Tag: news

Hong Kong Makes First CBD Arrest Since Start of Ban
Credit: Proxima Studio
Customs officers have made Hong Kong’s first arrest over cannabidiol (CBD) products after taking a clubhouse worker into custody when he showed up to collect a parcel from Denmark containing two bottles of the recently banned oil.
Officers found two more used bottles of the same CBD skin oil and four grams of cannabis buds from the man’s locker at the clubhouse of a residence in Yau Ma Tei on Wednesday, according to SCMP.
Combined with the banned CBD product, the haul was worth about HK$5,000 ($637).
The case was the first such arrest and seizure since CBD was added to the Dangerous Drug Ordinance, according to Isaac Tsang Yau-chuen, a senior investigator from the customs airport investigation division.
February 8, 2023
Cleveland, Ohio Considering Vapor Flavor Ban Bill

Credit: pabrady63
Cleveland, Ohio is considering a proposal that would ban the sales of flavored cigars and most other tobacco products within Ohio’s second-most populous city.
At a City Council Meeting this week, Council President Blaine A. Griffin, Ward 6, and Council Member Kevin Conwell, Ward 9, introduced a proposed ordinance that would ban the sale of almost all flavored tobacco products within Cleveland city limits.
Ordinance No. 184-2023 has one exception, it would allow hookah bars to sell flavored shisha tobacco for on-site consumption. There are no exemptions for flavored cigars of any kind, reports Charlie Minato of Halfwheel.
The law defines a flavored tobacco product as one “that imparts a taste or smell, other than the taste or smell of tobacco, that is distinguishable by an ordinary consumer either prior to, or during the consumption of, a Tobacco Product, including, but not limited to, any taste or smell relating to fruit, menthol, mint, wintergreen, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, honey, or any candy, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb, or spice.”
It would also ban retailers and manufacturers from advertising products as having a taste or smell other than tobacco, presumably targeting things like the cooling sensation of menthol cigarettes.
While the bill passed the Republican-controlled legislature during a lame-duck session, it was vetoed by Gov. Mike DeWine, also a Republican, who called for a statewide ban on flavored vaping products. DeWine’s veto allows for laws like the one proposed in Cleveland to be enacted.
February 8, 2023
Georgia to Vote on Two Bills That Include Vaping Tax

Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. (Credit: F11 Photo)
A bill in the General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia would raise the state tax on vaping and other tobacco products and use the proceeds to improve health care.
Introduced by House Representative Ron Stephens, two bills in the contention could make the tax possible, according to 13WAMZ.
House bills 191 and 192 have the same language but their numbers are different. Bill 191 states a $0.57 tax per pack of 20 cigarettes and a $0.05 per fluid milliliter for vapor products in a closed system. For an open system, it would be a 7% tax on the wholesale cost price.
Bill 192 states a $0.37 tax per pack of 20 cigarettes and a 15% on vapor products at the wholesale cost.
Shabbir Hussain is a smoker himself and says using the money to help fund Georgia’s healthcare programs is a good thing.
“And $0.20 is not something people would worry about, and if that would benefit the health system, they should go for it,” Hussain said.
Last month, House Speaker Jon Burns said he was open to another healthcare proposal that has gone nowhere in the past – raising the state’s tax on tobacco products.
February 8, 2023
Zinwi to Unveil New Logo at TPE Show in Las Vegas

E-Liquid manufacturer Zinwi Bio-Tech is set to unveil its new logo at the Total Products Expo (TPE) in Las Vegas from Feb. 22 – 24. The company will also be highlighting 15 of its most popular e-liquid flavors for TPE attendees to experience.
Zinwi, a global integrated e-liquid solutions provider, upgraded its branding in December to better reflect the company’s dedication to providing high-quality products and the brand’s entry into a new development phase.
“In this new phase, Zinwi will place more emphasis on product research and development, and provide diversified products to meet the needs of global markets,” a Zinwi spokesperson told Vapor Voice. “Zinwi is committed to continuing to explore e-liquid technology, pursue innovation and provide cutting-edge integrated e-liquid solutions.”
Zinwi’s new logo resembles a drop of e-liquid oil, which alludes to the company’s unwavering commitment to product research and development. The Zinwi “Z” and oil design are integrated to symbolize the company’s dedication to continuous product research and development, according to a press release. The light blue color of the logo features Zinwi’s laboratories that conduct its scientific product research and development in the background.
Currently, new nicotine salt and glycerol alternatives are two major topics of research for Zinwi. The company’s product research and development team has produced a new nicotine salt that has distinct advantages compared with the traditional benzoic acid nicotine salt.
“This new innovation brings with it a significant reduction in the number of impurities released. Zinwi is also in the process of researching and developing glycerol alternatives,” the spokesperson said. “The research and development of glycerol alternatives is an effort to reduce the toxins released during atomization and to allow the products to be more environmentally friendly.”
The 15 e-liquid products Zinwi is set to showcase at TPE include five tobacco flavors and 10 non-tobacco flavors. They are Zinwi’s best-selling flavors and have been widely recognized by the company’s global client base. One of the flavors, Caramel Tobacco, has a distinctive caramel flavor along with a mild tobacco accent.
In order to allow the show attendees to experience the different flavors, Zinwi will provide disposable vaping devices pre-filled with the Zinwi e-liquids in the 15 flavor profiles. “Trade show attendees will be able to try out the different flavors in different devices with a variety of settings, enabling them to reach the optimal puff experience,” the spokesperson said.

February 7, 2023
ElF Bar Pulled From UK Shelves for E-Liquid Volumes

Elf Bar vapes are being sold with e-liquid volumes more than 50 percent over the UK’s legal limit, an investigation has found, according to reporting in Metro.
The Chinese vaping giant admitted “inadvertently” breaking the law and ‘wholeheartedly apologized’ following lab tests of its 600 brand of disposable vape pens.
E-cigarettes bought at branches of Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons contained between 3ml and 3.2ml of e-liquid, when the legal limit is 2ml (the article states the liquids were over nicotine limits, but there is no evidence of that. The UK limits nicotine strength to no more than 20mg/ml).
The brand, which only launched in 2021, sells 2.5 million Elf Bar 600s in the UK every week, accounting for two in three of all disposable vapes. The devices cost £5.99 each.
An Elf Bar spokesperson insisted the “highly regrettable situation” did not affect the safety of its vapes.
Mark Oates, director of the consumer advocacy group We Vape, said, “The Mail’s findings on Elf Bars are deeply worrying, and it is clear there have been failings on multiple levels.
“Not only are the levels of e-liquid too high, but checks to make sure these guidelines are adhered to either haven’t occurred or are insufficient. Anyone supplying vapes in the U.K. market should be following the legislation.
“It is incredibly frustrating when major players in this sector appear to behave in a way that damages the reputation of something as beneficial as vaping, and we expect the matter to be fully investigated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).”
February 6, 2023
Australia Legalizes Medical Psilocybin and MDMA

Credit: 24K Production
The Australian government has rescheduled the psychedelics psilocybin and MDMA to provide access to people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treat-resistant depression.
The substances aren’t being legalized for broad use, but by placing them in Schedule 8 for therapeutic use under the country’s drug code, psychiatrists who meet the required standards will be able to prescribe the psychedelics. The drugs will remain in the stricter Schedule 9 for unauthorized use.
“The decision acknowledges the current lack of options for patients with specific treatment-resistant mental illnesses,” Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said in a notice on Friday, reports Marijuana Moment.
The new rules mean that psilocybin and MDMA can be used therapeutically in a controlled medical setting starting on July 1, according to TGA. However, patients may be vulnerable during psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, requiring controls to protect these patients.
The decision follows applications made to the TGA to reclassify the substances in the Poisons Standard, extensive public consultation, a report from an expert panel, and advice received from the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling.
There are currently no approved products containing psilocybin or MDMA that the TGA has evaluated for quality, safety and efficacy. However, this amendment will allow authorized psychiatrists to access and legally supply a specified “unapproved medicine containing these substances to patients under their care for these specific uses.”
February 6, 2023
Kaival’s Fiscal 2022 Hit by Marketing Denial Order

Photo: Kaival Brands
Kaival Brands Innovations Group reported revenues of $3 million for the fourth quarter that ended Oct. 31, 2022, compared with revenues of $100,000 million for the prior fourth fiscal quarter. Revenues for the full fiscal year were approximately $12.8 million, down from $58.8 million for fiscal year 2021.
Kaival attributed the full-year decrease to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s marketing denial orders (later overturned), which temporarily prevented the company from selling its products, and to increased competition in general, which Kaival suspects resulted from lax enforcement by federal and state authorities against subpart and low-priced vaping products that continued to enter the market illegally without FDA authorization.
“Fiscal 2022 was an exceptionally challenging year for us, primarily due to regulatory action by the FDA that was ultimately overturned in August,” said Kaival Brands President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Mosser in a statement.
“For a portion of fiscal 2022, we were prohibited from selling our flavored Bidi Sticks, and our 2022 revenues reflect the significant extended impact of this. The good news is that this impediment is behind us. Moreover, despite the challenges, we accomplished several important milestones during the year which we believe has laid the foundation for renewed growth and progress in 2023, including expanding existing sales channel relationships and initiating significant new ones. We expect and hope that the FDA will continue to pull bad actors from the marketplace, paving the way for companies like ours to provide our products to adult smokers deserving of premium e-cigarette product and experience.”
February 6, 2023
Study: French-Speaking Swiss Youth Use E-Cigs

One in eight youth aged 14 to 25 in French-speaking Switzerland is a frequent e-cigarette user, reports Le News.
A study by Unisante, which surveyed 1,362 young people, 59 percent said they had consumed e-cigarettes at least once and 12 percent said they used them frequently (more than 10 days over the past month). Of those that responded, 59 percent said they consume the products when out at night while 40 percent said they consume them at home. The survey showed that 63 percent of respondents preferred e-cigarettes because of the flavors while 40 percent cited lack of tobacco smell and 30 percent cited ease of use.
Disposables are the most popular choice for youth, and 49.4 percent of respondents said their parents knew they used the products. Half of respondents said they’d seen advertising for the products, and two-thirds were aware of the health risks and risk of addiction.
In Switzerland, 19 percent of those aged 15 to 24 smoked combustible cigarettes daily in 2017.
February 6, 2023
Dolly Parton Denies Any Affiliation With CBD Sales

Credit: Joe Hendrickson
Dolly Parton said in a statement that she does not sell Keto oils or CBD gummies that promise to prevent dementia.
The artist and amusement park owner made the announcement via her social media channels yesterday, after rumors claimed she was endorsing these products (realistic-looking ads were posted online, featuring photos of the singer). However, Snopes fact-checked the claims and reported them to be false and “fictional” — and now the Country music superstar has confirmed it.
“Dolly Parton is not affiliated with, has not endorsed and is not associated with any keto or CBD gummy product,” reads her Instagram statement. “She’s more the cake, cookie, and cornbread type.”
The false ads tried to direct readers to buy products like Supreme CBD Gummies, Jolly Nutrition CBD Gummies, and Proper CBD Gummies, according to Yahoo.
February 5, 2023
Lawmakers in Vermont Reintroduce Vape Flavor Ban

Credit: Carsten Reisinger
A bill in the U.S. state of Vermont is gaining traction that would outlaw all flavored vaping and other tobacco products.
Sponsors of the legislation said the bill is an attempt to curve the spike of youth nicotine use and to improve the health of all Vermonters, according to NBC5.
“The health consequences are huge, we know of cardiovascular disease, lung disease, various cancers, and pre-cancerous chronic conditions like emphysema,” said Sen. Virginia Lyons, lead sponsor of the bill.
Lawmakers also acknowledged that while the state may lose money from tobacco tax revenue, it could be made up in healthcare savings with Vermont spending an average of $348 million annually to treat tobacco-caused illnesses.
NBC5 received the following statement on the potential ban from an R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company spokesperson.
“Reynolds is committed to Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and we believe our portfolio of potentially reduced-risk products can play a critical role in its delivery. We strongly believe there are more effective ways to deliver tobacco harm reduction than banning menthol in cigarettes. Evidence from other markets where similar bans have been imposed demonstrates little impact on overall cigarette consumption.”
Several states in the Northeast have or are considering flavor bans. Connecticut also introduced a bill that would ban flavored e-cigarettes. New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island have barred the sale of flavored vaping products. Massachusetts banned all flavored tobacco items, including flavored cigars, cigarettes and vaping goods.
Vermont’s ban was originally proposed in early 2020 as a way to prevent youth use, but was sidelined after the Covid-19 pandemic began to impact the country.
February 5, 2023