Author: Staff Writer

  • Mother’s Milk Denied Marketing for More Than 250 E-Liquids

    Mother’s Milk Denied Marketing for More Than 250 E-Liquids

    Credit: Kraken Images.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 18 issued marketing denial orders to Mother’s Milk WTA for more than 250 flavored and tobacco-flavored e-liquids.

    After completing an initial acceptance review and subsequently proceeding to and completing a substantive scientific review of the company’s premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs), the FDA determined that the applications lacked sufficient evidence to show the products are appropriate for the protection of public health.

    For example, the applications did not provide sufficient evidence to show comparative health risk data relative to other tobacco products on the U.S. market, information assessing the abuse liability of the new products, or that the new products could be manufactured consistently.

    “One of our most important responsibilities is to ensure new tobacco products undergo scientifically rigorous premarket review,” said Matthew Farrelly, director of the Office of Science within the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, in a statement. “We remain committed to evaluating these applications based on a public health standard that considers the risks and benefits of the tobacco product to the population as a whole.”

    The agency has received premarket tobacco applications for more than 26 million deemed products, most of which are e-cigarettes. The agency says it has made determinations on 99 percent of these applications. This includes more than 1 million applications for non-tobacco nicotine products, including those containing synthetic nicotine, after Congress clarified FDA’s authority to regulate these products in April 2022.

    Further, FDA has authorized 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices, which are the only e-cigarettes that currently may be lawfully sold or distributed in the U.S. FDA has also denied marketing applications for millions of products that did not meet the requirements in the law. 

  • U.S. FDA Issues ‘Import Alert’ to Seize Illegal Vapes

    U.S. FDA Issues ‘Import Alert’ to Seize Illegal Vapes

    Credit: Photo Spirit

    In a move that could be devastating to the vaping industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued “Import Alert 98-06” that states the regulatory agency will detain new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes without marketing authorization at the border.

    The companies impacted would include all importers, manufacturers and transporters of vaping product brands such as ELFBAR, EB DESIGN, Eonsmoke, Esco Bar and Stik that are on the agency’s “Red List.”

    The alert covers China, South Korea and the United States.

    “Divisions may detain, without physical examination, the tobacco products identified on the Red List of this Import Alert. If the division is not sure whether a tobacco product is the same product as one identified on the Red List, the division should consult with the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP)” the alert states. “CTP concurrence is required to add a product to the Red List.”

    In order to remove a firm’s product from the Red List, companies must provide information to the FDA that adequately demonstrates that the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation.

    “The purpose of this is so that the Agency will have confidence that future shipments/entries will be in compliance with the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). For further guidance on removal from detention without physical examination, refer to FDAs Regulatory Procedures Manual (RPM), Chapter 9-8, ‘Detention without Physical Examination (DWPE),’” the alert states.

    The FDA states that the import alert is to prevent the sale of potentially illegal goods in America; release agency resources to inspect other goods; provide uniform coverage across the country; shift the blame back to the importer​​ to ensure that products imported into the United States comply with FDA laws and regulations, according to the agency.

    In June 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act gave the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products, recognizing that it is the primary federal regulator for the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and smokeless tobacco.

    The designation rule, published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2016, and effective August 8, 2016, extends FDA’s authority to designated tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and pipe tobacco, as well as their components and parts, but not their accessories.

    This story will be updated as more news and industry reaction becomes available.

  • Juul Labs’ Minnesota Settlement Tops $60 Million

    Juul Labs’ Minnesota Settlement Tops $60 Million

    Credit: Ontronix

    Leaders in the U.S. state of Minnesota reported a $60.5 million settlement with Juul Labs over youth vaping on Wednesday, one month after the state abruptly ended a Hennepin County jury trial before closing arguments were set to begin.

    The money, which is front-loaded, according to Attorney General Keith Ellison and Gov. Tim Walz, is expected to go toward fighting tobacco use, vaping and smoking. Under the settlement, the terms weren’t public for 30 days, according to the Star Tribune.

    In opening statements on March 28, Ellison made the state’s case, saying youth smoking was nearly eliminated before the e-cigarette maker lured teens with fruity flavors, fun ads and sleek, colorful designs. He portrayed the suit as a continuation of the earlier fight against Big Tobacco.

    Many states sued Juul Labs in recent years over their marketing to teens, but Minnesota was the only one to take the manufacturer to trial. Before trial, Ellison said he wasn’t satisfied with the settlement offers made by the manufacturer.

  • Bill to Toughen Vape Rules Heads to Alabama Senate

    Bill to Toughen Vape Rules Heads to Alabama Senate

    Credit: Allard1

    The House of Representatives in the U.S. state of Alabama approved a bill to tighten restrictions on vaping products.

    The bill makes it illegal for retailers to sell all vaping products to people under 21 years old. It also expands the definition of an electronic nicotine delivery system to include any product that delivers substances other than tobacco, according to WSFA.

    Vending machines that sell tobacco in places that allow people who are younger than 21 years old to purchase it are also banned.

    “It identifies the products that do not contain nicotine so that they can be regulated along with everything else. It regulates the sale of e-liquid,” Rep. Barbara Drummond said.

    There was only one no-vote from the representatives.

    The bill now moves to a Senate committee for further consideration.

    A state senator in Alabama last week introduced a bill last week that would make it illegal for minors to be in possession of vapes, according to a release from the Drug Education Council.

  • Study Finds Youth Confused About Nicotine Sources

    Study Finds Youth Confused About Nicotine Sources

    Credit: Adobe

    A study conducted by University of North Carolina researchers and published in Tobacco Control found widespread uncertainty and misperceptions about the sources of nicotine in e-cigarettes among youth.

    “An important contribution from this study is that adolescents don’t understand where nicotine in e-cigarettes comes from,” said first author Sarah Kowitt, assistant professor at UNC Family Medicine and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, in a statement. “If youth don’t think e-cigarettes are tobacco products like cigarettes, that could increase the appeal of these products. The more youth associate e-cigarettes with cigarettes, the less youth like them.”

    The study also found that while some youth were aware of e-cigarettes that contain synthetic or “tobacco-free” nicotine, most youth were unaware. Most importantly, Kowitt said that the experimental portion of the study revealed that describing synthetic nicotine as “tobacco-free nicotine” increased intentions to purchase e-cigarettes among youth who use e-cigarettes.

    If youth don’t think e-cigarettes are tobacco products like cigarettes, that could increase the appeal of these products.

    “To me, the big takeaway from our study is that the language that is used [to] describe e-cigarettes—on packaging and advertising—shapes adolescent users’ views of the products and their intentions to use them,” said senior author Seth Noar, professor at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media and UNC Lineberger. “The industry has increasingly used the term ‘tobacco-free nicotine’ to describe synthetic nicotine products, and our data strongly suggest that this term may be misleading to youth in ways that increase the appeal of these addictive products.”

    The study is the first to examine how youth understand e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine. Its goal is to inform efforts by governments and regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,  to more effectively regulate the language used to describe synthetic nicotine products.

  • TPSAC to Discuss Proposed TPMP Rule Tomorrow

    TPSAC to Discuss Proposed TPMP Rule Tomorrow

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) will hold a meeting to discuss the Requirements for Tobacco Product Manufacturing Practice (TPMPs) proposed rule Tomorrow, May 18, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    The proposed rule is open for public comment until Sept. 6, 2023.

    The TPSAC meeting will be available via a free webcast. Electronic or written comments on the meeting needed to be submitted by May 11 for consideration by the committee.

  • RLX Reeling From Illicit Flavored Vape Products

    RLX Reeling From Illicit Flavored Vape Products

    relx vaping products
    Creit: RELX

    RLX Technology reported net revenues of RMB188.9 million ($27.5 million) for the first quarter of 2023, down from RMB1.71 billion in the same period of 2022. Gross margin was 24.2 percent during the quarter, compared with 38.3 percent in the comparable 2022 period. GAAP net loss was RMB56.3 million, compared with GAAP net income of RMB687.1 million in the same period of 2022. Non-GAAP net income totaled RMB183.6 million, down from RMB361.8 million in the same period of 2022.

    RLX Technology attributed its struggles to fierce competition from illicit products. “We experienced an incredibly challenging first quarter as illegal-flavored products caused users’ slow shift to products that meet the national standards and drove our total revenues down to RMB188.9 million. Our gross margin declined as we incurred the full effect of the new excise tax in the first quarter,” said RLX Technology Chief Financial Officer Chao Lu in a statement.

    “We are pleased that market conditions have improved, following the regulators’ strict actions to combat illegal products since March 2023. As a result, our sales are showing signs of recovery. Looking ahead, we will continue improving our operational efficiency and believe our profitability will gradually recover. Our resilient business model and solid cash position will support us as we navigate the market dynamics, enabling us to deliver sustainable value to our stakeholders as the industry regains momentum.”

    According to RLX Technology co-founder, CEO and Board Chair Ying (Kate) Wang, the company remained focused on optimizing its product offerings under the new regulatory framework during the first quarter.

    “While we strive to develop diversified, new, approved products that cater to users’ various demands, the prevalence of illegal products has posed near-term challenges to our sales and disrupted the recovery pace of the industry as a whole.

    “The increasing efforts put forth by the regulators to crack down on illegal products have been encouraging, and we are hopeful that these will be effective in supporting the creation of fair and orderly market conditions, prompting a return to sustainable growth for law-abiding companies such as RLX Technology.

    “If illegal products can be pushed out of the market, we believe adult users will gradually adapt to products that meet national standards. As a trusted e-vapor brand for adult smokers, we remain committed to providing compliant, superior products that meet our users’ needs as we continue exploring growth opportunities in the evolving industry.”

     

  • Pinney Associates Announces New Leadership

    Pinney Associates Announces New Leadership

    Joe Gitchell
    Judy Ashworth
    Lucy Owen
    Robyn Gougelet

    Pinney Associates has announced a new leadership team.

    Joe Gitchell recently assumed the role of CEO, Lucy Owen is its new president, Judy Ashworth has been promoted to senior vice president, and Robyn Gougelet has been promoted to vice president, health policy and regulatory strategy.

    In their new roles, they provide strategic advice and tactical support to help clients reduce regulatory risk and achieve regulatory approval across our four practice areas. Pinney Associates helps clients switch prescription medications to over-the-counter status, supports the clinical and regulatory development of central nervous system-active medications, advises on the development and commercialization of dietary ingredients and supplements, and advances research and policies to minimize the death and disease caused by smoking cigarettes.

    Owen guides clients through the complex and dynamic Rx-to-OTC switch regulatory process and specializes in developing and executing science-based regulatory strategies. Ashworth guides the clinical development of CNS-active drugs in a challenging and rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

    Gougelet advises clients on public health legislative and regulatory policy efforts, as well as regulatory submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    “We are thrilled to have promoted these talented individuals to our leadership team,” said John Pinney, founder and chair of Pinney Associates, in a statement. “Each of them brings unique skills and experiences that will help us continue to deliver exceptional value to our clients and better public health.”

    “For over thirty years, Pinney Associates has worked hand-in-hand with our clients to overcome their regulatory and policy challenges by identifying root causes and developing innovative solutions based on medical and behavioral science and public health. We look forward to future collaborations with clients to increase access to products that advance individual and public health,” said CEO Joe Gitchell.

    Pinney Associates is a science-based health consulting firm with resources and experience in scientific, medical, public health, regulatory and commercial aspects of prescription and consumer healthcare products.

  • New Study Finds E-cigarette Lung Damage Unproven

    New Study Finds E-cigarette Lung Damage Unproven

    Credit: FrameStock

    A recent study comparing lung inflammation between smokers and nonsmokers does not prove any causality between the use of e-cigarettes and lung damage, according to researchers from the Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) in Catania, Italy.

    A recently published study by a team of American researchers compared the scans of the lungs of five electronic cigarette users, five tobacco cigarette smokers and five subjects who never smoked or vaped. Data suggested preliminary evidence that e-cigarette users had greater pulmonary inflammation than cigarette smokers and never smoke/vape controls, implying even a greater damage to health.

    In a letter to the editor of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, the CoEHAR researchers expressed their concern about the study. “The very small sample size and low reproducibility of the tests does not allow us to give a precise and scientific answer on pulmonary inflammation caused by vaping because it does not take into consideration fundamental factors, such as the prior exposure to tobacco smoking,” said CoEHAR founder Riccardo Polosa in a statement.

    “The very small sample size and low reproducibility of the tests does not allow us to give a precise and scientific answer on pulmonary inflammation caused by vaping because it does not take into consideration fundamental factors, such as the prior exposure to tobacco smoking.

    Because it is impossible to decouple the health impact of e-cigarette aerosol emissions from prior tobacco smoke exposure, only long-term follow-up of exclusive vapers who have never smoked can verify potential harm caused by electronic cigarettes use.

    CoEHAR stresses the need to develop and adopt shared scientific research standards and a greater control of publication processes: “We often opposes poor quality designed scientific results that are published in prestigious journals without proper scrutiny: researches that only feed an unfounded anti-vape rhetoric based on preconceptions that try to dissuade smokers from making choices that are less harmful to their health,” said Polosa.

  • FEELM Scores Major Awards at 2023 Vaper Expo UK

    FEELM Scores Major Awards at 2023 Vaper Expo UK

    The China-based closed-pod system solution provider FEELM took home several awards from the Vapouround 2023 annual awards ceremony in Birmingham, during the Vaper Expo UK event held May 12th – 14th.

    The atomization technology company won both the Outstanding Contribution to the Vape Industry and Best Manufacturer awards. FEELM clients KIWI Go and DejaVoo Cyber also garnered awards, winning first and second place in the “Best Disposable” category respectively.

    Additionally, FEELM, a subsidiary of Smoore International, the world’s largest vaping company, client RELX won the award for “Best Closed Pod System” for its Infinity device.

    The Vapouround Awards is an annual awards dinner for the global vaping industry. All winning brands are selected by a panel of professional judges and represent the outstanding performance of the past year in various segments of the industry.

    FEELM is not new to winning in the Vapouround Awards, with the brand having been awarded Industry Leader and Best Innovation in 2020.

    The atomization solutions provider has made notable achievements in the closed-pod system category, with around 3.5 million pods sold to more than 50 countries since 2018, according to a press release. Its disposable ceramic coil technologies have also already been launched in key markets including France, the UK, and Belgium, and will soon be available more widely in more countries.

    A FEELM representative stated that the company has been dedicated to embracing innovations with the “aim of taking the industry standard to new heights. While most of the 2ml e-liquid disposable products provide only 600 puffs, FEELM Max solutions can now deliver 800 puffs, all whilst remaining TPD-compliant.”

    During the event, FEELM also unveiled its new innovative disposable solution, FEELM Max.

    “FEELM Max offers more puffs, greater taste consistency, and a fully visible mouthpiece to measure e-liquid, making it the best disposable available whilst still ensuring regulatory compliance with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) in the UK and the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in the EU,” the representative stated.

    FEELM Max is now available in markets including the UK, Italy and Germany.