Author: Timothy Donahue

Baltimore Settles Suit With Juul Labs for $7.5 Million

Credit: Andriano CZ
Baltimore, Maryland, Mayor Brandon Scott has announced a lawsuit settlement with Juul Labs. According to the City of Baltimore, the e-cigarette company must pay $7.5 million by the end of 2024 or make three separate payments of $8 million by October 2026.
The lawsuit was initially filed in 2020 for “deceptive marketing campaigns” aimed towards minors, as well as endangering the health of city residents and costing the city for having to push back against the e-cigarette marketing schemes, as stated by the City of Baltimore, according to media reports.
“Since taking office, my administration has done everything in our power to invest in Baltimore’s young people to ensure they can reach their full potential. Achieving that aim means focusing on every aspect of their lives – including their health,” said Scott.
According to the City of Baltimore, the settlement was reached after they declined to participate in a global resolution that would have only recovered $1.9 million for the city.
“We have and will continue to refuse settlement offers that do not fairly compensate Baltimore City for the harms that the misconduct of these companies brings on us,” said City Solicitor Ebony Thompson.
September 5, 2024
Vape, Crypto Project PuffPaw Raises $6 Million

Credit: Auremar
An upcoming vape-to-earn project wants to use token incentives and blockchain-enabled vapes to make nicotine addictions additions go up in smoke.
Called Puffpaw, the project intends to sell specialty vapes that record their user’s smoking habits on the blockchain. It will reward them in their tokens for gradually reducing their nicotine intake.
Puffpaw is among a cadre of startups betting on the yet-to-launch Berachain blockchain, a venture capital darling.
The quit-smoking project itself raised $6 million in seed funding led by Lemniscap Ventures. Lemniscap General Partner Shaishav Todi said the investment is a bet on decentralized physical infrastructure, commonly known as DePIN, according to Coindesk.
“By building at the crossroads of culture and crypto and health, Puffpaw is making DePin accessible and practical, and has huge potential for mass adoption, particularly given increasing consumer demand for health-conscious vaping solutions,” Todi said in an email statement.
Using token incentives to support healthier behavior isn’t new in crypto.
Puffpaw’s leader Reffo Tse compared aspects of his gambit to StepN, a run-to-earn app on the Solana network.
Puffpaw’s model attempts to create a self-supporting ecosystem of smokers who try and buy its products while weaning themselves of nicotine.
Users can only take a certain number of puffs per day from their specialty vapes. They earn more tokens for taking hits of lower-nicotine level vape cartridges.
They can then use those tokens to buy more vape cartridges from Puffpaw.
September 5, 2024
San Fran Seeks End to Online Flavored Pouch Sales

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San Francisco is cracking down on the online sale of flavored nicotine pouches. The new lawsuit targets a handful of online retailers that the city says are violating its prohibition on flavored tobacco products.
Unflavored versions of the product, which are sold at corner stores and tobacco shops in the city, will remain available for online purchase.
“The tobacco industry has gone to tremendous lengths to reinvent their products to addict young people,” said City Attorney David Chiu. “We aren’t going to allow these companies to disregard the law and unravel decades of progress on preventing youth from using tobacco.”
The Standard obtained a draft of the complaint, which was filed Tuesday in San Francisco County Superior Court. The suit alleges that Northerner Scandinavia, Lucy Goods, Rogue Holdings, and Swisher International sell flavored nicotine pouch products online to San Franciscans despite the ban.
“Tobacco companies market nicotine pouches as discreet — the ‘perfect way to enjoy the nicotine you love without getting noticed, and without the risk of staining your teeth’; and claim that they are smoking cessation devices that help users ‘focus better, think deeper, chill out smoother, and inspire creativity,’” the complaint states.
September 5, 2024
Study: Vape Products Among ‘Top 3’ Quitting Aides

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E-cigarettes are among the Top-3 most effective tools to stop smoking, according to a new review of evidence by a team of scientists. The other strategies are Varenicline, a prescription drug sold under brand names such as Chantix and Champix, and Cytisine, a plant-based compound sold as an over-the-counter natural health product in Canada and throughout central Europe and eastern Europe, and available under prescription in the United Kingdom.
These tools for quitting work best when combined with behavioral support, such as counseling, according to the authors. Bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are also effective, especially NRT patches combined with fast-acting forms like gum.
“For behavioral support, evidence is strongest for counseling and for programs that reward people for stopping smoking,” said senior author Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, assistant professor of health policy and management in the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences, in a statement.
Published Sept. 4 in the journal Addiction, the review was conducted by the non-profit Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group (CTAG)
CTAG’s summary outlines the key findings from 14 Cochrane reviews that CTAG published between 2021 and 2023.
The latest Cochrane review of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation concluded that there was high‐certainty evidence that e-cigarettes with nicotine increase quit rates compared with NRT, and moderate‐certainty evidence that they increase quit rates compared with e-cigarettes without nicotine.
The 2023 Cochrane review of pharmacological and e-cigarette interventions for smoking cessation included all drugs licensed as treatments for smoking cessation anywhere in the world, as well as e-cigarettes with or without nicotine. The review included 319 studies (157,179 participants). The most effective interventions were nicotine e‐cigarettes, varenicline and cytisine, all of which had high-certainty evidence, closely followed by combination NRT.
September 5, 2024
Nicotine Retailers Urged to Prioritize Training

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The U.S. We Card program is encouraging retailers to make employee training a top priority in promoting responsible retailing of age restricted products.
In addition to educating staff, retailers should update in-store signage, gauge employee performance through “mystery shopping,” and compare their store practices against We Card’s Guide to Best Practices, according to the organization.
“There are lots of changes in laws, regulations and age restricted products sold at retail,” said We Card President Doug Anderson in a statement. “In September, we kick off Awareness Month with a focus on elements that help reduce underage access: effective employee training that ensures retail employees are trained-and-confident and ready to deny underage purchase attempts of tobacco, vaping and nicotine pouch products.”
To ensure compliance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspects up to 9,000 stores per month. Simultaneously, state government authorities also measure retailers’ compliance with state youth access laws.
“Keeping tobacco, vaping products, nicotine pouches and all age-restricted products out of the hands of everyone under 21 years old is our top priority,” said Lyle Beckwith, senior vice president of government relations for the National Association of Convenience Stores and a We Card founding board member.
“A well-trained staff helps stores establish a reputation as a responsible retailer in their communities.”
September 5, 2024
Organigram Closes 2nd Tranche of BAT Investment

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Organigram Holdings closed the second of three tranches of a CAD124.56 million ($92.2 million) equity investment by British American Tobacco’s BT DE Investments subsidiary.
Pursuant to the second tranche closing, the investor acquired 4,429,740 common shares and 8,463,435 Class A preferred shares at a price of CAD3.22 per share for gross proceeds of $30.82 million. The remaining 12,893,175 shares subscribed for are due to be issued at the per share price in the final tranche on or around Feb. 28, 2025.
“With two tranches of the Jupiter pool now funded, combined with our strong balance sheet and targeted investment strategy, Organigram is well on its way to executing on its ambitious growth plan focusing on international, technological and product expansion,” said Organigram CEP Paolo De Luca in a statement.
“Our inaugural Jupiter investment in Open Book Extracts marked our second investment in the U.S. market, and our first international investment in Sanity Group represents a significant first step in our ambitions to grow our footprint in the fast-growing German market,” he added.
September 5, 2024
Accorto Joins Global Institute for Novel Nicotine
Accorto Regulatory Solutions has joined the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN), an organization dedicated to advancing tobacco harm reduction through supporting the research and development of non-vaporized tobacco alternatives for adult smokers. The GINN also promotes compliance standards, focusing on youth access prevention, responsible marketing and product quality.
Accorto Chief Scientific Officer Vince Angelico will join the GINN’s science and standards committee, which helps shape regulatory recommendations for the industry.
“Becoming a member of GINN is a pivotal move in our ongoing commitment to advancing public health through robust, evidence-based regulation,” said Accorto Regulatory Solutions CEO Tom Beaudet in a statement. “GINN’s dedication to upholding industry integrity and prioritizing consumer safety mirrors our own values. We are eager to collaborate with fellow members to drive impactful progress in the tobacco harm reduction space.”
Through this collaboration, Accorto Regulatory Solutions aims to contribute to the development of comprehensive, science-driven regulations that will enhance public health outcomes and promote responsible industry practices. Additionally, Accorto says it is dedicated to helping GINN members with novel, science-backed reduced-risk products fortify their regulatory applications, enabling these products to reach the market.
“Accorto Regulatory Solutions joining GINN marks a significant step forward in our shared mission to advance tobacco harm reduction through evidence-based regulation,” said GINN Director Shem Baldeosingh. “Accorto’s deep expertise in regulatory compliance and their commitment to public health align perfectly with GINN’s core values. We are particularly excited about Dr. Vince Angelico’s involvement in our science and standards committee, as it will further enhance our ability to develop comprehensive, science-driven regulatory frameworks that support the safe and responsible marketing of reduced-risk nicotine products.”
September 5, 2024
Research Grant to Study Biopesticides for Hemp

Credit: Mex Chriss
The economic importance of hemp is increasing globally and in the United States. However, because federal laws restricted hemp growth and research until recently, commercial hemp production lacks best practices for cultivation, including effective and safe pest and disease management.
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s (FFAR) Hemp Research Consortium is providing Cornell University with a $210,000 grant to identify biologically derived crop protection products—biopesticides—to control hemp’s major pest and disease threats.
BioWorks and the University of Kentucky (UK) are participating in the research, and BioWorks is providing matching funds for a total investment of $420,000.
“Research on hemp production is still in its infancy, and pests and disease can be an overwhelming challenge for many growers,” said Kathy Munkvold, FFAR scientific program director. “This project is providing actionable knowledge that will help the hemp production industry thrive.”
Companies developing crop protection products currently focus on fruit, vegetable, and commodity crops such as corn and soy, rather than newer crops like hemp. This project seeks to fill that gap through a partnership between academic institutions and industry, according to a press release.
Researchers at Cornell, BioWorks and UK, led by Christine Smart, director of Cornell AgriTech, are determining the effectiveness of biopesticides against several hemp diseases and investigating the tolerance of hemp crops to these products.
They are also studying the compatibility of biopesticides with other crop protection products used in hemp production. In addition, the team is examining how long the microbes in bioproducts remain on the plant, which is important for product application timing and post-harvest hemp microbial testing required for some hemp products.
The research will broaden the understanding of how to effectively manage the pests and diseases that undermine hemp production and inform recommendations for controlling those threats. Ultimately, growers will save money through the proper use of inputs and higher crop yield, and consumers will gain more comprehensive access to safe, high-quality hemp products, according to a press release.
“Hemp growers are looking for information on pest and disease control, and I am enthusiastic that this project will enable improved management strategies,” said Smart.
To learn more about this grant, visit the Evaluating Biopesticides for the Treatment of Hemp page on FFAR’s website.
September 4, 2024
Advocacy Group Warns of Harm Vape Ban May Cause
Credit: Gustavo Frazeo
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) celebrates New Zealand’s remarkable progress towards its Smokefree 2025 goal, while cautioning that proposed legislative changes, including a ban on disposable vapes, could undermine its regional leadership.
“New Zealand stands on the cusp of an historic public health victory,” CAPHRA executive coordinator Nancy Loucas stated. “Thanks to progressive policies supporting vaping and other reduced-risk products, the country is poised to reach its target of less than 5 percent of the population smoking well ahead of schedule.
“Recent data shows smoking rates have plummeted to just over 6 percent, down from 16.4 percent in 2011/12 when the Smokefree 2025 goal was set. This remarkable decline is largely attributed to New Zealand’s embrace of tobacco harm reduction strategies, which have served as a model for other countries in the Asia Pacific region.
“New Zealand’s success story is built on a foundation of evidence-based policies that recognize the potential of less harmful alternatives to help smokers quit,” Loucas explained. “Countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand have looked to New Zealand’s regulatory framework to shape their own approaches to tobacco harm reduction.
“However, CAPHRA expresses serious concern over proposed amendments to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill 2024, particularly the ban on closed system vapes:”
According to a press release, CAPHRA recommends a balanced approach that:

Maintains access to a variety of vaping products, including closed systems

Implements reasonable regulations without outright bans

Further expands support for reduced-risk alternatives

Increases education on the benefits of switching to less harmful products

“New Zealand has become a global leader in tobacco harm reduction, inspiring countries across the Asia Pacific to follow suit. We urge the government to build on this success rather than risk undermining it,” Loucas stated. “With thoughtful policies that preserve access to all types of vaping products, New Zealand can cross the Smokefree 2025 finish line and continue to serve as an inspiration for countries worldwide.”
September 4, 2024
BAT Agrees to Host 2024 CORESTA Congress
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The UK-based company will host the 2024 CORESTA Congress in Edinburgh, UK, from 13 – 17 Oct.

The Congress will bring together leading scientists, tobacco and related product experts, and regulators from over 165 member organizations to focus on the theme of “Advancing Tobacco Harm Reduction through Scientific Collaboration.”
Participants will share, discuss, and collaborate on tobacco and related product
science.
BAT has volunteered to host the upcoming Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative
to Tobacco (CORESTA) Congress 2024, set to take place from 13 – 17 October at the Edinburgh
International Convention Centre, UK.
This year’s congress will bring together over 165 member organizations, from over 30 countries
and non-members, including companies, research institutes, laboratories, associations, and
regulatory bodies under the theme of “Advancing Tobacco Harm Reduction through Scientific
Collaboration”.
Formed in 1956, CORESTA is committed to exploring the latest scientific research to facilitate
positive change in the tobacco industry. This year’s iteration continues this ambition, specifically
seeking to advance the knowledge and understanding of the science related to Tobacco Harm
Reduction (THR) among its membership and attendees.
To achieve this goal, leading scientists from across the world will attend and present their work, bringing their expertise in a diverse range of disciplines to allow participants to explore all aspects of THR. Thanks to the collaborative work of the most experienced scientists in their field, CORESTA has gained international recognition.
With increasing regulatory requirements, CORESTA’s scientific work and outputs have become a worldwide reference point for tobacco policymaking and support the development of testing standards, such as ISO Standards.
As host, BAT looks forward to facilitating the conversations necessary to grasp the public health opportunity presented by THR to significantly reduce the risks for the estimated 1bn consumers who smoke and address misperceptions of alternative tobacco and nicotine products with the potential to reduce risks compared to cigarettes.
To learn more about the event and request an invitation, visit the official congress website: www.corestacongress2024.com. Registration is open until Sept. 20, 2024.
September 4, 2024