Tag: e-cigarettes

Bidi Makes First Shipment to 900 Kwik Trip, Mapco Stores

Credit: Aaron
Kaival Brands Innovations Group, the distributor of products manufactured by Bidi Vapor, today announced the initial shipment of Bidi Sticks to over 900 Kwik Trip and Mapco locations
According to a press release, the company expects to ramp up shipments to over 1,200 locations planned by the end of 2023, with Kwik Trip representing over 900 of those locations.
On Thursday, the company made its first shipment of Bidi Sticks to over 1,000 Circle K locations, with a ramp-up to 5,000 locations by the end of the year within the South Atlantic and Midwest regions of the United States.
“Ultimately, our goal is to ramp up to over 1,200 locations this year within those two retailers, both of whom adhere to our strict requirements for adult-only sales and youth-access prevention,” stated Eric Mosser, president and COO of Kaival Brands.
“We are encouraged by the renewed momentum we are experiencing (subject as always to FDA enforcement discretion) with retailers like Circle K, Kwik Trip, and Mapco who champion compliance and youth-access prevention and recognize our ongoing efforts since last year to educate retailers and distributors of the business value of marketing Bidi Stick versus non-compliant competition.”
In March, Kaival Brands Innovations Group entered into a sales broker agreement with a prominent U.S. broker to expand access to Bidi Vapor products from its current foundation of convenience store distribution into new retail channels, including discount, grocery and mass merchandisers.
June 16, 2023
Criminal Reform Groups Push Back on Flavor Ban

Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
A coalition of more than 50 criminal justice reform groups sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden warning that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposed ban on flavored tobacco products will lead to overpolicing in communities of color, according to The Hill.
Prohibition-style policies, like the one proposed, “have serious racial justice implications,” wrote the organizations, which include Blacks in Law Enforcement, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Latino Officers Association and the Sentencing Project.
“Banning the legal sale of menthol cigarettes through licensed businesses will lead—and, in fact, has already led in some states—to illegal, unlicensed distribution in communities of color while triggering criminal laws in all 50 states, increasing the incidence of negative interactions with police and ultimately increasing incarceration rates,” the letter said. “There are far better solutions for reducing menthol cigarette use than criminalizing these products and turning this issue over to the police.”
The aim of the flavor ban is not only to make smoking less attractive but also to advance health equity, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra
“FDA has the power to provide smokers with less harmful options and information to help accelerate reductions in smoking,” the coalition wrote in its letter. “Rushing forward with a total ban without these alternatives in place contradicts everything we know—and everything the administration has been saying in other spheres—about why harm reduction works and criminalization doesn’t.” The coalition urged the FDA to reconsider the ban and find solutions opposed to criminalization.
June 16, 2023
Panacea to Distribute Fume Products in Britain

Panacea Life Sciences Holdings signed an exclusive licensing and distribution agreement with QR Joy to distribute Fume disposable vape devices across the U.K.
“The Panacea distribution division is thrilled to be distributing the Fume product line throughout the U.K. as we see a tremendous opportunity to expand our strategy and diversification into the natural plant-based markets,” said Leslie Buttorff, Panacea CEO and founder, in a statement. “Partnering with such a popular brand like Fume enables us to open new markets while driving revenue and shareholder value for our investment community.”
June 16, 2023
Lawmakers Continue to Urge FDA to Finish PMTA Reviews

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U.S. lawmakers are urging the Food and Drug Administration to wrap up its review of pending e-cigarette premarket tobacco product applications, reports Law360.
In a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, 50 members of Congress requested the agency finalize its review of pending applications for e-cigarette products; deny applications for all nontobacco-flavored e-cigarette products, including menthol; and utilize the enforcement tools that have been given to the agency to remove all synthetic nicotine products from the market, including those with pending applications.
The lawmakers’ call comes after the FDA failed to meet a court-ordered deadline of Sept. 9, 2021, to complete its review of all pending e-cigarette applications submitted to the agency. In its most recent filings with the court, the FDA has indicated that it will not be able to finalize its review of products with the largest market share until December 2023.
“FDA’s repeated delays in removing flavored e-cigarettes from the market is putting children’s health at risk,” said Colorado Representative Diana DeGette in a statement. “FDA needs to step up its enforcement of these harmful products and get them off our store shelves now. Every day that these products remain on the market, the more harm they cause to young people’s health.”
While the FDA has completed its review of many e-cigarette products, it has not yet completed its review of thousands of pending applications—including those for popular products manufactured by Juul Labs, Reynolds Vapor Co. and Smok.
The lawmakers urged the agency to complete its review of all its pending applications no later than Dec. 31, 2023.
June 16, 2023
Kaival Brands Reports Flat Quarterly Revenues

Photo: wichayada
Kaival Brands Innovations Group reported revenues of $3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2023, down from $3.1 million in the comparable 2022 quarter. Gross loss was $100,000 compared with a gross profit of $400,000 in the prior-year period.
While sales were slightly down versus the prior year quarter due to customer credits, discounts and rebates, Kaival believes that continued U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforcement of noncompliant electronic nicotine-delivery system products has allowed the company to position its Bidi Stick as a compliant alternative subject to FDA enforcement discretion. The company believes this should also help in securing new orders for the Bidi Stick.
“We remain excited and confident in the future of Kaival Brands,” said Eric Mosser, president and CEO of Kaival Brands, in a statement. “Over the past four months, we signed new broker and distribution agreements for our core Bidi Stick distribution business, focusing on partners that share our vision of regulatory compliance and youth access prevention. We believe we have positioned ourselves for increased sales in the second half of the year.”
In addition to its quarterly results, Kaival announced the renewed distribution of its Bidi Stick in Circle K convenience stores. “As of this week, we have activated over 1,000 new Circle K locations, with the goal of ramping up to 5,000 this year,” said Mosser.
The company also announced the initial shipment of Bidi Sticks to over 900 Kwik Trip and Mapco locations.
June 15, 2023
Ector County Jail Sells $19,000 in Vapes in One Month

Credit: Ye Jinghan
Authorities in Ector County, Texas started selling e-cigarettes to inmates at their Law Enforcement Center started on May 8th. Jail Captain James Mckinney started with 2,000 vapes. One costs about $14.
“Regular, menthol, peach, ice peach and then berry. I ordered 400 of each and we were sold out last week,” said Mckinney.
They were so popular, Mckinney just ordered 4,000 more, according to CBS7.
In total they’ve made $19,476.50, profiting $11,776.50 on the e-cigarettes in just one month.
“If you’re making money off the inmates it has to go back to benefit the inmates, whether it be the mattresses I buy for them, the clothes, sheets, anything that benefits them, basketballs,” said Mckinney.
They’ve only had about 10 inmates alter the products out of the hundreds currently at the jail.
“If they tamper with them we’ll take them away for 14 days, if they tamper again with them, we’ll take them away for 21 days, if they tamper a third time then we’ll take them away until we say they can get another one,” said Mckinney.
June 14, 2023
Vape Shark Launches Gunpod 2000 in Australia

Credit: Vape Shark
Vape Shark Australia launched the Gunnpod 2000 Puffs.
“The cutting-edge device is equipped with advanced technology that provides up to 2000 puffs of delicious nicotine-free flavors,” a press release states.
The device also has a long-lasting battery that can be recharged to provide up to two full days of vaping. Additionally, the design of the device allows for minimal heat build-up and maximum flavor output.
The Gunpod 2000 comes with a variety of protective features such as overheating protection and short-circuit detection.
“With its sleek and modern design, the Gunnpod 2000 Puffs is sure to be a hit among vaping enthusiasts across Australia,” the release states.
June 14, 2023
ANDS Develops 99 Percent Recyclable Vape Device

Fadi Maayta | Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
ANDS has created a disposable vape that is 99.29 percent recyclable, according to Waste Experts, reports UKVIA.
Slix is constructed of an outer casing made of 100 percent recyclable high-grade cardboard with a biodegradable silicone mouthpiece and end piece.
“While the analysis carried out by Waste Experts suggests that our single-use vape is highly recyclable, we will continue to work toward zero waste,” said Marina Murphy, senior director of scientific and medical affairs at ANDS. “We aim to build a high rate of recyclability into all our products by using high-quality recyclable materials and simple construction that allows for highly efficient dismantling. This contributes to a fast, efficient overall recycling process, which reduces waste management costs. This in turn helps to keep product prices competitive, creating a win-win for the environment and adult consumers who value our products.”
“We’re very much on a journey, and by the end of this year, we hope to launch a 100 percent recyclable and recoverable version of Slix, which will reduce the tonnage of waste going to landfill even further,” said Fadi Maayta, president of ANDS. “If these single-use vapes are restricted or banned over environmental fears as is being talked about in some circles—smokers could lose what many believe to be a very convenient, accessible and compelling alternative to conventional cigarettes.”
ANDS is partnering with Waste Experts to create a recycling program.
June 13, 2023
Kaival Releases Details of GoFire Patents Deal

Kaival Brands Innovations Group provided additional details of its recently acquired extensive patent portfolio from GoFire as it looks to expand its current product offerings to explore near-term and long-term revenue opportunities, according to GlobeNewswire.
In the near term, Kaival Brands expects to seek third-party licensing opportunities in the cannabis, hemp/CBD, nicotine and nutraceutical markets as a means of monetizing its new patents. Longer term, the company believes it can utilize the acquired patents to create innovative and market-disruptive products for its growing base of adult consumers, including patent protected vaporizer devices and related hardware and software applications.
The consideration for the purchased patents consisted primarily of Kaival Brands equity securities, consisting of common stock, newly designated Series B Preferred Stock and a warrant to purchase common stock. Importantly, in certain key aspects, the equity consideration was structured in a forward-looking manner with valuations or exercise prices struck at premiums to the current market price of Kaival Brands’ common stock. The weighted price per share of the common stock issued and the common stock underlying the Series B Preferred Stock was $1.53 per share on the May 30 closing date, accompanied by warrants with exercise prices ranging from $3 and $6.
Included in the acquired technologies are patented systems and methods that are designed to overcome common issues regarding reliability and consistent dispensing over the entire life of a cartridge or reservoir as well as improvements to the vaporizing chamber to ensure complete vaporization with minimum residue.
The acquired patent portfolio includes the following: Bluetooth Child Safety App and Mechanical Cartridge Protection; Controlled Delivery; Flavor Delivery and Experience to Last Puff; Leak Proof Design and Removal of Cutting Agents; Authentication System/Counterfeit Protection; Dry Puff Protection; 510 and Pod Compatibility; Product Remaining Indicators; and MHRA Requirements.
The GoFire patent portfolio includes 12 existing patents and 46 pending applications with novel technologies across extrusion dose control, product preservation, tracking and tracing usage, multiple modalities (i.e., different methods of vaporizing) and child safety. The patents and patent applications cover territories including the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the EPO (European Patent Organization), Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and South Korea. The portfolio also includes a proprietary mobile device software application that is used in conjunction with certain patents in the portfolio.
The acquired assets are housed in Kaival Labs, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kaival Brands, which develops new branded and white label products and services in the vaporizer and inhalation technology sectors.
June 12, 2023
Pure Spectrum Signs CBD Deal With Kansas City Royals

Vapor Voice Archives
A new partnership with a cannabis brand to promote education about the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD has been formed by the Kansas City Royals—the second Major League Baseball (MLB) team to do so.
The Missouri-based team announced last week that it has joined forces with Pure Spectrum CBD, a company that produces hemp-derived cannabidiol products like oils and gummies, according to Marijuana Moments.
This is the second MLB team to embrace the cannabis space, coming just two months after the Chicago Cubs teamed up with the CBD sparkling beverage brand MYND DRINKS.
MLB itself announced its league-wide partnership with a popular CBD brand last year. Charlotte’s Web Holdings, one of the most recognizable hemp-derived CBD companies, signed the deal with the league to become the “Official CBD of MLB.”
“The Kansas City Royals are proud to be just the second MLB team to form a partnership with a company like Pure Spectrum,” Sarah Tourville, the team’s executive vice president and chief commercial & community impact officer, said in a press release. “For this organization, this opportunity gives us a chance to support a brand with Kansas City ties and to educate the community on the benefits of CBD.”
June 12, 2023