South Africa Group Wants ‘Truth’ Told About Vaping

News by Vapor Voice
Jul.20.2022

The head of the Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPASA) says the booming sector is plagued by continual misinformation and disinformation despite scientific evidence demonstrating that vaping is less harmful than smoking.

South Africa Group Wants ‘Truth’ Told About Vaping

Chief executive of VPASA, Asanda Gcoyi said vaping is the single, most effective tool which can move smokers away from the deadly addiction to cigarettes, according to a story on IOL.

 

“We accept that vaping is not without risk, but it is a potentially less harmful alternative to smoking. What we cannot afford to do is to unduly stymie this technological innovation that can be the single most effective tool to move smokers away from their deadly addiction to cigarettes,” she said. “We have a collective responsibility to share correct information about vaping and other less harmful alternatives to smoking so that smokers can make an informed decision for their health.”

 

In the ongoing efforts to shed light and demystify vaping in South Africa, VPASA is on a drive to ultimately debunk some of the most prominent vaping myths circulating, according to Gcoyi.

 

The first myth is that vaping is as harmful as smoking.

 

“Although not risk-free, vaping is a potentially less harmful alternative to combustible tobacco. There are significantly lower levels of exposure to harmful chemicals in people who switch from smoking to vaping compared with those who continue to smoke,” she says. “The science that dates back as far as 2015 says vaping is a less harmful alternative to smoking, and recent updates continue to support this.”

 

The second myth is that vaping causes popcorn lung.

 

“According to Cancer Research UK, popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) is an uncommon type of lung disease, but it is not cancer,” says Gcoyi. “It is caused by a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs, which blocks the flow of air. E-cigarettes don’t cause the lung condition known as popcorn lung.”

 

Gcoyi said there was also a myth that vaping causes lung cancer.

 

“The fact is that burning tobacco in all its forms means exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. If you are a smoker, switching to vaping will reduce your risk of cancer. Most toxins from smoking are absent in electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems aerosol, she said. “Electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are a tool for consuming nicotine that is less harmful than if consumed via the combustion of tobacco. Coffee is brewed for caffeine. Vaping atomizes e-liquid for nicotine. Both caffeine and nicotine would [be harmful] if burned.”

 

The content excerpted or reproduced in this article comes from a third-party, and the copyright belongs to the original media and author. If any infringement is found, please contact us to delete it. Any entity or individual wishing to forward the information, please contact the author and refrain from forwarding directly from here.

Cambodia’s E-Cigarette Ban Extends to Foreign Investment—Is China or Vietnam Involved?
Cambodia’s E-Cigarette Ban Extends to Foreign Investment—Is China or Vietnam Involved?
In April 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet publicly rejected an investment application for an e-cigarette factory from an unnamed country, which has drawn widespread international attention. Has China, Vietnam, or some other third country already begun industrial layout in Cambodia?
May.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ireland to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes, Advertising; Industry Warns 220,000 Vapers at Risk
Ireland to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes, Advertising; Industry Warns 220,000 Vapers at Risk
Ireland plans to ban flavored e-cigarettes, introduce plain packaging, and restrict in-store displays and advertising. The Responsible Vaping Ireland group warns the move could harm small businesses and reverse progress in reducing smoking. Since 2015, over 225,000 adults have quit smoking with e-cigarettes, making up nearly a quarter of quitters in 2023.
Jun.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Papua New Guinea Announces Total Ban on E-Cigarettes, Violators Face Fines of Up to $48,000
Papua New Guinea Announces Total Ban on E-Cigarettes, Violators Face Fines of Up to $48,000
The Papua New Guinea government has announced a total ban on the sale, import, and use of e-cigarette products. The ban will take effect within a week of its publication in the National Gazette. Under the Tobacco Control Act 2016, individuals found in violation may be fined up to 10,000 kina (approximately USD 2,400), while businesses could face fines of up to 200,000 kina (around USD 48,000).
May.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
World Tobacco Development Report 2024 (Part III)
World Tobacco Development Report 2024 (Part III)
In 2024, global tobacco companies showed growing differences as the market kept shifting. PMI widened its lead, BAT’s results fell with only nicotine pouches growing, JTI’s sales passed BAT, Altria faced pressure from illegal disposable e-cigarettes, and KT&G led in heated devices at home but relied on PMI to expand abroad.
May.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Convenes 2025 Insight Session on Dual Challenges of U.S. NGP Regulation & Tariff Trends/ Closed-Door Seminar on Nicotine Pouch PMTA Technical Analysis
2Firsts Convenes 2025 Insight Session on Dual Challenges of U.S. NGP Regulation & Tariff Trends/ Closed-Door Seminar on Nicotine Pouch PMTA Technical Analysis
2Firsts successfully hosted a seminar in Shenzhen titled "Eye of the Storm: 2025 Insight Session on Dual Challenges of U.S. NGP Regulation & Tariff Trends/ Closed-Door Seminar on Nicotine Pouch PMTA Technical Analysis." The event explored compliance pathways for nicotine pouches and upcoming U.S. regulatory and tariff trends, offering practical insights for industry stakeholders.
May.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia's Vologda Region Proposes Total E-Cigarette Ban, Aims to Mimic Alcohol Controls
Russia's Vologda Region Proposes Total E-Cigarette Ban, Aims to Mimic Alcohol Controls
Vologda Region in Russia Plans Total Ban on E-Cigarette Sales; Governor Calls Them “Genocidal Weapons Against Youth.” The regional government is now pushing for the State Duma to empower local authorities to restrict sales, similar to current alcohol regulations.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai