Read articles from United States of America

October 27, 2025 by i2i.org

Denver voters face Referendum 310, deciding on a ban on flavored nicotine products. Proponents aim to curb youth access, but opponents argue it's unnecessary due to declining underage vaping rates. The ban overlooks harm-reducing alternatives like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Similar bans in other places led to revenue loss and thriving black markets. Advocates suggest focusing on education and enforcement, not prohibition. The ban could push consumers to neighboring areas, causing economic losses. Critics warn of repeating past policy failures and urge for a balanced approach. Ultimately, the ban might do more harm than good, impacting public health, freedom, and the economy.

October 15, 2025 by reason.org

The FDA initiated a pilot program to speed up the approval of nicotine pouches. The move is welcomed by advocates who criticize the agency's slow approval process that favored traditional cigarettes over safer alternatives like e-cigarettes. Legacy tobacco firms have benefited from exemptions that hinder newcomers. The flawed process led to the dominance of Big Tobacco in the e-cigarette market, causing harm to smaller companies like Juul. Expanding the program to include e-cigarettes is crucial to provide smokers with safer options and combat the illicit market. The accelerated pathway is a step towards rectifying regulatory failures and improving public health.

October 15, 2025 by denverpost.com

Denver small businesses oppose billionaire funding to maintain a flavored tobacco ban. Referendum 310 gives voters the chance to decide on flavored vape sales to adults, protecting local revenue and businesses. On the other hand, supporters of the ban argue for health reasons due to nicotine's addictiveness. Meanwhile, Lakewood faces zoning conflicts over residential density changes. Proponents seek affordability and vibrancy, while others fear losing open space and trees. The impact on infrastructure and existing homeowners is a concern. The decision could shape the city's future.

October 14, 2025 by missouriindependent.com

Originally meant to help smokers quit, e-cigarettes and vaping products have become a new form of addiction, especially among young people. While designed for adult smokers, many young users now vape without ever having smoked. In Missouri, surveys show record-high use — 21% of college students vape and 28% use nicotine overall. Experts warn that easy access to vape shops and high-nicotine products has made this generation more addicted than ever before.

October 13, 2025 by realclearmarkets.com

Reforming the FDA’s PMTA process would allow U.S. manufacturers and retailers to offer safer alternatives to smoking, such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heat-not-burn products. These products are proven to help smokers quit, supporting public health while enabling small businesses to grow, hire more employees, and strengthen local economies.

October 08, 2025 by gfn.tv

GFN News speaks with Filter’s Will Godfrey about reports of dramatic increases in vaping-related emergency department visits across several US states, especially among youth, and examines what those numbers truly represent beyond the headlines. The conversation highlights how headlines like “teen ER visits surge” can obscure distinctions between acute nicotine toxicity and far more subjective “e‑cigarette dependence” admissions that have driven much of the increase in reported cases. The discussion also explores how clinicians may mark visits as vape-related simply because a patient discloses vaping, even when it’s incidental to the medical issue, potentially inflating counts without reflecting actual vaping-caused harm.

October 08, 2025 by regulatorwatch.com

Donald Trump campaigned on saving vaping. But under his watch, the FDA has seized more products than any previous administration and doubled down on the very anti-nicotine crusade he once promised to stop. In our ten years covering the U.S. Vaping industry never has the future looked so bleak. Joining us today to unpack the mounting contradictions of Trump’s FDA is Lindsey Stroud, THR policy expert and founder of Tobacco Harm Reduction 101 at thr101.org.

October 08, 2025 by regulatorwatch.com

Donald Trump campaigned on saving vaping. But under his watch, the FDA has seized more products than any previous administration and doubled down on the very anti-nicotine crusade he once promised to stop. In our ten years covering the U.S. Vaping industry never has the future looked so bleak. Joining us today to unpack the mounting contradictions of Trump’s FDA is Lindsey Stroud, THR policy expert and founder of Tobacco Harm Reduction 101 at thr101.org.

October 02, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

The seizure of vaping products by federal authorities raises concerns for U.S. manufacturers, contradicting Trump's support for the industry. The Vapor Technology Association revealed that many seized products were American-made. The industry employs over 90,000 workers but faces regulatory challenges. Vaping, deemed less harmful than smoking, helps adults quit cigarettes. Critics question the FDA's focus on vaping over traditional tobacco products. Amid calls for clear guidelines and support for harm reduction, the industry struggles with limited FDA approvals. The crackdown and lack of regulation hinder American companies, despite the potential for domestic growth.

September 25, 2025 by harvard.edu

Approximately 34 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes, resulting in over 480,000 deaths yearly. Vaping, seen as a safer alternative for smokers, has gained popularity among teens. Balancing the need to deter youth vaping while allowing adult smokers access was discussed in a panel by the Petrie-Flom Center and others. Policies have shown some success in reducing youth e-cigarette use, but may increase adult tobacco use. E-cigarettes, with fewer harmful chemicals, are considered effective for smoking cessation. Regulatory gaps and weak FDA authority have hindered efforts to control e-cigarette sales, with financial penalties limited. Stricter age restrictions and penalties could help enforce regulations and prevent a shift from e-cigarettes to traditional cigarettes.