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  • New Bill May Legalize Recreational Weed in Texas

    New Bill May Legalize Recreational Weed in Texas

    Texas may join several states in legalizing recreational marijuana if a bill is passed in the next legislative session.

    If passed, the bill would let adults ages 21 and older possess, use and transport marijuana for personal use, up to 2.5 ounces. Up to ten ounces of marijuana could be possessed legally if stored in a secure location.

    It would also require cannabis products to be clearly labeled and have child-resistant packaging, WFAA reports.

    State Rep. Jessica Gonzalez filed the bill in November, to be considered during the next legislative session. The next session runs from Jan. 5 to June 2, 2025. If the bill passes, it will go into effect Sept. 1, 2025.

    The bill would have limitations. Smoking marijuana in public would remain illegal, as would smoking in a vehicle on a public road.

    Texas would join 24 other states in legalizing recreational marijuana. The Lone Star State established a medical marijuana program through the Compassionate Use Program in 2015 and is among the 38 states that allow it for medical use.

    However, it’s unlikely that the new bill will be passed as Texas officials continue to tighten regulations on marijuana issues statewide.

  • U.S. Customs Seizes $81 Million in Vapes This Year

    U.S. Customs Seizes $81 Million in Vapes This Year

    Credit: Eduardo Barraza

    During the last 12 months, U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) officers in Chicago made 121 seizures containing over 3.2 million prohibited Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) products with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of more than $81.5 million.

    Almost all the shipments originated from China and were destined for locations across the U.S. Most shipments violated the FDA’s Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), while some were seized for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations, according to CPB. Some of the IPR violations concerned used unauthorized trademarks associated with pop icons. By copying these well-known marks, the seller targeted teens and younger adults, hoping to persuade them to purchase their counterfeited items.

    “It is common for bad actors to use popular people and brands to promote their products. In a couple of these instances, they used the name of an influencer with a large following specifically targeting the younger audience,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director, Field Operations, Chicago Field Office. “CBP’s trade enforcement mission places a significant emphasis on intercepting illicit products that could harm American consumers, and we will continue to work with our consumer product safety partners to identify and seize unsafe and unlawful goods.”

    In addition to IPR violations, CBP seized these products because they lacked the required FDA marketing authorization and were found to be adulterated and misbranded, violating the FD&C Act. Vapes, e-cigarettes, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems that are unapproved by the FDA may contain higher levels of nicotine and other unknown, toxic chemicals, making them extremely hazardous to health.

    “Criminals are using every means imaginable to expand the reach of their illicit enterprises,” said Mike Pfeiffer, Chicago area port director. “The sales from illegal goods are used to fuel further criminal activities such as the trafficking of drugs, defrauding innocent people, and purchases of illegal weapons, just to name a few.”

    CBP provides basic import information about admissibility requirements and the clearance process for e-commerce goods and encourages buyers to confirm that their purchases and the importation of those purchases comply with state and federal import regulations.

  • Juul Labs, Altria Vape Suit in Alaska Ends in Mistrial

    Juul Labs, Altria Vape Suit in Alaska Ends in Mistrial

    Credit: Wirestock

    A mistrial was ruled last week in a lawsuit filed by Alaska against Juul Labs, Inc. and the Altria Group, Inc., for what the state alleged was the company’s role in causing an increased use of e-cigarettes by youth.

    In a statement, Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor said that his office was “disappointed” to see the case end in a mistrial due to a procedural error.

    “This does not reflect the merits of the case,” Taylor said. “We are still evaluating our options, including pursuing another trial.”

    In a follow-up question, Alaska’s News Source asked the State’s Department of Law to elaborate on the details of the procedural error, asking specifically if it was a matter of jury tampering.

    The Attorney General responded in a statement by saying:

    “The Attorney General’s office appreciates and thanks the members of the jury who devoted nearly seven weeks to carefully considering the evidence in this case. While the case ended in a mistrial for procedural reasons, the facts have not changed,” Taylor said. “Youth vaping continues to present a grave threat to the health of our kids. Companies that design and market products that are harmful to our children will be held to account. That was true before this trial began, and it remains true today.”

    In a statement from Juul Labs, External Affairs Vice President Stefanie Miller accused Alaska of having one of the highest smoking rates in the country while it continues to attack an “American company” that provides alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

    “We are hopeful that the hard work of the court and the jury will be taken into consideration before more of the State’s resources are devoted to matters almost 10 years old and, instead, will be directed to address the true threat to Alaskans: the flood of illegal and untested Chinese vaping products that target Alaska’s youth,” the statement said.

  • Denver, Colorado Again Passes Tobacco Flavor Ban

    Denver, Colorado Again Passes Tobacco Flavor Ban

    Credit: Marek Photo Design

    On Monday evening, the Denver City Council passed the final reading of an ordinance that will ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in the city. The ban passed by a vote of 11-1.

    The law, which still needs the signature of Mayor Mike Johnson, will go into effect in 90 days and will ban the sale of all forms of flavored tobacco, including cigars and pipe tobacco, as well as flavored vaping products. It does not apply to flavored tobacco intended to be smoked in a hookah that is sold at a hookah tobacco retailer.

    Retailers who violate the ban will face suspensions of their privilege to sell tobacco products should they receive two or more violations within the one-year window. Suspensions start at least 30 days and increase to a year for four or more violations. Additionally, that window will go wider in the coming years; as of Jan. 1, 2027, two violations in two years earn a 30-day suspension.

    A total of 34 individuals signed up to present comments to the council, which limited the public comment portion to 30 minutes before the vote. People came to speak in support of and in opposition to the ordinance; retailers told the council that a ban would hurt numerous businesses and cost the city tax revenue, as customers would take their businesses elsewhere. A council member indicated that 15 of the 18 municipalities that border Denver do not have similar bans in place.

    Retailers also said they would shift sales to the unregulated black market while taking ancillary purchases, usually made at convenience stores, into other cities and towns. One retailer noted that 536 tobacco retail stores in the city will be adversely affected by the ban. Other retailers also said that the council failed to adequately work with retailers in developing the ban and enforcing its existing laws on sales to minors.

    Speakers connected to law enforcement also suggested that it would fuel the growth of the black market, which comes with increased criminal activity and products of inferior quality that could pose an even greater health risk, Halfwheel reports.

    The Cigar Association of America wrote to the council to oppose the ban, saying in a Dec. 3 letter that “this blanket approach is a disproportionate and ineffective attempt to address any issues of youth usage, especially considering that the only facts and allegations presented as justification for the Proposed Ordinance relate to other product categories – such as vapor and cigarette products.”

    A representative from Mayor Mike Johnston told Denver7.com that “we’re committed to protecting youth health through common sense measures, and Mayor Johnston would be in support of this initiative should Council pass it.”

    The ordinance does not make it illegal to use a tobacco product, with city representatives telling the council that a person would not be stopped and cited for using a flavored tobacco product.

    In 2021, the Denver City Council passed a similar ban, only to have it vetoed by then-Mayor Michael Hancock. The council came up one vote short of overriding the ban.

  • China: STMA Appoints New Deputy Director

    China: STMA Appoints New Deputy Director

    China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) has appointed Liu Sanjiang as its deputy director, reports 2Firsts.

    Previously, Liu served as the director of the department of quality development at the State Administration for Market Regulation,

    This appointment follows a series of corruption investigations targeting senior STMA officials.

    The STMA is the country’s official regulatory body overseeing the tobacco industry and market, including NGPs such as e-cigarettes.

  • Bangladesh Readies to Ban E-cigarette Imports

    Bangladesh Readies to Ban E-cigarette Imports

    Bangladesh will ban the import of e-cigarettes and related products, reports bdnews24.

     According to a statement issued by the cabinet division, the health services division proposed to take urgent measures to ban the import of all products tied to the electronic nicotine delivery systems or e-cigarettes “to protect public health and keep future generations safe.”

     After the discussion, it was decided that e-cigarettes will be included in the list of banned products in the import policy order of the ministry of commerce.

  • PMI to Pay $1.2 Million for Violating D.C. Flavor Ban

    PMI to Pay $1.2 Million for Violating D.C. Flavor Ban

    VV Archive

    Philip Morris International’s subsidiary Swedish Match North America (SMNA) will pay $1.2 million to settle an investigation into violations of Washington D.C.’s flavored tobacco ban.

    The District of Columbia attorney general’s office said it had found evidence that SMNA facilitated online sales of “tens of thousands” of flavored Zyn nicotine pouches to D.C. consumers between October 1, 2022, when the ban was enacted, and June 30, 2024.

    PMI, which acquired a 90% stake in Swedish Match for $16 billion in November 2022, must now monitor its distributor’s compliance with D.C.’s ban quarterly and stop sales of flavored Zyn pouches through Zyn.com and related e-commerce platforms, the AG’s office said on Friday.

    Nicotine pouches became the second most commonly used tobacco product in the U.S., according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    The tobacco giant suspended sales on Zyn.com after it had been issued a subpoena by the D.C. attorney general earlier this year, according to Reuters reports.

    Swedish Match would continue to focus on its brick-and-mortar stores, PMI said in an emailed statement. Sales of Zyn, which PMI says does not contain tobacco, have surged, growing 41.1% in PMI’s most recent quarterly results.

    The company, which has been looking to move beyond traditional cigarettes, has also expanded production to counter Zyn supply shortages in the U.S. amid a budding black market for nicotine pouches.

  • Online Shop Northerner Shifts to Tobacco-Free Future

    Online Shop Northerner Shifts to Tobacco-Free Future

    VV Archives

    Northerner, an online seller of smokeless tobacco and nicotine products for 25 years, said starting this month, it will exclusively sell tobacco-free nicotine pouches and other modern oral nicotine products.

    The announcement marks a new chapter in the company’s commitment to public health and the tobacco harm reduction movement, the Missouri City, Texas-based company said.

    “Having been in the smokeless tobacco business for 25 years, the decision to move away from tobacco has not been easy,” said Sarah Krysalka, senior director of commercial partnerships and external affairs at Northerner. “But the trends are clear.

    “More Americans are choosing tobacco leaf-free options, and we aim to stay at the forefront of this movement by offering the best assortment of modern oral nicotine products to meet the evolving needs of adult consumers.”

    With the rise of non-combustible nicotine options like pouches, the company said it recognizes the need to adapt to the shifting market landscape and provide consumers with tobacco leaf-free and other modern oral nicotine product alternatives to combustible cigarettes, according to a press release.

    “By leaving the tobacco market, Northerner will shift its focus to fulfilling the growing demand for nicotine pouches and other modern oral nicotine products,” said Krysalka. “Our goal is to cater to the changing needs of adult nicotine users while educating tobacco consumers about tobacco leaf-free nicotine alternatives.”

    Northerner.com is a website operated by Northerner Scandinavia Inc, a U.S. subsidiary of Northerner Scandinavia AB and Haypp Group.

  • FDA Sends Nicotine Limits Proposal to White House

    FDA Sends Nicotine Limits Proposal to White House

    VV Archives

    The Biden administration has proposed a rule that would significantly lower the amount of nicotine in tobacco products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to counter the dangers of the chemical in stretch back to 2018, when it first proposed the idea.

    Then, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf went even further in 2022 and announced that the agency was developing a rule requiring tobacco companies to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes.

    The next step in that effort occurred Tuesday when the FDA finally submitted its refined proposal to the Office of Management and Budget. There won’t be any immediate changes to tobacco products. The approval process for the Office of Management and Budget can take months. There will also be a public comment period, and the nicotine industry often sues the government to stop new regulations.

    “A proposed product standard to establish a maximum nicotine level to reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes and certain combusted tobacco products, when finalized, would be among the most impactful population-level actions in the history of U.S. tobacco product regulation,” the FDA said in a statement reported by CNN on Wednesday.

    When the FDA announced its initial plans to reduce nicotine in 2022, it estimated that reducing nicotine levels could keep more than 33 million people from becoming regular smokers, that about 5 million additional smokers would quit within a year, and that 134 million years of life would be gained.

    In the draft proposal from 2018, which the FDA has since refined, it cited a 2013 survey that found that reducing the total nicotine content of cigarettes to 0.5 milligrams per rod would minimize addictiveness. Still, it also said that questions remain with respect to the precise level of nicotine in cigarettes.

    The agency’s proposal was met with high praise Wednesday.

    “Once finalized, this rule could be a game-changer in our nation’s efforts to eliminate tobacco use,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Making tobacco products non-addictive would dramatically reduce the number of young people who become hooked when they are experimenting. To fully address the toll of tobacco on our nation’s health and across all communities, it is critical to reduce nicotine levels to non-addictive levels in all commercial tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.”

    Not all smokers would quit if nicotine levels were limited, experts say, nor would all smoking-related diseases disappear since tobacco products contain other chemicals that can be harmful to health.

  • VPZ, Morrisons Partner to Open 10 Vape Shops

    VPZ, Morrisons Partner to Open 10 Vape Shops

    Greig Fowler, director at VPZ

    VPZ, a UK vaping retailer, is set to open 10 new stores by as part of a groundbreaking partnership with the supermarket chain Morrisons, with plans to expand further during 2025.

    The new in-store outlets will expand the brand’s presence in communities throughout the UK, with
    seven key locations in Leeds Hunslet, Birmingham Stirchley, Glenrothes, Peterhead, Darlington,
    Stratford and Grantham.

    The collaboration will also introduce a new innovative mobile pod concept for customer parking
    areas, with two planned for Nottingham and one in Rotherham.

    The partnership will drive positive change by making stop-smoking services more accessible in
    communities throughout the country while educating smokers on the benefits of more sustainable
    vaping products.

    Greig Fowler, director at VPZ, said: “Our partnership with Morrisons to open 10 new stores is a
    pivotal step in our mission to transform the health of our nation by empowering more people to
    become smoke-free.

    “I believe that together we will be making it easier for smokers to access the resources, help and
    education they need to quit smoking, while also offering a convenient and sustainable shopping
    experience.”