Author: Timothy Donahue

South Dakota to Vote on Legal Weed for 3rd Time
Credit: J Doms
South Dakota voters will once again decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana. This is the third time they have weighed in on the question.
On Monday, Secretary of State Monae Johnson’s office validated a measure for the November general election ballot. In 2020, voters passed a measure that was ultimately struck down in court, according to media reports. In 2022, voters defeated another attempt.
Twenty-four states have legalized recreational marijuana. Ohio voters most recently did so in November 2023. Florida voters will also vote on the issue this fall. Other efforts are ongoing in additional states, including North Dakota.
The South Dakota measure would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and older. The proposal has possession limits of 2 ounces of marijuana in a form other than concentrated cannabis or cannabis products. The measure also allows the cultivation of plants with restrictions.
If successful, measure backers plan to work with the Legislature to implement business licensing, tax, and other regulations.
June 5, 2024
Provinces in Canada Seek Generational Ban Comments
Newfoundland and Labrador flag against the sunset sky. (Credit: Ecrow)
Newfoundland and Labrador is considering following along with recent announcements in the U.K.
The provincial government in Canda will ask residents this month for public feedback on a number of increased nicotine regulations, including the possibility of a total ban on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to people born after a specific date, according to media reports.
The legislation would eventually phase out the sale of cigarettes permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador. It follows a similar move in Prince Edward Island (PEI), where a “Tobacco-Free Generation” proposal was suggested in a consultation paper earlier this year.
A similar concept was tried – and swiftly repealed – in New Zealand, and the issue is expected to return to the United Kingdom’s House of Commons after the country’s July election.
June 5, 2024
Distributors Want New York Flavor Suit Tossed
Credit: HTGanzo
Two groups of e-cigarette distributors are urging a New York state court to dismiss claims from New York City alleging they’re violating city laws by selling flavored e-cigarettes. The defendants say the law in question only applies to retail sales, not distributor-to-distributor sales.
In April, the City of New York filed a lawsuit against 11 wholesalers for their part in the illegal sale of flavored disposable e-cigarettes, according to media reports.
The 11 defendants – located in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and upstate New York – are alleged to have distributed, and continue to distribute, flavored disposable e-cigarettes – such as Strawberry Colada, Mellow Mint, Blueberry Energize, and Frozen Creamsicle – to retail vape and smoke shops, convenience stores, and directly to consumers over the internet, in violation of federal, New York state, and New York City law.
The lawsuit seeks to block the defendants from further selling the items and seeks damages and penalties under state and city statutes. It is a companion to the city’s pending 2023 federal lawsuit, in which two defendants are already subject to court orders barring their sales and shipments of flavored e-cigarettes into the city.
June 4, 2024
New York Advances Bill to Ban Some Vape Products
Credit: Gary L Hider
The New York Senate passed a bill last week that would ban the sale of vape products that resemble school supplies, children’s toys, or that use packaging and advertising with the intent of targeting children.
If enacted, violators of Senate Bill S7882 could face a civil penalty of up to $1,500 for a first violation and $2,500 for each subsequent violation, according to media reports.
Under the bill, businesses selling tobacco and related products would be prohibited from offering items that may include pictures, logos, symbols, mottos, selling messages or colors that specifically appeal to minors, as well as representations of cartoon, movie, or video game characters, toys, electronic devices and school supplies, including markers, highlighters, ballpoint pens and thumb drives.
The bipartisan legislation must still be approved by the Assembly and signed by the governor before going into effect. A companion version of the proposal sponsored by is pending in that chamber.
June 4, 2024
Investor Plans Liquid Nicotine Facility in Zimbabwe

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
A Chinese investor plans to build a multi-billion dollar nicotine-extraction factory in Zimbabwe, reports The Herald. The plans are at an advanced stage, according to the country’s former ambassador to China, Christopher Mutsvangwa.
The facility will extract nicotine from tobacco stalks, leaves and flowers for the cigarette alternatives, such as e-cigarettes. Once established the factory is expected to also process tobacco from neighboring countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
“There is going to be a very big industry to extract nicotine from the by-products after selecting the premium tobacco leaves,” Mutsvangwa told participants in meeting of the ruling Zanu PF’s party’s Mashonaland West provincial coordinating committee meeting in Chinhoyi.
“The Chinese firms have an interest in setting up the factories here in Zimbabwe because of our production levels,” he said.
The investor’s board of directors reportedly met on May 31, 2024, to finalize the modalities of setting up the factory, which will likely be built in Karoi, in one of Zimbabwe’s largest tobacco producing districts.
Zimbabwe is also expected to be a major producer of cannabis seeds following plans to establish a US$400 million factory. “We now have capacity to produce cannabis seed in the country. After an initial investment of $30 million, the company now wants to set up a seed production factory,” said Mutsvangwa.
The investments in nicotine extraction and cannabis production will boost Zimbabwe’s attempts to extract more value from its tobacco industry, as detailed in the government’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan.
June 4, 2024
US FDA Updates ‘Red List’ for Illegal Vaping Products
Credit: Eduardo Barraza
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its import alert on May 23, which includes a “red list” of manufacturers, distributors, and brands of vapor products that may be detained “without physical examination,” the agency announced.
The alert authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to detain new tobacco products that do not have the required marketing authorization under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which gives the FDA the authority to regulate all tobacco products.
The full list of products now includes Chinese manufacturers and distributors as well as U.S. importers and distributors.
The FDA announced last week that it is taking stronger enforcement actions against unauthorized e-cigarettes. The agency is seeking civil money penalties (CMP) against nine brick-and-mortar retailers and one online retailer for selling unauthorized Elf Bar brand vaping products. The FDA is seeking a penalty of more than $20,000 from each retailer.
“In order to remove a firm’s product from the Red List, information should be provided to the agency to adequately demonstrate that the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation,” the FDA states. “The purpose of this is so that the Agency will have confidence that future shipments/entries will be in compliance with the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).”
June 3, 2024
Namibia Readies to Regulate Vaping Products

Image: sezerozger
Namibia plans to regulate vapor products and water pipes, reports the Windhoek Observer.
The country’s Ministry of Health and Social Services wants to amend the Tobacco Act to include those products.
The goal is to curb the growing use of electronic cigarettes and water pipes across the country. The amendment will also facilitate the development of a comprehensive tobacco strategic plan scheduled for launch later this month.
Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Ester Muinjangue stressed the urgency of regulating vaping products, despite existing legal frameworks to combat tobacco use in Namibia. “There is no safe form of tobacco smoke,” she said, rejecting suggestions that vaping and hookah smoking are safer alternatives to traditional cigarette smoking.
Muinjangue encouraged smokers seeking to quit their habit to utilize existing resources and seek support from health professionals.
June 3, 2024
Heated Breakthrough

Greentank is at the forefront of innovation with the launch of its patented Heating Chip technology.
By Timothy S. Donahue
The vaping industry is in a constant state of innovation, primarily driven by advancements in hardware. A significant focus has been on enhancing battery quality as well as the electronics and circuitry within vaping systems. Notably, there have been substantial advancements in atomization technology. This includes the development from traditional wire coils and wicks to a more progressive adoption of ceramic materials.
Atomization technology is crucial because the heating element functions as the core of a vaping system. The coil’s role in atomizing e-liquid is pivotal; the more efficient the element, the better the aerosol production, consistency and flavor. Recently, a leading technology company announced its breakthrough in heating technology, set to revolutionize the market.
It has been seven years since a significant advance has been made in atomization technology. Enter Greentank: a company with a wholly new design representing a dramatic step-change from the conventional ceramic and wicked coil systems prevalent in many of today’s vaping products, promising enhanced safety, performance and experience.
Greentank is a business-to-business technology company that specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of precision-made inhalation devices and atomization technology, according to CEO Dustin Koffler. Greentank’s latest innovation in atomization is called Quantum Vape. It replaces cotton wick and ceramic heating elements with a state-of-the-art patented Heating Chip.
According to Koffler, the Heating Chip outperforms all other leading atomization products. For example, the Heating Chip performs better on key safety metrics such as harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) and heavy metal testing than other leading technologies in the market. It also produces the “absolute greatest” release of flavor and the most consistent consumer experience from the first draw to the last, he says.
“With this breakthrough in inhalation science, we’ve catapulted beyond the current generation of atomization technology,” said Koffler. “Our Heating Chip is set to disrupt the global market. It’s a distinct departure from anything currently available. While many companies focus merely on tweaking the substrates and print materials used in ceramic-based systems, they remain bound to the same ceramic foundation.
“They’re refining ceramics—making components slightly smaller, slightly tighter, experimenting with new materials and formulations. Greentank, however, is pioneering an entirely novel approach that’s unlike anything witnessed in the industry before.”
The Heating Chip is small. It comfortably fits on a fingertip and is one-fifth the size of today’s heating solutions. However, Koffler said its high-performance standards are due to advances that have never been achieved before with atomization. Typically, in a ceramic heating element, over time, flavor starts to dissipate naturally. This is because there is caking or buildup inside the pores of the ceramic, causing the temperature throughout the ceramic to vary after each use, leading to thermal cycling. With the Heating Chip, there is zero potential for thermal cycling, according to Greentank; every puff tastes the same as the first.
“The Heating Chip employs a unique capillary action to draw the oil through the heating element, ensuring that each puff initiates a fresh cycle of material,” explained Koffler. “Many products boast consistent flavor throughout use, yet we’re all aware that the current market offerings fall short in maintaining this throughout the life of the product. In contrast, the Heating Chip integrates nanofabrication into its design.
“The entire manufacturing process is proprietary, involving novel methods to assemble materials into the Heating Chip that emits no ceramic particle emissions and contains the lowest levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents. While it’s not feasible to claim complete absence, third-party testing and rigorous chemical analysis have found these HPHCs to be at undetectable levels.”
Additionally, Greentank only recently completed a longevity study using the Heating Chip in one of the company’s proprietary electronic nicotine-delivery system devices with a target of 15,000 puffs. “We easily achieved this target while demonstrating consistent vapor output from the first puff to the 15,000th puff,” explained Koffler. “Furthermore, we provided these same devices, along with new ones, to Labstat International to conduct aerosol analysis for both carbonyls and metals. The results showed that there was no difference in the safety efficacy from the first puff to the 15,000th puff.”

Technically Speaking
To a scientist, it’s a micro channel-based aerosol generator that delivers sub-micron particles according to its proprietary design. To the average consumer, it’s a smoother experience with maximum flavor intensity in a less-risky delivery than currently marketed e-cigarette and cannabis vape products. The Heating Chip isn’t anything like ceramics, said Koffler. Porosity isn’t inconsistent. It’s a chip with thousands of small holes and microchannels that allow for a superior level of precision and control in the atomizing process.
One of the major challenges in designing the Heating Chip was finding the right talent to help develop the manufacturing process, said Koffler. The manufacturing of the Heating Chip requires specialized equipment, and bringing together a system that worked was incredibly complicated. The manufacturing of the Heating Chip can be compared to producing semiconductors.
“By adapting pioneering techniques from other advanced industries and tailoring them to meet our specific requirements, we’ve enhanced our technology’s performance,” Koffler revealed. “The expertise of our global team, the precision of the equipment we utilize and our methodical focus on perfecting one aspect of the process at a time has been instrumental in overcoming the challenges we faced.”
The next generation of atomization technology is moving away from ceramics, according to Koffler. The Heating Chip technology avoids all heavy metal leaching and ceramic particle emissions and ensures the lowest HPHCs all while permitting an unprecedented taste and consistency over a longer lifetime.
It also offers a smoother experience and better mouth dispersion. Interestingly, the device is also able to create particulate matter small enough to reach lower lung absorption levels for nicotine, much like combustible cigarettes. This could be a giant innovation in getting smokers to adapt to less risky nicotine-delivery systems.
“Utilizing microfluidic channel technology, we’ve engineered a system that precisely controls aerosol nucleation and optimizes particle size, enriching the sensory experience while maximizing intensity without any harshness,” Koffler detailed. “Our design includes independently arranged channels and a thin film interface that safeguards against chemical reactions and thermal decomposition. This architecture not only enhances flavor fidelity and ensures consistent temperature but also elevates safety standards and reduces potential harm significantly. From the outset, our goal was to achieve unparalleled performance and safety.”
The size of the Heating Chip is incredible. It’s tiny. It’s one-fifth the size and 100 times the precision of any ceramic atomizer on the market today, according to Koffler. Its reduced size creates greater design flexibility and quicker response times. The Heating Chip is produced on sophisticated micro- electromechanical systems (MEMS) machinery. MEMS is a general term for forming a micron-level three-dimensional structure on a support substrate such as a silicon wafer and integrating functions such as electronic circuits, sensors and actuators.
“Unlike the broad, imprecise methods typical of ceramic manufacturing, our approach from start to finish is meticulously controlled and exact,” explained Koffler. “This precision is why developing the right equipment for producing the Heating Chip was an extensive process. The level of control we achieve with the MEMS technology not only enhances consistency but also opens up revolutionary possibilities in precise dosing for pharmaceutical applications. This capability to finely tune dosages is a game changer in both vaping and medical fields.”

Future Markets
Based in Toronto, Canada, Greentank doesn’t produce nicotine. It doesn’t manufacture e-liquids or cannabis products. At its core, Greentank is a technology and product development company with a focus on safety, performance and reliability. The Heating Chip is not made from ceramics. While the material is proprietary, Koffler insists the technology is something new and its application in inhalation products is only scratching the surface of its potential. It is designed specifically for multiple verticals, predominantly electronic nicotine-delivery systems but also pharmaceuticals and wellness products.
“We have expanded to over 100 employees across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Singapore and China, with the majority focused on research and development,” Koffler detailed. “We’ve assembled a highly skilled manufacturing team to produce our innovative chip and have strengthened our engineering and material science capabilities. Last summer, we acquired Numerical Design, a company specializing in microfluidics and microfabrication, boasting an extensive portfolio of patents that further strengthen our intellectual property. This strategic expansion underscores our commitment to leading the edge in technology and manufacturing excellence.”
Greentank spent over three years developing and testing the technology surrounding the Heating Chip and its manufacturing process. Additionally, it has been created with a robust intellectual property portfolio involving more than 50 patent families to bring forward a variety of advancements. The company’s technology is manufactured in ISO-certified labs, and all products undergo third-party testing.
The technology is completely different from what exists in today’s inhalation devices. It gives Greentank the flexibility to be adopted into various inputs and varying viscosities. For example, it works well with both low-viscosity water-based e-liquids and high-viscosity resin oils from cannabis materials.
In March of 2023, Greentank announced that it successfully closed a $16.5 million Series B financing round led by a strategic investor group with more than 15 years of manufacturing experience. The total investment in Greentank to date is now reported at $38.5 million.
“Our Series B funding was a strategic move to elevate our operations from industrial prowess to global commercialization,” said Koffler. “We’ve established a 20,000-square-foot cutting-edge R&D and manufacturing facility, a project that spanned 18 months to build and equip with the most advanced technology needed to scale our Heating Chip.
“This facility not only pushes the limits of what’s possible with specialized equipment and expertise but is also designed with flexibility in mind. Our vision was to create a model that can be replicated anywhere in the world, preparing us to expand into any other market as we continue to grow our business.”
The expansion of the business is about phases, and Koffler said that during the next phase, whether that be the medical or wellness industry, Greentank needs to be able to produce chips to meet global demand with scale in mind. Koffler said this means that the company will look to leverage automation.
Koffler emphasized that the real measure of Greentank’s success will be seen as the next generation of inhalation devices hits the market. He highlighted that numerous devices are on the cusp of being launched, with the Heating Chip poised to redefine industry benchmarks for safety and efficiency. Currently, Greentank is aiming to influence tobacco harm reduction significantly.
“At Greentank, our commitment extends beyond mere compliance with regulatory standards; we are dedicated to establishing new paradigms of transparency and consumer safety,” said Koffler. “We are not just participating in the market—we are leading it toward a safer and better future.”
Timothy Donahue is the assistant editor of Tobacco Reporter. Since joining our team in January 2013, he has become not only an expert on the traditional tobacco business but also a well-respected voice in the rapidly developing vapor industry. Tim spends much of his time on the road, attending conferences and interviewing industry representatives. His networking skills, work ethic and quick mind are valuable assets to our diverse audience.

June 1, 2024
UK: ‘Hypothetical Future’ No-Flavor Vape Shop Opens

Credit: Riot Labs
Two vaping businesses joined forces in opening a vape shop that represents a “hypothetical” future store if the U.K. were to ban flavors and implement a newly proposed tax regime.
In a release, e-liquid manufacturer Riot Labs and the vape shop Right Vape opened “The Flavourless Vape Shop” in Northampton to draw attention to the implications of a looming tax rise and flavor ban proposal that Riot Labs states will have a “devastating impact on people trying to quit [combustible cigarettes].”
The group meticulously created their vision, from the signage to the interior decor, and illustrated every detail of what the “hypothetical future” would hold if the ban were in full effect to give vapers and smokers a taste of what might come.
Customers faced two choices: One side of the shop contained “less flavor, less value, and less choice.” Or they could step to the opposite side, where Right Vape would serve them at 2024 prices and allow access to current legal products that would be banned under the proposed rules, according to an emailed release.
The launch event featured a Rishi Sunak lookalike to help cut the “opening” ribbon and serve customers the proposed expensive and flavorless vapes.
“We’re committed to supporting smokers who want to quit and have already helped thousands to stop over the past 7 years,” said Ryan Michlig, owner of Right Vape shop. “The proposed vaping legislation is going to be so detrimental to everyone who wants to quit smoking. Partnering with Riot Labs to open the Flavourless Vape Shop and bring awareness to the new legislation was a no-brainer.
“We wanted to create an experience that showed what the legislation could be like in real-time and get invaluable feedback from customers about how it’ll impact them.”
A recent study conducted by One Poll and commissioned by the UKVIA found that 83 percent of surveyed vapers say flavored vapes helped them “pack in their smoking habit.”
It also found that 1 in 3 respondents (an estimated 1.5 million vapers) believe a ban on flavors would lead them back to conventional cigarettes.
“The reality of the new legislation is giving people less choice, less value and ultimately less reasons to quit smoking at all. Adults depend on flavors to support their quit-smoking journey, and this legislation is going to have a detrimental impact on smokers trying to quit,” said Ben Johnson, CEO for Riot Labs. “There are better ways to deal with youth vaping such as an enforceable licensing scheme for all retailers.”
May 31, 2024
Flavor Bans Threat to EU Smoke-Free Ambitions: Tholos

Image: Arcady
The Tholos Foundation has launched three white papers exposing the risks of banning flavors in vaping products at an event in Brussels hosted by Parliament Magazine and featuring contributions from Swedish MEP Johan Nissinen. The reports cover the impact of flavor bans in the real world, best practices to educate adult smokers and restrict underage usage, and analyze the public response to the European Commission’s 2023 public consultation.
Surveys commissioned by the Tholos Foundation and conducted by Ipsos in multiple countries have shown that a significant majority of vapers use flavors other than tobacco to help reduce and quit smoking. Notably, 83 percent of vapers in Germany stated that flavors are crucial in their decision to vape, with similar high percentages reported in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden. The research also showed that, in countries where flavors were banned, many vapers went back to smoking or for black market alternative, and reference numerous scientific studies confirming that flavors are essential for the effectiveness of vaping products in smoking cessation.
With European elections due to take place shortly, the Tholos Foundation believes it is imperative policymakers take heed of voters’ concerns and reject extensive restrictions on smoking alternatives.
“The evidence is clear: flavors in vaping products are critical to helping smokers quit,” said co-author Tim Andrews in a statement. “Banning flavors will create a black market and drive people back to smoking. Our reports offer an evidence-based approach that combines rigorous law enforcement, education, and technological innovations to reduce underage experimentation while preserving the benefits for adult smokers.
“With the European elections approaching, it is crucial for policymakers to understand the importance of harm reduction strategies. Our findings support a balanced approach that protects public health and helps smokers transition to safer alternatives.”
The Tholos Foundation is an international non-governmental organization, affiliated with Americans for Tax Reform, dedicated to advocating for consumers.
May 31, 2024