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Today's tobacco tax rise exploits and punishes addicted smokers
Posted on September 1, 2018
Is today’s tobacco excise rise a genuine attempt to reduce smoking rates or a tax grab by a greedy government, exploiting and punishing smokers for their addiction? Most smokers think it is… Read more -
ATHRA in strong disagreement with Andrew Forrest
Posted on August 31, 2018
Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation is campaigning to reduce youth smoking rates and is to be commended for that. However, in an interview with Alan Jones on 2GB yesterday 30 August 2018, it became… Read more -
UK Royal College of General Practitioners advises GPs to recommend vaping
Posted on August 31, 2018
The benefits of nicotine vaporisers (e-cigarettes) for smoking cessation should not be ignored while we are waiting for more evidence. Smokers are dying from smoking-related conditions every day. We need to take… Read more -
ATHRA rejects claims of 'secret' vaping donations
Posted on August 29, 2018
Prominent Australian doctors who support nicotine vaping as a harm-reduction measure for smokers have been stunned by assertions they have accepted secret money from vested interests. (Report published today in Medical Republic… Read more -
Why mouse studies can be a hazard to health
Posted on August 27, 2018
Sensational and misleading headlines are common as clickbait on online media hungry for click-throughs for advertising revenue. However, it is very disturbing when this occurs in medical publications where a higher standard of ethics… Read more -
The human side of vaping: Robyn's story
Posted on August 27, 2018
ATHRA received this email today from Robyn Butler, a retired 62-year old teacher and grandmother from Melbourne. Her story needs no further comment and is published with her permission. This is why… Read more -
Regular vaping by young people is very rare
Posted on August 26, 2018
Vaping is helping millions of adult smokers to quit, yet there is a legitimate concern that it may lead young non-smokers to take up smoking. The latest study from the UK shows… Read more -
Heart Foundation misinterprets results of vaping study
Posted on August 23, 2018
The Heart Foundation has misinterpreted the findings of a recent study which claims that daily vaping doubles the risk of having a heart attack. The Heart Foundation’s Chief Medical Adviser Professor Gary… Read more -
The AMA must stop misleading on vaping
Posted on August 20, 2018
When accused of inconsistency, John Maynard Keynes reportedly said, “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” Unfortunately, leaders of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) are not… Read more -
Smokers who can’t quit should switch to vaping says UK Parliament report
Posted on August 17, 2018
There is clear evidence that nicotine vaporisers (e-cigarettes) are substantially less harmful than conventional cigarettes and are a proven stop-smoking tool, according to a UK Parliamentary review which reported today. The UK… Read more -
WA Liberal party calls for vaping to be legalised
Posted on August 12, 2018
Many in the vaping community get frustrated by the slow progress of the cause to legalise vaping and help smokers reduce harm in Australia. Whilst there is still a way to go,… Read more -
CSIRO report provides strong support for legalising vaping
Posted on August 10, 2018
A recent report by the CSIRO, E-cigarettes, smoking and health provides strong support for vaping as a way of reducing the harm from smoking in Australia. The 400-page scientific review of the… Read more -
Why Australia’s College of Physicians has got it wrong
Posted on August 3, 2018
A recent report from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) acknowledging that personal vaporisers (e-cigarettes) can help smokers quit is a welcome change. (1) Nevertheless, the College still continues… Read more -
Switching to a lower nicotine e-liquid may be more harmful
Posted on August 2, 2018
A study published today in Addictive Behaviors has confirmed previous findings that switching to a lower nicotine concentration may do more harm than good. The study followed 27 experienced vapers over 12… Read more -
Why the 'Eliminate Cancer Initiative' will INCREASE cancer rates
Posted on July 27, 2018
The Eliminate Cancer Initiative was established to reduce cancer. Perversely, its campaign to ban e-cigarettes will increase cancer rates. The ECI, set up by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation, wants regulation… Read more -
Very low nicotine cigarettes only effective if vaping available
Posted on July 27, 2018
Combustible tobacco could be relegated to the ashtray of history one day if health authorities in the US manage to push through unprecedented and highly controversial rules limiting nicotine in standard cigarettes.… Read more -
Aaron Stonehouse MLC goes in to bat for vaping in WA
Posted on July 26, 2018
Liberal Democrats MP Aaron Stonehouse has today launched a campaign to legalise vaping in Western Australia. The campaign is supported by Legalise Vaping and ATHRA, with Board Member Perth GP Dr Joe Kosterich… Read more -
Are 'rollies' less harmful than factory-made cigarettes?
Posted on July 21, 2018
It is a common belief that rollies (roll-your-own cigarettes) are safer than factory-made cigarettes. However this is not the case. According to a paper published today in the journal Tobacco Control by Australian… Read more -
‘Smoke Free Victoria’ plan misses the key ingredient: vaping
Posted on July 19, 2018
Victoria’s health organisations have overlooked vaping, the key component to establishing a smoke-free state in their announcement today. Several health organisations have announced their plan called 'Target 2025' to combat stalled smoking rates… Read more -
It is legal to import nicotine into Queensland
Posted on July 9, 2018
Queensland vapers can now be reassured that it is legal to import and use nicotine e-liquid if holding a prescription. After repeated challenges by ATHRA, Queensland Health has now admitted that importation… Read more -
What is the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association?
Posted on June 30, 2018
Dr Colin Mendelsohn describes why ATHRA was formed and its objectives. Watch the video presentation at the Global Forum for Nicotine in Warsaw, Poland on 15 June 2018 Read more -
Battery safety of vaping devices. What is the real risk?
Posted on May 7, 2018
The media has reported the tragic story of a 38-year old man who died in Florida after an apparent explosion of a vaping device. Information is sketchy as the man was alone… Read more -
Vape shops are helping smokers quit
Posted on May 4, 2018
Vape shops provide a valuable role in helping smokers to switch from smoking to vaping and can give helpful smoking cessation advice, according to a recent survey of vape shop staff and… Read more -
E-cigarette report misses golden opportunity to save 500,000 Australian lives
Posted on March 28, 2018
A federal parliamentary committee today missed a key opportunity to give Australia’s three million smokers access to a far less harmful alternative, according to the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA). ATHRA… Read more