Nicotine Science and Policy

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison urged over 5,000 retailers to cease selling unauthorized flavored tobacco products, emphasizing the harm to minors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports stricter tobacco regulations. Vaping among youths is present in ISD 518, with a focus on prevention through social and emotional learning in schools and communities. Programs like My Life, My Quit offer support for quitting vaping. Educators stress early intervention and education as crucial in combating the youth vaping issue. Proactive measures, including youth coalitions and community involvement, are seen as essential.

Deputy Commissioner Haripur has banned e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products in the district under Section 144 for 90 days starting September 6, 2024. Restrictions include banning their use in public transport and spaces, prohibiting promotion through media, selling to individuals under 21, and storage within 100 meters of certain places. Meanwhile, the Sindh government has also imposed a ban on items used for drug consumption in Karachi, with penalties under Section 188 PPC. The Senate Standing Committee approved the Cannabis Authority Bill after a four-year delay, facing disagreements over clauses during the meeting.

The UKVIA supports Baroness Merrion's push for a vape licensing scheme to tackle youth vaping. The scheme seeks to enforce regulations, penalizing retailers selling illicit products or to under 18s. Baroness Walmsey also advocates for fines for illegal vape sales. The industry believes the proposed scheme could raise funds for enforcement without burdening the Treasury. Amendments to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill are being considered. Director General John Dunne urges for robust licensing to combat youth vaping effectively, emphasizing the importance of preventing illegal products in the UK market. Collaboration with ministers is anticipated to address regulatory gaps.

A new synthetic nicotine, Metatine, similar to traditional nicotine, has entered the U.S. vaping market, evading FDA regulations. Concerns arise as studies suggest it may be more potent and harmful than nicotine. Researchers worry about mislabeling and lack of data on its effects when burned or metabolized. Calls for regulatory action urge caution due to potential risks and loopholes in current laws. Experts emphasize the need for thorough scientific evidence to ensure public health protection. The FDA is funding research on nicotine analogs but acknowledges a lack of comprehensive data. Authorities face challenges in defining and regulating these emerging products amid growing concerns.

Ireland plans to ban disposable vapes sales with restrictions on colors and imagery to prevent targeting youth. Concerns over environmental impact and nicotine levels have prompted the new measures. The ban will build on existing regulations prohibiting sales to those under 18 and aims to address the issue of vapes potentially leading to smoking. The Minister of State for Public Health emphasized the need for changes in selling nicotine products and indicated upcoming rules on flavored vapes. Ireland joins other European countries in responding to the growing use of such products, reminiscent of past actions like the smoking ban.

Brian King, head of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Control, faces a House hearing due to agency failures and political influence. The CTP's mishandling led to court criticism and whistleblower claims of neglecting science for politics. Amid demands for FDA reform, the agency's delays in approving safer nicotine products endanger public health. Transparency issues, administrative burdens, and public misperceptions on vaping worsen the situation. The hearing seeks accountability and urges the FDA to prioritize harm-reducing products, highlighting the need for structural reforms to protect millions of lives.

The FDA regulates ENDS and vaping products under federal tobacco legislation, treating them like cigarettes. Restrictions on providing truthful information hinder public health efforts, limiting consumers' knowledge about product risks. While ENDS are less harmful than cigarettes, regulations prevent producers from educating consumers. Misunderstandings about tobacco product risks persist, impacting public health negatively. Current restrictions on speech regarding product risks may not align with health promotion goals and raise First Amendment concerns. Recognizing and protecting ENDS producers' speech rights could enhance public health outcomes. [...]

Over the last six months I’ve been using nicotine pouches to try to get away from cigarettes. I’ve managed to go from smoking as many as 16 cigarettes a day to just one or two, all because of nicotine pouches. I am sure other people have experienced similar benefits from pouches. Unfortunately, federal Health Minister Mark Holland has decided to seriously restrict access to pouches, which is going to make it harder for thousands of people like me to quit. In the name of protecting kids from nicotine pouches, Ottawa has decided to limit the flavours available to just mint or menthol and ban the fruit flavours that were previously legal and approved by Health Canada.

Disposable vapes with lithium batteries are leading to significant environmental damage. In the UK, around five million vapes are discarded weekly, with only 17% recycled. The use of lithium batteries in disposable vapes is wasteful and poses dangers in disposal. The ban on disposable vapes in Ireland by 2024 reflects growing concerns. These vapes use lithium batteries for high power density but are challenging to recycle. Improper disposal can lead to fires and toxic emissions. Reconsidering the use of single-use electronics is crucial to lessen the environmental impact and address the waste issue.