Author: Staff Writer

Matt Meyers Steps Down From Tobacco-Free Kids

Yolonda C. Richardson | Photo: CTFK
Matthew L. Myers is stepping down as the president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) effective July 1. The board of directors has appointed Yolonda C. Richardson, currently the organization’s executive vice president for global programs, as the new president and CEO.
“I want to thank Matt for the extraordinary leadership he has provided to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and throughout his long career fighting the tobacco industry,” said Bill Novelli, chair of Tobacco-Free Kids’ board of directors and president of the organization from 1996 to 1999, in a statement. “Matt and his team at Tobacco-Free Kids have contributed enormously to driving down smoking rates to record lows among both youth and adults in the U.S. and to reversing the tide of the global tobacco epidemic.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and I am incredibly proud of what our team and our many partners have accomplished,” said Myers. “Through smart, tenacious advocacy and a commitment to health and social justice, we have helped bring about transformative change in the U.S. and around the world. No one is more qualified than Yolonda Richardson to take this organization to new heights and achieve even greater progress in saving lives not only from tobacco, but also from other critical public health issues.”

No one is more qualified than Yolonda Richardson to take this organization to new heights and achieve even greater progress in saving lives.”
Matthew L. Myers, president, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
“I am deeply honored to be named president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and to continue the work started by Matt Myers and Bill Novelli 27 years ago. There is much to do, but there is also immense opportunity to make large-scale impact,” Richardson said.
The CTFK was created in 1996 with primary funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Since 2006, it has been a partner in the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.
May 16, 2023
Alabama Bill Would Make Youth Possession Illegal
A state senator in Alabama 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.
The bill, introduced by Senator Vivian Figures, received bipartisan support and was “co-sponsored by 100 percent of the state senators present,” according to the release.
The bill is an amendment to Section 28-11-14 of the Code of Alabama 1975, reports WRBL. It makes in unlawful for any individual under the age of 21 to purchase, use or transport any “electronic battery-powered device capable of being used to deliver the following:

e-liquid
e-liquid substitute
tobacco
CBD oil
THC oil
herbal extract
nicotine salt
The bill also says that “a violation is committed upon mere possession” of any vaping device, regardless of what is in it, according to the release.
No potential penalties were announced as of this writing.
May 16, 2023
Flonq has ‘World’s First’ Fully Recyclable Vape Device

Vape manufacturer Flonq launched the world’s first fully recyclable vape device – the Flonq Plus-E at the UK Vaper Expo 2023 in Birmingham.
The innovative e-cigarette addresses two major challenges in the vaping industry: preventing minors from accessing devices and reducing environmentally harmful waste, according to media reports.
“We believe it’s crucial not only to make bold statements but also to back them up with actions,” explains Rob Harvey , the company’s sales director. “The Flonq Plus-E is a solution that truly meets the needs of the vaping industry, and we’re excited to share it with everyone”.
The Flonq Plus-E device can be easily disassembled for recycling after use, according to the report. The product’s distinctive design includes a detachable battery located at the bottom of the device and a patented child lock system to prevent unauthorized use by children and young people.
The device has also won a Good Design Award for its aesthetics, with the shape inspired by the Steinway Tower skyscraper in New York.
May 16, 2023
Portugal Cracking Down on Vape, Tobacco Marketing

Credit: Butenkov
New legislation aims to restrict the use and sale of vaping and other tobacco products in Portugal.
A new bill will ban smoking in outdoor spaces next to public buildings such as schools, colleges and hospitals. It will also tighten control over the sale and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products in the country.
The aim is that by 2025 they will only be available for purchase in tobacconists, petrol stations and airports, reports EuroNews.
If enacted, it will no longer be possible to sell tobacco directly or through vending machines in places such as restaurants, bars, concert halls and venues, casinos, fairs and exhibitions. The products will also be prohibited at music festivals.
Portugal is also complying with the European directive of June 29, 2022, which puts heated tobacco products on an equal footing with other tobacco products.
May 15, 2023
FEELM Max Disposable Vape Launched at UK Expo

The innovative new disposable vaping system FEELM Max was launched during the UK Vaper Expo in Birmingham on May 13.
The FEELM Max is now available in the UK and EU markets. The event was attended by many top-level e-cigarette industry representatives and FEELM clients, including BAT, RELX International, Totally Wicked and KIWI.
A subsidiary of Smoore Technology, the world’s largest vaping company, FEELM says the FEELM Max brings three major breakthroughs to vaping, including the advanced heating technology of the Ceramic Coil S1, a constant power control system and “mindful design,” according to a press release.
“The FEELM Max uses the new Ceramic Coil S1, which is designed to deliver a superior vaping experience” and offers an increased puff count that sets a new benchmark in the market, according to the release.
Johnny Zhang, assistant president at FEELM
“Benefitting from its cotton-free design and the resulting improvement of e-liquid utilization, the FEELM Max is able to boost puff count by more than 30 percent compared to cotton coil disposable solutions, providing 800 more puffs and setting a new benchmark for 2ml (e-liquid volumes),” said Johnny Zhang, assistant president at FEELM. “This innovation allows products using the FEELM Ceramic Coil S1 to offer increased puff counts while remaining totally compliant with all local regulations.”
Additionally, the new S1 coil decreases the number of impurities created in the heating process by 78 percent, resulting “in fresher breath and no unpleasant aftertaste.”
The new system also has several technological innovations. The FEELM Max solution uses a constant power energy management system for stable vaping. This technology improves taste consistency by 35 percent, which further enhances the user experience, according to the release.
FEELM Max products have a transparent e-liquid tank for both aesthetics and user convenience that allows consumers to easily see how much e-liquid is left in the device.
The first industrial whole-chain recycling program was also introduced by FEELM during the UK event. Collaborating with RELX International in the UK, FEELM has “taken the responsibility for implementing a scheme that will facilitate vape recycling to a fuller extent, thereby minimizing the environmental impact.”
Bing Du, the CEO and founder of RELX International stated at the event: “Thanks to the groundbreaking technology of FEELM Max, and driven by our legendary partnership with FEELM, RELX International is on course to revolutionize the vaping experience across the globe.”
The company’s commitment to making recycling more accessible demonstrates its dedication to environmental sustainability, according to the release. As the initiative gains traction, it could serve as a model for other industries looking to implement eco-friendly practices and engage adult customers in sustainability efforts.
FEELM intends to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in vaping technology, while keeping its commitment to sustainability and compliance at the heart of its operations, according to the release. “The company’s mission to shape a better vaping industry, not only for today but for generations to come, remains stronger than ever,” Zhang said.

May 15, 2023
U.S. FDA Issues 6,500 MDOs to Small Businesses
Credit: Waldemarus
On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) to 10 companies that collectively manufacture and market about 6,500 flavored e-liquid and e-cigarette products.
The health regulator said these companies cannot market or distribute the products in the U.S. and retailers who sell them risk FDA enforcement action.
“Science is a cornerstone of FDA’s tobacco product review process,” said Matthew Farrelly, director of the Office of Science within FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “Today’s decision to deny approximately 6,500 products was based on the lack of scientific evidence provided in the applications. We will continue to ensure all new tobacco products undergo robust, scientific premarket evaluation to determine whether they meet the appropriate public health standard to be legally marketed.”
The companies that received MDOs include:

Imperial Vapors LLC
Savage Enterprises
Big Time Vapes
SWT Global Supply Inc.
Great Lakes Vapor
DNA Enterprise LLC dba Mech Sauce
Absolute Vapor Inc.
ECBlend LLC
FDA is not disclosing the names of the other two companies that received MDOs to protect potential confidential commercial information (CCI).
The FDA added the premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) submitted for a variety of flavored e-cigarette products did not provide sufficient evidence to show that permitting the marketing of these products would be appropriate for public health.
The agency said the product applications covered a variety of flavored e-cigarettes, including some with flavors such as Citrus and Strawberry Cheesecake, as well as Cool Mint and Menthol.
“It doesn’t really matter to the FDA what your scientific evidence is or anything else, they’re pretty much handing anyone out there an MDO,” said Char Owen, president of the American Vapor Manufacturers Association.
She said some of the companies targeted Friday had just one or two storefronts and were genuinely trying to help adults stop smoking through the use of flavored products, according to the Washington Post.
“It’s tough out here because you’re dealing with lives and businesses,” Owen said.
Based on the latest status report, the FDA plans to have 53 percent of covered applications acted on by June 30, 55 percent of covered applications acted on by Sept. 30 and 100 percent of covered applications acted on by Dec. 31.
The court-ordered deadline for FDA review of PMTAs was Sept. 9, 2021, but the agency did not meet that deadline and now has to file regular status reports on progress. The next status report is due by July 24.
May 14, 2023
U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Review Avail Case

Avail Vapor has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to examine a lower court’s refusal to review a marketing denial order issued by the Food and Drug Administration to Avail products.
In its petition, known as a Writ of Certiorari, 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.
May 12, 2023
Altria Agrees to Pay $235 Million to End San Fran Suit

Credit: Bill Oxford
Altria has reportedly struck a $235 million deal to end a lawsuit brought by the San Francisco public school system one day after the plaintiff’s lawyers ended closing arguments.
This settlement represents a positive step forward in addressing the harmful impacts of vaping on the public,” said Girard Sharp partner Dena Sharp, Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs in the litigation. “The settlement funds will compensate JUUL purchasers, young people, parents, and governmental organizations across America, and avoids the delay and uncertainty of continued court proceedings. We are proud of our clients and the federal court system that made this result possible. The legal system worked in this case, and we thank the jurors who devoted their time to this trial over the past few weeks.”
The Altria settlement brings a final resolution to the personal injury, consumer class action, and government entity cases brought in the MDL and the JCCP brought on behalf of children, families, and JUUL purchasers everywhere in the U.S.
Much of the school district’s argument in its case against Altria involved the distraction which occurred when vaping became “endemic,” interfering not only with teachers’ abilities to control their classrooms but nearly all levels of student life.
The bellwether trial forced Altria to publicly defend itself solo for the first time as it faces thousands more cases that were brought against the company and Juul. In December, Juul Labs agreed to pay more than $1.2 billion to settle more than 5,000 suits blaming the company for a youth vaping epidemic across the U.S.
Juul and Altria defended the first trial that started in March over a case brought by Minnesota over deceptive marketing of e-cigarettes. The companies settled the state’s case earlier this year.
In April, Juul agreed to pay $462 million to six states and the District of Columbia to resolve lawsuits and investigations into the marketing of addictive vaping products to children.
May 11, 2023
Illinois Indoor Vape Ban Heads to Governor’s Desk

Credit: Karen Roach
In the U.S. state of Illinois, a statewide ban on vaping inside public buildings is just a signature away from becoming law.
Both the Illinois House and Senate passed a bill that would make Illinois the 18th state in the country to outlaw indoor vaping, according to CBS News.
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Julie Morrison. It expands the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which forbade smoking in public buildings and within 15 feet of entrances.
The bill now heads to Governor JB Pritzker’s office to be signed into law.
Illinois also passed a law to raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 in 2019, and limited the advertising of e-cigarette products in 2022.
May 11, 2023
Washington Passes Marijuana Law to Protect Workers

Credit: Jdoms
The governor of the U.S. state of Washington has signed a bill into law that will protect workers from facing employment discrimination during the hiring process over their lawful use of marijuana.
At a signing ceremony on Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee gave final approval to the legislation, enacting the bill into law about three weeks after it cleared the legislature, according to Marijuana Moments.
The reform is limited to job applicants. As Inslee noted before signing the measure, employers would still be able to maintain drug-free workplaces, or prohibit the use of cannabis by workers after they are hired.
SB 5123 “seeks to protect applicants from hiring discrimination if they use legal cannabis outside of work,” the governor explained, adding that “there are exceptions” for certain industries.
May 10, 2023