Clearing the Air

UK addiction doctors back vapes as a stop-smoking option in new clinical guidelines The guideline states there is “high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes improve quit rates versus NRT” It says public health bodies agree that “regulated e-cigarettes are significantly less…

Doctors are finally speaking up about flavours. 🗣️ The new UK guidelines note that "non-tobacco flavours are associated with higher quit success." clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-addi...

Ireland moves to tighten vape rules and regulate nicotine pouches in new bill Ireland’s government has approved new legislation that would tighten rules on vapes and introduce regulation of nicotine pouches, as ministers push ahead with a broader package of nicotine controls.…

Ireland’s new health strategy: If it isn't a cigarette, ban it. 🇮🇪🚬 The 2026 Nicotine Bill is a gift to cigarettes. By banning every vape except tobacco & restricting pouches, the government is making the exit ramp from smoking as unappealing as possible. 🏛️🥊 clearingtheair.eu/post/ireland...

Studies cited in viral video show vaping far safer than smoking Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 known carcinogens. Research cited in the viral video states vaping exposes users to “95 percent fewer toxic chemicals” than…

55,000 likes and zero junk science. 🚫🤡 This viral comparison of Smoking vs. Vaping didn't rely on "mouse torture" or scary headlines. It used the 2025 Cochrane Review and NHS-backed research to show that switching is a massive harm reduction win. 🏆🧪 clearingtheair.eu/en/post/stud...

23 experts write to EU warning over vaping risk misinformation A group of 23 European experts in tobacco and nicotine science have written to the President of the European Commission, warning that recent statements on vaping and other smoke-free products are…

"Are vapes as harmful as cigarettes?" Commissioner Várhelyi: "Yes. Absolutely. 100%." 🤡 23 top scientists just hit back "European institutions can back the Commissioner’s posture, or they can take their policymaking responsibilities seriously. They cannot do both.” clearingtheair.eu/post/23-expe...

Germany plans menthol vape ban under draft cooling agents rule Germany is moving to ban menthol vapes and a wide range of e-liquids containing cooling agents under draft regulations that could take effect later in 2026. The proposal, put forward by the Federal…

Germany is moving to ban menthol vapes and "cooling agents", but there’s a catch. 📉 The Federal Ministry admits the data on these additives is "very limited" and "poorly researched." Yet, they’re pushing ahead anyway... clearingtheair.eu/post/germany...

770,000 UK vapers could return to smoking if flavours restricted, data shows Up to 770,000 UK adults who vape could return to smoking if flavour options were restricted, according to new data, as Parliament debates the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The findings are based on a…

🚨 REVEALED: 770,000 UK vapers could return to smoking if flavours are restricted. 🚬📈 New data from ASH and Opinium shows that 14% of vapers would head back to tobacco if fruit and sweet options are banned. 🏛️🚫 clearingtheair.eu/post/770000-...

Mouse torture experiment claims third-hand vape harms – but exposure levels bear no resemblance to real life Mice exposed to fabrics saturated with vape aerosol residue for four months showed signs of increased blood clotting. Researchers found faster “bleeding” and “occlusion” times and heightened platelet…

Mouse-torturing researchers claim "third-hand" vape residue on carpets causes blood clots. The catch? They saturated fabrics with 400 puffs a day, every day, and made the mice live in it for 4 months. 🛋️💨 clearingtheair.eu/post/mouse-t...

Nicotine pouches cut toxic exposure to near-cessation levels, major new review finds Biomarker studies show smokers who switch to nicotine pouches see toxic exposure fall by 42-96%, similar to quitting altogether. Cancer-linked compounds such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines are…

Switching to nicotine pouches is scientifically similar to quitting altogether. 🚭🧬 A major 2026 review in Internal and Emergency Medicine shows that smokers who switch to pouches see toxic exposure collapse by 42–96%. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/nico...

The world’s toughest vaping crackdowns From prison sentences to outright constitutional bans, governments around the world are taking an increasingly hard line on vaping. While some countries regulate vapes as lower-risk alternatives to…

🚨 TRAVEL ALERT: Your vape could land you in a foreign prison. 🌍✈️ From Mexico to Thailand, countries are swapping regulation for outright prohibition. In some hotspots, possession alone can lead to 10 years in jail or even corporal punishment. Check before you pack! clearingtheair.eu/en/post/the-...

Catholic Church adds vapes to Confirmation pledge Irish Catholic children preparing for Confirmation will now be asked to promise not only to avoid alcohol and drugs, but also to steer clear of vapes and cigarettes. The updated pledge, announced by…

"Bless me Father, for I have... vaped?" ⛪️🙏 The Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative has updated the Confirmation pledge to include nicotine. A new temperance movement is in town! 🚽💭 clearingtheair.eu/post/catholi...

WHO chief urges Ireland to close EU nicotine ‘loopholes’ ahead of presidency The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged Ireland to use its influence at EU level to tighten regulation of nicotine products, warning of “strong industry opposition” from the tobacco…

Anti-democratic. The @WHO warns Ireland about "tobacco industry opposition," but who is lobbying ministers behind closed doors? Leaked FOI documents show the WHO is using Ireland as a pawn to force a ban-heavy agenda. 🏛️🥊 clearingtheair.eu/post/who-chi...

The EU is about to drop its "independent" report on nicotine, and it's a stitch-up. 🏛️💶 1. Ignore consumer feedback? Check. ✅ 2. Use "crony" NGOs for research? Check. ✅ 3. Lie about heart risks? Check. ✅ Don't let Brussels win the media cycle with junk science. 🧪🛑 clearingtheair.eu/en/post/anal...

Consumers urge Sweden to veto EU Tobacco Tax Nine organisations representing users of safer nicotine products have called on the Swedish Government to veto Brussels plans to impose huge tax increases on vapes and nicotine pouches, calling the…

🚨 BREAKING: 9 consumer groups are urging Sweden to VETO a proposed EU tobacco tax hike. The proposal targets vapes and nicotine pouches with massive price increases, which experts warn will protect cigarette sales and undermine the "Swedish Model." 🇸🇪📉

Read more: clearingtheair.eu/en/post/cons...

Flawed “switching” label may skew vape health findings, new analysis shows Two recent studies grouped some ongoing cigarette smokers under the label “EC switchers,” potentially distorting comparisons. In both papers, people classified as using vapes had significantly lower…

Is "switching" a lie in some health studies? 📉🤥 New analysis by Dr. @ArielleSelya reveals that recent papers labeled people as "vape switchers" even if they were still smoking, muddying the water on how much vapes actually help. clearingtheair.eu/post/flawed-...

EXCLUSIVE: EU puts huge vape tax increase back on the table The EU’s minimum tax on vapes will be increased by 50% according to a new draft of the Tobacco Taxation Directive dated 18th February and seen by Clearing the Air. In a previous proposal, the minimum…

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Brussels is coming for your nicotine. New EU proposals would slash cross-border cigarette limits by 50% and slap a massive €0.30/ml tax on all vape liquids. With pouches set at €107/kg, make no mistake, this is a tax on quitting. #EUTax #Vaping 🇪🇺 clearingtheair.eu/post/exclusi...

No significant link between exclusive vaping and heart disease, U.S. PATH study finds Cigarette smokers had 11% higher odds of developing cardiovascular disease than non-smokers Two inflammation markers in the blood - hsCRP and sICAM-1 - help explain much of that increased risk No…

U.S. PATH Study (2026) Results:

Exclusive Vaping: No significant heart disease link. ✅
Smoking: 11% higher risk. 📈
Inflammation: The "smoking gun" for heart damage. 🧬

#QuitLikeSweden #VapeSafe #HeartDisease #FactCheck clearingtheair.eu/post/no-sign...

Nicotine use has not fallen despite Australia’s vape crackdown, studies show National wastewater testing shows total nicotine use in Australia has not fallen and has trended upward since 2016. Regional areas consistently record higher nicotine consumption than capital cities,…

⚠️ Australia has some of the world’s toughest vape bans, yet nicotine use is trending upward. 📈
The latest 2026 wastewater data shows total nicotine consumption hasn’t fallen since 2016. Tougher laws aren't reducing demand; they’re just changing the source. clearingtheair.eu/post/nicotin...

Vape manufacturers signal co-ordinated price increase The largest vape manufacturers in China, where almost all of vaping hardware is manufactured, have issued a joint letter - seen by Clearing the Air and posted to social media - indicating their…

🚨 BREAKING: China’s top vape manufacturers are signaling a coordinated 13% price increase. 📈🇨🇳 The ECCC claims rising costs and the loss of a 13% tax rebate are to blame. With over 80% of the world’s hardware in their hands, this will have far reaching implications clearingtheair.eu/post/vape-ma...

Vaping in cars carrying children to be banned in England Vaping in cars carrying anyone under 18 will be banned in England under government plans to reduce the harm caused by smoking and vapes. The proposal is included in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which…

The UK’s 2026 Tobacco & Vapes Bill in 4 points:

Cars: No vaping with under-18s. 🚗🚫
Schools: No vaping at the gates. 🏫🚫
Hospitals: Smoking out, Vaping stays. 🏥✅
Pubs: Gardens stay as they are (for now). 🍻✅

The consultation ends May 8. Have your say. 🏁

clearingtheair.eu/post/vaping-...

“Dual use” may be a statistical fiction, experts argue Dual use is not one single behaviour as it covers a wide range of patterns Heavier vapers who also smoke showed lower toxicant exposure than people who only smoked Major national surveys often fail…

The "dual use" label is hiding a major health win. 🧬🔎 Experts argue that lumping all multi-product users into one category is a "statistical fiction." People who vape frequently while smoking show significantly lower toxicant levels than those who only smoke. ⚖️💨 clearingtheair.eu/post/dual-us...

UK Government consults on expanding smoke-free rules in England The UK Government will today (Friday) launch a 12-week public consultation on proposals to extend smoke-free legislation in England, as part of its 10 Year Health Plan. The consultation will run from…

🚨 BREAKING: UK Government launches 12-week consultation to expand smoke-free (and vape-free) zones in England. 🇬🇧🚭 Public consultation is open until May 8, have your say on the future of #PublicHealth. 🏛️📈 clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-gove...

Most cigarette and little cigar users overestimate nicotine’s harm, new U.S. Path study finds - Clearing the Air Most adults who use little cigars and cigarillos overestimate the dangers of nicotine - and they are just as likely to get it wrong as people who smoke

63% of smokers are getting the science wrong. 📉🛑 A massive new U.S. study shows most people believe nicotine is the main health threat. Misunderstanding the risk is the biggest barrier to quitting. 🚭🧠 #NicotineFacts #ScienceFirst #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/post/most-ci...

French health agency confirms vaping far less harmful than smoking ANSES says vaping’s health effects are not of equivalent severity to those caused by tobacco Risks from vaping remain lower than those associated with smoking No tumours identified in people who vape…

Stop the scaremongering. 🛑 France’s ANSES confirms: No smoke = far fewer toxins. With an 80-100% reduction in harmful compounds & zero tumours identified in users, the data is clear: Vaping is a life-saving exit ramp from cigarettes. #PublicHealth #Vaping #FactCheck clearingtheair.eu/post/french-...

Majority of French smokers turning to cross-border and illegal markets as prices rise, study finds A majority of French smokers are now sourcing tobacco and vaping products outside traditional retail channels, with many turning to cross-border shopping or illicit markets as prices increase,…

France’s high taxes aren't stopping smoking; they’re just starting road trips. 🚗💨 53% of French smokers now buy their tobacco abroad to dodge high prices. In border regions, that number hits nearly 70%. 🇪🇸🇮🇹 #France #TaxPolicy #TobaccoControl clearingtheair.eu/post/majorit...

Revealed: who is smoking or vaping in the Love Island All Stars 2026 villa The Love Island All Stars 2026 contestants who smoke or vape behind the scenes have been revealed by a former Islander. While the latest series no longer shows nicotine use on screen, former…

What happens when the cameras stop rolling? The "Vape Box" comes out. 📦👀 Producers have a strict "no broadcast" rule for nicotine, but behind the scenes, only 1 of the islanders doesn't use nicotine. 🤫 #LoveIsland2026 #BehindTheScenes #Vaping clearingtheair.eu/post/reveale...

How does one man dictate global tobacco policy? By building the very organisations that lobby for it. In this first installment for Clearing the Air, Peter Beckett sits down with David Zaruk (The… Exposed: The $1.6 Billion Machine Corrupting Public Health Part 1

Following on from our interview with The Risk Monger @zaruk we have a 3 part video series on how Bloomberg's uses his billions to corrupt public health discourse. (pls give us a follow while you're there :) youtu.be/1x8uhNUj7Xk

EU backlash grows over Spain’s nicotine pouch restrictions A widening coalition of EU member states is pushing back against Spain’s plans to impose sweeping restrictions on nicotine pouches and other smoke-free products, warning Brussels against adopting…

🚨 An EU "revolt" is brewing against Spain’s harsh crackdown on nicotine pouches. 🇪🇺⚖️ Six nations, representing 115M citizens, are officially pushing back, warning that Madrid’s ban ignores science and protects cigarette sales. clearingtheair.eu/post/eu-back...

Nicotine pouches overtake snus in Scandinavia, study finds Nicotine pouches have overtaken traditional snus in Sweden and Norway, according to a new analysis of online sales data covering more than seven years. The study, released as a preprint in JMIR…

Nicotine pouches are now the #1 choice in Scandinavia. 🇸🇪🇳🇴 A massive 2026 study of 19 million orders confirms it: pouches have officially overtaken traditional snus in both Sweden and Norway. #NicotinePouches #HarmReduction #Sweden #Norway clearingtheair.eu/post/nicotin...

Mexico’s vape ban sparks jail threat for travellers Mexico has begun enforcing a sweeping new ban on vapes, raising the risk of jail time and heavy fines for travellers who bring vape products into the country. The measures came into force on January…

🚨 BREAKING: Don’t pack the pods. Mexico’s new vape ban is now in full force. 🇲🇽⛔ Travellers caught with a device face confiscation, fines up to $12,500, and a staggering 8 years in jail. If you’re heading to Mexico in 2026, leave the vape at home. #Mexico #VapeBan clearingtheair.eu/post/mexicos...

Interview: David Zaruk, The Risk Monger David Zaruk (aka the Risk Monger) has been an EU risk and science communications specialist since 2000, active in EU policy events from REACH and SCALE to the Pesticides Directive. He is the editor…

Mike Bloomberg has spent $1.6 billion undermining the fight against tobacco. This week we speak to David @zaruk - The Risk Monger - who researched how the money is washed into lobbying and anti-science initiatives that parrot Bloomberg talking points. clearingtheair.eu/post/intervi...