Latest news with #Freeman
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Vaping attitudes changing, but addiction lingers for some
Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow. Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow. Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow. Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow.
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Jung homers in MLB return while Freeman and Helman have big-league firsts for Texas in win over A's
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Josh Jung homered and scored three times in his return to the majors, Cody Freeman and Michael Helman had big-league firsts on consecutive pitches and the Texas Rangers beat the Athletics 7-2 on Monday night. The Rangers led for good after a four-run fifth inning featuring the firsts. Freeman had a tiebreaking RBI double for his first MLB hit and RBI. On the next pitch by rookie left-hander Jacob Lopez (3-6), Helman's first career homer was a three-run shot and his first RBIs. He later drove in another run with a sacrifice bunt. Jung, an All-Star as a rookie in 2023, was recalled earlier Monday from Triple-A Round Rock after being sent there July 2 while in an extended slump. His ninth homer of the season led off the third. He walked before scoring on Helman's homer, then singled and scored again in the seventh. Rangers rookie Jack Leiter (6-6) struck out seven over six innings. Nick Kurtz hit his MLB rookie-best 19th homer in the sixth for the A's. Lawrence Butler, starting in center for the A's after rookie Denzel Clarke was diagnosed with an adductor strain , made a leaping catch in front of the Oakland bullpen in left-center field to take a home run away from Kyle Higashioka in the second. Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford made a sliding catch on Luis Urias' sinking liner in the left-center gap, then followed with a running grab to take a hit away from Butler to end the A's third. Key moment Freeman and Helman getting their big-league firsts snapped a 1-1 tie. Key stat Corey Seager extended his on-base streak to 22 games with an RBI single in the Texas seventh. Up next Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.32 ERA) makes his first start for Texas since July 12. The right-hander was the only All-Star for the Rangers but didn't pitch in last week's game. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jung homers in MLB return while Freeman and Helman have big-league firsts for Texas in win over A's
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Josh Jung homered and scored three times in his return to the majors, Cody Freeman and Michael Helman had big-league firsts on consecutive pitches and the Texas Rangers beat the Athletics 7-2 on Monday night. The Rangers led for good after a four-run fifth inning featuring the firsts. Freeman had a tiebreaking RBI double for his first MLB hit and RBI. On the next pitch by rookie left-hander Jacob Lopez (3-6), Helman's first career homer was a three-run shot and his first RBIs. He later drove in another run with a sacrifice bunt. Jung, an All-Star as a rookie in 2023, was recalled earlier Monday from Triple-A Round Rock after being sent there July 2 while in an extended slump. His ninth homer of the season led off the third. He walked before scoring on Helman's homer, then singled and scored again in the seventh. Rangers rookie Jack Leiter (6-6) struck out seven over six innings. Nick Kurtz hit his MLB rookie-best 19th homer in the sixth for the A's. Lawrence Butler, starting in center for the A's after rookie Denzel Clarke was diagnosed with an adductor strain, made a leaping catch in front of the Oakland bullpen in left-center field to take a home run away from Kyle Higashioka in the second. Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford made a sliding catch on Luis Urias' sinking liner in the left-center gap, then followed with a running grab to take a hit away from Butler to end the A's third. Key moment Freeman and Helman getting their big-league firsts snapped a 1-1 tie. Key stat Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Corey Seager extended his on-base streak to 22 games with an RBI single in the Texas seventh. Up next Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.32 ERA) makes his first start for Texas since July 12. The right-hander was the only All-Star for the Rangers but didn't pitch in last week's game. ___ AP MLB:
Fox Sports
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Jung homers in MLB return while Freeman and Helman have big-league firsts for Texas in win over A's
Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Josh Jung homered and scored three times in his return to the majors, Cody Freeman and Michael Helman had big-league firsts on consecutive pitches and the Texas Rangers beat the Athletics 7-2 on Monday night. The Rangers led for good after a four-run fifth inning featuring the firsts. Freeman had a tiebreaking RBI double for his first MLB hit and RBI. On the next pitch by rookie left-hander Jacob Lopez (3-6), Helman's first career homer was a three-run shot and his first RBIs. He later drove in another run with a sacrifice bunt. Jung, an All-Star as a rookie in 2023, was recalled earlier Monday from Triple-A Round Rock after being sent there July 2 while in an extended slump. His ninth homer of the season led off the third. He walked before scoring on Helman's homer, then singled and scored again in the seventh. Rangers rookie Jack Leiter (6-6) struck out seven over six innings. Nick Kurtz hit his MLB rookie-best 19th homer in the sixth for the A's. Lawrence Butler, starting in center for the A's after rookie Denzel Clarke was diagnosed with an adductor strain, made a leaping catch in front of the Oakland bullpen in left-center field to take a home run away from Kyle Higashioka in the second. Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford made a sliding catch on Luis Urias' sinking liner in the left-center gap, then followed with a running grab to take a hit away from Butler to end the A's third. Key moment Freeman and Helman getting their big-league firsts snapped a 1-1 tie. Key stat Corey Seager extended his on-base streak to 22 games with an RBI single in the Texas seventh. Up next Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.32 ERA) makes his first start for Texas since July 12. The right-hander was the only All-Star for the Rangers but didn't pitch in last week's game. ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 1
Fox Sports
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Freeman and Helman get big-league 1sts on back-to-back pitches for Rangers against A's
Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cody Freeman and Michael Helman had big-league firsts on consecutive pitches for the Texas Rangers on Monday night. Freeman lined a tiebreaking RBI double into the right-center gap for his first big league hit in the fifth inning for the Rangers against the Athletics. On the very next pitch from rookie left-hander Jacob Lopez, leadoff hitter Helman's first career homer was a three-run shot — also his first RBIs — for a 5-1 lead. Those back-to-back firsts came about the same time the Rangers announced that they had come to terms with California high school shortstop Gavin Fien, their first-round pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft eight nights earlier. They also came in the same game that third baseman Josh Jung homered in his first at-bat after his return to the major leagues. Jung, the first-round pick by Texas in 2019, was struggling when he was sent back to Triple-A Round Rock on July 2. He went deep leading off the third inning Monday night, then walked ahead of Freeman's double in the fifth. Freeman, a fourth-round pick by the Rangers in 2019, made his MLB debut as a pinch-runner Friday night, when he scored first on Corey Seager's two-run double in the eighth inning of a 2-0 win over Detroit. After going 0 for 3 in his first big league start Sunday night, when he played third base and his first two at-bats were against American League All-Star starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, Freeman was batting ninth as the designated hitter. His first big league hit and RBI came off A's rookie left-hander Jacob Lopez. Helman made his big league debut in nine games for Minnesota last season, going 3 for 10 at the plate, but is with his third organization this year. He went to St. Louis in spring training, was claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh on May 14, and five days later got claimed by the Rangers. Texas recalled Helman from Triple-A Round Rock earlier Monday for his second stint with the team. he was 0 for 6 in five games from June 26 to July 16. He added another RBI with a sacrifice bunt in the seventh inning. ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 1
