This update is not an ad for a book, but a reference to the significant first 100 days of a new government.
The following was sent to the current and future heads of the N Z government, Drs Verrall and Sarfati given their leadership roles in the Ministry of Health, and ccd to media.
Heading: Vaping epidemic in NZ kids. Why? See Te Whatu Ora ad promoting vaping.
(picture of the ad content was supplied)
Dear Messrs Hipkins, Luxon, Seymour and Peters, and Drs Verrall and Sarfati
NZ has a vaping epidemic, with children tragically affected, as you know. Years ago 1 in 5 children were vaping regularly. Now every secondary and possibly every primary school is impacted by this highly addictive practice. Secondary school children say 'Everyone vapes'.
How did this happen?
- Vapes were brought in allegedly to help smokers quit. They did, but! and this was both negligent and arguably criminal, there was no description of risks. Until a month so ago the Ministry of Health website stated that toxicants in vapes were at concentrations unlikely to do harm.
They also made a lot of money for international corporations, big tobacco, and for the government with 15% from each sale.
- What's the story now?
Vaping epidemic worse, bright colourful specialty vape shops prominent throughout shopping centres indicating clear acceptance of vaping by the central and local governments, and the main messaging being it is a healthy alternative to smoking tobacco. Any mention of risk is in 'small print'. See shocking ad at the end of this email.
- The American Cancer Society states it is too hazardous even as a tool to switch from tobacco cigarettes with their carcinogens of tar and the higher carbon monoxide in their use! Other similarly reputable clinical societies list the toxicants in vaping, and state the concentrations in vaping place the vaper at risk of irreversible lung disease, cancer and multiple other serious conditions.
- Why are the NZ Ministry of Health and government lying about vape risks and supporting the industry so much?
Hard to say - ? helps tobacco addicts switch? the GST?
$ and heavy lobbying by the vape industry will be large factors. The vape industry including 'big tobacco', like Philip Morris, which owns much of it, selects outdated 'scientific' papers focussing on the success rate of vaping as a means of switching from tobacco to persuade pliable governments.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/12/philip-morris-lobbying-to-stop-who-attack-on-vapes-and-similar-products
- In their first 100 days National and ACT, and NZ First if part of government, must show they are not going to sell out the NZ public to big tobacco et al, and, as one writer to the Herald put it, will attempt to stop the tsunami of health issues in our departments of respiratory, oral and other areas of medicine, as well as the horrific scenarios going on in schools and homes with addicted children.
Vapes should be out of the public eye, in pharmacies, without posters proclaiming their benefits, which currently even pharmacies have!
At some stage vaping will probably be banned due to its hazardous properties.
(The photo showing the Te Whatu Ora ad material is included here.
Regards
Mary MacGibbon (PhD)
(contact details supplied)