Author: Taco Tuinstra

22nd Century has Cannabis Research Breakthrough

Photo: Elroi
22nd Century Group and KeyGene say they have made a breakthrough in hemp/cannabis plant research leading to the successful transformation of the hemp/cannabis plant genome using a proprietary plant transformation and regeneration technology and clear protein expression by the introduced genes.
“I cannot emphasize enough what an enormous achievement it is for our company to have cracked the code to show proof of genome transformation in the hemp/cannabis plant. This is the holy grail in plant science and places us in a commanding leadership position in the race to secure patents and other valuable intellectual property in the emerging hemp/cannabis genetics field,” said James A. Mish, CEO of 22nd Century Group, in a statement.
“These newest plant transformation discoveries unlock additional revenue opportunities for the company and accelerate our efforts to create new hemp/cannabis plant lines with much higher commercial value at accelerated rates, lower cost and lower risk to our customers.”
The plant transformation breakthrough unlocked by 22nd Century and KeyGene enables the desired DNA sequences to be inserted directly into or created from a plant’s existing genetic material, creating a more expedient and focused methodology to achieve the desired outcome.
In addition to its transformation capability, 22nd Century Group has exclusive access to a battery of gene-editing capabilities, based on meganuclease technology, directed to seven of the key enzymes for the biosynthesis of cannabinoids plus four patent families that cover vital enzymes. Unlike other more widely available gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-CAS-9, this technology is allowed for use in cannabis.
The breakthrough gene-editing and transformation technology will allow 22nd Century Group to target specific hemp/cannabis biosynthesis pathways and expand the ability to engineer the modification of cannabinoids in plants.
February 23, 2022
Taat to Develop HNB Product with Shunho

Photo: Taat Global Alternatives
Taat Global Alternatives has signed a letter of intent with a U.S. subsidiary of Shanghai Shunho New Materials Technology Co. to undertake development work for a white-labelled heat-not-burn device as well as heatable sticks containing Taat’s proprietary tobacco-free and nicotine-free Beyond Tobacco material in all three flavors (original, smooth, and menthol).
As heat-not-burn has proven to retain users exceptionally well compared to other tobacco cigarette alternatives, Taat has identified the opportunity to build upon its existing international market share in the tobacco industry by planning an expansion into the heat-not-burn category with a tobacco-free and nicotine-free offering that would be among the first of its kind in the United States.
In addition to procuring heatable Taat sticks made using the company’s Beyond Tobacco material, Shunho’s U.S. subsidiary is to supply a proprietary heat-not-burn device on a “white-label” basis, which is to be commercialized in the United States under the Taat brand name. Uniquely, this device will offer reverse compatibility with heated tobacco sticks offered by the company’s competitors, as well as the Taat original, smooth, and menthol heatable sticks.
Headquartered in Shanghai, Shunho is a renowned tobacco ancillary service company that has worked closely with international tobacco companies. Under Shunho, there is a portfolio of firms that are currently developing next-generation electronic cigarette and vaporizing products. Taat will be the first foreign third-party with whom a Shunho subsidiary has partnered for white-label production of heat-not-burn products. Additionally, distribution services will be provided for the Taat heat-not-burn offerings through various in-house and third-party e-commerce channels in the United States.
“The reason we chose to pursue the heat-not-burn segment is because it is the most ‘sticky’ option out of all commercially available alternatives to cigarettes,” said Taat CEO Setti Coscarella in a statement. “The tobacco industry has invested heavily in cultivating a user base for heat-not-burn to the point that it may even replace major brands of tobacco cigarettes altogether in certain markets.
“We are excited to be leveraging innovative technologies to create a unique nicotine-free and tobacco-free experience using heat-not-burn for consumers who currently use and prefer this method. Because the Taat heat-not-burn device will work with Taat sticks as well as certain competitors’ heatable tobacco sticks, we believe this strategy authentically embodies our values as a company by providing consumers the choice and flexibility they deserve to have.”
February 21, 2022
FTC Complaint Against Altria’s Investment in Juul Dismissed

Photo: Aerial Mike
A U.S. Administrative Law Judge has dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) claims against Altria and Juul Labs arising out of Altria’s 2018 minority investment in Juul. Following a three-week trial, the judge found that the evidence failed to sustain the alleged violations.
The judge’s decision is subject to review by the FTC. Any decision by the FTC may be appealed to any U.S. Court of Appeals.
“We are pleased with this decision and have said all along that our minority investment in JUUL does not harm competition and does not violate the antitrust laws,” said Murray Garnick, executive vice president and general counsel of Altria, in a statement
In April 2020, the FTC issued an administrative complaint against Altria and Juul alleging that Altria’s 35 percent investment in Juul and the associated agreements constitute an unreasonable restraint of trade in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, and substantially lessened competition in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Antitrust Act.
A public version of the decision is expected to be made available late this month.
February 15, 2022
RELX Registers its Clinical Research on Vaping in China

Photo: RELX
RELX has initiated China’s first clinical research on vaping safety. The company is studying the acute effects of traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes on the human respiratory system and cardiovascular system. This month, RELX registered its clinical research with the China Clinical Trial Registry, a primary registry in the World Health Organization Registry Network.
In a press release, REXL took the opportunity to highlight its commitment to cross-disciplinary fundamental research into atomization mechanisms, so as to explore the long-term health effects of vaping.
In March 2021, RELX conducted clinical research on the metabolism and kinetics of nicotine. In both clinical studies, RELX used the vaping devices made by its strategic partner Smoore.
Moreover, in September 2021, RELX and Smoore took the lead in drafting two industry standards “General Technical Specifications for Electronic Atomization Devices” and “Safety Technical Specifications for E-liquid”, led by the Electronic Cigarette Industry Committee of China Electronic Chamber of Commerce.
In October 2020, the National Natural Science Foundation of China approved a research program on vaping harm reduction jointly conducted by Smoore and Tongji University. Over the next few years, Smoore and Tongji University will continue to conduct a series of studies on the health effects of vaping.
In January, Smoore launched the world’s thinnest ceramic coil vape pod solution—FEELM Air—in London. Compared with last generation, FEELM Air boasts an overall harm reduction performance improvement of 80 percent.
On Dec. 2, 2021, China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration issued the draft rules governing e-cigarettes following the regulator’s release of the exposure draft of national standards of e-cigarettes on Nov. 30, 2021.
As China’s national standards of e-cigarettes come into effective, RELX said it will continue to increase its R&D investment and examine the harm reduction of vaping via scientific substantiation.
February 13, 2022
Pyxus Completes Sale of Canadian Cannabis Operations

Photo: Pyxus International
Pyxus International has completed the sale of assets of FIGR Norfolk, the final key step in the company’s strategic decision to exit its cash flow negative cannabinoid operations.
With the completion of this sale, which occurred on Jan. 28, 2022, no subsidiaries of the company produce or sell Canadian cannabis in any capacity. In addition, the company is no longer involved in activities related to industrial hemp or CBD.
“Since announcing our intention to focus on tobacco and e-liquids last year, we have made tremendous strides in streamlining our operations and reducing our SG&A costs,” said Pieter Sikkel, president and CEO of Pyxus International, in a statement. “Moving forward, we will continue to focus on our tobacco-related businesses while leveraging the company’s strengths in agronomy, traceability and sustainability in order to deliver value to our stakeholders.”
February 10, 2022
Tobacco and Vapor News Around the World
Click on a country to read about the latest tobacco and vapor developments there.
February 8, 2022
FDA Nominee, Califf Faces Stiff Senate Opposition
Robert Califf
U.S. President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration is facing stiff opposition in the Senate.
According to an article in The New York Times, abortion foes are urging Republican lawmakers to reject Robert Califf, who previously led the agency during the final year of the Obama administration. Meanwhile, key Democrats are withholding support over Califf’s opioid policies and industry ties.
At least five Democrats are publicly opposing his nomination, so Califf needs at least five Republicans to support him in the evenly divided Senate, where Vice President Kamala Harris has a tie-breaking vote.
The FDA commissioner role has been subject to Senate confirmation since 1988, unlike the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is a presidential appointee. The nominee tends to be subject to sharp questioning, but observers say the decision has never been so wrapped up in national politics unrelated to the nominee’s qualifications.
With no confirmed leader, Janet Woodcock, the interim commissioner, can serve while the nomination is pending. If Califf’s nomination is voted down, she could lead the agency for 210 more days, according to the Government Accountability Office.
February 7, 2022
One-Use Vape Trash a Concern, California Pushes for Ban

Credit: Splitov27
California lawmakers want to ban single-use cigarette filters, e-cigarettes and vape products in the state with the aim of benefiting the environment and public health, according to a story in The Los Angeles Times.
It’s a growing concern as the Cahaba Riverkeeper in Alabama is pleading to the public to properly dispose of vaping devices. As e-cigarette usage has skyrocketed in popularity, so has the number of vaping products and accessories they’ve seen in the watershed, according to CBS 42.
David Butler, the Cahaba Riverkeeper, explains that the effect of lithium ion batteries and vaping chemicals has on local wildlife and waterways is still unknown. But the rise in the amount of devices ending up in the river, Butler says is cause for concern.
Vaping devices like the one pictured above have increasingly been found in the Cahaba Riverkeeper.
“It has the battery in it, it has the chemicals that are used in the vape juice, metal, plastic, the wrapping,” Butler said. “What impact will that have on the environment? We don’t know.”
California’s Assembly Bill 1690 would authorize local prosecutors to levy a fine of $500 per violation, defined as the sale of one to 20 items.
Supporters of the bill say cigarette filters offer no health benefits but cost the state millions of dollars to clean up and release toxic microplastics into the environment.
Roughly 12 billion cigarettes are sold in California each year, 90 percent of which are filtered, according to San Diego State epidemiology and biostatistics professor Thomas Novotny.
Nicholas Mallos, senior director of the Trash Free Seas Program at the Ocean Conservancy, said that in 2020 cigarette butts made up nearly 30 percent of the trash collected by volunteers on Coastal Cleanup Day. The city of Los Angeles alone incurs an estimated $19 million a year in cigarette filter clean-up costs. Public agencies statewide spend about $41 million a year.
The bill also targets vape products, which contain batteries and fluids that damage the environment. Reusable and rechargeable vape products would still be available under AB 1690.
Similar bills previously proposed have been unsuccessful due to “tobacco money,” according to proponents of the legislation. Assemblymember Mark Stone believes this time will be different due to a “growing awareness” of the issues and a “stronger coalition” of supporters.
The bill does not include a target date for when the ban would take effect.
February 4, 2022
VapeAway’s Technology to Help Reduce Dependency

Photo: pavelkant
VapeAway has developed a technology designed to help reduce vaping dependency. According to the company, the VapeAway filter attaches to an existing e-cigarette pod, automatically working to remove toxins found in e-cigarettes, with minimal impact on the quality of the vaping experience.
The patented VapeAway filter is said to stop nicotine before it enters the body by gradually reducing nicotine intake in levels, beginning at 25 percent and increasing to a 75 percent reduction over the course of nine weeks, thus reprogramming the brain to decrease cravings and reduce dependency.
“Every e-cigarette, regardless of its type, flavor or contents, contains dangerous chemical toxins,” says Ike Sutton, the founder of VapeAway. “VapeAway offers the first patented filter that removes those toxins. Until now, those who were dependent on nicotine have been directed to nicotine patches or gum as their recovery solution, both of which uses nicotine to satisfy cravings and with that, comes a laundry list of warnings and side effects.
“VapeAway’s patented technology does the opposite and does not administer a drug to help people quit a drug. Our filters stop the nicotine directly at the source and reduces the intake of harmful chemicals while users continue to vape, all the while ultimately helping people quit in the long term if they choose to do so.”
VapeAway says its Vapor Freeze 2.0 Technology consists of a proprietary blend of military grade, non-toxic fibers that freeze potentially harmful toxic chemicals on contact, protecting vapers and others around them from unwanted chemicals and toxins entering their lungs.
The technology has been tested to ensure it meets VapeAway’s stated use cases and it effectively and consistently performs to achieve the stated impact for its users. Preliminary tests were conducted by Enthalpy Laboratories.
According to SGS North America, the VapeAway filter is 100 percent non-toxic.
January 29, 2022
UKVIA Anticipates Busy Year for the Vaping Sector
The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) anticipates a busy year for the sector, the industry group noted at the publication of its 2021 annual report.
Among other activities, the association looks forward to launching its first Economic Impact Report, which will be used to highlight the vaping industry’s significant contribution to the British economy and support engagement with policy makers and the media.
The UKVIA also plans to roll out of a levelling-up campaign designed to achieve recognition for the important role that vaping plays in reducing health inequalities across the U.K.
In addition, the group intends to build on the launch this year of the UKVIA’s healthcare campaign which has included the development of a dedicated online advice hub for healthcare professionals and patients with smoking conditions.
This year will also witness the conclusion of the review of the U.K. Tobacco & Related Products Regulations, which will shape the future of the industry for years to come, according to the UKVIA.
Coinciding with the UKVIA’s annual vaping industry forum, planned for June 2022, the group plans a new awards event to recognize the high standards within the industry.

January 29, 2022