Topic: Nicotine Addiction

The FDA is launching a crackdown on flavored e-cigarettes following a 75% increase in teen vaping over the last year. Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is considering banning flavors like mango and cucumber that appeal to minors. The hosts argue that these regulations are a precursor to heavy taxation and express skepticism about the long-term health effects of "dabbing" and vaping.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar appeared on financial news to discuss the "illegal" status of many vaping devices under the Tobacco Control Act. The hosts argue this is a coordinated "hit job" on the independent vape industry to clear the way for "IQOS," a smokeless tobacco product owned by big tobacco. They point out logical inconsistencies in the government's claims that vaping is both a tool to quit smoking and a gateway to cigarette use.

Researchers are testing a vaccine that uses an adenovirus to trick the immune system into attacking cocaine molecules, preventing the drug from reaching the brain. The "platform strategy" could eventually be applied to other addictions, including nicotine and heroin.

Adam Curry reveals he has successfully completed seven days without smoking nicotine, quitting cold turkey alongside his wife. He compares the difficulty of quitting nicotine to his previous experience giving up marijuana, describing the physical cravings and irritability. Curry issues a public challenge to President Obama, labeling the President's inability to quit as a sign of weakness in leadership.

The FDA is considering the approval of a "nicotine vaccine" developed by GlaxoSmithKline, which works as a chemical inhibitor rather than a traditional vaccine. Critics argue that because nicotine addiction is not a disease caused by a biological vector, the term "vaccine" is being misused for marketing purposes. The discussion predicts a future where "vaccines" are marketed for social behaviors like obesity or sexual orientation as the pharmaceutical industry seeks new revenue streams.