The 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) opened today (November 17) in Geneva, drawing global health leaders and more than 1,400 delegates from 183 countries for a week-long meeting. The conference aims to strengthen international cooperation to combat tobacco use, growing nicotine addiction, and the environmental harms caused by cigarette products. Expected discussion topics include youth smoking, flavorings, cigarette butt pollution, aggressive marketing of tobacco and nicotine products, youth vaping, and measures to tackle the illicit tobacco trade.

Running alongside COP11, and just steps away, is Good Cop 2.0 — an event hosted by the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. Framed as a rapid-response and fact-checking forum to counter WHO discussions, Good Cop 2.0 seeks to “unite taxpayer-, free-market-, and harm-reduction organizations to challenge misinformation and present alternative, evidence-based perspectives.” Organizers say it is intended as an open forum for consumers, independent scientists, and journalists who are often excluded from WHO’s closed-door sessions.

On a Good Cop panel today, public health consultant Clive Bates, director of Counterfactual Consulting, summarized critics’ frustration over what they see as decisions affecting global tobacco control and public health being made in secrecy with little input from consumers or industry.

“There’s no harm and having discussions about the frontier ideas of tobacco control,” Bates said. “[But COP11 is] a really graphic illustration of the weakness of expert groups. The experts that have been chosen to come up with these figures are [basically] fringe fanatics in the tobacco control world. In any normal conversation with users or consumers, a lot of these ideas would seem mad.

“That’s the danger of getting away from the working groups. The working groups of parties have to think about the politics of actually delivering this to the actual public, whereas the expert groups are fanatics pushing forward an agenda to the extremes of what they think they can get away with.”

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Mexico is moving toward a decisive stance on e-cigarettes and vaping as lawmakers prepare to determine whether the industry will be regulated or banned. A recent constitutional reform—backed by most major parties—criminalizes the production, distribution and sale of electronic cigarettes, vape devices and unauthorized toxic substances. Movimiento Ciudadano remains the lone party opposing the measure.

The amendment revises Articles 4 and 5 of the Constitution and explicitly places vaping alongside fentanyl misuse, a framing that critics say reflects a global prohibitionist impulse rather than a domestic, evidence-based policy. How strictly the new ban will be applied, however, depends on secondary legislation under the General Health Law, which will define the reform’s practical scope.

Public health experts and advocacy groups, including the World Vapers’ Alliance, argue that a more nuanced regulatory approach could curb illicit trade, protect adult consumers and create substantial tax revenue—estimated at up to MX$6.94 billion (US$374.8 million) a year.

The debate also touches on the potential of vaping technology for medical uses, such as inhaled drug delivery for asthma, migraines and pain management. Those applications face regulatory hurdles and questions about consumer acceptance, leaving their future uncertain as lawmakers finalize the country’s approach.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

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This article was adapted from an original report published on wreg.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

NEW HAVEN — Police are investigating an armed robbery that took place overnight at a Whalley Avenue vape shop.

Officers were called to Vape R Us at about 12:55 a.m. after a report of an armed robbery, the New Haven Police Department said.

According to investigators, the store manager sent an employee to the front door to lock up when three men intercepted them. Officials described the suspects as thin, dark-skinned males wearing dark clothing, masks and gloves.

One of the suspects allegedly had a firearm. At gunpoint, the men took cash and vapes from the store.

No arrests have been made. No further details were released.

Eyewitness News will provide more information as it becomes available.

Copyright 2025 WFSB. All rights reserved.

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Memphis, TN (38111)

Today
The morning will feature a mix of sun and clouds before skies turn cloudier this afternoon. A slight chance of a brief rain shower. High around 70°F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight
Partly cloudy early, becoming cloudy overnight with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. Low near 61°F. Winds SSE 10 to 15 mph.

Champaign, IL (61820)

Today
Morning clouds with some sun, becoming cloudier this afternoon. A slight chance of a rain shower. High around 55°F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight
Steady rain expected this evening with showers continuing overnight; thunder is possible. Low near 41°F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

This article was adapted from an original report published on news-gazette.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Authorities are asking the public for help identifying a suspect in an attempted robbery at Exotics Smoke Shop on Nov. 7.

Around 8:15 p.m., an unknown man entered the shop at 110 E. University Ave. in Urbana and asked an employee to unlock a vape display case. He then brandished a handgun and demanded the products inside. When the employee pointed out the shop’s surveillance cameras, the suspect fled.

He is described as a Black male wearing a black mask and all-black clothing, with a black plaster cast on his left hand and fingers. Police urge anyone with information to contact Champaign County Crime Stoppers here.

This article was adapted from an original report published on newschannel20.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Authorities seek public help identifying suspect in attempted robbery at Exotics Smoke Shop

At about 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 7, an unknown male entered Exotics Smoke Shop at 110 E. University Ave. in Urbana and asked an employee to unlock a vape display case. The suspect then brandished a handgun and demanded the products inside.

When the employee pointed out the shop’s surveillance cameras recording the incident, the suspect fled.

The suspect is described as a Black male wearing an all-black outfit and a black mask, with a black plaster cast on his left hand and fingers.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Champaign County Crime Stoppers.

This article was adapted from an original report published on foxillinois.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Controversial kratom ban ignites debate over pain management and addiction

This article was adapted from an original report published on news.google.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.