Author: Staff Writer

CTP’s King to AP: Nicotine Salts Show Potential
During an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, the director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), Brian King, said the FDA is well on its way in setting a foundation for substantial reductions in combustible tobacco smoking with the product standards such as a menthol ban and flavor bans for e-cigarettes and cigars.
Brian King / Credit: FDA
When asked about several surveys that have shown many adults think e-cigarettes are as dangerous as traditional cigarettes, King said he was fully aware of the misperceptions surrounding vaping products those misperceptions aren’t consistent with the known science.
“We do know that e-cigarettes — as a general class — have markedly less risk than a combustible cigarette product,” King said. “That said, I think it’s very critical that we inform any communication campaigns using science and evidence. It has to be very carefully thought out to ensure that we’re maximizing impact and avoiding unintended consequences.”
King also said he believes “there’s a lot of really important science and innovations” that have occurred in the vaping industry in recent years, adding that the most notable is nicotine salts in e-liquids.
“We know that when you smoke a tobacco product, it’s a very efficient way to deliver nicotine across the blood-brain barrier. So it’s been very difficult to rival that efficiency in another product,” said King. “But in the case of nicotine salts you have the potential to more efficiently deliver nicotine which could hold some public health promise in terms of giving smokers enough nicotine that they would transition completely.
“But you also have to consider the opposite side of the coin, which is the inherent risks of initiation among youth. So I do worry about that … there’s a lot happening and I think that it could be promise or peril. But I think it’s important that the science drives that.”
September 27, 2022
BAT Joins Snoop Dogg in Cannabis Firm Investment

Credit: Greenserenityca
BAT, via one of its wholly owned group companies, has acquired a noncontrolling minority stake in Sanity Group, one of Germany’s leading cannabis companies.
This investment is complementary to other recent investments made by BAT companies, most notably the strategic R&D collaboration established with Canada’s Organigram Holdings announced in March last year.
Sanity Group, which is based in Berlin, produces CBD consumer brands and medical cannabis brands. It also has a proven track record in the research, development and marketing of cannabis products.
“Investing in Sanity Group is another example of BAT’s ongoing work to explore numerous areas beyond nicotine, positioning BAT for future portfolio growth across a range of categories and geographies,” said Kingsley Wheaton, chief growth officer at BAT, in a statement.
“We continue to transform our business through better understanding of our current and future consumers as part of our ‘A Better Tomorrow’ purpose.”
Sanity secured $37.6 million in the BAT-led Series B funding round, according to Sanity founder and CEO Finn Age Hansel. About half of the funding will go toward strengthening Sanity’s medical business. The rest of the funding will go toward preparing for the possible legalization of recreational marijuana in Germany.
Germany has not legalized recreational cannabis yet, but action is expected sooner rather than later. Germany’s coalition government is “working actively on it and really want[s] to come to a good draft of the law by the end of this year,” Hansel said. “This is really a priority topic for the government.”
“This funding is an important milestone for us and a strong signal toward the future of cannabis in Germany and Europe,” said Max Narr, chief investment officer at Sanity Group. “Against the backdrop of a challenging global economy, we are proud to have achieved a funding round of this magnitude.”
September 26, 2022
Maine Backs Out of Multi-State Juul Labs Settlement

Credit: Ianm35
Not everyone is satisfied with Juul Labs’ multi-state settlement over its youth marketing practices. The Maine Attorney General’s Office on Friday said his state would be backing out of its $11 million agreement with e-cigarette manufacturer after objecting to certain conditions from the company.
Maine was set to receive an estimated $11.6 million over the next six to 10 years as part of a nearly $440 million settlement between the manufacturer and 33 states and territories. The investigation found that Juul had marketed its products to youth.
However, as part of the agreement, Juul wanted states to waive the rights of school districts to pursue their own lawsuits, according to the Maine AG’s office. Maine wasn’t willing to agree to that.
“We are disappointed in the outcome of these negotiations, but ultimately we were unwilling to waive the rights of other entities who are also trying to hold Juul accountable for its deception,” Attorney General Aaron Frey said in a statement to The Maine Monitor.
It was not immediately clear if other states would also abandon the agreement.
September 25, 2022
Malaysia Pushing Forward on Bill to ‘Endgame’ Vapes

Credit: K Stocker
The Malaysian government is pushing forward a bill that seeks to ban vaping and smoking for those born from 2007, after making amendments following resistance from some lawmakers.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he hopes the legislation – dubbed a “generational endgame” (GEG) – will receive the support of lawmakers when it is tabled at the next parliament session in October.
It was referred to a parliamentary select committee in August for further scrutiny amid criticism that some of its features would infringe on personal freedom.
“The enforcement powers really are focused and restricted only against distribution, manufacturing and supply,” Khairy said during a Sept. 23 group interview, according to media reports. “We’ve clarified that in the latest amendments, so if you contravene the law in terms of GEG smoking offence, then the enforcement officer cannot frisk you, they cannot take away your computer or your phone or things like that.”
Malaysian lawmakers last month delayed a vote on the bill and referred it to the select committee to examine and make recommendations for improvement.
The bill also bans those born after 2007 from buying, possessing or using tobacco and other related products even after they reach 18.
Shopkeepers and distributors will be prohibited from selling such products to anyone in the age group under the proposal.
September 25, 2022
Dutch Comment Period on Flavor Ban Closes Sept. 28

Credit: Michal Soukup
On Sept. 28, the Dutch government’s brief public consultation period for a potential ban of flavored vaping products comes to a close.
The new rule would ban all e-liquid flavors except tobacco and is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2023. However, products already on the market by Dec. 31 can be sold until July 1, 2023.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) and Ministry of Health have proposed a list of just 16 ingredients that would be allowed in legal tobacco-flavored e-liquids.
Numerous Dutch vaping industry advocates claim the ingredient restrictions will essentially put all e-liquid manufacturers in the Netherlands out of business.
Since the comment period is open to the public and Dutch e-cigarette advocates are asking for comments from consumers and interested supporters across the globe, even outside of the EU.
Previous efforts to ban flavored vapes in the Netherlands have failed.
September 24, 2022
Washington County, Oregon Flavor Ban Struck Down

Credit: Sang Hyun Cho
Washington County, Oregon’s flavored vaping and tobacco ban has been struck down by a judge who stated that counties in Oregon do not have the authority to enact such measures and that they must come from the state legislature.
On Monday, Circuit Judge Andrew Erwin issued his ruling, noting that while counties can regulate how sales of such products are made, they cannot bar them entirely.
This effectively brings an end to a ban passed by the county’s Board of Commissioners in November 2021 and approved by voters in May 2022 after a petition was filed to put the matter on the ballot.
The ban sought to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products and flavored synthetic nicotine, as well as prohibit price promotions, coupons and discounts.
In a written statement issued on Wednesday, the county said that it disagrees with the Court’s ruling and is considering options for an appeal.
Washington County is located directly west of Portland and has a population of around 600,000 people.
September 23, 2022
Hospitality Set Frets About ‘Generational Endgame’ Bill

Photo: sezerozger
Representatives of the hospitality business have asked the government of Malaysia to consider the impact of its proposed “generational endgame” (GEG) law on operations of food and beverage outlets in the country, reports the New Straits Times.
On Feb 17, Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin announced that Malaysia would introduce bold new legislation to ban smoking and vaping and possession of tobacco products and e-cigarettes for people born after 2005.
“We are supportive of the Health Ministry’s agenda in reducing the number of smokers in the country,” said Wong Teu Hoon, president of Malaysian Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCSPGA) “However, we strongly believe any new measures should be carefully evaluated when it has a socio-economic impact.”
The MSCSPGA, which has 43 affiliates under it, is one of the largest trader associations in the country, boasting a membership of 20,000 coffeeshop operators nationwide, and employing some 500,000 people.
Wong’s view was echoed by C. Krishnan, deputy president of the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association, who called for a detailed study and consultation with the retailers and other stakeholders.
Krishnan worries that the ministry has insufficient manpower to control and inspect every tobacco-based product purchase.
“Therefore, we (retailers) automatically become the frontliners in the implementation of the GEG bill,” he said. “Let’s not forget the issue of asking for identity cards. We are afraid that this will lead to arguments and unpleasant situations in our outlets, which any coffeeshop owner knows is bad for business.”
September 23, 2022
Myle Vape Says New Dubai Office Critical for Growth

Photo courtesy of Myle Vape
Myle Vape has opened an office and warehouse facility in Dubai to service its customers in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates is one of Myle Vape’s most important markets in terms of brand loyalty and market share.
“This move has been in the works for some time and we could not be happier to announce this opening,” said Myle Vape co-founder and CEO Ariel Gorelik in a statement. “We have been operating from afar for too long, traveling back and forth from the USA multiple times a year, and it has become critical to the growth of our business that we made a serious move to building a major operations center in the UAE.”
Launched in 2015, Myle Vape manufactures disposables, pod systems, rechargeable devices and vape accessories that are distributed globally outside the United States.
September 23, 2022
FDA Launches Vaping Education Resource Center
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) announced Today the launch of its Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center.
The online resource center provides science-based, standards-mapped materials that teachers can use to help their students understand the negative effects associated with vaping and nicotine addiction.
“The new resource center features numerous age-appropriate, cross-curricular resources for teachers to promote learning and begin having open conversations with youth about vaping,” the FDA states in a release. “This effort is an extension of FDA’s prior work with Scholastic, a collaboration that has recently ended. The materials previously developed through this collaboration can be found in the resource center.”
In addition to content designed for teachers, CTP also developed materials for parents and teens. All content on the resource center is free, easy to navigate, and optimized for each audience, according to the release.
Teachers will find lesson plans, interactive tools, infographics, and videos with tobacco facts and tips about how to teach teens about the dangers of vaping.
Parents will find fact sheets, videos, and resources to help them understand and recognize vapes, talk with their children, and keep the conversation going over time.
Students will find real-life stories and relatable content to help them understand vaping, nicotine addiction, common myths about vapes, and how to say no to vaping.
The launch of the resource center illustrates FDA’s continued commitment to youth vaping prevention. We will be continuously updating the resource center with new materials, so check back often for the latest resources.
September 22, 2022
Nicaragua Bans Imports of E-Cigarette Products

Credit: Adaptice
In Nicaragua, the General Directorate of Customs Services issued the technical circular identified as CT/116/2022, informing the officials of the General Directorate of Customs Services and the public of the prohibition on the importation of electronic cigarettes and the obligation of importers and exporters of tobacco to register before the National Sanitary Regulation Authority.
The ban on electronic cigarettes entering the country is absolute, prohibiting the import, export, storage, distribution, marketing, and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, or other similar devices with or without nicotine, according to JD Supra.
The regulation prohibits the entry into the country of these products, even for personal use, by empowering customs officials to seize such products from travelers for subsequent delivery to the National Sanitary Regulation Authority (ANRS).
The rule also establishes that companies engaged in the manufacture, import, and export of tobacco products, including vaping products, and their derivatives in Nicaragua must register with the Health Regulation Directorate of the ANRS to carry out customs clearance of this type of merchandise under any customs regime.
Before this provision entered into force, the e-cigarette and vaporizer industry was unregulated.
September 21, 2022