Author: Staff Writer

UK’s Leading Vape Shops Support Disposables Ban

Credit: VPZ
The head of one of the leading retailers and manufacturers of vaping products in the United Kingdom says he would support a ban on disposable vapes as long as it did not create a black market.
Doug Mutter, company director of VPZ, said a ban in Australia had led to unsafe products being sold there illegally.
He insists the industry recognizes that the environmental impact of single-use products needs to be addressed.
An urgent review of disposable products was ordered by the Scottish government and is due to be released within days, reports Yahoo! News.
It was commissioned after a campaign by climate activist Laura Young who had been collecting dozens of disposable vapes each day while walking her dog Cooper in Dundee.
The review is likely to quantify the scale of the problem and lay out the options available to ministers.
Disposable vapes are a problem because they contain lithium batteries which should be taken to a recycling facility for disposal.
But millions are either discarded or thrown into bins each year where they can cause a fire at processing facilities.
Refillable vapes are available which are much cheaper to use in the long term and have less of an environmental impact.
VPZ has 150 stores throughout the UK.
Mutter – who is also the director of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) – said disposables have a place for smokers who would like to try vaping but do not want to invest in reusable systems.
He acknowledges the environmental impact of them and their attractiveness to young people who do not already smoke.
“For me, there should be a ban on disposables that we would support if there were proper punishments and policing put in place to enforce the ban and ensure that a black market doesn’t bubble up,” said Mutter.
Enforcement should be funded by a licensing scheme, he said, which retailers would have to be a part of to sell vaping products.
June 26, 2023
FEELM’s Topower Brings More Puffs, Better Battery Life

A new disposable vape battery solution was showcased during the World Vape Show Dubai, held from June 21-23.
The pioneering power technology developed by FEELM, a subsidiary of the world’s largest atomization technology company Smoore, is intended for markets that allow higher puff counts and has been designed to increase the endurance of single-use devices.
When compared to mainstream batteries, the new Topower offers 30 percent more capacity with the battery size remaining unchanged and can deliver over 6,000 puffs without needing to be recharged.
Topower also provides a constant power output that reduces the loss of taste caused by voltage drop.
FEELM says the new innovation also boasts the “longest shelf life in the industry,” according to a press release, promising just 1 percent power attenuation over six months and 3 percent over a year – which the brand says is 1/10th the level seen in traditional batteries.
“This is our new battery technology customized for higher puff disposable vape, with large puff vaping without charging, ultimate-low discharge, ultimate-high energy density,” said Rex Zhang assistant president of FEELM. “The end goal for our industry is to create a smoke-free future and unburden adults from the harms of deadly cigarettes – technology is going to play a leading role in achieving this.”
Zhang said the no-charge element of Topower was beneficial not just for brands, but for consumers as well. He said the battery solution eradicates the need for additional charging cables, which eliminates the necessity for internal charging devices and consequently saves on production costs.
He also said consumers would no longer need to “worry about when and where they could next plug their disposable, which can reduce user anxieties and create a more convenient vaping experience,” according to the release.
Topower has been incorporated into two solutions – FEELM Max’s ceramic coil disposable solution and Power Alpha‘s mesh coil solution.
FEELM Max and Power Alpha have already been extensively commercialized and have achieved considerable success in multiple countries.
June 26, 2023
Zanzibar to Ban Import and Consumption of Vape Products

Zanzibar authorities plan to impose a ban on import and consumption of shisha and e-cigarettes, according to The Citizen.
“We are all witnesses—the consumption of shisha and e-cigarettes has become commonplace, and we shall come up with a special regulatory law to govern those who will have special permits to import and sell shisha or electric cigarettes,” said Masoud Ali Mohammed, Zanzibar’s minister of state, office of the president, regional administrations, local governments and SMZ departments.
Current importers have been advised not to restock products but rather to reach out to authorities for new directives. “Do not order more products after your current stock is depleted,” said the minister. “You will have to follow the new laws that the government is going to issue.”
June 23, 2023
July 1 is Start Date for New Louisiana Vaping Tax

Credit: Summer
A new law that increases the tax on vaping products in Louisiana takes effect on July 1.
But some vape shop owners say it is not the tax hike that bothers them the most about the new law.
Rep. Paul Hollis, from St. Tammany Parish, authored the bill that Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law.
“Basically, what we’ve done, we’ve increased the excise tax placed on vape products. Currently, it’s 5 cents, on July 1 it will go to 15 cents per milliliter,” said Hollis.
Hollis said revenues from the higher tax will benefit La. State Police. “We put this vape tax and we dedicate it to the state police salaries and the legislature obviously believes are long overdue. I’m embarrassed by what we currently pay state police, especially new officers,” said Hollis.
Landon Naquin said he owns Gotta Stop in Houma and is in the vape product business, according to FOX8Live.
“I’m actually not opposed to a tax increase within reason and I find that it’s in reasonable amount because frankly, the state has been losing money recently because so many people within my own business are transitioning from cigarettes to E-cigarettes and the state’s not collecting that revenue from the cigarettes they used to collect,” said Naquin.
Under the new law, beginning on October 1, vape product manufacturers and makers of alternative nicotine products that are sold in Louisiana will have to execute and deliver the certificate to the commissioner of the La. Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control stating the product was on the market in the U.S. as of August 2016.
Naquin thinks that will have a significant impact.
“It pretty much only legally allows for three remaining products to remain on the market,” he said.
And the law calls for the ATC commissioner will have to develop and maintain a directory listing all vape and alternative nicotine product manufacturers that have provided certifications that comply with that law.
June 23, 2023
Smoore Introduces Power Alpha to Dubai Vapers

The world’s leading global atomization technology company, Smoore, displayed its new disposable solution, Power Alpha, at the World Vape Show 2023 in Dubai (June 21st – 23rd).
Power Alpha debuted at the TPE 2023 in Las Vegas, where it garnered widespread attention and praise for its unprecedented features and advanced technology. This time in Dubai, Power Alpha again overwhelmed company leaders, distributors, and dealers in the vaping industry with its four transformative features: no charge, no burn, no fade, and convenience of use.
Power Alpha is a charge-free solution for large-puff disposable devices that solve issues disposable vape users face, including short battery life, charging inconvenience, and fading flavor and a burning taste after recharging, according to a press release.
“These unique features of Power Alpha have fueled the market success of some major players in the vaping industry in North America, as it allows these companies to receive a flood of positive consumer feedback,” the release states.
What makes Power Alpha a game changer are two patented technologies – a Topower battery and a Corex atomizer.
Common charge-free vapes usually offer 2500~3000 puffs with a battery capacity of 950 mAh. But disposables employing Topower deliver twice as many puffs and have a large capacity of 2000 mAh, with the battery sizes remaining almost unchanged.
The large 2000 mAh capacity supports an uninterrupted 6000-puff vaping experience means consumers do not need to recharge and look for their charging cables midway through the vaping. In addition, this battery technology also ensures stable output throughout its life.
Corex atomizer technology takes the vaping experience to a whole new level with its upgraded mesh coil. Eco-Mesh, which is eco-processed and pollution-free, brings a consistent and mouthful taste due to the 200 percent increase in the precision of the mesh structure and the 50 percent faster heating speed.
Corex’s patented cotton design increases the e-liquid conductivity by 15.8 percent and improves the e-liquid absorption by 23.5 percent, making the atomization more powerful and efficient.
Another notable design is the F1 airflow, which brings consumers a clean vaping experience by improving the smoothness by 30 percent and eliminating the condensation by 100 percent.
Power Alpha, a groundbreaking solution developed by Smoore over the past two years, not only retains the convenience of non-rechargeable disposables but also increases the number of puffs to 6000, which offers an exceptionally cost-effective option to consumers.
June 23, 2023
Innokin Unveils New Disposables for Dubai Market

Credit: Innokin
Innokin unveiled a wave of new product launches at the World Vape Show Dubai taking place 21-23 June 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“With a strategic focus on capitalizing on the rapidly growing Middle East vaping market, Innokin aims to introduce a range of innovative products specifically tailored to local tastes,” according to a press release.
The company is showcasing several products designed to meet the diverse preferences of the Middle Eastern vaping community. Innokins’s Innobar 6000 and Innobar V7000 are rechargeable, high-capacity disposable options, designed to provide a streamlined, user-friendly experience for vapers who require single-use devices, with flavors specifically tailored to the Middle East market.
For users of refillable vaping devices, Innokin has unveiled the Klypse Zip, an updated version of the global best-selling Klypse pod device. The Klypse Zip features a smaller form factor, and a new 1.2Ohm refillable pod, designed for longer vaping sessions and intense flavor production.
New pre-filled Klypse C1 pods are also showcased, allowing vapers to experience award-winning Klypse performance, without needing to learn how to refill a vaping device. All new pods are cross-compatible with the original Klypse device, giving existing customers a whole new range of options.
“In April, we adjusted all our flavors to suit the Middle Eastern market. First, we selected more single-fruit and mixed-fruit flavors, such as dragon fruit, grape, apple peach, and strawberry watermelon,” Innokin co-founder George Xia, stated. “Secondly, we adjusted the sweetness and cooling effects of each profile to match local tastes. Already, our new formulations are receiving high praise and have surpassed similar products from other brands.
“We are thrilled to unveil our latest range of products at World Vape Show Dubai. The Middle Eastern market is experiencing exponential growth, and we are confident that our tailored offerings and industry-leading support will allow Innokin to thrive. Our team has worked tirelessly to create exceptional vaping experiences, and we are looking forward to building relationships with distributors and retailers to serve vapers in the Middle East.”
June 23, 2023
U.S. FDA Warns Retailers for Elf Bar, Esco Bar Sales

Credit: Pastel Cartel
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing its crackdown on illegal disposable vape devices. The regulatory agency has issued warning letters to 189 retailers for selling unauthorized tobacco products, specifically Elf Bar and Esco Bars brands.
“The FDA is prepared to use all of its authorities to ensure these, and other illegal and youth-appealing products, stay out of the hands of kids,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf. “We are committed to a multipronged approach using regulation, compliance and enforcement action and education to protect our nation’s youth.”
The warning letters are the result of a nationwide retailer inspection blitz over the past several weeks cracking down on the sale of these unauthorized e-cigarettes.
The FDA continuously monitors the marketplace and took these actions as emerging marketplace data led to concerns over their appeal and risks to young people, according to an FDA release. More specifically, the agency’s ongoing surveillance efforts helped FDA identify Elf Bar and Esco Bars as being among the most popular brands in the United States and having high youth appeal.
“All players in the supply chain—including retailers—have a role in keeping illegal e-cigarettes off the shelves,” said Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). “This latest blitz should be a wake-up call for retailers of Elf Bar and Esco Bars products nationwide. If they’re waiting for a personal invitation to comply with the law, they might just get it in the form of a warning letter or other action from the FDA.”
Last month, the FDA issued import alerts for all products under both the Elf Bar and Esco Bars brands. An import alert places these tobacco products on the red list, which makes them subject to Detention Without Physical Examination and allows the FDA to detain a product without physically examining it at the time of entry.
Elf Bar and Esco Bars products do not have the required marketing authorization from the FDA.
June 23, 2023
Maine Senate Votes to Move Flavor Ban to House

Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
The Maine Senate on Wednesday advanced a ban on flavored tobacco products, sending the bill down to the House for a potential vote today, reports WGME.
The bill, which passed 18-16, if passed by the House, will ban the sale of flavors like mint, vanilla, fruits and menthol in vaping products.
The ban does not include menthol combustible cigarettes.
However, the bill will not penalize the use, purchase or possession of flavored products, only the sale by tobacco retailers.
The ban seeks to make statewide prohibitions that are already in place in Portland, South Portland, Brunswick, Bangor and Bar Harbor have also voted for similar bans.
A similar statewide effort failed last year when lawmakers adjourned without taking up the bill.
June 22, 2023
FEELM Brings Max Ceramic Coil and Topower to Dubai

FEELM, the subsidiary of the world’s largest atomization technology company, Smoore, exhibited two innovations that have been developed to “raise product performance” across the disposable vape category during an industry event in Dubai.
The FEELM Max’s ceramic coil and Topower battery technology were created as part of a targeted effort to ‘level up the single-use sector’ and enhance consumer experience, according to a press release.
The pioneering advancements both earned attention from the industry and are already appearing in devices from globally recognized brands.
FEELM says each was designed to address a “pain point” of the industry.
FEELM Max’s ceramic coil has done away with super-absorbent cotton to reduce the amount of e-liquid that goes to waste and increase the puff count of TRPR- and TPD-compliant 2ml disposables in the UK by as much as 30 percent – a rise from 600 to at least 800 puffs.
It also reduces impurities by 78 percent during the heating process, produces air particles that are 55 percent smaller than mainstream solutions and uses a “constant power engine” that provides a vapor consistency of 95 percent and a 35 percent improvement in taste consistency.
The second notable innovation is FEELM’s Topower battery technology. This breakthrough increases the endurance of large e-liquid capacity vapes and can provide over 6,000 puffs without needing to recharge, which allows consumers to get rid of the hassle of charging.
Further, the compact power solution – which offers 30 percent more capacity – delivers a consistent output which FEELM says will counter the common issue of flavor reduction caused by voltage drop.
Topower also promises a longer shelf life, with 1 percent power attenuation over six months and 3 percent power attenuation over a year. This advancement effectively avoids the burning taste and assures a strong consistency of flavor.
Speaking on the developments, Rex Zhang, assistant president at FEELM, said the company prides itself on being the brand behind the brands and its technology has become to vaping what Intel Core processors are to laptops.
“We aim to elevate the disposable category to a whole new level through innovation– our ceramic coils and Topower battery solution represent two significant successes on this front,” he said, adding that technology will be a “critical metric” on which to measure the winners and losers of the industry moving forward. “The vape category is fuelled by the desire to help adult smokers switch away from cigarettes – but it is built on innovation.”

June 22, 2023
Keller and Heckman Files Amicus Brief with SCOTUS

Credit: Sean Pavone Photo
Eric Gotting and Azim Chowdhury, partners at Keller and Heckman, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in support of Avail Vapor’s writ of certiorari petitioning the SCOTUS to review the 4th Circuit’s decision to uphold the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s marketing denial order of Avail’s premarket tobacco product application for its nontobacco-flavored e-liquids, according to a post on The Continuum of Risk.
The brief, filed on behalf of a group of public health experts, is intended to provide relevant scientific background on comparative health impacts of electronic nicotine-delivery system (ENDS) products with combustible cigarettes.
The brief argues that ENDS are, beyond a reasonable doubt, much safer than cigarettes; ENDS help adult smokers quit and can reach many adults who would not otherwise quit smoking; ENDS flavors are important to adults trying to quit smoking; youth vaping has declined markedly since 2019, with most youth vaping being infrequent, nonaddictive and temporary, and more frequent and intense vaping generally limited to adolescents who are otherwise likely to smoke.
Youth do not generally use the refillable tank devices sold in vape shops but instead use more mass-market products; claims that vaping is a gateway to smoking are based on a misunderstanding of the evidence; and because smoking and vaping are linked, measures like e-liquid flavor bans can cause more smoking or other damaging unintended consequences.
In its petition, Avail asks the Supreme Court to consider the lower court’s legal reasoning and decision.
Among other things, Avail argues in its petition that the FDA’s decisionmaking was arbitrary and capricious; that another court sided with a different petitioner against the FDA on the same basic arguments; and that the case is significant not only for Avail but for the entire industry and its customers.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will hear Avail’s case.
June 20, 2023