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Jason McLure

@jasonmclure.bsky.social

Business reporter covering the tobacco industry for The Examination. Tips? DM me to connect on Signal or jmclure@theexamination.org

68 Followers  |  47 Following  |  16 Posts  |  Joined: 21.11.2024  |  2.0604

Latest posts by jasonmclure.bsky.social on Bluesky

America's Poison Centers - Health Advisory: Increase in Nicotine Pouch-Related Cases Reported to U.S. Poison Centers

Nicotine pouches like Zyn and ALP don't mix well with kids.

Exposure cases from pouches reported to U.S. Poison Centers more than tripled between 2022 and 2024. This year cases are up 92% through August.

Kids under 6 were more than 70% of the exposures.

poisoncenters.org/news-alerts/...

18.09.2025 18:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€˜Nicotine-freeโ€™ vapes and pouches promise a buzz without the downsides. Health concerns remain. Outlaw Dip, Spree Bar and other nicotine alternatives arenโ€™t regulated in many countries. Researchers warn about health risks and misleading marketing.

Companies like Outlaw Dip sell oral pouches made with a chemical remarkably similar to nicotine. "Don't be a quitter, be an outlaw," it says.

"These products were intentionally designed to bypass regulation," says one cancer researcher.

www.theexamination.org/articles/nic...

18.09.2025 13:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Pre-Conference Day Events Before the 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference officially kicks off, GIJC25 will host a focused day of high-impact workshops and special gatherings led by top investigative journalists and...

Spots are filling up for our pre-conference #GIJC25 event! Join us for a packed day of discussions, workshops, and networking with investigative health reporters from across the world. You won't want to miss out.

๐Ÿšจ More info and how to register: gijc2025.org/pre-conferen...

12.09.2025 14:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
The public-health dilemma of state-owned tobacco companies
YouTube video by The Examination The public-health dilemma of state-owned tobacco companies

Companies partly or wholly owned by a government make most of the world's cigarettes. Our look at what this means for public health:

www.youtube.com/shorts/KUNQH...

04.09.2025 18:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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When governments own tobacco companies, who watches out for your health? At least 17 countries have a stake in the tobacco industry, making them responsible for a product that is a leading cause of preventable death.

Many governments want people to quit smoking. Some also want them to buy cigarettes.

More on the thorny issues raised by state-ownership of tobacco companies:

www.theexamination.org/articles/whe...

28.08.2025 13:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
How Imperial Brandsโ€™ Laos Deal Paid Politicianโ€™s Relative and Capped Cigarette Taxes
YouTube video by The Examination How Imperial Brandsโ€™ Laos Deal Paid Politicianโ€™s Relative and Capped Cigarette Taxes

Thanks to @radiofreeasiapr.bsky.social for showcasing @theexamination.org investigation showing in-law of ex-Lao leader Bounnhang Vorachit earned $28 million from Laos tobacco privatization.

Interview (Lao subtitles): www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjW1...

Docs: www.documentcloud.org/projects/221...

02.07.2025 17:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Imperial Brands / Laos Tobacco Documents obtained as part of an investigation of a 25-year contract between Imperial Brands and the government of Laos that capped cigarette taxes and paid millions to an in-law of the prime minister...

A deal between Imperial Brands and the Laos government capped cigarette taxes for 25 years AND paid millions to a family member of the country's then-prime minister.

Read the story:
www.theexamination.org/articles/how...

View the documents:
www.documentcloud.org/projects/221...

26.06.2025 18:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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How Imperial Brandsโ€™ Confidential Contract Kept Cigarette Prices Low in Laos โ€” While Secretly Enriching a Political Insider The deal delivered millions to an in-law of the former president, Bounnhang Vorachit, while blocking tobacco tax hikes for 25 years. A confidential contract between tobacco giant Imperial Brands and.....

A secret deal by tobacco giant Imperial Brands delivered millions to an in-law of Laos's former president for a 25-year tax freeze.

This arrangement has kept cigarette prices among the world's lowest.

Story by grantee @jasonmclure.bsky.social for @theexamination.org. bit.ly/40ad76A

19.06.2025 21:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Imperial Brands' confidential deal with Lao government โ€” low cigarette prices and enriched insiders The deal delivered millions to an in-law of the former president, Bounnhang Vorachit, while blocking tobacco tax hikes for 25 years.

A tobacco giant took over a state monopoly in Asia.

Cigarette taxes got capped at one of the lowest levels in the world.

An ex-presidentโ€™s relative secretly got millions.

Our latest:

www.theexamination.org/articles/how...

17.06.2025 13:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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Jobs We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.

We're hiring!

@theexamination.org is growing and looking to fill three crucial editor roles:

- Interim Managing Editor
- Data Editor
- News Editor

Making this a thread because these are great opportunities...
www.theexamination.org/about/jobs

05.06.2025 15:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Phillip Morris + a British lord + a trip to Switzerland = a new proposal to water down the UK's anti-smoking law

My colleague's @theexamination.org scoop this weekend, in partnership with @theguardian.com ๐Ÿ‘‡

02.06.2025 13:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
How industry capture of Filipino officials helped deadlock global tobacco control negotiations A presidential agenda, pro-industry proposals and a probe โ€” documents reveal Big Tobaccoโ€™s influence in the Philippines and on the international stage.

The Philippines is chairing the World Health Assembly for the first time โ€“ but public health organizations are calling on @who.int to revoke its role over ties between Filipino officials and tobacco giant Phillip Morris International. #WHA78 ๐Ÿงต

www.theexamination.org/articles/how...

21.05.2025 18:58 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A scientist is paid to study maple syrup. Heโ€™s also paid to promote it. Funded by the maple industry, a researcher has exaggerated his findings to suggest that syrup could help prevent serious diseases.

Our new investigation with @nytimes.com shows how โ€“ by intertwining science and salesmanship โ€“ one researcher has fueled misleading claims about the health benefits of maple syrup, with the help of industry funding.
www.theexamination.org/articles/a-s...

15.04.2025 19:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The tobacco lobby claims vaping is displacing youth smoking โ€“ a close look at the evidence tells another story A 2020 study is frequently cited as evidence that vaping reduces youth smoking rates. But the research is flawed. Vaping might be a gateway for teens to start smoking.

New study contradicts claims vaping is displacing teen cigarette use. theconversation.com/the-tobacco-...

21.03.2025 14:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Grรผnenthal pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. People around the world got hooked. Fueled by misleading marketing claims, the German drugmakerโ€™s painkiller tapentadol is on the rise.

Opioids alert! Prescriptions for tapentadol have surpassed those for oxycodone.

Yet drug company Grรผnenthal and others have made misleading claims about its addictiveness - echoing a strategy that Purdue Pharma and other opioid makers used to hook millions.

www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...

20.03.2025 15:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Well thatโ€™s a headline I did not except to see. Ever.

18.03.2025 01:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 40033    ๐Ÿ” 6367    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2163    ๐Ÿ“Œ 674
Trump administration cuts threaten already-strained food safety system Experts say the FDAโ€™s watchdog for Americaโ€™s food supply is uniquely vulnerable to ongoing federal cutbacks โ€“ย which could make the system even more reliant on companies policing themselves.

NEW: FDA food safety scientists stopped clams contaminated with PFAS from entering America.

Then they were fired by DOGE.

Our latest story reveals how FDA cutbacks are endangering Americaโ€™s food safety
www.theexamination.org/articles/tru...

17.03.2025 14:58 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Trumpโ€™s energy secretary pushed legal attack on green investing Former fracking company CEO Chris Wright played a key role in efforts to roll back workersโ€™ choices in socially conscious ESG investing.

NEW: The fossil fuel industry and its allies are seeking to roll back workersโ€™ freedom to choose socially conscious "ESG" retirement plans

Trump's Energy Secretary Chris Wright has played a key role

For @theexamination.org & @gristnews.bsky.social

www.theexamination.org/articles/tru...

04.03.2025 14:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Mass firings hit US tobacco regulators overwhelmed with thousands of new products The FDAโ€™s Center for Tobacco Products, which is not taxpayer-funded, oversees an industry whose products kill nearly half a million Americans each year.

Overwhelmed federal agency regulating America's deadliest consumer products loses 8% of staff after DOGE:

www.theexamination.org/articles/mas...

28.02.2025 18:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Do you have $$ in a retirement plan that considers ESG, and want to talk about why it matters to you?

I'm a reporter working on a story about legal attacks on ESG investing, and would love to hear from you. Reply and I'll be in touch, and share to help spread the word

#climate #climatesolutions

14.02.2025 15:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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How To Investigate Green Finance Join investigative journalists Bruna Bronoski, Alexander Abdelilah, and Sasha Chavkin for an in-depth discussion on investigating "green finance" schemes. Hosted by the Pulitzer Center, this event wil...

Join @sashachavkin.bsky.social on Feb. 11 at 4:00pmGMT for the @pulitzercenter.bsky.social webinar, "How To Investigate Green Finance."

What To Expect:
๐ŸŸข Practical techniques for analyzing financial records
๐ŸŸข Tips for using open-source intelligence in reporting
& moreโ•

๐Ÿ‘‰ Register: bit.ly/3CvRiG9 ๐Ÿ’ก

10.02.2025 17:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
How mega-polluters take advantage of billions in green loans Banks poured $286 billion into corporations linked to deforestation and polluting industries like fossil fuels and mining through a lax type of green finance called sustainability-linked loans.

Excited to share a new investigation...

Banks have poured $286 billion in a lax form of green loans into polluting industries like fossil fuels and mining.

With the Toronto Star & Mississippi Today, published with AP & supported by Pulitzer Center
www.theexamination.org/articles/how...

15.01.2025 14:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Tracking Putinโ€™s Most Feared Secret Agencyโ€”From Inside a Russian Prison and Beyond The spy unit that arrested a Wall Street Journal reporter is leading the biggest campaign of internal repression since the Stalin era.

Can't say enough good things about this reporting: www.wsj.com/world/russia...

13.12.2024 15:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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China moves to ban โ€˜cigarette cardsโ€™ among minors The craze has sparked concern by authorities who say exposure to tobacco products could "familiarise children with cigarette brands and create a positive association with smoking".

www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/ch...

11.12.2024 21:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Los cigarrillos de sabores frutales, prohibidos en Europa y Estados Unidos, triunfan entre los adolescentes de Amรฉrica Latina โ€˜Marlborosโ€™ de sandรญa y โ€˜Luckiesโ€™ de arรกndano y mentol: a pesar de las promesas de un mundo sin humo, las tabacaleras siguen promoviendo en la regiรณn este tipo de productos que cautivan a los mรกs jรณve...

'Like smoking gum.'

Fruit-flavored 'click' cigarettes a hit with teens in Latin America:

elpais.com/america/2024...

02.12.2024 14:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Flavored cigarettes in Latin America: โ€˜Itโ€™s like smoking gum'
YouTube video by The Examination Flavored cigarettes in Latin America: โ€˜Itโ€™s like smoking gum'

"It's like smoking chewing gum."
'Click' cigarettes w/flavors like watermelon and blueberry have rocketed in popularity in Latin America.
@mariajpsl went to Chile to see if the industry's vows not to target children are real.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLB4...

22.11.2024 15:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Fruity 'click' cigarettes a hit with Latin American teens amid 'constant' industry lobbying Companies release watermelon Marlboros, blueberry-menthol Luckies despite โ€œsmoke-freeโ€ promises

How to get a 12-year-old to start smoking?

Making cigs youngsters compare to lollipops & lemonade may help.

Flavor capsule cigarette sales boom in Latin America as
Philip Morris Int. and British American Tobacco use festivals and feature musicians like @echosmith in marketing: bit.ly/4hXUwlE

21.11.2024 17:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Flavored cigarettes in Latin America: โ€˜Itโ€™s like smoking gum'
YouTube video by The Examination Flavored cigarettes in Latin America: โ€˜Itโ€™s like smoking gum'

Watermelon Marlboros and lemony Lucky Strikes?

"Click cigarettes" with a flavor capsule in the filter have taken Latin America by storm.

Philip Morris Int., British American Tobacco say they don't target kids with fruity cigs.

@maria-perez.bsky.social tested that claim in Chile:

bit.ly/4g1w15j

21.11.2024 16:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@jasonmclure is following 19 prominent accounts