Tag: e-cigarettes

  • CAPHRA Launches Shadow Report on WHO Strategy

    CAPHRA Launches Shadow Report on WHO Strategy

    Credit: Igor Golovnev

    The report highlights the Need for consumer participation in tobacco harm reduction policy making. 

    The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) released its Shadow Report on the (NON)-Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 1 (d) on Harm Reduction Strategies.

    The report is now available to policy makers, regulators in member states, and World Health Organization (WHO) FCTC officials. 

    The Shadow Report emphasizes the importance of consumer participation in policy making and highlights the benefits of tobacco harm reduction alternatives, including vaping, according to an emailed press release.  

    Nancy Loucas

    “Tobacco Harm Reduction products have been shown to serve as a method of smoking cessation and as an alternative for smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking altogether,” said Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of CAPHRA. 

    “The WHO FCTC is meant to be an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health. However, the current tobacco control measures have extensively promoted the abstinence-only approach, which has contributed to smokers’ inability to make informed choices about safer nicotine products,” said Loucas. 

    To access the full CAPHRA Shadow Report on the (NON)-Implementation of the FCTC Article 1 (d) on Harm Reduction Strategies click here.

  • Kangvape Makes Generalvape its Official Distributor

    Kangvape Makes Generalvape its Official Distributor

    Credit: Kangvape

    Kangvape, a manufacture of vaping devices and accessories, officially announced a strategic collaboration with generalvape.com, an online vaping retailer. This alliance will make generalvape.com the official distributor of Kangvape products.

    “Kangvape has continually demonstrated a commitment to delivering exceptional vaping experiences,” a press release states. “Their cutting-edge designs and quality manufacturing have cemented their position as a top brand in the vaping community. The partnership with generalvape.com aligns with Kangvape’s mission to enhance accessibility and provide unparalleled service to its growing customer base.”

    As an official distributor of Kangvape, Generalvape.com will house a comprehensive line of Kangvape’s latest products. Kangvape also announced a partnership with RandM Vapes and is now the official distributor for RandM Vapes.

  • Florida Thieves Snatch $700,000 in Vaping Products

    Florida Thieves Snatch $700,000 in Vaping Products

    Credit: Aleksandr Kondratov

    A city in the U.S. state of Florida has opened an investigation into the theft of a trailer that contained vaping materials valued at over $700,000.

    On August 14, while conducting a routine patrol of the area near 750 North University Drive, an police officer from the city of Coral Springs, Florida was flagged down by a man that claimed his semi-truck had been stolen, according to media reports.

    According to the incident report, the man said he had parked his semi-truck in front of Sam’s Club at 950 University Drive and then went home for the night. He returned the next day to find his trailer missing and his semi-truck parked in a different spot than he had left it.

    During an investigation into the man’s claims, police reviewed tow logs that confirmed the truck had not been towed and, upon closer inspection, discovered damage to the driver’s side lock.

    After reviewing video surveillance footage, investigators have identified a suspect wearing a backpack and a hat who moved the truck. Despite reviewing CCTV footage from all businesses in the plaza, officers have not yet found any leads.

  • New Zealand Sets New Youth Vaping Regulations

    New Zealand Sets New Youth Vaping Regulations

    Photo: Molly

    New Zealand has set new regulations to limit youth vaping, effective Sept. 21, reports the Xinhua News Agency.

    New specialist vape shops will be banned in locations within 300 meters of schools and Maori meeting places, according to Health Minister Ayesha Verrall.

    “Vapes will need child safety mechanisms, and names like ‘cotton candy’ and ‘strawberry jelly donut’ will be prohibited,” Verrall said. Only generic names like “orange” or “berry” that accurately describe the flavors will be allowed.

    The new regulations also set the maximum allowed nicotine level and require that all vaping devices have removable batteries.

    “We’re creating a future where tobacco products are no longer addictive, appealing or as readily available, and the same needs to apply to vaping,” Verrall said.

  • Altria Seeks U.S. Importation Ban of Juul Products

    Altria Seeks U.S. Importation Ban of Juul Products

    Image: inimalGraphic

    Njoy has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban on the importation and sale of certain Juul products, including its currently marketed Juul device and Juul pods, citing patent infringements.  

    “Protecting our intellectual property is critical to achieving our vision,” said Murray Garnick, executive vice president and general counsel of Njoy parent company Altria Group, in a statement. “Juul has infringed upon our patents through the sale of its imported products, and we ask the ITC to impose appropriate remedies in response to these trade violations.”

    Njoy has also filed a complaint against Juul in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware based on the same patent infringement. Njoy Ace is currently the only pod-based e-vapor product to have received marketing authorization from the FDA, which deemed the marketing of the ACE device and three ACE tobacco-flavored pods as “appropriate for the protection of public health.”

    Njoy’s ITC complaint against Juul alleges trade violations associated with the sale of imported products that, according to Njoy, infringe U.S. Patent No. 11,497,864 and U.S. Patent No. 10,334,881. Njoy acquired the Asserted Patents from Fuma International, concurrently with the settlement of a patent infringement lawsuit filed against the company by Fuma.

    Njoy’s complaint is the latest development in a broader intellectual property dispute.

    In July, Juul Labs asked the ITC to block sales and imports of Njoy Ace, claiming that the product infringes several Juul patents. It has also filed a complaint against Njoy with the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

    Juul Labs complain also targets Altria Group, which agreed to acquire the NJOY in March after exchanging its minority investment in Juul for a heated tobacco product intellectual property license.

  • Industry Group Lobbies Against Vape Flavor Ban

    Industry Group Lobbies Against Vape Flavor Ban

    Photo: fotofabrika

    The Russian Union of Nicotine Industry Enterprises (Spini) has called on the government to exclude food flavorings and nicotine salts from the list of active ingredients and additives that are expected to be banned by the Ministry of Health for issues of nicotine dependence, reports ECigIntelligence.

    Representatives of Spini, which has more than 50 members, have sent a corresponding letter to the minister of finance asking for the exception to the ban.

  • Israel Wants Public Comments to Help Tackle Smoking

    Israel Wants Public Comments to Help Tackle Smoking

    Israel’s health ministry has issued a request for public comments on an “action plan for all tobacco and smoking products,” reports The Jerusalem Post. The plan includes eventually raising the legal smoking age to 21 from 18.

    “The phenomenon of smoking is very worrying, and under my leadership, we are determined to promote measures to reduce it and increase awareness of the harm smoking causes,” said Health Minister Moshe Arbel. “This demands a complex and joint effort, and we are committed to implementing the policy in a variety of areas of prevention and encouraging quitting to promote public health and protect youngsters and adults alike from this serious damage to health.”

    “Given the dimensions of the spread of smoking, we have examined all possible measures and continue to act in many ways in order to raise awareness of the dangers of using these products,” said Moshe Bar Siman Tov, health ministry director-general. “We recommend adopting a strict policy and dramatic measures required by the necessity of reality, but it’s clear to all of us that the best way to stop smoking is not to start smoking.”

    The action plan includes decisions on the prohibition of flavors, giving the ministry powers to enforce the nicotine concentration limit, limiting the volume of the filling liquid allowed for import, marketing and sale, requiring graphic warnings on all tobacco and smoking products and visual uniformity to the smoking and vaping products, a ban on the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, selling tobacco and smoking products in designated stores only and reducing the number of points of sale, raising the selling age to 21, giving authority to the ministry to enforce a ban on advertising on the internet, equalizing taxation on e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, and applying taxation to nicotine intended for nonmedical use.  

    The ministry’s statement said that “e-cigs are the gateway to smoking for young people who start experimenting with them at a young age; there is not strong evidence that e-cig use helps smokers kick the habit compared to the proven safety of other means of withdrawal, such as smoking cessation workshops, nicotine gums and patches and medical treatment. The scientific evidence on the health damage of e-cigs in the short[-term] and medium-term is known and described in the literature as affecting the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, trauma and burns, the developing brain in children and the creation of addiction.”

  • Tomorrow: FDA Tobacco Center Strategic Plan Event

    Tomorrow: FDA Tobacco Center Strategic Plan Event

    Vapor Voice Archive

    Tomorrow, Aug. 22, 2023 is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) online forum centered on developing a 5-year strategic plan to advance its mission.

    As part of an iterative, center-wide process, CTP has developed five proposed goal areas. These goal areas are intended to be interconnected with four proposed cross-cutting themes: health equity, science, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.

    The center intends to publish the strategic plan by the end of 2023, following receipt and consideration of public input.

    Beginning at 10 a.m. EDT, the CTP virtual listening session will give the public an opportunity to verbally provide open public comment on the development of the 5-year strategic plan, including proposed strategic goals.

    CTP will begin with an overview of the process used to develop the center’s strategic plan, including proposed goal areas. Registered speakers will then have approximately 4 minutes each to verbally share their comments on any topics related to the strategic plan.

    Live closed captioning and ASL interpreters will be provided during the listening session. If you have issues registering or have any questions, please email malini.runnells@fda.hhs.gov or call 1-877-CTP-1373 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT.

    A transcript and recording will be made available after the listening session.

    Use this link to view the session.

  • ALD Launches FRESOR B8000 X1 Disposable Vape

    ALD Launches FRESOR B8000 X1 Disposable Vape

    Credit: ALD

    ALD has announced the market availability of FRESOR B8000 X1, a disposable vape that boasts a smart screen, 8000-puff capacity and customization options, according to an e-mailed press release.

    The device is an extension of the company’s popular FRESOR disposable series, “setting new industry standards with its innovative digital display,” the release states.

    “No more guessing about e-liquid levels. The smart screen provides real-time updates, preventing dry hits,” it states. “The smart screen provides instant access to battery status and recharging progress … The interface is designed for both seasoned vapers and newcomers, offering simplicity without sacrificing sophistication.”

    Key features of the new device include:

    • Digital display screen that keeps track of e-liquid and battery levels;
    • Unique CMF design that offers a blend of elegance and innovation;
    • Smart dual mesh coil that provides consistent flavor throughout the devices lifespan;
    • OEM/ODM is also available that includes custom flavors, nicotine levels (0/1/2/5%), and branded packaging.

    “The FRESOR B8000 X1 promises an elevated vaping experience. Its digital display, unique design, FRESOR MAX technology, and customization options cater to vapers worldwide,” the release states.

  • High Light Vape Highlights Rogue Player Youth Issues

    High Light Vape Highlights Rogue Player Youth Issues

    Credit: High Light Vape

    The vape industry has always had an image problem. Rogue industry players have long been using cartoon characters and youth-friendly names that seemingly entice youth to use e-cigarettes.

    This has led to regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use a heavy hand when enforcing the products.

    Nothing highlights the issue more than an offering from High Light Vape, which is selling a vape pen disguised as a highlighter.

    High Light Vape’s “Office 4” e-cigarette has vibrant neon colors and an angled tip, making it identical to a regular highlighter often used by youth in school and home settings.

    The controversial product provides 4,000 puffs and comes in 20 different flavors, lending itself to being used in schools unnoticed by teachers.

    In a statement to NewsNation, High Light Vape said the design is meant to be a “discreet solution” for people who wish to avoid “scrutiny from their peers” within “professional environments.”

    “Emblazoned on our packaging is the prominent age restriction of 21 and older, a testament to our unwavering commitment to refraining from sales to minors,” the company added.