Juul Aggressively Courting Scientists In Attempt To Break Away From Reliance On Experts With Tobacco Industry Ties

Source from:  Kaiser Health News 05/29/2019

Credible scientists are nervous that working for Juul will hurt their reputations, but that leaves the e-cigarette company employing researchers who have ties to the tobacco industry, which in turn calls into doubt any scientific work done by Juul. In other news: how schools are handling vaping and a study that finds the flavoring in e-cigarettes may be bad for the heart.

The New York Times: Scientists Wanted: Recruited By Juul, Many Researchers Say No
Alex Carll was presenting his research about the impact of e-cigarette smoke on mouse hearts at an American Heart Association conference when a man from Juul Labs approached him and started asking questions. “He seemed genuinely concerned about the health implications of Juul,” said Dr. Carll, who recalled meeting the e-cigarette company’s medical liaison, Jeff Vaughan, in November as he stood by a poster of his research findings. “He said they were looking for people to collaborate with and that they could offer up to $200,000.” (Kaplan, 5/27)

The Associated Press: Discipline Or Treatment? Schools Rethinking Vaping Response
A glimpse of student athletes in peak physical condition vaping just moments after competing in a football game led Stamford High School Principal Raymond Manka to reconsider his approach to the epidemic. His school traditionally has emphasized discipline for those caught with e-cigarettes. Punishments become increasingly severe with each offense, from in-school suspensions to out-of-school suspensions and, eventually, notification of law enforcement. (5/26)

The Associated Press: Study Suggests E-Cigarette Flavorings May Pose Heart Risk.

E-cigarettes aren't considered as risky as regular cigarettes, but researchers have found a clue that their flavorings may be bad for the heart. Longtime smokers who can't kick the addiction sometimes switch to e-cigarettes, in hopes of avoiding the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke.  Enditem