette products, requiring FDA-approved warning labels on e-cigarette packaging, and requiring pre-market authorization of all new e-cigarette products. The consequences of these regulations primarily affected e-cigarette manufacturers and vape shops, where most e-cigarette sales take place. In July 2017 the FDA announced an extended timeline for some e-cigarette regulations, citing the reason as having limited research on if, and how, e-cigarettes can be used as a smoking cessation tool. This research focuses on how vape shops use Facebook to communicate about FDA e-cigarette regulations, and whether socioeconomic factors influenced their communication. Facebook posts from six vape shops in two socioeconomic areas of Kentucky were evaluated using an inductive thematic analysis to determine the emerging themes and sub-themes. Four main themes related to the FDA regulations were found: FDA Regulations; Health, Smoking Cessation, and Education; Discounts and Giveaways; and E-liquids. Each theme was characterized by distinct sub-themes, which shared similarities and differences between the two socioeconomic areas

Puff Puff Pass the Legislation: A Comparison of E-Cigarette Regulations Across Borders

This comment explores the types of legislation, approaches to regulating e-cigarettes, and analyzes whether the FDA’s campaign and current regulations are effective. So far, it appears that the United States is ahead of the game with its new, aggressive proposal for regulating e-cigarettes. The FDA is standing against the companies and products that target youthful consumers. Most countries acknowledge the gaps in current scientific research regarding the long-term health risks of vaping, and some are waiting to take a legislative stance until it is clearer which side of the health line e-cigarettes fall. Section II of this comment discusses the types of regulations that countries enact. Section III examines the potential health risks of e-cigarettes, and how the United States is changing its approach to combat the growing youth e-cigarette epidemic. Section IV details the European Union’s stance on e-cigarettes. Section V outlines how China has yet to take any real legislative stance on e-cigarette products. Section VI details the harm e-cigarettes can do to the human body and details the World Health Organization’s recommendation for countries. Section VII briefly discusses the argument that the value of e-cigarettes as a nicotine replacement therapy outweighs the dangers of youth vaping. At the end of this comment, it will be clear that the United States is taking a firm stance to combat youth e-cigarette use. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes are at the forefront of the FDA’s mind, and its hard-hitting approach is yielding results. Compared to other countries, the United States combats youth e-cigarette use head-on and has the tools to successfully quash it

Increasing Awareness of Health Risks Associated with Vaping in Youths

E-cigarette and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems is a growing trend among youths in the United States. According to the National Institute of Health 2018 Monitoring the Future Survey, the 10th and 12th grade increases in nicotine vaping are the largest ever recorded for any substance in 44 years of tracking youth drug use. Increasing evidence about the potential health risks of vaping, as well as prediction of future cigarette use or experimentation, underlines the need for more preventative health measures to curtail this growing drug epidemic. The aim of this community health project was the development of an educational fact sheet on vaping as an aid for primary health care providers in Vermont to discuss e-cigarette use with teens, older youths, or their guardians.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/1548/thumbnail.jp

What factors predict the passage of state-level e-cigarette regulations?

E-cigarettes are controversial products. They may help addicted smokers to consume nicotine in a less harmful manner or to quit tobacco cigarettes entirely, but these products may also entice youth into smoking. This controversy complicates e-cigarette regulation as any regulation may lead to health improvements for some populations, and health declines for other populations. Using data from 2007 to 2016, we examine factors that are plausibly linked with U.S. state e-cigarette regulations. We find that less conservative states are more likely to regulate e-cigarettes and that states with stronger tobacco lobbies are less likely to regulate e-cigarettes. This information can help policymakers as they determine how best to promote public health through regulation

The Effects and Implications of Vaping on the Youth Population

Youth today have adopted the “cessation tool” known as the e-cigarette as a form of recreational activity. An examination of the history of tobacco use and prevention enables a fuller understanding of the problem presented by this product. Youth around the country are addicted to the sensation of vaping and are largely unaware of the associated health dangers. To address this growing issue among adolescents, vaping and its impact on the youth population should be carefully examined by health professionals. Although an overall solution has not yet been determined, there are several ways to impede the spread of the vaping epidemic from a public health standpoint

Public support for electronic cigarette regulation in Hong Kong: A population-based cross-sectional study

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