Richard Edwards
@predwards.bsky.social
Head of Public Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University. Research focuses mainly on policy to achieve tobacco 'endgame' goals. Have lots of CDs (punk, reggae, blues ...)
Pinned
Richard Edwards
@predwards.bsky.social
· Nov 12
This is my first post on this platform as I migrate away from X/Twitter. I am a Public Health researcher from Aotearoa NZ who focuses on research to achieve a Smokefree Aotearoa. I co-direct the ASPIRE Aotearoa research centre at the University of Otago, Wellington. See aspireaotearoa.org.nz
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Australia in danger of becoming an ‘artless country’ as enrolments in creative courses collapse
Australia in danger of becoming an ‘artless country’ as enrolments in creative courses collapse
Research suggests surging costs under Morrison government’s job-ready graduate scheme and axing of dozens of subjects largely to blame
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Australia risks becoming an “artless country” if it does not address the long-term decline in enrolments in creative courses, with more than 40 courses and degrees axed in less than a decade.
New research published in the Australian Journal of Education this week found fewer students in high school and university were choosing to study the creative arts. At the same time, it found, dozens of tertiary courses were being slashed. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Australia in danger of becoming an ‘artless country’ as enrolments in creative courses collapse
Reposted by Richard Edwards
These US states want polluters to pay for the rising insurance costs of climate disasters: Proposals by California, Hawaii and New York lawmakers aim to hold fossil fuel industry accountable for soaring rates As climate disasters drive up the price of home insurance, three US states are c...
These US states want polluters to pay for the rising insurance costs of climate disasters
These US states want polluters to pay for the rising insurance costs of climate disasters: Proposals by California, Hawaii and New York lawmakers aim to hold fossil fuel industry accountable for soaring rates As climate disasters drive up the price of home insurance, three US states are c...
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:07 PM
These US states want polluters to pay for the rising insurance costs of climate disasters: Proposals by California, Hawaii and New York lawmakers aim to hold fossil fuel industry accountable for soaring rates As climate disasters drive up the price of home insurance, three US states are c...
Reposted by Richard Edwards
ASH was in Parliament yesterday with the Smokefree Action Coalition, speaking to peers about why the smokefree generation is so important. It was fantastic to hear such strong cross-party support from our speakers for the Tobacco & Vapes Bill. Ending smoking is not a partisan issue!
February 6, 2026 at 10:44 AM
ASH was in Parliament yesterday with the Smokefree Action Coalition, speaking to peers about why the smokefree generation is so important. It was fantastic to hear such strong cross-party support from our speakers for the Tobacco & Vapes Bill. Ending smoking is not a partisan issue!
Reposted by Richard Edwards
More than 50 heat records were broken across Australia in the last week of January, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
This is climate change, and it can be lethal.
This is climate change, and it can be lethal.
February 3, 2026 at 6:02 AM
More than 50 heat records were broken across Australia in the last week of January, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
This is climate change, and it can be lethal.
This is climate change, and it can be lethal.
A Nation with No Plan. Bryce Edwards' incisive but bleak commentary on NZ's response to climate-crisis related disasters: "Reject the investment in resilience. Wait for the next catastrophe. Express concern. Repeat." www.linkedin.com/pulse/nation...
A Nation with no plan
The bodies are being recovered. The memorial services are being held.
www.linkedin.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:34 PM
A Nation with No Plan. Bryce Edwards' incisive but bleak commentary on NZ's response to climate-crisis related disasters: "Reject the investment in resilience. Wait for the next catastrophe. Express concern. Repeat." www.linkedin.com/pulse/nation...
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Fact: Climate change is making the weather more extreme.
My #cartoon today #NZpol #ClimateChange #Floods #ClimateInaction
My #cartoon today #NZpol #ClimateChange #Floods #ClimateInaction
January 31, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Fact: Climate change is making the weather more extreme.
My #cartoon today #NZpol #ClimateChange #Floods #ClimateInaction
My #cartoon today #NZpol #ClimateChange #Floods #ClimateInaction
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Federal judge has ordered the release of Liam Ramos (the bunny hat boy) and his father. A brief and rather remarkable order. Clearly written to be shared widely, so please do. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 31, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Federal judge has ordered the release of Liam Ramos (the bunny hat boy) and his father. A brief and rather remarkable order. Clearly written to be shared widely, so please do. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Richard Edwards
👀We’ve seen these tactics before. For decades, the tobacco industry has lobbied to block evidence-based policy and protect profits, despite huge health harms.
A new report shows the alcohol industry is doing the same, to oppose restrictions on alcohol marketing.
👇
A new report shows the alcohol industry is doing the same, to oppose restrictions on alcohol marketing.
👇
📢 New report
Alcohol marketing restrictions were meant to be in England’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Then they disappeared.
Our new report uses FOIs to show how alcohol industry lobbying targeted ministers and pressured government departments to kill the policy.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
Alcohol marketing restrictions were meant to be in England’s 10 Year Health Plan.
Then they disappeared.
Our new report uses FOIs to show how alcohol industry lobbying targeted ministers and pressured government departments to kill the policy.
www.ias.org.uk/report/now-y...
Now you see it, now you don’t - Institute of Alcohol Studies
Now you see it, now you don’t: How alcohol industry interference made marketing restrictions disappear from the 10 Year Health Plan in England In July 2025, the UK Government published its 10 Year Hea...
www.ias.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 10:26 AM
👀We’ve seen these tactics before. For decades, the tobacco industry has lobbied to block evidence-based policy and protect profits, despite huge health harms.
A new report shows the alcohol industry is doing the same, to oppose restrictions on alcohol marketing.
👇
A new report shows the alcohol industry is doing the same, to oppose restrictions on alcohol marketing.
👇
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Take four minutes out of your day.
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Take four minutes out of your day.
Excellent analysis by @janethoek.bsky.social on policy incoherence of allowing duty free tobacco sales in Aotearoa/NZ (or anywhere!). Why allow discounted sale of deadly tobacco which results in more preventable death & suffering & loss of goverment tax revenue?? theconversation.com/ending-duty-...
Ending duty-free tobacco sales would be good for health – and health budgets
Taxes raise prices, and higher prices reduce smoking. But duty-free tobacco sales remain a policy anomaly and deny the government much-needed health revenue.
theconversation.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Excellent analysis by @janethoek.bsky.social on policy incoherence of allowing duty free tobacco sales in Aotearoa/NZ (or anywhere!). Why allow discounted sale of deadly tobacco which results in more preventable death & suffering & loss of goverment tax revenue?? theconversation.com/ending-duty-...
Reposted by Richard Edwards
🧵1/2 If Winston Peters is worried about funding membership of the WHO, here's a simple solution: end sales of duty-free tobacco.
January 26, 2026 at 11:09 PM
🧵1/2 If Winston Peters is worried about funding membership of the WHO, here's a simple solution: end sales of duty-free tobacco.
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Reposted by Richard Edwards
The world may be burning down around us, but thankfully San Mateo homeowners are laser focused on the real issue of our time: getting the city to rip out bike lanes in favor of more parking
January 25, 2026 at 7:49 PM
The world may be burning down around us, but thankfully San Mateo homeowners are laser focused on the real issue of our time: getting the city to rip out bike lanes in favor of more parking
Bryce Edwards dissects a deadly landslip in New Zealand. "... pretending that disasters like the Mount Maunganui landslide are apolitical is no longer credible. The politics is already there. ... The only question is whether we are prepared to name it, and to hold those responsible to account."
Feed: "The Democracy Project: Democracy Briefing"
By: Bryce Edwards on Saturday, January 24, 2026
By: Bryce Edwards on Saturday, January 24, 2026
Democracy Briefing: Shock turns to anger at Mount Maunganui
The search for bodies at the foot of Mount Maunganui is still going on, but the mood has clearly shifted.
www.democracyproject.org.nz
January 24, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Bryce Edwards dissects a deadly landslip in New Zealand. "... pretending that disasters like the Mount Maunganui landslide are apolitical is no longer credible. The politics is already there. ... The only question is whether we are prepared to name it, and to hold those responsible to account."
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Minnesota is the best of us.
January 23, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Minnesota is the best of us.
Reposted by Richard Edwards
this guy just wanted to help defend his community and they murdered him for it and the highest officials in the nation are lying about what multiple camera angles are showing the nation
this cannot stand
this cannot stand
Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school. Later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill Veterans. He had such a great attitude. We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
this guy just wanted to help defend his community and they murdered him for it and the highest officials in the nation are lying about what multiple camera angles are showing the nation
this cannot stand
this cannot stand
South Australia, which lacks signficant geothermal and hydroelectric resources, has gone from virtually nil to 70% plus renewable energy supply (mostly wind and rooftop solar) in around two decades. Report here: www.theage.com.au/environment/...
‘Up there with Denmark’: Australian miracle leads the world in renewables
Hard work and “really good wind” have helped South Australia become a world leader on renewables. But the state is determined to go further.
www.theage.com.au
January 24, 2026 at 8:40 PM
South Australia, which lacks signficant geothermal and hydroelectric resources, has gone from virtually nil to 70% plus renewable energy supply (mostly wind and rooftop solar) in around two decades. Report here: www.theage.com.au/environment/...
Reposted by Richard Edwards
ODT editorial after recent deluges hitting NZ. "It is finally, definitively, time for this government and its successors over the next handful of years to wake up and realise is climate change is the most important issue facing us all."
1/3
It's climate change, stupid
ODT editorial 24 January 2026
Text in alt over 3 posts.
It's climate change, stupid
ODT editorial 24 January 2026
Text in alt over 3 posts.
January 24, 2026 at 5:19 AM
ODT editorial after recent deluges hitting NZ. "It is finally, definitively, time for this government and its successors over the next handful of years to wake up and realise is climate change is the most important issue facing us all."
Reposted by Richard Edwards
New research highlights deforestation and economic traps created by flue-cured tobacco in Zimbabwe.
tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/earl... @ash.org @ashorguk.bsky.social @whofctc.bsky.social @btsrespiratory.bsky.social #RespEd #LungSky
tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/earl... @ash.org @ashorguk.bsky.social @whofctc.bsky.social @btsrespiratory.bsky.social #RespEd #LungSky
Flue-cured tobacco in Zimbabwe: a particularly harmful commodity requiring the attention of tobacco control
Background Tobacco control is beginning to pay attention to additives and flavours in tobacco products but less so to the tobacco leaf itself. Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) leaf increases dependence on ni...
tobaccocontrol.bmj.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:38 AM
New research highlights deforestation and economic traps created by flue-cured tobacco in Zimbabwe.
tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/earl... @ash.org @ashorguk.bsky.social @whofctc.bsky.social @btsrespiratory.bsky.social #RespEd #LungSky
tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/earl... @ash.org @ashorguk.bsky.social @whofctc.bsky.social @btsrespiratory.bsky.social #RespEd #LungSky
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Australia’s worst heatwave since black summer made five times more likely by global heating, analysis finds: Extreme heat ‘is getting worse and whether we like it or not … there’s ultimately a limit to what we can actually physically cope with,’ scientist says Get our breaking news email...
Australia’s worst heatwave since black summer made five times more likely by global heating, analysis finds
Australia’s worst heatwave since black summer made five times more likely by global heating, analysis finds: Extreme heat ‘is getting worse and whether we like it or not … there’s ultimately a limit to what we can actually physically cope with,’ scientist says Get our breaking news email...
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Australia’s worst heatwave since black summer made five times more likely by global heating, analysis finds: Extreme heat ‘is getting worse and whether we like it or not … there’s ultimately a limit to what we can actually physically cope with,’ scientist says Get our breaking news email...
Reposted by Richard Edwards
The tragic loss of lives in NZ flooding events this week are climate change deaths. Media and govt are avoiding the topic.
Leaders and commentators must acknowledge the emerging reality of ordinary summer rainstorms carrying volumes of water akin to tropical cyclones of previous decades.
Leaders and commentators must acknowledge the emerging reality of ordinary summer rainstorms carrying volumes of water akin to tropical cyclones of previous decades.
January 21, 2026 at 10:54 PM
The tragic loss of lives in NZ flooding events this week are climate change deaths. Media and govt are avoiding the topic.
Leaders and commentators must acknowledge the emerging reality of ordinary summer rainstorms carrying volumes of water akin to tropical cyclones of previous decades.
Leaders and commentators must acknowledge the emerging reality of ordinary summer rainstorms carrying volumes of water akin to tropical cyclones of previous decades.
Jane Speight et al highlight the systemic underfunding built in to Australian medical research funding from MRFF and NHMRC and the ethical and practical issues it causes researchers and universities.
insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/48/the-...
insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/48/the-...
The hidden ethics crisis in Australian health research funding - InSight+
Australia’s health and medical research sector is a global leader in innovation and discovery. Yet, a hidden ethical problem in how research grants are funded threatens to undermine this reputation an...
insightplus.mja.com.au
January 19, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Jane Speight et al highlight the systemic underfunding built in to Australian medical research funding from MRFF and NHMRC and the ethical and practical issues it causes researchers and universities.
insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/48/the-...
insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/48/the-...
Reposted by Richard Edwards
#PedSky #MedSky #EpiSky #policysky #polisky #neuroskyence #neurosci #PainResearch🛟 🫁💊🧪
Kudos to the American Thoracic Society @atscommunity.bsky.social for speaking out !
Tear Gas and Pepper Spray Pose Serious Respiratory Risks, ATS Warns
Kudos to the American Thoracic Society @atscommunity.bsky.social for speaking out !
Tear Gas and Pepper Spray Pose Serious Respiratory Risks, ATS Warns
American Thoracic Society | Tear Gas and Pepper Spray Pose Serious…
Even brief exposure can trigger lung injury, infections, and long-term breathing problems in the public.
site.thoracic.org
January 17, 2026 at 11:08 PM
#PedSky #MedSky #EpiSky #policysky #polisky #neuroskyence #neurosci #PainResearch🛟 🫁💊🧪
Kudos to the American Thoracic Society @atscommunity.bsky.social for speaking out !
Tear Gas and Pepper Spray Pose Serious Respiratory Risks, ATS Warns
Kudos to the American Thoracic Society @atscommunity.bsky.social for speaking out !
Tear Gas and Pepper Spray Pose Serious Respiratory Risks, ATS Warns
Reposted by Richard Edwards
Tylenol during pregnancy is safe without increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability of offspring
A new review of the evidence just out
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
A new review of the evidence just out
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
January 16, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Tylenol during pregnancy is safe without increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability of offspring
A new review of the evidence just out
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
A new review of the evidence just out
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...