Clearing the Air
@clearingtheair.bsky.social
Clearing the air provides multi-language news and analysis on tobacco and nicotine policy, with a European focus.
Paternalist Putin has added another corker to his ever-growing list of poor decisions, signalling support for a national vape ban. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/puti...
Putin backs plan for total vape ban in Russia
Russian President and noted germaphobe Vladimir Putin has backed a proposal to outlaw vapes nationwide. During a visit to a sports and education center in Samara on Thursday, Putin responded…
clearingtheair.eu
November 13, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Paternalist Putin has added another corker to his ever-growing list of poor decisions, signalling support for a national vape ban. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/puti...
From vape bin to powerwall ⚡️ A UK engineer has turned 500 disposable vapes into a working home battery that powers his house and workshop. Waste to watts, literally. clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-engi...
UK engineer powers home using 500 recycled vapes
A UK engineer and YouTuber has repurposed 500 disposable vapes into a working powerwall capable of running both his home and workshop. The project, created by Chris Doel, uses lithium-ion batteries…
clearingtheair.eu
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM
From vape bin to powerwall ⚡️ A UK engineer has turned 500 disposable vapes into a working home battery that powers his house and workshop. Waste to watts, literally. clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-engi...
Criminalising nicotine pouches with tougher penalties than cocaine was always absurd. French MPs now agree — proposing regulation, not repression. #HarmReduction #NicotinePouches #PublicHealth clearingtheair.eu/post/french-...
French MPs challenge nicotine pouch ban in new budget battle
France’s planned ban on nicotine pouches from next spring could be in jeopardy after a series of amendments were tabled in the National Assembly aimed at softening or replacing the measure. The…
clearingtheair.eu
November 11, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Criminalising nicotine pouches with tougher penalties than cocaine was always absurd. French MPs now agree — proposing regulation, not repression. #HarmReduction #NicotinePouches #PublicHealth clearingtheair.eu/post/french-...
Correlation isn’t causation. One researcher says claims that vaping slowed youth smoking rely on fragile assumptions, not real-world evidence. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction
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Expert debunks claims that vaping slowed smoking declines down under
A new expert analysis has challenged claims that vaping has slowed progress in cutting youth smoking rates in Australia and New Zealand. Recent academic papers from the University of Sydney’s…
clearingtheair.eu
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Correlation isn’t causation. One researcher says claims that vaping slowed youth smoking rely on fragile assumptions, not real-world evidence. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction
clearingtheair.eu/post/expert-...
clearingtheair.eu/post/expert-...
The @WHO’s own treaty defines tobacco control as including harm reduction. Yet COP11’s agenda leaves it out, reframing it as “industry narrative.” Science shouldn’t be rewritten to fit ideology. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/en/post/cop1...
COP11 agenda dismisses harm reduction as ‘tobacco industry narrative’
The World Health Organisation’s upcoming tobacco control summit, COP11, is under fire for framing harm reduction as a “tobacco industry narrative” - a move that critics say sidelines evidence and…
clearingtheair.eu
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The @WHO’s own treaty defines tobacco control as including harm reduction. Yet COP11’s agenda leaves it out, reframing it as “industry narrative.” Science shouldn’t be rewritten to fit ideology. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/en/post/cop1...
🇬🇧 Smoking hits a record low: just 10.6% of UK adults now smoke. For the first time ever, more Brits vape than smoke. Evidence that harm reduction works in real time. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-smok...
UK smoking rates fall to record low as vapes overtake cigarettes
The share of UK adults who smoke has fallen to 10.6 per cent, the lowest since records began in 2011. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, smoking has dropped dramatically from 25.7 per cent in 2011 to 8.1 per…
clearingtheair.eu
November 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🇬🇧 Smoking hits a record low: just 10.6% of UK adults now smoke. For the first time ever, more Brits vape than smoke. Evidence that harm reduction works in real time. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-smok...
🚨 Landmark Cochrane Review: Nicotine vapes help more smokers quit than patches, gum, or lozenges, with no evidence of serious harm from regulated products. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/post/vapes-m...
Vapes more effective than other quit smoking aids, landmark Cochrane review finds
Nicotine vapes help more people quit smoking than nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum People using nicotine vapes are also more likely to quit than those using non-nicotine vapes or…
clearingtheair.eu
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🚨 Landmark Cochrane Review: Nicotine vapes help more smokers quit than patches, gum, or lozenges, with no evidence of serious harm from regulated products. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/post/vapes-m...
The FDA’s new tone on harm reduction could reshape nicotine policy worldwide. A move toward legal, flavoured, reduced-risk products — and away from prohibition. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/en/post/fda-...
FDA shift opens door to flavoured vapes
In a major turnaround, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signalled support for tobacco harm reduction - and suggested that more flavoured vapes could soon be authorised for sale.…
clearingtheair.eu
November 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The FDA’s new tone on harm reduction could reshape nicotine policy worldwide. A move toward legal, flavoured, reduced-risk products — and away from prohibition. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/en/post/fda-...
🚨 Nicorette maker Kenvue’s VP calls for a “tobacco & nicotine-free generation” - at an EU health summit sponsored by Kenvue. The irony writes itself. #HarmReduction #EUHealth clearingtheair.eu/post/nicoret...
Nicorette maker wants more tax on vapes
Nicorette maker Kenvue’s Vice President Hannah French has called for a “tobacco and nicotine free generation” in a speech to EU policy makers at the Parliament Magazine’s Healthcare summit. In a soft…
clearingtheair.eu
November 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
🚨 Nicorette maker Kenvue’s VP calls for a “tobacco & nicotine-free generation” - at an EU health summit sponsored by Kenvue. The irony writes itself. #HarmReduction #EUHealth clearingtheair.eu/post/nicoret...
Months after the UK’s disposable vape ban, ITV finds 7 of 25 Brighton stores still selling them. When enforcement fails, black markets fill the gap. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/post/banned-...
Banned disposable vapes still sold as UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill faces scrutiny
Disposable vapes are still being sold openly in the UK despite a nationwide ban, a new investigation has found. The findings come as the government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill faces detailed scrutiny in…
clearingtheair.eu
November 5, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Months after the UK’s disposable vape ban, ITV finds 7 of 25 Brighton stores still selling them. When enforcement fails, black markets fill the gap. #TobaccoControl #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/post/banned-...
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Two former WHO Directors have called for a radical overhaul of global nicotine policy, warning that ideology is costing lives. “This is a moment that requires courage.” Full piece → clearingtheair.eu/en/post/excl... #HarmReduction #WHO #COP11
EXCLUSIVE: “Rethink the status quo” – two former WHO directors call for radical overhaul of global nicotine policy
Two former Directors at the World Health Organisation have called for a radical overhaul of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control - the WHO’s International Treaty on tobacco control policy - in…
clearingtheair.eu
November 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Two former WHO Directors have called for a radical overhaul of global nicotine policy, warning that ideology is costing lives. “This is a moment that requires courage.” Full piece → clearingtheair.eu/en/post/excl... #HarmReduction #WHO #COP11
New review: 40 lab studies using the InExpose system may have overstated vaping risks. Most ran high power with low airflow, conditions that overheat devices and distort results. #Vaping #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/en/post/flaw...
Flawed lab methods may exaggerate vaping risks, major new review finds
Most laboratory studies using a popular vaping exposure system likely overheated vape aerosol, producing unrealistic toxin levels. Only 14 of 40 studies gave enough detail to reproduce how the…
clearingtheair.eu
October 31, 2025 at 10:38 AM
New review: 40 lab studies using the InExpose system may have overstated vaping risks. Most ran high power with low airflow, conditions that overheat devices and distort results. #Vaping #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/en/post/flaw...
📊 New PATH study: smokers who vape quit more often, across all flavours, all devices, all ages. Vaping works. Full stop. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/post/smokers...
Smokers who vape quit more often across all flavours and devices, new PATH study finds
Cigarette quit rates among vapers rose sharply between 2014 and 2021. The increase was seen across all vape flavours - menthol, fruit, and mixed - except tobacco flavour. Quit rates rose for every…
clearingtheair.eu
October 30, 2025 at 9:56 AM
📊 New PATH study: smokers who vape quit more often, across all flavours, all devices, all ages. Vaping works. Full stop. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/post/smokers...
Bad science makes big headlines. Retractions whisper. 3 anti-vape studies collapsed under scrutiny, but not before shaping policy & public opinion. >>> clearingtheair.eu/post/when-sc... #Vaping #Science
When science fails: 3 anti-vape studies that didn’t survive scrutiny
Several studies making dramatic claims about the dangers of vaping have made headlines in recent years - only to be withdrawn after serious questions were raised about their methods and conclusions.…
clearingtheair.eu
October 29, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Bad science makes big headlines. Retractions whisper. 3 anti-vape studies collapsed under scrutiny, but not before shaping policy & public opinion. >>> clearingtheair.eu/post/when-sc... #Vaping #Science
🇸🇪 Sweden just became Europe’s first smoke-free nation. Scotland hasn’t budged in years. Same goal, very different results → clearingtheair.eu/post/sweden-... #HarmReduction #SmokeFree
Sweden is Europe’s first smoke-free nation as Scotland’s progress stalls
Sweden has become the first country in Europe to achieve smoke-free status, while smoking rates in Scotland have stalled amid restrictions on vaping and a decline in cessation funding. Sweden reaches…
clearingtheair.eu
October 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
🇸🇪 Sweden just became Europe’s first smoke-free nation. Scotland hasn’t budged in years. Same goal, very different results → clearingtheair.eu/post/sweden-... #HarmReduction #SmokeFree
🚭 UK ban backfires: 62.5% of vapers still on disposables, 82% of 25–34s, and 35% still buying them today. Black market wins, public health loses. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/en/post/the-...
The UK government’s push to create a “smoke-free generation” is facing major challenges – both in the courts and on the streets.
A potential legal clash in Northern Ireland threatens to derail new nationwide tobacco laws, while new data shows that disposable vape use remains widespread despite it being banned. A new report…
clearingtheair.eu
October 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
🚭 UK ban backfires: 62.5% of vapers still on disposables, 82% of 25–34s, and 35% still buying them today. Black market wins, public health loses. #HarmReduction #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/en/post/the-...
🚨 127,000 French vapers say non merci to a crushing vape tax, and that’s in just 3 days. Lawmakers want to call vaping “tobacco” and slap huge levies on it. Common sense says: don’t. #HarmReduction #Vaping Read more → clearingtheair.eu/en/post/1000...
100,000 + sign French petition against crushing vape tax
Over 100.000 people have signed a French petition calling for the government to rethink its proposed vape tax in just three days. The petition has over 127.000 signatures at the time of writing. The…
clearingtheair.eu
October 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM
🚨 127,000 French vapers say non merci to a crushing vape tax, and that’s in just 3 days. Lawmakers want to call vaping “tobacco” and slap huge levies on it. Common sense says: don’t. #HarmReduction #Vaping Read more → clearingtheair.eu/en/post/1000...
🚨 SCOOP: Italy warns EU nicotine tax will fuel organised crime & black markets. Rome calls Brussels’ plan “damaging to public health” & a gift to smugglers. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/scoo...
SCOOP: Italian Government scathing opposition to EU nicotine tax
The Italian Government fears a significant shift to the black market if the EU tax is approved, according to a “Reasoned Opinion” published by the Italian Government and reproduced here by Clearing…
clearingtheair.eu
October 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🚨 SCOOP: Italy warns EU nicotine tax will fuel organised crime & black markets. Rome calls Brussels’ plan “damaging to public health” & a gift to smugglers. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/scoo...
EXCLUSIVE: Belgium bans pouches. Belgium bans disposables. Smoking rate? Still stuck at 21%. Now Deputy PM Vandenbroucke wants to lecture the world on vaping at WHO’s tobacco summit. 🚬➡️💨 clearingtheair.eu/en/post/excl...
EXCLUSIVE: Belgian Deputy Prime Minister to host public anti-nicotine seminar during COP 11
Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and former Health Minister Franck Vandenbroucke will host a livestreamed seminar on novel nicotine products, with a focus on vaping, during the WHO’s biannual…
clearingtheair.eu
October 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
EXCLUSIVE: Belgium bans pouches. Belgium bans disposables. Smoking rate? Still stuck at 21%. Now Deputy PM Vandenbroucke wants to lecture the world on vaping at WHO’s tobacco summit. 🚬➡️💨 clearingtheair.eu/en/post/excl...
“Harm-searching” is the new playbook: test vapes in unrealistic ways, exaggerate byproducts, ignore 15 years of real-world safety data. #THR clearingtheair.eu/post/new-sci...
New science review on vape ingredients criticised for unrealistic testing
A new paper claims vape liquids can release harmful chemicals when overheated. Experts say the tests used in the study don’t match how people actually vape. Human studies show no measurable breathing…
clearingtheair.eu
October 20, 2025 at 11:02 AM
“Harm-searching” is the new playbook: test vapes in unrealistic ways, exaggerate byproducts, ignore 15 years of real-world safety data. #THR clearingtheair.eu/post/new-sci...
📢 🇬🇧 Deadline alert: The UK Gov is asking for evidence on vape flavours, nicotine limits, device design + retailer licensing. Submissions close 11:59pm, 3 Dec. This is your chance to influence the future of harm reduction. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/have...
Have your say: UK government seeks evidence on vape licensing and product rules
Members of the public, retailers and experts can respond to the government’s call for evidence here by 11:59pm on 3 December 2025. Retailers, health experts and the public are being urged to respond…
clearingtheair.eu
October 17, 2025 at 12:12 PM
📢 🇬🇧 Deadline alert: The UK Gov is asking for evidence on vape flavours, nicotine limits, device design + retailer licensing. Submissions close 11:59pm, 3 Dec. This is your chance to influence the future of harm reduction. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/have...
👀 “As many vapes as you want — but it goes off your allowance.” Big Brother 2024 alum Lily Benson spills the tea on how nicotine rules really work behind the scenes. clearingtheair.eu/post/big-bro...
Big Brother star claims contestants can vape – but it’s deducted from their pay
A former Big Brother housemate has lifted the lid on the show’s behind-the-scenes rules for smoking and vaping - and the details are more surprising than your average reality show twist. Lily Benson,…
clearingtheair.eu
October 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
👀 “As many vapes as you want — but it goes off your allowance.” Big Brother 2024 alum Lily Benson spills the tea on how nicotine rules really work behind the scenes. clearingtheair.eu/post/big-bro...
🌍 Asia-Pacific has 781M tobacco users, 63% of the global total. Instead of backing safer alternatives, @WHO is shutting them down. Ex-WHO director Tikki Pang calls it “contradicting science.” clearingtheair.eu/post/whos-ha...
WHO’s harm reduction stance ‘contradicts science,’ says former agency director
A former World Health Organisation (WHO) director has accused the agency of ignoring science and blocking progress on tobacco harm reduction. Professor Tikki Pang warns that the WHO’s current…
clearingtheair.eu
October 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM
🌍 Asia-Pacific has 781M tobacco users, 63% of the global total. Instead of backing safer alternatives, @WHO is shutting them down. Ex-WHO director Tikki Pang calls it “contradicting science.” clearingtheair.eu/post/whos-ha...
🚨 BREAKING: The European Commission will unveil its long-awaited evaluation of EU tobacco laws, led by Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, who has falsely claimed nicotine causes cancer. New rules expected by 2027. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/excl...
EXCLUSIVE: EU to launch review of EU Tobacco Control law next year
The European Commission is to unveil its “evaluation report” on the EU’s Tobacco Control policy framework, according to a draft of the Commission’s work plan seen by Clearing the Air. The package…
clearingtheair.eu
October 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
🚨 BREAKING: The European Commission will unveil its long-awaited evaluation of EU tobacco laws, led by Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, who has falsely claimed nicotine causes cancer. New rules expected by 2027. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/excl...
Sweden to France: banning nicotine pouches is “as absurd as banning baguettes.” 🥖🇸🇪 This fight over harm reduction is about to heat up. #SmokeFree clearingtheair.eu/post/sweden-...
Sweden warns France and Spain over ‘absurd’ pouch bans
Sweden has stepped up its opposition to proposed nicotine pouch bans in France and Spain, sending formal letters to both governments and calling the measures “absurd.” The correspondence, signed by…
clearingtheair.eu
October 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Sweden to France: banning nicotine pouches is “as absurd as banning baguettes.” 🥖🇸🇪 This fight over harm reduction is about to heat up. #SmokeFree clearingtheair.eu/post/sweden-...