Tag: regulation

  • WVA Says Hungary Proposed Vape Rules Excessive

    WVA Says Hungary Proposed Vape Rules Excessive

    The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA), a global vaping consumer advocacy group, has great concern for the Hungarian Government’s draft decree which aims to amend the current regulation of nicotine pouches and vaping. 

    The proposed regulations, if enacted, would introduce restrictions that may hinder access to safer alternatives for smokers and harm reduction options, according to an emailed press release.

    Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, said, “While it’s important to ensure the safety and proper labelling of nicotine products, it’s equally crucial to avoid excessive regulation that could impede the availability of harm reduction products for smokers looking to transition away from combustible cigarettes.” 

    The proposed amendments, with a maximum nicotine content of 17mg per consumption unit reflect an approach that may inadvertently limit the appeal of nicotine pouches to smokers seeking alternatives.

    “Moreover, the WVA expresses concerns about the potential implications of the draft Decree’s proposed modifications to vaping product regulations,” the release states. “The amendments, which target unit packet definitions, nicotine amounts, and labelling requirements, could impose unwarranted restrictions on vaping products. While addressing health concerns is important, the proposed changes should be carefully evaluated to ensure they do not deter smokers from adopting less harmful alternatives.”

    Whilst health and safety standards are crucial, regulations should be crafted with a balanced approach that considers both consumer health and the potential of these products to save lives, according to Landl. 

    “We encourage the Hungarian Government to start accepting reality: harm reduction works! This year, Sweden is becoming the first smoke-free country due to a consumer-friendly harm reduction approach,” he said. “It is high time to learn from the Swedish experience and thereby save thousands of Hungarian lives. With a smart harm reduction approach, Hungary can become smoke-free.”

    The standstill period for review and objection by the European Commission and Member States ends on 8th November 2023, after which the Hungarian Government may enact the proposed regulations. The WVA remains committed to advocating for evidence-based policies prioritizing public health and consumer choice.

  • McKinney Regulatory Science Reveals New Website

    McKinney Regulatory Science Reveals New Website

    McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors has launch its new website that promises “a new era of innovation and transparency for their clients,” according to a press release.

    The new platform describes an array of advisory services to nicotine and cannabis clients, with an emphasis on providing McKinney clients with the best available regulatory services.

    Willie McKinney, CEO of McKinney, said the new website represents a significant milestone in journey to provide exceptional advisory services to our nicotine and cannabis clients.

    “The revamped platform reflects our dedication to innovation, transparency, and client satisfaction, making it easier for clients to explore our services and access valuable regulatory resources,” he said

    The new website offers a modern design that makes it easy for users to find the information they need quickly. It also features an intuitive navigation system that allows users to identify relevant services and access helpful resources rapidly, according to McKinney. Additionally, the site is optimized for mobile devices so that users can access the site from any device at any time.

    “McKinney RSA focuses on providing comprehensive solutions that meet complex regulatory requirements while also delivering superior customer service,” the release states. “With decades of industry experience under their belt, they are committed to helping their clients succeed by providing top-notch guidance every step of the way.”

  • Study Finds Flavors Helps Smokers Quit Smoking

    Study Finds Flavors Helps Smokers Quit Smoking

    Credit: Юлия Кравченко

    Recent research suggests that people are more likely to quit smoking combustible cigarettes by vaping if they receive help choosing the right flavor, plus supportive messages.

    The Addiction journal recently published a study conducted by London South Bank University (LSBU) that involved 1,214 eligible participants who were heavy smokers and expressed interest in quitting by using vapes. The researchers recruited these participants through social media.

    They then tested five remote interventions aimed at helping people switch—mostly online surveys that produced recommendations based on individual responses, reports Filter. The interventions were: “tailored device selection advice; tailored e-liquid nicotine strength advice; tailored e-liquid flavor advice; brief information on relative harms; and text message (SMS) support.”

    “Simple tailored advice on selecting a flavor along with supportive text messages could increase quit rates by 55 percent.”

    By offering different groups of participants different interventions (including all, or none of them), the study sought to determine which combination was most effective.

    “In the adjusted model,” the researchers concluded, “the only significant interaction was a two-way interaction, advice on flavor combined with text message support, which increased the odds of abstinence [from cigarettes].”

  • Registration Open for US FDA Tobacco Strategic Plan

    Registration Open for US FDA Tobacco Strategic Plan

    Registration is open for the virtual listening session on the development of the Center for Tobacco Products’ (CTP) five-year strategic plan, which will take place on Aug. 22 beginning at 10 a.m. EDT.

    The virtual listening session is an opportunity to verbally provide open public comment on the development of the new strategic plan, including proposed strategic goals. After introductions, the center will begin the listening session with an overview of the process used to develop the CTP’s strategic plan, including proposed goal areas.

    Registered speakers will then have approximately four minutes each to verbally share their comments on any topics related to the strategic plan. Submit a request to verbally provide open public comment by Aug. 14 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

    Registration also includes a “listen-only” option for those who want to attend the session but do not request to speak. Listen-only registration slots are unlimited, but registration is required. There is no deadline to register for listen-only slots.

    In addition to this listening session, the public can submit electronic or written comments to the Federal Register notice. Electronic comments must be submitted, and written comments must be postmarked, by Aug. 29.

  • Philippines: New Rules for Vape Supplier Imports

    Philippines: New Rules for Vape Supplier Imports

    Port of Manila, Philippines. Seaport loading cranes in sunset light. (Credit: Tupon Gato)

    The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines said it will require importers of raw materials for vaping products to seek special clearances to release their shipments.

    The agency cited the need to impose order on an industry with many emerging players, according to media reports.

    “For vape products, we are going to require them to (apply for) the authority to release imported goods for raw materials,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr. said. “We are thinking of ways to regulate because there are so many vape products now. The production of vape products is a backyard industry, so we’re thinking of ways to regulate it.”

    In its latest revenue memorandum circular, the BIR announced that it is now requiring importers or manufacturers of raw materials and equipment used to make heated tobacco products and vapor products to apply for an authority to release imported goods.

    “The raw materials specially used for the manufacture of heated tobacco products and vapor products shall include but are not limited to: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, organic sweetener, artificial flavoring, and nicotine,” according to the circular.

    Devices used for the manufacture of these products will also include but are not limited to mechanical or electric heating elements/atomizers, circuits, cartridges, reservoirs, pods, tanks, mods, and mouthpieces.

    Apart from the authority to release imported goods, importers and manufacturers must also apply for a permit to operate. Lumagui said that the BIR is working on addressing the shortfall from excise tax collections, which is mainly due to illicit tobacco.

    “We’re targeting to minimize that 20 percent (shortfall). Within the year, we can cut that by more than half… ultimately, I want to make sure to fully resolve that shortfall,” he said.

  • Quebec Flavor Ban Begins at End of October

    Quebec Flavor Ban Begins at End of October

    Quebec’s flavor ban will take effect Oct. 31, according to Vaping360.

    The ban will include vaping products with flavors other than tobacco and will prohibit e-liquid sold in bottles with a capacity greater than 30 mL and prefilled devices with a capacity greater than 2 mL.

    The flavor ban was announced in a draft published in April. More than 30,000 citizens of Quebec commented on the proposed ban, according to the Quebec Vaping Rights Coalition, but the health ministry reportedly didn’t make any changes to the rules in response.   

    Quebec is the largest province in Canada to pass a flavor ban. Four other provinces and territories have flavor bans in place, and one has passed a ban but has not set an effective date yet. Three other provinces restrict flavored products to adult-only stores.

  • Venezuela Officials Place Ban on All Vaping Products

    Venezuela Officials Place Ban on All Vaping Products

    Credit: Zero Photo

    Venezuela has banned all vaping products. The country’s Ministry of People’s Power for Health issued a resolution this week prohibiting the manufacture, storage, distribution, circulation, commercialization, import, export, use, consumption, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

    Additionally, electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNS), consumables, tanks or cartridges, refill consumable containers and other accessories are also banned, according to an emailed press release.

    Venezuela joins Argentina and Brazil in banning vaping products in South America.

    The decision comes two months after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked his government’s medical and scientific team to consider the ban. According to the Ministry of Health, “the measure is taken in response to the alerts promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO).”

    Alberto Gomez, community manager for Spain and Latin America for the World Vapers’ Alliance, said the ban on reduced harm products in Venezuela is a setback for public health.

    “Thousands of Venezuelans had already quit traditional tobacco thanks to vaping and had managed to improve their health,” he said. “Now they will have difficulty accessing the products, and it will be more difficult for more smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives. Venezuela should follow the example of countries like Sweden or the United Kingdom, which are on the way to eradicating smoking, not the WHO’s biased and paternalistic approach.”

    Prohibition always fails and brings unintended consequences, according to Gomez, adding that users will turn to the illicit market or return to smoking, while smokers can no longer switch to less risky products.

    “Public health will worsen, and smoking will mean higher costs for the health system. In addition, the illicit market does not control the sale to minors, the products do not pass safety and quality controls, and no taxes are paid. Prohibition does not solve anything.

    “More than 15,000 people die every year in Venezuela from tobacco-related diseases. Promoting the use of less harmful alternatives has the potential to save thousands of lives and improve public health. The Venezuelan government has an obligation to listen to those who have been able to quit smoking and improve their health thanks to vaping and establish risk-based regulation.”

  • Biden Opposed to Limiting FDA Power to Regulate Flavors

    Biden Opposed to Limiting FDA Power to Regulate Flavors

    Credit: Lux Blue

    The Biden administration has published a Statement of Administration Policy outlining its opposition to parts of a proposed funding bill that would limit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ability to ban flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes, reports Halfwheel.

    The proposed bill would prevent the FDA from receiving funding if it introduced bans on flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes or introduced rules limiting the amount of nicotine a product can have.

    The policy statement does not mention nicotine limits, although the FDA has proposed limiting nicotine.

    The Statement of Administration Policy is not binding.

    A new study has found that smokers who get help picking flavored e-cigarettes and receive supportive text messages are more likely to quit smoking.

    Last month, the FDA gave the Center for Tobacco Research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center a $3.9 million grant to evaluate the effects of e-cigarette flavors on smoking behaviors of current adult smokers.

  • Group: Vape Laws Could Push People Back to Smoking

    Group: Vape Laws Could Push People Back to Smoking

    Vapor Voice Archive

    Illinois now has a law that bans the use of electronic cigarettes in indoor public spaces, but a consumer advocacy group warns such laws could backfire.

    Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed into law a measure that adds electronic smoking devices to the 2008 Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which banned smoking in most public spaces in the state.

    Elizabeth Hicks with the Consumer Choice Center says vaping should not be compared with smoking regular cigarettes, according to media reports.

    Hicks says the assault on vaping may push Illinoisans back to cigarettes, leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.

    “Taxpayers unfortunately also suffer in addition to consumers,” said Hicks. “The annual Medicaid costs for smoking-related illnesses in Illinois is over $2 billion, which is one of the highest throughout the country.”

    The Illinois Department of Public Health noted that e-cigarettes can cause lung damage and addiction to nicotine. The law goes into effect January 2024.

  • New BAT Boss Calls for ‘Better’ Vaping Rules

    New BAT Boss Calls for ‘Better’ Vaping Rules

    Tadeu Marroco says issues such as youth use continue as many countries adopt a tougher stance on vaping products.

    The newly appointed head of British American Tobacco has expressed a desire for governments to apply more “better regulations” towards vaping products and other tobacco alternatives, as the public debate over them is growing in intensity and becoming an issue for the industry.

    Tadeu Marroco told the Financial Times that the FTSE 100-listed owner of Lucky Strike and Dunhill was “very keen” to work with regulators to address problems such as vaping’s use among teenagers and its environmental impact.

    “We need to have better regulations. We cannot ignore the benefit of migrating smokers out of cigarettes, but being unregulated, we have issues related to youth access and the environment,” Marroco said.

    “The problem is that this is a phenomenon that has grown so fast and the regulators are always catching up. But there are clearly opportunities for us to improve the level playing field.”

    Since Marroco took the helm in May of this year, there has been an increased push around the globe to restrict flavored e-cigarettes, due in part to advice from anti-nicotine groups and World Health Organization. India, Thailand, and Argentina have all implemented full bans on all forms of vaping products.

    NHS guidelines in the UK suggest vapes can help people stop smoking although they also state that the activity “is not completely risk-free”. The government said in April it would offer 1 million smokers vape starter kits. Selling vapes to under-18s is illegal.