Investment in Cancer Moonshot Program Urged by E-Cigarette Advocates

According to a report by Vapor Voice on September 13th, the White House has announced a $240 million investment in the fight against cancer and the provision of new health resources to advance the government's "Cancer Moonshot" initiative. The plan aims to reduce the impact of menthol and other flavored tobacco products on disadvantaged communities' health. The Department of Health and Human Services will finalize its support and accelerate smoking cessation frameworks this year through intensified efforts in smoking prevention and support for those who want to quit smoking. Advocates for reducing tobacco harm have long been urging the Biden administration to include less harmful alternatives such as e-cigarettes in its Cancer Moonshot program.

In a statement, Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers Alliance (WVA), expressed that if President Biden is genuinely committed to defeating cancer, reducing tobacco harm is not only an option but a necessity.

Randall pointed out the examples of Sweden and the UK, stating that these two countries have already demonstrated the effectiveness of e-cigarettes and other less harmful products in reducing smoking rates. He stated, "The Biden administration does not need to combat less harmful alternatives, but rather should consider e-cigarettes as an auxiliary tool for smoking cessation.

Randall stated that investments in projects aimed at reducing smoking among marginalized communities would have a greater impact if they included alternative solutions to harm reduction.

In order to achieve the expected outcome of reducing cancer-related deaths, the United States must establish a comprehensive harm reduction strategy and acknowledge the potential life-saving benefits of e-cigarettes. Many smokers have failed to quit, so in order to combat cancer, we need to recognize this reality and encourage the use of less harmful alternatives, such as e-cigarettes," he said.

The World Vaping Association (WVA) is urging the Biden administration to develop an inclusive strategy that incorporates a range of less harmful smoking alternatives. According to Randall, "Bans on flavored products, high taxes on safer nicotine products, and excessively bureaucratic FDA approval processes must be ceased immediately."