Tag: vaping

Oregon Measure to Ease Path to Cannabis Union

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In Oregon, Measure 119, which would allow cannabis workers to form unions, passed on Tuesday with a vote of 55% to 45%.
The measure will require cannabis businesses to enter “labor peace agreements,” promising to stay neutral when union organizers communicate with their workers.
After lawmakers declined to pass a similar law last year, union representatives brought the measure to voters, arguing the agreements were needed because of uncertainty over how federal labor law applies to cannabis workers, media reports.
While the measure faced no organized opposition, business interests and attorneys for the Legislature previously argued that the agreements could conflict with federal labor laws.
November 7, 2024
Greece Set to Boost Penalties for Youth Vape Sales

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Greece is set to introduce a new bill in its Parliament that would impose stricter penalties for businesses supplying alcohol, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices to minors in the government’s efforts to revamp alcohol laws in the country.
This is a joint decision made by the ministries of Citizen Protection, Justice, and Health, and it comes after repeated incidents of selling alcohol to under-aged individuals.
According to sources, violators who sell these harmful products to minors could be punished with imprisonment, financial fines, and other administrative penalties, including the immediate closure of the business involved, media reports.
Ministerial officials report that past oversights have also been identified regarding the access minors have to these harmful products. Specifically, under the previous government, the number of police officers assigned to enforce the anti-smoking law, for example, had been drastically reduced, penalties had been minimized, and there was also a decision allowing for the use of alcohol by minors at private events.
The Minister of Justice Giorgos Floridis commented on the new law, “Everything is now becoming stricter for the protection of minors, with increased enforcement.”
November 7, 2024
Nebraska Legalizes Medical Marijuana

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Medical marijuana is now legal in the state of Nebraska after voters approved a measure on Tuesday.
Two medical marijuana ballot measures were on the Nebraska ballot; 70.7% of voters approved Initiative Measure 437, and 66.9% approved Initiative Measure 438, media reports.
Initiative Measure 437 establishes a new statute that will allow the use, possession, and acquisition of up to 5 ounces of cannabis for medical purposes by a qualified patient with a written recommendation from a health care practitioner. The statute will also allow a caregiver to assist a qualified patient with these activities.
Initiative Measure 438 establishes a new statute that makes penalties inapplicable under state law for the possession, manufacture, distribution, delivery, and dispensing of cannabis for medical purposes by registered private entities. The statute will also establish a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate such activities.
November 7, 2024
VTA Celebrates Impact of U.S. Vaper Voters
The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) celebrated the political currency and success of vaper voters in critical 2024 battleground election states and districts during the recent U.S. elections. According to the trade group, vaper voters helped secure electoral victories for Conservative candidates up and down the ballot.
VTA says its “I Vape I Vote” campaign activated over 360,000 low-propensity voters to support Conservative principles and candidates, including President-elect Donald Trump, in key battleground states and districts in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
“Vaper voters showed up in droves to support Conservative candidates who will protect and preserve the rights of Americans to use flavored vaping products,” said VTA Executive Director Tony Abboud.
“VTA’s I Vape I Vote campaign made clear that vaper voters had their voices heard at the ballot box and ensured that Conservative candidates would deliver full-throated endorsements of Americans’ right to use flavored vapes and, critically, use that support to establish a voter currency which propelled several Conservative candidates into office.
“While we are proud to have engaged in the process with several of these Conservative candidates, we are now ready to see their campaign promises committed to action as they work with President-elect Trump and the relevant federal agencies to fix the broken regulatory process by implementing a streamlined regulatory process that ensures access to flavored vapes is protected and companies and distributors have transparent, rational and affordable rules of the road when it comes to this regulatory framework.”
November 7, 2024
The Hague Rules Dutch Flavored Vape Ban is Legal

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A court in The Hague has ruled that the Netherlands was allowed to introduce a ban on flavors in e-cigarettes to protect public health. The court ruled this in a substantive procedure initiated by tobacco products manufacturer British American Tobacco (BAT) and the related company Nicoventures. They consider the ban unlawful.
The harmfulness of e-cigarettes and the “attractive effect” of sweet flavors on young people have been sufficiently established, the court stated.
According to the 2020 ban, only certain flavors can be added to e-cigarettes, especially because young people are sensitive to other sweet tastes, according to media reports. The State also saw indications that the sweet-tasting e-cigarette will eventually encourage people to smoke regular cigarettes, while the government is aiming for a “smoke-free generation” in 2040.
According to the court, any encouragement to smoke regular cigarettes does not need to be scientifically proven for a ban. The harmfulness of the e-cigarette and the attractive effect of the sweet flavors on young people justify the flavor ban in themselves, the judgment stated.
The plaintiffs felt the ban violated the free traffic of goods within the European Union. They felt there was no evidence to suggest that the ban on flavors is good for public health. They also stated that the ban could have an adverse effect because fewer smokers will stop trying to quit smoking with the aid of e-cigarettes.
But this possible disadvantage does not carry enough weight, the court ruled. The State has the “political discretion to give more weight to the interests of the youth and of a future smoke-free generation in the context of public health.”
The court acknowledges that the ban on flavors infringes on the free movement of goods but says that such an infringement is permitted to protect public health if it is “appropriate, necessary, and proportionate.”
November 6, 2024
Tobacco, Nicotine Stocks Rally on Trump Victory

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Tobacco stocks rose in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, reports The Wall Street Journal.
BAT stocks were up 4 percent this morning; its Reynolds American subsidiary was a large donor to the Make America Great Again action committee, which supported the former president’s bid for reelection. Reynolds has been pushing back against the Biden administration’s proposed menthol ban, which was delayed earlier this year. Under another Trump administration, it is likely that a menthol ban would be completely dismantled.
BAT, Altria and Imperial Brands all have sizable U.S. menthol businesses as the products make up more than a third of the U.S. cigarette market by volume.
Another Trump administration may also lead to a crackdown on illicit imports of disposable vapes, which primarily come from China. During his first term as president, Trump enthusiastically erected barriers to Chinese imports Such measures could boost some tobacco companies’ e-cigarette brands.
Expectations that a Trump presidency will strengthen the dollar, however, could be troublesome for Philip Morris International as the multinational makes around 90 percent of sales in other, primarily emerging market, currencies. A possible increase in inflation could also harm tobacco stocks since they are heavily exposed to price-sensitive, low-income consumers.
November 6, 2024
Haypp Happy for Retail Licensing in U.K.Vapes Bill
Vape retailer Haypp welcomed the news that the U.K. government has included a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco, vape, and nicotine products in its Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
“As a responsible retailer, Haypp.com has long supported the need for a robust licensing system for retailers of vapes, nicotine pouches and tobacco products in the U.K.,” said Markus Lindblad, nicotine retail expert from Haypp.com.
“The absence of a licensing system in the U.K. has encouraged a wild west type environment where almost anyone can set themselves up as a vape shop. This has not only created challenges for responsible retailers, it has greatly increased the risks of underage vape use and untested products hitting the markets.
“This proposed scheme could finally bring some law and order to what has been a wild west marketplace. Our most recent annual vape report asked vape users where they bought their first vape, and with 18% saying they bought it from a shop when underage, it is clear that the lack of licensing and enforcement is encouraging underage access.”
The vape report, produced by Haypp, found that:

54% of UK vapers legally bought their own
18% of UK vapers bought their first vape from a shop when underage
10% of UK vapers bought their first vape online when underage
7% bought their first vape when underage from a major supermarket chain
In addition to this, 36% of respondents also admitted that they have purchased a vape for a minor, and 11% do so regularly, media reports.
“What we need to see now are appropriate penalties and enforcement mechanisms,” Lindblad added. “The licensing system will only be effective if there are tough financial penalties for rule breakers and the enforcement authorities are resourced sufficiently to do their job.”
November 5, 2024
U-Turn in Proposed U.K. Pub Garden Vaping Ban

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U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government was considering a ban on outdoor smoking in a bid to bring down the 80,000 preventable deaths caused by smoking in the U.K. each year.
The ban would have covered smoking in outdoor restaurants and outside sports venues, hospitals, nightclubs, and in some small parks.
The government announced plans to make it illegal to vape outside schools and in children’s playgrounds in England.
They also want to ban vaping and smoking outside of hospitals and have said that some outdoor places could become vape-free.
But speaking to Sky News this morning, Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, confirmed the U-turn and said: “We’re not going ahead or not proposing to go ahead with a [smoking] ban on outdoor hospitality.”
He said the policy idea was a “leak of government discussion” over the summer and promoted a “really good debate about whether or not it would be proportionate” when taking into account the public health benefits, but also the potential downsides.
“I think people know the UK hospitality sector has taken a battering in recent years,” he added. “And we don’t want to add to their pressure – so we’re not proposing to go ahead with an outdoor hospitality ban at this time.”
November 5, 2024
U.K. Tobacco and Vapes Bill Proposed Today

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The U.K. government will introduce its Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament today. The legislation involves some of the world’s strictest anti-smoking rules, including a measure banning younger people from smoking. However, the government abandoned plans for a ban on smoking outside pubs and cafes after concerns were raised about the impact on the hospitality industry.
The proposed legislation gives the government power to ban smoking outside specific outdoor spaces such as children’s playgrounds, schools and hospitals. But the plans will be subject to consultation.
The previous government had announced similar measures to create the first smoke-free generation. However, those plans failed to become law before the general election in the summer when the party lost power.
The new legislation ensures that anyone aged 15 this year, or younger, will be banned from buying cigarettes, and aims to make vapes less appealing to children.
“This government is taking bold action to create the first smokefree generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke,” said Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting in a statement.
Britain banned smoking in almost all enclosed public spaces, including bars and workplaces, in 2007.
A budget announcement last week included extra taxes on vaping, which is subject to 20 percent on VAT, but did not attract extra levies as tobacco does. A new flat rate duty of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid was announced.
With tobacco duties, the increases are usually immediate from midnight on the same day as the budget. However, the vaping duty is not due to come into force until 2026.

Creating a two-tier society in which some adults are permitted to buy tobacco and others aren’t discriminates against younger adults.
Simon Clark, director, Forest
While welcoming the decision to drop a proposed ban on smoking outside pubs and other other hospitality venues, smokers’ lobby group Forest said it was concerned by other measures in the bill.
“Banning smoking outside hospitals is heartless and cruel,” said Forest Director Simon Clark. “Smoking in the open air poses no risk to non-smokers, including children, but it can be a comfort to patients, visitors and staff who smoke and want a quiet stress-free moment.”
Meanwhile, increasing the age of sale by one year every year, as proposed on the generational tobacco ban part of the bill, would infantilize future generations of adults, according to Forest.
“If you can buy alcohol, drive a car, join the army, and vote at 18, you should also be allowed to purchase tobacco,” said Clark.
“Creating a two-tier society in which some adults are permitted to buy tobacco and others aren’t discriminates against younger adults.
“It will cause huge confusion in shops and could lead to even more retail crime.
“It will also drive younger adults to the black market and into the arms of criminal gangs.”
November 5, 2024
Malaysia Urged to Reconsider Display Ban

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The Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) is urging the ministry of health to reconsider the vape display ban introduced under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), set to take effect on April 1, 2025.
According to MVA, the display ban not only limits consumers’ right to make informed decisions but also places unnecessary restrictions on access to crucial product information.
“The display ban for vape creates significant obstacles for adult consumers seeking to make fact-based choices about the products they use. By preventing users from browsing or viewing product options at the point of sale, the ban directly impacts consumers’ ability to access key information and data about product quality, nicotine content, and flavor profiles—all critical factors in making informed purchasing decisions,” said MVA President Khairil Azizi Khairuddin.
“Beyond the practical limitations, by forcing vape products out of sight, the ban sends a stigmatizing message, implying that vape is socially unacceptable. This could deter smokers from making the switch to vape, leaving them feeling ashamed for even considering a less harmful alternative to smoking. It is demoralizing for those who are genuinely seeking a way to quit smoking, and it further isolates them from the harm reduction support they need.”

Limiting access to accurate information via a vape product display ban not only hinders transparency but also leaves consumers in the dark.
Khairil Azizi Khairuddin, president, Malaysian Vapers Alliance
Banning product retail displays at retail outlets goes against basic consumer rights, MVA believes.
“Informed choice is a cornerstone of consumer rights. Limiting access to accurate information via a vape product display ban not only hinders transparency but also leaves consumers in the dark, unable to get the information they need to make choices.”
To this end, MVA urges the MoH to reconsider this element of Act 852 and remove the vape display ban.
“There are many adult vape users in Malaysia who have transitioned away from smoking. Our 2023 survey found 73.7 percent of vape users in Malaysia are former smokers. In fact, 80.1 percent of respondents had switched to vaping as a means to quit smoking. These statistics share a realistic view of the use case for vape. Restricting consumer access to product information counteracts harm reduction efforts, which seek to provide smokers with less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes.”
“We are calling on the MoH to remove the vape display ban from Act 852 and ensure that consumer rights are protected. Transparency and informed decision-making are key to the success of harm reduction strategies in Malaysia,” Khairil concluded.
November 5, 2024