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    Investigation: How the tobacco industry has secretly bankrolled vaping

    enDecember 15, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • LinkedIn: A Hidden Pool of Passive Candidates for Small BusinessesLinkedIn is a goldmine for small businesses seeking passive candidates, as over 70% of its users don't visit other job sites. Meanwhile, tobacco companies have been secretly lobbying for e-cigarette sales, funding research downplaying risks and independent foundations, making the UK an outlier in the global context.

      LinkedIn is a valuable resource for small businesses looking to hire professionals. It's where you can find candidates who aren't actively seeking new jobs but might be open to the right opportunity. In contrast, over 70% of LinkedIn users don't visit other leading job sites. Furthermore, PlushCare offers a convenient way to access healthcare services, including weight loss programs and prescriptions for FDA-approved medications. Meanwhile, an investigation by The Times revealed that tobacco companies have been secretly lobbying for e-cigarette sales. They've funded scientific papers downplaying the risks of youth vaping and independent foundations that lobby governments. Despite this, the UK remains enthusiastically pro-vaping, making it an outlier in the global context. These findings shed light on the complex relationship between tobacco companies and various industries, as well as the potential impact of their lobbying efforts.

    • Tobacco companies shift focus to e-cigarettes and vapingTobacco giants like Philip Morris and British American Tobacco invest in e-cigarettes and vaping, promoting them as safer alternatives to smoking. Industry influence on health policies is limited, so they seek influence through education and brand creation, raising potential conflicts of interest.

      Big tobacco companies, such as Philip Morris and British American Tobacco, have shifted their focus to the promotion and sale of e-cigarettes and other reduced risk products, like vaping, due to the decline in smoking. These companies have historically been limited in their ability to influence health policies due to a global treaty, so they are now seeking influence through alternative means. The health effects of vaping are still debated, but it is clear that it is much safer than smoking. The tobacco industry is investing heavily in this sector and has even created their own brands. Some tobacco-funded health education efforts have reached GPs and other medical professionals, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Despite the potential health benefits for smokers, the long-term health effects of vaping are not yet fully understood. Overall, the tobacco industry's involvement in the promotion and sale of reduced risk products highlights the complex relationship between public health and commercial interests.

    • Vaping: A Source of Concern for Young People's HealthThe addictive nature of nicotine and potential long-term health effects from inhaling aerosols in vaping are concerns. Young people, who have never smoked before, are increasingly taking up vaping, leading to worries about addiction and the gateway effect.

      Vaping, which involves inhaling a nicotine-containing liquid that is heated and turned into vapor, is a source of concern due to the addictive nature of nicotine and the potential long-term effects on health from inhaling aerosols. The most pressing issue is the increasing number of young people who have never smoked before but have taken up vaping, which has led to concerns about the gateway effect and the potential for lifelong addiction. Some studies funded by tobacco companies have downplayed the risks of youth vaping, but public health bodies and organizations like the World Health Organization have taken different views, with some advocating for vaping as a safer alternative to smoking and others expressing caution due to the lack of long-term data. The popularity of vaping among young people is driven by social media and easy availability, and schools are struggling to combat the issue with measures like CCTV cameras, restricted bathroom access, and searches for vapes.

    • Tobacco industry influence on e-cigarette researchBe cautious of research on e-cigarettes funded by tobacco companies or third-party organizations linked to them. Their potential biases could impact findings and public discourse.

      The relationship between tobacco companies and scientific research, particularly regarding e-cigarettes, can be complex and potentially misleading. Research suggesting a lack of a gateway effect between e-cigarettes and traditional smoking, funded by tobacco companies, may not be as independent as it appears. The involvement of third-party organizations funded by these companies adds another layer of complexity. While it's possible for such research to be unbiased, the history of tobacco industry manipulation of science raises concerns. Furthermore, grassroots groups defending vaping, which may cite this research, could also have ties to tobacco companies. These connections can influence public discourse and policy-making, often without full disclosure. It's crucial to critically evaluate the sources of scientific information and be aware of potential conflicts of interest.

    • Achieve salon-worthy nails at home with Olive and June, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and access online doctors through PlushCare.Olive and June offers quick-drying mani system for home use, LinkedIn connects small businesses to professionals, and PlushCare provides online doctor consultations for weight loss solutions and insurance coverage.

      Olive and June offers an easy solution for achieving salon-worthy nails at home with their quick-drying mani system, providing full coverage in just 1-2 coats and lasting up to 5 days. Meanwhile, LinkedIn is a valuable resource for small business owners looking to hire professionals, as over 70% of its users aren't found on other leading job sites. Additionally, PlushCare offers online access to board-certified physicians for those seeking weight loss solutions and insurance coverage for FDA-approved medications. However, it's important to note that not all grassroots organizations are as authentic as they seem. For instance, the World Vapors Alliance, which advocates for vapers' rights, is actually funded by tobacco companies like British American Tobacco. Their influence on policy-making remains unclear, but they have been actively lobbying in Europe and the UK. This highlights the need for transparency in understanding the true motivations behind seemingly grassroots organizations.

    • Tobacco companies disguise involvement in independent organizationsTobacco giants like BAT and PMI mask their influence by funding and controlling 'independent' foundations, which then promote industry-aligned policies, blurring the lines between industry and advocacy.

      Tobacco companies like British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International have been using various tactics to influence public opinion and policy-making, disguising their involvement as independent organizations or grassroots movements. For instance, the World Vapors Alliance, which appeared to be a public health advocacy group, was found to have links to British American Tobacco. Similarly, the Foundation For A Smoke Free World, which claims to be an independent scientific body, is actually funded by Philip Morris International to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. These foundations then commission research and initiatives that align with the tobacco industry's agenda, ultimately benefiting their bottom lines by promoting tobacco harm reduction policies. Despite their public statements about supporting smoking cessation and offering safer alternatives, these companies continue to engage in tactics that blur the lines between industry influence and independent advocacy.

    • Tobacco companies and health organizations: Complex relationshipsTobacco companies fund health organizations, raising concerns about their true intentions. Doctors receiving funding may promote e-cigarettes, creating a chain of funding and potential influence on health policy.

      The relationship between tobacco companies and organizations, including those involved in health research and education, can be complex and potentially misleading. The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, which is funded by Philip Morris International, has been promoting harm reduction and independence, but there are concerns about its true intentions. An investigation revealed that two British doctors, who have received over a million pounds from the foundation, run a company that provides smoking cessation training to GPs. During these sessions, they discuss the benefits of e-cigarettes. This creates a chain of funding from Philip Morris International to the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, and then to the Centre for Health Research and Education. The doctors involved claim they follow guidelines and declare their interests, but the level of transparency is not clear. Some argue that this is a repeat of past tactics used by tobacco companies to influence health policy. Despite laws against tobacco companies interfering with health policy, the interpretation of these rules leaves room for ambiguity.

    • Tobacco company's alliance may conflict with tobacco control treatiesTransparency around tobacco companies' policy involvement and health concerns can help combat youth vaping and nicotine addiction, while governments consider measures to address these issues.

      The WorldVapors Alliance, funded by British American Tobacco, could potentially be in conflict with tobacco control treaties due to its involvement in policy discussions and attempts to influence politicians. The more transparency around these activities, the harder it is for tobacco companies to hide their efforts. In the UK, the government is currently considering significant measures to combat youth vaping, and the bigger question may be how to help those already addicted to nicotine. There have been serious cases of lung damage from vaping, particularly among young people. The podcast discussion also touched on the importance of public awareness and transparency in addressing health issues.

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