Interview: Dr. Colin Mendelsohn Leafbox Podcast

Today I had the pleasure to speaking one of Australia's leading experts in tobacco control, Dr. Colin Mendelsohn. With over three decades of dedicated service in smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction, Dr. Mendelsohn's expertise is both rare and invaluable. In our discussion, we delve into the complex world of public health, examining the often unnoticed echo chambers, the intricate web of incentives that shape government policies, and the impact of societal and governmental biases on public health decisions.
This episode is more than just a talk on tobacco control; it's a lens to try to understand the authoritative landscape of Australian and public health in general, exploring alternative approaches and addressing solutions on a global scale.
Our conversation culminates in a crucial discussion about the importance of being open to evidence in public health, particularly in tobacco and smoking control. Dr. Mendelsohn, with his focus on harm reduction, provides a unique perspective on this issue, advocating for the use of safer nicotine products like vaping and smokeless tobacco for those who struggle to quit smoking.
Whether you're a non-smoker intrigued by the complexities of public health or a smoker seeking safer alternatives, this episode promises to challenge some of your understanding of nicotine, tobacco and solutions in public health.
Disclaimer: No Tobacco Company / Product Conflict of Interest
Neither Dr. Colin Mendelsohn nor I have any affiliations with tobacco control products or companies. Our discussion was conducted independently, without any commercial interests or influence from tobacco companies. The purpose of this discourse was solely to explore and debate potential public health issues, free from any commercial bias or conflicts.
Time Stamps
03:14: Biographical And Career Overview06:14: Australian Tobacco Situational Overview11:00 Discussion on “demonization” of Tobacco Users/Smokers14:47 Uses cases for nicotine , understanding users 18:07: Ideological Issues + Biases in Australian Public Health22:23: Discussion on Australian Authoritarian / “Nanny State” Public Health 25:25 Nicotine Prescriptions + Taxes Effects / Black Market Forces 32:32 Harm Reduction Model for Nicotine / Tobacco Control36:08 Discussion on Vaping / Flavor Additives / Children’s Issues41:06 China / Smoking vs Vaping in China / India44:09 Smoking Cessation Tools48:08 Marijuna Vaping vs Smoking50:27: Discussion on Conflicts of Interests54:56 Maintaining Openness to Evidence / Avoiding ideological silos01:00:47 Discussion on Polarization / Disinformation / Information01:06:00: Closing Remarks: Importance of quitting smoking and exploring safer alternatives.
More Information:
Dr Mendelsohn’s “Farewell Retirement Letter” Referenced in Conversation
X / Twitter: @ColinMendelsohn
More Info @ https://colinmendelsohn.com.au/
Founding Chairman, Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association charity
Book: Stop Smoking Start Vaping
Transcription (AI Generated Transcript - please excuse any mistakes in transcription!)



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