GLP podcast: Africa needs ‘regenerative’ farming, activists say; Time to ban menthol cigarettes? Trump wrong to leave World Health Organization?

Some public health experts claim that banning menthol cigarettes will save hundreds of thousands of lives. Are they right, or is this wishful thinking? Supporters of regenerative farming say Africa should reject modern agricultural technology to achieve food security, but their case is unconvincing. The US is leaving the World Health Organization (WHO). Many scientists are livid.

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Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 302 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• Viewpoint: Trump has sided with the cigarette industry in blocking a proposed FDA ban of menthol cigarettes. Why that will kill black people?

Tobacco control scientists have long viewed a menthol cigarette ban as a major step forward for public health. The Biden Administration pledged to enact the ban but chose not to do so before the election in November. Now president Trump has withdrawn the proposed menthol ban entirely, a move many anti-smoking activists claim could cost hundreds of thousands of lives. Let’s take a closer look at this controversial policy.

• Viewpoint: Africa needs to reject commercial agriculture and embrace small farms if it hopes to address food insecurity

Advances in plant breeding, mechanization and the use of agrochemicals fueled a massive increase in food production in the West during the 20th century. Now that farmers in Africa are beginning to utilize these same tools, advocates of so-called “regenerative” agriculture say the continent should rely instead on its indigenous methods to achieve food security. Are wealthy, well-fed academics in the US and Europe really justified in telling Africans how they should produce their food?

• Viewpoint: Here is why Trump’s announced plan to stop US contributions to the World Health Organization will kill people

Citing its botched response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump Administration has once again pulled the US out of the World Health Organization. Many scientists say this is a selfish, destructive move on the part of the United States. But is there a compelling case for leaving WHO?

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish