Author: Timothy Donahue

  • University of Louisville to Host THR Course

    University of Louisville to Host THR Course

    Image: 4kclips

    The University of Louisville School of Medicine will host a continuing education course on tobacco harm reduction (THR).

    The program educates healthcare professionals about less-hazardous alternatives to cigarettes that still satisfy a smoker’s desire for nicotine/tobacco satisfaction. Rather than promoting medical intervention, the course equips health professionals to offer lifestyle options, especially to smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit nicotine/tobacco entirely.

    This program covers the following in five one-hour recorded PowerPoint presentations. Dozens of links to primary source materials demonstrating the critical public health value of THR are included.

    • Nicotine: Correcting misperceptions
    • Smoking and vaping in the U.S.
    • Risks of smokeless tobacco use and cigar smoking explained
    • Risks of e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco explained
    • Tobacco harm reduction can work: Evidence from around the world

     For more information, visit: https://louisville.edu/medicine/cme/credits/tobacco-harm-reduction.

  • Scotland Pauses Disposable Ban to Join UK Date

    Scotland Pauses Disposable Ban to Join UK Date

    VV Archives

    A ban on selling single-use vapes in Scotland has been postponed by two months to fall in line with the rest of the UK.

    New legislation at Westminster will ban the devices from June 1 next year.

    The Scottish Parliament passed regulations bringing the ban into force on April 1.

    However, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray announced that Holyrood would now amend the date.

    Each UK nation had previously introduced separate legislation banning the sale and supply of single-use vapes.

    “The Scottish government was the first in the UK to commit to taking action on single-use vapes,” Gray said, the BBC reports.

    “We have worked closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach to a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes so we can provide certainty to businesses and consumers.”

  • UKVIA Urges Balance in New Vape Legislation

    UKVIA Urges Balance in New Vape Legislation

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    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has warned policymakers ahead of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill that it has to strike the right balance between introducing new vaping legislation and ensuring that it does not deter smokers from giving up by switching to considerably less harmful vapes.

    On Oct. 24, the U.K. government announced that disposable vapes will be banned from June next year,

    In a statement, the UKVIA reminded policymakers that vaping and disposable vapes have made a huge contribution to bringing down smoking rates amongst adults to the lowest levels on record in recent years.

    “We recognize that disposable vapes have divided opinion, but their accessibility and convenience, particularly amongst low income groups who are the most prevalent smokers, should not be forgotten and highlights the careful balancing act required in future legislation so that it does not penalize those adult smokers that want to give up by using vapes, which have been evidenced to be the most effective method in quitting cigarettes,” said John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA.

    “We have not shied away from the fact that the environmental impact and youth vaping challenges associated with disposables need to be addressed head on. Also, this announcement does nothing to stop the import of disposable vapes, which means there is a ready supply entering the country which will make their way onto the black market.

    “Bans are not the answer as we’ve seen in other parts of the world, such as Australia, as they will only boost the black market which will pose significant risks to young people and the environment.

    This announcement does nothing to stop the import of disposable vapes, which means there is a ready supply entering the country which will make their way onto the black market.

    John Dunne, director general, UKVIA

    “What’s needed is greater enforcement of current laws in place which make it a legal requirement for vape traders not to sell to children under the age of 18 and to comply with environmental legislation such as the WEEE regulations. However, recent Freedom of Information requests sent to Trading Standards nationally, the Environmental Agency and Office for Product Safety and Standards shows extremely low levels of enforcement in terms of the penalties and prosecutions that would make rogue traders think twice about breaking the law.”

    “It’s why we have campaigned for a vape retailer and distributor licensing scheme. To qualify for a license, retailers will need to show they have put measures in place to prevent the sale of vapes to minors. Distributors will also need to ensure they are meeting environmental obligations, as well as ensuring they only stock and sell compliant goods. As part of this scheme we are also calling for up to £10,000 [$12,976)] and £100,000 fines for retailers and distributors respectively who break the law, and together with the money that the licensing scheme will raise—estimated to be £50 million—this will be used to fund the level of enforcement that is required.”

  • Customers ‘Shocked’ by Juul Labs Lawsuit Payouts

    Customers ‘Shocked’ by Juul Labs Lawsuit Payouts

    VV Archive

    Howard Feinstein wasn’t expecting much when he submitted his information to a lawsuit against Juul Labs, which accused the vaping company of misleading customers about the addictiveness and safety of its products.

    Then, more than $3,000 hit his bank account.

    “I thought it was fake at first,” said the 55-year-old real estate agent, who lives in Washington state. “I was absolutely shocked.”

    According to media reports, the payment to Feinstein this week was one of more than 800,000 dollars that the company is making to former customers due to a more than $300 million court settlement that was finally approved earlier this year.

    Dena Sharp, the lead attorney on the case of the San Francisco law firm Girard & Sharp, said the payouts range from $15 to more than $10,000, with an average of about $240.

    Administrators of the settlement, which involved Juul and tobacco giant Altria, which previously held a sizable stake in the company, started mailing checks late last week. Electronic payments began on Monday.

    Sharp said more payments would be sent out over the next few days.

    “Please continue to be patient and give us a little bit of time to process these claims,” she said.

    More than 14 million people submitted claims to the court, of which only about 842,000 were officially validated.

    Sharp said the court followed a careful process to winnow the claims, looking for duplicates, signs of fraud, and proof of purchase.

    She said about a quarter of the recipients purchased directly from the company, making their eligibility easier to verify.

    The lawsuit alleged two things: that Juul customers paid more for the product than they would have had they been provided with accurate information about its addictiveness and safety and that the products were unlawfully marketed to minors.

    The court did not decide whether either firm violated any laws.

    In a statement, Juul Labs said it is “pleased to have resolved the vast majority of the company’s past legal issues and is focused on advancing our mission”, which it added included reducing the use of its products by underage users.

    Many people receiving payouts, like Feinstein, have been pleasantly surprised by the sums and have taken to social media to celebrate their haul.

    “The money couldn’t have come at a better time, so I’m really grateful that they’re following through,” Feinstein said, adding that he might use some of the money to pay down his credit card debt.

  • 2025: UK Ban on Disposable Vapes Starts in June

    2025: UK Ban on Disposable Vapes Starts in June

    VV Archive

    The sale of disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales beginning in June of next year, the government has confirmed.

    Ministers in England said the move, first announced in January by the previous government but not enacted before the general election, is intended to protect children’s health and prevent environmental damage.

    The government said it had worked closely with the devolved nations and that they would “align coming into force dates” on bans. According to media reports, Wales has already confirmed it will follow suit.

    Vaping industry leaders have warned the move could fuel a rise in illegal sales of the products.

    The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) said vape usage in England had grown by more than 400 percent between 2012 and 2023, with 9 percent of the British public now buying and using the products.

    It is illegal to sell any vape to anyone under 18, but disposable vapes – often sold in smaller, more colorful packaging than refillable ones – are a “key driver behind the alarming rise in youth vaping”, the previous government said when it first set out its plan.

    Public health minister Andrew Gwynne said banning disposables would “reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people”.

  • Oregon Court Strikes Down Vape Packaging Law

    Oregon Court Strikes Down Vape Packaging Law

    Image: Alexander Berdyugin

    The Oregon Court of Appeals on Oct. 16 struck down a law restricting the packaging of vape and cannabis products on the grounds that the legislation unconstitutionally restricts free speech, reports Keller & Heckman.

    The contested law prohibited an “inhalant delivery system” from being packaged “in a manner that is attractive to minors.” Subsequently, the Oregon Health Authority banned the use of cartoons, celebrities and other representations that are likely to appeal to minors.

    It also restricted descriptive words for flavors that are likely to appeal to minors, such as tart, tangy or sweet. In addition to a comprehensive list of items explicitly prohibited from packaging, the rule includes a general catch-all restriction to include any presentation, shape, graphic, coloring or writing that is likely to appeal to minors.

    Plaintiffs Paul Bates and No Moke Daddy argued that the packaging restrictions were overly broad and unconstitutionally vague and infringed on their right to free speech by prohibiting truthful, non-misleading communication.

    the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s dismissal of the challenge, noting that the law violates free speech as outlined in the Oregon Constitution.

    The Court of Appeals explained that selling products is a form of communicative behavior that may involve protected speech. The court stated that the law restricting “attractive” packaging is reasonably interpreted to refer to the communicative aspects of the packaging and not its functionality. Thus, the packaging restrictions are a direct restriction on expressive speech.

  • Gaming Vapes Provoke Outrage in Netherlands

    Gaming Vapes Provoke Outrage in Netherlands

    Image: 12ee12/nosyrevy

    New vapes with integrated music and gaming functionalities have provoked outrage in the Netherlands, according to Dutch News.

    Sophie Cohen, a doctor specializing in children’s lung problems, described the deliberate combination of addictive things such as nicotine and gaming as “extremely twisted.”

    “The awful thing is I am not surprised the industry has come up with something to make children even more addicted,” Cohen said. “That is their earnings model. The younger the brain, the more receptive it is to addiction.”

    The NVWA, the Dutch product safety board, is aware of the “smart vapes.” The agency says children are likely getting hold of them abroad, but several kids told broadcaster NOS that the vapes are available “behind the counter” at shops in the country.

    Vincent Karremans, junior health minister, called the vapes and their attractiveness to youth “scandalous” and said he’s working on a plan to tackle the illegal vape trade.

  • Bangladesh Bill Would Ban Vaping Products, Bidis

    Bangladesh Bill Would Ban Vaping Products, Bidis

    Credit: Sergey Fedoskin

    Shopkeepers who sell nicotine products, including vaping products and traditional cigarettes, will have to get a license, without which they will face penalties of TK50,000 ($418). The products will also be prohibited from being sold within 100 meters of schools, hospitals, clinics, sports venues and playgrounds.

    The country considered the same ban last year.

    A fine of Tk5,000 will be imposed on anyone selling vapes or loose combustible cigarettes. Currently, the fine for smoking or using tobacco products in public places is Tk300, but the draft ordinance proposes to increase this to Tk1,000.

    With these provisions in it, the draft “Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Ordinance, 2024” is expected to be presented for approval during the Advisory Council meeting on Thursday (Oct. 24), sources familiar with the matter told TBS.

    According to the draft ordinance, seen by TBS, tobacco products, including cigarettes, cannot be sold at mobile shops or by hawkers. Additionally, no sweeteners, spices, flavors, or colors will be permitted to be used in nicotine products.

    Violations of this law may result in monetary fines as well as imprisonment for varying durations, with penalties doubling for repeat offences.

    The government first enacted the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act in Bangladesh in 2005, with one amendment made in 2013. In 2020, the previous government initiated a revision of the Act to strengthen regulations on the use of tobacco and tobacco products.

    In June 2022, the Ministry of Health published a revised draft of the law on its website for stakeholder feedback, which is now being presented to the Advisory Council as a draft ordinance.

  • Joint Operation Nets $76 Million in Illicit Vapes

    Joint Operation Nets $76 Million in Illicit Vapes

    Credit: Eduardo Barraza

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the administrative seizure of approximately three million units of illegal vaping products.

    The products have an estimated retail value of $76 million. The seizures were part of a July joint operation to examine incoming shipments and prevent illegal e-cigarettes from entering the country. 

    “The FDA is on high alert and, in coordination with our federal partners, remains committed to stopping unauthorized e-cigarettes at our nation’s borders,” said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf. “These products too often end up in kids’ hands, and the newly formed federal task force is well positioned to collectively combat this unscrupulous activity.”

    In June, the FDA and the Department of Justice announced a joint federal task force to curb the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarettes. Operations like these are an example of ongoing law enforcement work across federal agencies, which are now increasing in frequency with the creation of the task force. 

    “CBP’s trade enforcement mission places a significant emphasis on intercepting illicit products that could harm American consumers,” said Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner for CBP. “We will continue to work with our enforcement partners to identify and seize unsafe and unlawful goods.” 

    In preparation for the operation, the joint team worked for several months to review shipping invoices, identify potentially violative incoming shipments, and complete other investigative work that led to this successful operation, according to a press release.

    Upon examining shipments, all of which originated in China, the team found various brands of illegal e-cigarettes, including Geek Bar and others. In an attempt to evade duties and detection, most of these unauthorized e-cigarettes were intentionally mis-declared as items with no connection to vaping products and with incorrect values.

    Products that are seized and forfeited to the government will be disposed of in accordance with CBP authorities. 

    “This isn’t the first joint seizure operation, and it won’t be the last – we will continue to relentlessly pursue those attempting to smuggle illegal e-cigarettes,” said Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “The $76 million these bad actors just put in the dumpster should be a sobering reminder that their time and money would be better spent complying with the law.”

  • Philippine Raids Net Multiple Illicit Vape Sellers

    Philippine Raids Net Multiple Illicit Vape Sellers

    Nationwide raids in the Philippines uncovered illicit seller 408 sellers vape products, whose operations are unregistered or whose products do not carry the appropriate revenue stamps, reports Business World.

    illicit retailers and resellers were found not only in metropolitan Manilla, but also in other places, including Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and Benguet.

    Beginning June 1, the BIR required all vape manufacturers and sellers to affix internal revenue stamps on their products to indicate tax compliance.

    Republic Act 11900 instructs the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)  to order the immediate recall, ban or seizure from public sale or distribution of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products or novel tobacco products not registered with the BIR, including those sold online.

    The BIR intends to conduct regulator raids on illegal vape sellers. “I have ordered weekly raids against illicit vape retailers, wherever they may be found,” said BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr.

    In the first half of the year, the BIR estimated foregone revenue of around PHP7.2 billion ($124.47 million) from seized vape and tobacco products.