Category: News This Week

California City Closes Vapor Flavor Loophole

Credit: Sarah J. – Pixabay
On Tuesday, the Oakland City Council closed a loophole that allowed for the sale of flavored tobacco products despite the city banning them in Feb. 2017. That loophole created an exemption for tobacco stores that were limited to adults, though had become exploited to create sections in gas stations and convenience stores.
The 8-0 vote closed the so-called “tobacco store” loophole in the city’s 2017 ordinance that banned the sale of flavored tobacco in Oakland. At that time, tobacco retailers requested and received an exemption to continue selling flavored tobacco at “adult-only” tobacco stores, according to a story on CBS local KPIX5.
“People have gone to great efforts to continue selling flavored and menthol tobacco,” Vice Mayor Larry Reid said. “I only wish they would put in equal effort to sell healthier products and join us to prevent a new generation of smokers.”
When the council passed the original ordinance, between two and five such stores existed, according to Reid. As of February, though, 56 adult-only tobacco stores were operating in Oakland, comprising roughly 15 percent of the city’s tobacco retailers.
According to city officials, some of those adult-only stores were simply tobacco stores prior to the original flavored tobacco ban and added a sequestered adult-only area so after the ban they could continue displaying and selling flavored and menthol tobacco products.
May 13, 2020
Cannabis Offers Potential Resistance to Coronavirus

Credit: Christina Winter
An Alberta, Canada researcher says a new study shows that cannabis extracts are showing potential in making people more resistant to the novel coronavirus.
After sifting through 400 cannabis strains, researchers at the University of Lethbridge are concentrating on about a dozen that show promising results in ensuring less fertile ground for the potentially lethal virus to take root, said biological scientist Dr. Igor Kovalchuk, according to an article in the Calgary Herald.
“A number of them have reduced the number of these (virus) receptors by 73 per cent, the chance of it getting in is much lower,” said Kovalchuk. “If they can reduce the number of receptors, there’s much less chance of getting infected.”
Employing cannabis sativa strains over the past three months, the researcher said the effective balance between cannabis components THC and CBD — the latter more typically associated with medical use — is still unclear in blocking the novel coronavirus.
“It will take a long time to find what the active ingredient is — there may be many,” said Kovalchuk, whose Pathway RX is owned partly by Olds-based licensed cannabis producer Sundial Growers and partnered with Alberta cannabis researcher Swysh.
But it’s generally the anti-inflammatory properties of high-CBD content that have shown most promise, he added.
“We focus more on the higher CBD because people can take higher doses and not be impaired,” said Kovalchuk.
May 13, 2020
California to Propose Higher Vapor Taxes

Credit: Alexander Mils
When Governor Gavin Newsom submits his revised budget proposal on Thursday, it will include a vapor tax increase. California currently taxes vapor products at 59.27 percent of wholesale value, but the proposal would impose an additional tax at a rate of $2 for each 40 milligrams of nicotine in the product.
The tax would take effect January 1, 2021 and is forecasted to raise $32 million in FY 2021. Collections would be allocated to administration, enforcement, youth prevention, and health care workforce programs. The budget summary also stipulates that the governor supports a statewide ban on all flavored nicotine products (including menthol cigarettes), according to an article on taxfoundation.org.
The impetus for this proposal is increased youth vaping in the state. A nationwide survey of high schoolers, published in the fall of 2019, found that 27.5 percent of students had vaped at least once in the prior 30 days, though only 10 percent of students were considered regular users (defined as vaping 20 days out the prior 30). While youth uptake is a very real concern which deserves the public’s attention, punitive level taxes and outright bans could impede historically high smoking cessation rates.
California is the latest state to try to increase vapor taxes. This year, Kentucky, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming have already passed increases to vapor taxes, which means 25 states and the District of Columbia now tax vapor products.
May 12, 2020
Nova Scotia Seeking Canada’s Stiffest Vaping Regulations

A new cap on the nicotine concentration allowed in e-liquids will give Nova Scotia the stiffest vaping regulations in the country, according to an article on cbs.ca.
An order in council signed last week amending the Tobacco Access Act regulations will restrict the sale of e-liquids to a maximum nicotine concentration of 20 milligrams per millilitre. The move follows an amendment the government passed earlier this year banning flavoured vape products.
The content cap, which is aimed squarely at products that tend to be favoured by young people, comes into effect on Sept. 1 and is in step with measures used in the United Kingdom.
In an email, a Health Department spokesperson said the change “will enhance our efforts to protect youth from the harms of nicotine by reducing their exposure to highly addictive concentrations.”
Kelly Cull, a spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society, said the move isn’t a surprise, but her organization is “excited and encouraged” by the decision.
Although both opposition parties and advocates wanted the government to include the cap in legislation along with the flavour ban, Health Minister Randy Delorey said at the time that he favoured doing it through regulations so it could be more quickly changed if necessary.
May 12, 2020
Minnesota House votes to raise age of sale on e-cigarettes to 21

Credit: Bao Chau
Minnesotans under the age of 21 won’t be able to buy e-cigarettes under a proposal that has been approved by the U.S. state’s House of Representatives.
According to a story on grandforksherald.com, the proposal sets a statewide ban on selling tobacco and e-cigarette products to those younger than 21 and bars those under 21 from entering tobacco or vape shops. Businesses that sell vapor and tobacco products to those younger than 21 would face a $300 penalty after the first offense with higher fees on subsequent offenses. Those younger than 21 found buying vapor and tobacco products would face license suspensions and adults who furnish the products to them would face a $50 fine.
The federal government has hiked the minimum age of sale of vapor and tobacco products from 18 to 21, and local governments around the state have enacted similar ordinances in their communities. But the measures are not being enforced across the state, the bill’s supporters said.
“This statewide approach is necessary so we don’t have some Minnesota communities enforcing a state age of 18 while some are enforcing the age of 21,” Rep. Heather Edelson, D-Edina, said. “Our bill makes it clear there’s only one tobacco age in Minnesota and that is 21.”
The measure could come up for Senate consideration later this week. Smoking cessation advocates applauded the bill’s passage and said the bill could help prevent children and young people in Minnesota from becoming addicted to tobacco and e-cigarettes.
May 11, 2020
Vuse to Sponsor U.S. Tour of The Fratellis

The R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company (RJRVC) announce that the Vuse brand will be a headline sponsor for the U.S. portion of The Fratellis’ upcoming international concert tour. This Vuse sponsorship is part of a broader sponsorship deal between British American Tobacco (“BAT”), RJRVC’s ultimate parent Group, and The Fratellis. To celebrate this sponsorship, The Fratellis will offer an exclusive sneak peak of their new song, “Strangers in the Street,” via Vuse Vapor’s U.S. age-restricted Instagram channel.
The Fratellis are a multi-platinum, multi-award-winning Scottish rock band from Glasgow, formed in 2005. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli, bassist and backing vocalist Barry Fratelli, and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli. The Fratellis have announced that their sixth studio album, titled Half Drunk Under a Full Moon, to be released on October 30, 2020, alongside a full UK and North American tour.
“We’re pleased to be part of The Fratellis’ upcoming U.S. tour, and to bring exclusive music and inspirational experiences for adult nicotine consumers,” says Leila Meideros, U.S. Head of Vuse Vapor.
To celebrate the announcement of this sponsorship, The Fratellis will release a new track, “Strangers in the Street,” featuring legendary U.S. soul singer P.P. Arnold. This new track will premiere on Vuse Vapor’s U.S. age-restricted Instagram channel on May 7. The Fratellis will also be releasing a video that will be available exclusively on Vuse Vapor’s U.S. Instagram channel through May 14.
“This song is a unique passion project for us. We recorded separately due to the pandemic and edited together to share through Vuse’s Instagram,” says Jon Fratelli, “We’re glad we can still put out music despite the circumstances, and we’re thankful to Vuse for helping make it happen.”
To provide support to the music community during these challenging times, Vuse Vapor is including a link for individuals to donate to MusiCares through the Spotify Covid-19 Relief Fund. The Fratellis will also be donating 100% of their share of the proceeds from sales to Covid-19 relief funds.
“COVID-19 has left the music community devasted, leaving many musicians and creators without jobs and an uncertain future,” says Meideros “We are thrilled to support this effort with The Fratellis, and in addition, are proud to make a corporate donation to help the music community.”
U.S. Tour dates will be announced later this year.
NOTE: Vuse Vapor’s U.S. Instagram account (@vusevaporus) is restricted to age 21+ nicotine consumers.
May 9, 2020
Cannabis Technology Launches HNB Device

Image: Cannabis Technology House
Cannabis Technology House (CTH) is launching QUB, a heat-not-burn product that can contains cannabis flower or tobacco leaf.
According to Greg Kunin, CTH’s co-founder and chief product officer, the product does not have to be cleaned because the heater is replaced with each new consumable.
The difference between QUB and other vape pens is that the user consumes a product that is pre-packaged dry material in a cube-shaped piece. Most vape pens come as a reusable hardware device, but the consumer typically adds an oil cartridge to one end or it comes prepackaged with an oil cartridge. The result is that the consumer inhales an oil that is extracted from the original dry material.
While QUB was originally conceived as mostly a cannabis product, the crossover between tobacco and cannabis provides consumers flexibility. Cigarette smokers could use their QUB device for both tobacco and cannabis.
CTH was created by former Altria employees who worked with an Israeli R&D group that patented this concept.
The company has received $1 million from private investors to further develop QUB.

May 8, 2020
Maryland Governor Vetoes Vapor Tax

Photo: Getulio Moraes
The US state of Maryland’s Governor vetoed vapor tax legislation in House Bill 732. The vapor industry initially faced an 86 percent wholesale tax on all vapor products, which included devices and liquids.
The Maryland General Assembly spent a majority of the legislative session in search of new revenues to fill budget gaps and eventually turned its attention to vapor products, according to Tony Abboud, executive director for the Vapor Technology Association (VTA).
The VTA and the Maryland Vapor Alliance (MVA) engaged key committee members, participated in hearings, and worked behind the scenes to offer alternatives to the 86 percent tax, according to a press note. “After much debate, the General Assembly decided to move forward with a 12 percent point of sale tax on devices and liquids with an exception on containers under 5 milliliters, which would have a 60 percent wholesale tax,” the note states. “After the tax passed, VTA and MVA worked to educate the Governor’s Office on the adverse impact such a tax would have on Maryland small businesses.”
Governor Larry Hogan then vetoed the legislation. “These misguided bills would raise taxes and fees on Marylanders at a time when many are already out of work and financially struggling. With our state in the midst of a global pandemic and economic crash, and just beginning on our road to recovery, it would be unconscionable to raise taxes and fees now,” Hogan said.

In Maryland, a three-fifths vote of the elected members of both chambers is necessary to override the Governor’s veto. Because there were several tax increases vetoed, there could be efforts in the General Assembly to override the veto, according to the VTA.
May 8, 2020
New Zealand: Vape starter kit sales rise

Photo: Richard R. Schünemann | Unsplash.com
In New Zealand, Ben Pryor, co-owner of Alt New Zealand and Vapo, has seen a 30 percent rise in the sale of vapor device starter kits through the companies’ online stores.
With the outbreak of Covid-19 and the following lockdowns, traditional cigarette sales seem to have gone down, and many smokers are turning to vaping.
“There are a few things at play here. People are quitting cigarettes because of their sheer cost and the increasing pressure many household budgets are now under. At the same time, the threat of Covid-19 has made many smokers more cognizant of their respiratory health and smoking’s secondhand effects on others in their bubble,” Pryor said.
The lockdowns caused 11 Vapo stores to close, negatively affecting the company. But the upswing in online sales has helped temper that. “We’ve really noticed a big increase in our Alt and Vapo Haiz starter kit sales,” Pryor said. “Our call center is reporting that many smokers are using this time to quit tobacco so are seeking advice and turning to considerably safer and cost-effective vape products more than ever.”
May 6, 2020
Juul Labs to Exit South Korea, 5 EU Markets
Juul Labs said today it would end operations in South Korea, a year after it entered the market. The company states the cause was its inability to gain market share amid government health warnings.
In a statement, Juul Labs stated that since the beginning of the year it was working through a restructuring process aimed a re-establishing a viable business in South Korea by significantly reducing costs and making changes to its products.
“However, these innovations will not be available as anticipated,” the statement said. “As a result, we intend to cease our operations in South Korea.”
In October last year, South Korea’s health ministry advised people to stop vaping because of growing health concerns, especially after a case of pneumonia was reported in a 30-year-old e-cigarette user that month, according to Reuters news article.
The announcement prompted convenience store chains and duty free shops to suspend the sale of flavored liquid e-cigarettes, including those made by Juul Labs.
In December, South Korean health authorities said they had found vitamin E acetate, which may be linked to lung illnesses, in some liquid e-cigarette products made by Juul Labs, but the company denied using the material, according to Reuters.
Juul Labs launched a product portfolio that was specifically developed for the Korean market in May 2019, but “our performance has not met expectations in terms of meeting the needs of our Korean adult smokers to successfully transition from combustible cigarettes,” according to the statement. “We have learned through this process and are focused on innovating our product portfolio.”
Juul Labs is also reportedly ready to withdraw from a handful of EU markets as well, claiming the regulatory environment has become overly hostile to the device.
According to BuzzFeed News, Juul will soon remove its products from shelves in Austria, Belgium, Portugal, France, and Spain.
The news outlet reports the European Union’s strict requirement that e-cigs contain no more than 20 milligrams of nicotine makes it difficult for Juul to do business there.
Austria, Belgium, and Portugal are very small markets for Juul, but the leading e-cig manufacturer generates significant sales from France and Spain. It will exit France by the end of the year, but withdraw from the other countries in July, paring its presence in global markets to a narrow selection that includes Germany, Italy, Russia, and the U.K.
May 6, 2020