The PackBreakers Podcast

Nicotonophobia

🚭 It’s time to set the record straight about nicotine. In this episode of The Pack Breakers, Kurt Yeo unpacks the biggest myth in tobacco harm reduction that nicotine causes cancer. Spoiler: It doesn’t. It’s the smoke that kills, not the nicotine. 🎥 Watch now!

Ep. 20 - “The Absence of free choice” with Martin van Staden

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Martin van Staden, Head of Policy at the Free Market Foundation. Martin breaks down the Tobacco Bill, examines its real-world impact on South Africans, and shares insights from his experience engaging with government processes. We also tackle the attempted outing of Action SA’s Dr. Letlape and explore what it reveals about South Africa’s political landscape. This episode is full of critical perspectives on personal freedom, policy, and the future of tobacco regulation—essential listening for anyone interested in the intersection of law, politics, and choice. 00:36 – Martin shares his overview of the Tobacco Bill, introduces the Free Market Foundation, and explains his role as Head of Policy. 04:20 – A discussion on the bill’s stated intent versus its real-world impact on ordinary South Africans, with a focus on freedom of choice. 13:12 – Kurt and Martin unpack the flaws in public hearings, with Martin drawing on his own experiences of engaging with government processes. 23:24 – The conversation shifts to the attempted outing of Action SA’s Dr. Letlape and its implications for South Africa’s political landscape. 34:29 – Closing thoughts as Martin reflects on where the Tobacco Bill may be headed and what the future holds for policy and personal freedom.

Ep. 19 - “I Don’t Want To Call It A Conspiracy Theory, But It Is” with Nancy Loucas

Join us for an explosive conversation with Nancy Loucas! We're digging into her journey from smoking to vaping and her powerful advocacy for Tobacco Harm Reduction. Get ready as we dissect "The Bloomberg Theory", expose the challenges researchers face, and confront government health departments on their policies. This episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.   02:24 – Nancy shares her personal smokingcessation journey through vaping and the pivotal moment that launched her intoTobacco Harm Reduction (THR) advocacy. Discover what ignited her passion tofight for safer alternatives. 07:43 – Kurt and Nancy pull back the curtain on"The Bloomberg Theory": what this controversial idea suggests, andthe real-world patterns and observations they've personally witnessed that seemto align with its claims. 15:16 – We explore the perceived successes oforganisations like "Tobacco-Free Kids" and then broaden thediscussion to the incredibly sensitive and often misunderstood topic of youthvaping, seeking to understand the nuances beyond the headlines. 35:55 – The panel dives deep into thesignificant hurdles and obstacles faced by researchers in the field of THR,examining the limitations imposed by both organisational structures andgovernmental policies, and how these factors shape the global and locallandscape for harm reduction. 46:37 – Kurt and Nancy directly challengegovernment health departments on their fundamental philosophies and thepractical implementation of policy, specifically scrutinising approaches toboth smoking and vaping, drawing comparisons between local efforts andinternational examples.

Ep. 18 - World Vape Day 2025 Edition

Join us for a special World Vape Day 2025 episode as we dive deep into the meaning and future of vaping. We kick things off with host Kurt introducing the significance of World Vape Day, followed by Alu sharing his personal journey from smoking to vaping. We then welcome back Oliver (Ollie) to address past feedback before discussing what World Vape Day truly means to each panelist. The conversation heats up as we tackle the complexities and misinformation surrounding vaping, and debate the roles of individuals and governments in advocating for harm reduction. Finally, Kurt wraps things up with a thought-provoking idea for renaming World Vape Day.   * 00:27 – Kurt introduces World Vape Day. * 01:50 – Alu shares his smoking history and transition to vaping. * 04:55 – Oliver returns, and we revisit feedback from Episode 8. * 05:33 – Oliver and Alu discuss the meaning of World Vape Day to them. * 06:47 – Alu's awareness of vaping complexities. * 10:08 – Oliver's outlook on the vaping environment for the next 5-10 years, and panel discussions on misinformation. * 19:21 – Debate on individual and government roles in harm reduction. * 39:11 – Kurt's proposal for renaming World Vape Day.

A Response To A Youth Vaping Survey in South Africa

VSML Survey: https://vsml.co.za/2025-survey-start/ [https://vsml.co.za/2025-survey-start/]   In this special bonus episode of The PackBreakers, Kurt takes a closer look at a recent youth vaping survey conducted in South Africa. With harm reduction at the core of our mission, this episode breaks down the methodology, questions the validity of the findings, and explores what this means for public health narratives around vaping.   00:59 – Kurt introduces the focus of this bonus episode: youth vaping in South Africa. 03:19 – What sparked this conversation? A look at previous youth studies and the context behind this recording. 08:46 – A breakdown of the survey’s criteria—and the glaring issue with the school selection process. 25:59 – Kurt unpacks the study’s conclusions and what its biased methodology could mean for how youth vaping is portrayed in South Africa. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content on harm reduction, vaping, and achieving a smoke-free world!