Jim McDonald

The public-health crisis that Democrats won't see #smoking #vaping #nicotine open.substack.com/pub/marcgunthe…

Someone should write a book called “Blind Spots”. @FDATobacco and @DrMakaryFDA continue to ignore real-world evidence in regulating tobacco and nicotine: 1. FDA has created a huge illicit vape market bypassing FDA’s near-insurmountable barriers to entry, but regulates as if this does not exist. 2. FDA’s main impact has been to the benefit of cigarette companies, Chinese vape manufacturers and criminal networks. 3. FDA defines youth vaping as the primary problem, yet vaping has almost eliminated youth smoking - a far greater problem. 4. Older adults who smoke are the main public health and healthcare system challenge and FDA has relentlessly let them down. 5. FDA constantly adds doubt, confusion and misinformation about the risks of smokefree products and nicotine, compared to smoking. Fix that, and much good would follow. 6. The demand for nicotine is based on people wanting its psychoactive effects. It cannot be regulated out of existence, but it can be made much safer. Instead, FDA protects the cigarette trade and promotes organised crime. That’s one gigantic blind spot, @MartyMakary

"We have to do a better job of correcting the record and saying these products are safer," says Lindsay Lewis (@ppi). He argues that VA clinics must provide access and education on smoke-free alternatives to "make government work." #TheHillHealth twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Even as Iran has been "pummeled" by Israeli and American air strikes, with its military capabilities greatly diminished, Tehran continues to demonstrate resolve, both in adapting and expanding its military tactics, observers told ABC News. abcnews.link/at81GGu