Topic: Tobacco Lobby

The marketing of IQOS "HeatSticks" is described as the "holy grail" for the tobacco industry, providing a proprietary delivery device for tobacco rather than just nicotine. The hosts suggest that the acquisition and subsequent "killing" of Juul was a "catch and kill" strategy to eliminate competition. They criticize the media for running what they perceive as "native ads" for big tobacco interests.

The vaping industry faces increasing scrutiny as Utah officials used inaccurate drug test strips to claim vape juice contained illicit substances like PCP and opioids. European markets have not reported similar vaping-related illnesses, suggesting the issue may be localized to specific U.S. cartridges. The 2016 documentary "A Billion Lives" is cited as evidence of the tobacco lobby's historical efforts to suppress the vaping industry to protect cigarette revenue.

Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff tells the World Economic Forum that social media should be regulated like the tobacco and sugar industries due to its addictive nature. A KPIX news report on the statement is criticized for "whipsawing" between unrelated topics, including Apple smartphone addiction, San Francisco tech influence polls, and Google's $18 million lobbying expenditures. California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom expresses opposition to government regulation of tech algorithms.

New York State investigates Exxon over claims the company knew about climate change in 1977 but funded denial campaigns. The hosts argue the analogy to the tobacco industry is flawed and designed to extract billions in settlements.

The Los Angeles City Council voted to ban e-cigarettes in bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, treating them the same as traditional tobacco products. The hosts suggest the tobacco lobby may be behind such bans to prevent people from switching away from cigarettes.