Join us now & support harm reduction!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.
    Latest
    News

    War criminal Putin is coming for your vape

    Ali Anderson
    Ali Anderson
    September 2, 2024
    3 min
    Download Source FilesDownload Source Files

    Vladimir Putin - the Russian President who has been accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court - took a short break from waging his illegal and brutal war against Ukraine to warn Russian schoolchildren of the dangers of vaping.

    Not one to shy away from promoting disinformation, the Russian leader made several claims about vaping for which there is no scientific evidence, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS.

    Putin listed problems with memory, un-named “pathogenic organisms” penetrating the lungs and even lowering fertility rates. Russia currently has a “catastrophically low” birth rate.

    We were wondering why Putin might choose to focus on vaping with the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently occupying hundreds of square kilometers of Russian territory in the Kursk region.

    Perhaps he read about how celebrated Russian dissidents Pussy Riot - who Putin banished to a penal colony for their criticisms of his repressive regime - bonded in a vape shop in Bristol, UK, after speaking at an anti-Putin event in the City.

    Putin also talked about motorbikes, describing them as an "unstable" means of transportation. "Save up for a car, it's better for your dad and mom," he told a student.

    The Russian leader was holding an open lesson entitled "Conversation about important things” at the school in Russia's southern Siberian Republic of Tyva, which opened its doors for the first time on Monday.

    But he was at least realistic about what would happen if he tried to ban vapes altogether.

    "In the Soviet Union, we laughed, there was such a formula: "Grab and don't let go." Ban, suppress”, Putin told that audience. 

    “Unfortunately, we had such an experience in our country, when they fought alcohol, cut down all the vineyards. All this led to an increase in moonshine production, to people starting to drink all sorts of denatured alcohol, mixtures, additives. The number of deaths increased sharply”.

    Take Action Now!

    Sign up to our newsletter to get important news and alerts as it happens

    By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.

    FAQs

    Campaigning can be difficult, especially if it's not your full time job, but we're here to make it simpler. In this section, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about legislative processes, advocacy strategies, and how you can effectively participate in shaping policies.

    What is advocacy and how can I get involved?

    Simply put, advocacy is organising a group of likeminded people who campaign for a change in government policy by talking to the people in power. This can take many forms, from posting on social media, to writing to your local politicians, to arranging meetings with the government or responding to consultations. We help by providing the information and tools you need to do this effectively.

    How can I track the progress of legislation?

    Government websites will usually contain a list of the legislative files that are in the process of becoming law. However, these kinds of websites are designed for legal and political professionals, and they can often be confusing for the general public. We help by keeping our ear to the ground, looking out for development in tobacco harm reduction proposals, and then make sure you have an easy-to-use summary.

    What's the best way to contact my representatives?

    Politicians are people too, and like everyone else, the best way to get messages to them varies from person to person. Some like email or even traditional mail, while others are constantly checking their social media feeds. They all have one thing in common though: they need to keep up to date with what matters to the people they represent. We help you find yours by keeping databases of politicians and candidates across Europe alongside all of their contact details, so you can quickly find out how to reach the person you need.

    Can I make a difference?

    Yes! The only reason that harm reduction is still alive and kicking in Europe today is because people like you, with no political or campaigning background, took action to protect the availability of the products they rely on to stay smoke free. We've got lots of articles that talk about when and how this has happened in the past, which we hope will inspire you to get involved and make a difference.

    Still have questions?

    Send us an email and we'll get back to you.

    Stay Updated with Our Newsletter

    Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates and stay engaged.

    By joining, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
    Be part of something great

    Join the community

    Make a positive change in the world of tobacco harm reduction
    Thank you! Your submission has been received!
    Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
    Email
    Please fill out the form below to get in touch with us.
    hello@clearingtheair.eu