Tag: news

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.”
August 21, 2023
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.
August 21, 2023
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.
August 21, 2023
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.
August 20, 2023
Kaival Brands Amends Agreement With Philip Morris

Photo: Kaival Brands Innovations Group
Kaival Brands Innovations Group, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kaival Brands International (KBI), has amended its agreement with Philip Morris Products, a wholly owned affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), for the development and distribution ENDS products in markets outside of the U.S.
Eric Mosser, CEO of Kaival Brands, the exclusive distributor of all products manufactured by Bidi Vapor, including the BIDI Stick electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), said in a press note that with more than a year of operational history for KBI and given the recent changes to regulations in international markets, it became clear that there were a number of opportunities to improve the terms of the original licensing agreement with PMI and reduce the burden of administering it.
“We are extremely pleased to reach an agreement that shall enable us to achieve our objectives. The revised licensing agreement simplifies the payment structure resulting in cost savings of approximately $2.7 million for the Company over the lifetime of the license agreement,” said Mosser. “It also enables better predictability and forecasting for KBI and streamlines data reporting. Finally, we anticipate that the acceleration of royalty payments will be a net positive to our financial performance over the duration of the agreement.”
Under the terms of the amended agreement, the parties agreed to revise certain terms, which provide for, among other things, a fixed pricing structure with volume-driven increases and a recapture of non-recurring engineering costs by KBI.
Accordingly, Kaival Brands expects a reconciliation payment of approximately $135,000. It projects approximately $300,000 in additional royalties to be earned through the end of 2023.
August 20, 2023
Net Revenues for 2Q 2023 Fall for RLX Technology

Kate Wang / Credit: RELX
RLX Technology announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.
Net revenues were RMB378.1 million ($52.1 million) in the second quarter of 2023 compared with RMB2.2 billion in the same period of 2022.
The decrease was primarily due to the discontinuation of its older products and the negative impact of illegal products in the market after regulators’ special action ended in April, which disrupted users’ adoption of our new products that comply with national standards, according to the company.
Gross margin was 26.1 percent in the second quarter of 2023 compared with 43.8 percent in the same period of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the imposition of a 36 percent excise tax, which came into effect on Nov. 1, 2022.
U.S. GAAP net income was RMB204.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared with U.S. GAAP net income of RMB441.6 million in the same period of 2022.
Non-GAAP net income was RMB86.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared with RMB634.7 million in the same period of 2022.
“During the second quarter of 2023, we continued to firmly execute our core strategy amid the challenging market environment,” said Ying (Kate) Wang, co-founder, chairperson of the board of directors and CEO of RLX Technology, in a statement. “Specifically, we remained dedicated to offering compliant, high-quality products while developing new products to meet users’ evolving needs.
“Though the recent resurgence of illegal products has had a lingering impact on our sales, we believe the impact will be temporary rather than a major trend that could derail our recovery trajectory. As a trusted e-vapor brand for adult smokers, we remain confident that, supported by regulatory oversight, our premium products will continue to win users’ trust and gradually supplant inferior and harmful illegal products. Moving forward, we will continue prioritizing product innovation, harm reduction and quality control initiatives while further enhancing our product portfolio as we strive to create sustainable value for all stakeholders.”
Chao Lu, chief financial officer of RLX Technology, added that the external challenges, especially the disruptions from illegal products, helped to deepen the company’s focus on efficiency and profitability improvement during the second quarter.
“Thanks to our supply chain optimizations and product design enhancements, our topline improved sequentially to RMB378.1 million, and our gross margin rebounded by 1.9 percentage points from the first quarter of 2023. We also strengthened cost control, which helped significantly narrow our non-GAAP operating loss,” said Chao. “Notably, our operating cash flow turned positive for the first time since the new regulations were enacted. We believe our strong cash position will continue to support us in navigating the evolving markets, and we will pursue further gains in cost optimization and efficiency improvement to accelerate the pace of recovery.”
The company hosted an earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Aug. 18, 2023 (8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Aug. 18, 2023).
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the company’s investor relations website at https://ir.relxtech.com.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call until Aug. 25, 2023.
August 18, 2023
California Cops Seize $189,000 in Illegal Vaping Products

Credit: Sundry Photography
In the California city of San Mateo law enforcement officials seized a large number of flavored vape cartridges from a smoke shop following an unscheduled compliance check.
Officers visited the store on Tuesday afternoon, August 15th to carry out the inspection after a person was observed purchasing a flavored vaping product, according to Hoodline.
Officers with the San Mateo Police Department Youth Services Unit witnessed a store employee sell flavored tobacco to a customer, police said.
California voters passed SB793 last November, banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, e-liquids, pods, and any other vape device.
An investigation of the store revealed 6,298 flavored vape cartridges, valued at around $189,000, according to police. The cartridges were seized, but the investigation remains ongoing.
The San Mateo Police Department is coordinating with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office in filing charges.
August 18, 2023
Indonesian Customs Seizes Millions in Illicit Goods

Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
Customs in Batam, Indonesia, have seized illicit goods worth IDR1.37 trillion ($89.35 million) in the first half of 2023, including tobacco products, illegal cigarettes, e-cigarettes and alcoholic beverages containing methanol, according to 2Firsts.
The operation was a result of tax operations aiming to ensure compliance of retail tax paying sellers as part of the area’s free-trade zone and free port, according to Anbang Puriyongo, director of Batam Customs.
Three individuals have been named as suspects and undergone trial, according to Puriyongo. He called on citizens to report suspicious activities and actively participate in creating a fair trading environment.
“We will further enhance inter-department coordination and cooperation, leveraging the latest technology,” Puriyongo said. “We aim for such actions to continue in the future, creating a better trading environment for Indonesia.”
August 17, 2023
Activists Plea for Consumer Participation at COP10

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
Consumer advocates are calling for the next New Zealand government to support greater consumer advocacy participation in the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Panama.
“The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has contributed to some progress in the implementation of tobacco control measures, but they need to provide honest, risk-proportionate communication and regulatory recommendations for Tobacco Harm Reduction [THR] products,” says Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA).
“While not perfect, these THR products can be a less harmful alternative to smoking and can help smokers quit. It is critical that smokers have access to accurate information about these products and that regulations are proportionate to their risks,” says Loucas.

The WHO FCTC should stop denying smokers, vapers and other tobacco users of their right to have a meaningful participation and inclusion in the formulation of policies that hugely impact them.
Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator, CAPHRA
“The WHO FCTC should stop denying smokers, vapers and other tobacco users of their right to have a meaningful participation and inclusion in the formulation of policies that hugely impact them.”
CAPHRA is calling on the New Zealand government and next minister of health to ask all member states who will be attending COP10 to reject the prohibitionist proposals contained in COP10 provisional agenda items 6.1 to 6.4 that the organization insists will just further contribute to millions more of unnecessary deaths from smoking.
“New Zealand should prioritize science-based inclusive policy making, including at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. It is essential that policy making is based on the best available evidence and that all stakeholders—including consumer advocates are included in the decision-making process,” said Loucas.
August 17, 2023
U.S. FDA to Hold Public Meeting on PMTA Process

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold a two-day public meeting on the agency’s premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) process on Oct. 23–24, 2023.
The meeting will be held on the FDA’s White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland, and will be in a hybrid format with the option to attend virtually.
Staff from the Center for Tobacco Products’ Office of Science will present on topics related to the PMTA process and be available to respond to questions received from stakeholders on the topic, according to a press note.
Additional information, including registration and question submission processes, will be available soon.
August 17, 2023