Read articles from United States of America

September 08, 2025 by thedailytexan.com

Texas now prohibits the marketing and sale of most disposable e-cigarette products, including THC vapes, under Senate Bill 2024, effective from Sept. 1. The law targets products designed to appeal to minors and those produced in certain countries. Despite concerns about impacting businesses like The Glassmith, some individuals like Andrés Valdez rely on THC and vapes for medical reasons. Critics, including Tyler Varisco, question the ban's effectiveness in managing substance use. Meanwhile, students like Matthew Handojo highlight the potential risks of obtaining vapes from unregulated sources.

September 05, 2025 by westword.com

Denver's ban on flavored tobacco products, signed by Mayor Mike Johnston, targets vapes, e-cigarettes, and menthol cigarettes, with full enforcement set for January 1, 2026. Supporters argue these products are marketed to youth and minority communities. A coalition is pushing to repeal the ban, collecting over 17,000 signatures. Proponents, such as health organizations, formed Denver Kids vs Big Tobacco to promote the ban. Critics, led by the Rocky Mountain Smoke Free Alliance, advocate for stricter regulations instead. The ban's fate will be determined by voters this November, shaping Denver's stance against the tobacco industry. The move follows a vetoed 2021 ban and aligns Denver with other Colorado cities combatting flavored tobacco.

September 04, 2025 by daily-pouch.com

The City of Baltimore is suing Philip Morris and Swedish Match for allegedly targeting youth with Zyn nicotine pouches through flavors, social media, rewards programs, and marketing them as tobacco-free. The complaint lacks solid evidence and makes questionable claims, such as linking adult products to youth targeting. The lawsuit is criticized for misconstruing basic marketing strategies and lacking substantial proof of deliberate youth targeting. The City seeks fines and remedies despite weak arguments, suggesting a lack of substance in the case. The lawsuit is seen as a frivolous attempt based on weak reasoning and misconceptions about marketing tactics.

September 03, 2025 by thewellnews.com

Many healthcare professionals find it difficult to keep up with rapid changes in nicotine products. A survey suggests the FDA could play a key role in providing guidance, but the agency has so far remained largely absent from the discussion. A recent national survey found that 93% of medical professionals believe the FDA has a duty to inform the medical community when a smoke-free product is shown to carry less risk than smoking. Nearly all (95%) said they would pass this information on to their adult patients who smoke. However, the FDA has remained largely silent on the issue, and many healthcare providers are unaware of which products regulators have reviewed for safety and efficacy.

September 03, 2025 by spectrumlocalnews.com

The FDA urges nicotine pouch manufacturers to adopt child-resistant packaging following a rise in accidental exposures, with 72% of cases involving children under 5, per research. Concerns include attractive designs resembling candy and high nicotine levels in pouches causing severe effects in children. The FDA suggests measures to prevent accidental ingestion, such as secure closures requiring adult dexterity. The agency stresses proper storage to guard against exposure to pets and kids, noting the addictive and hazardous nature of nicotine. Approved ZYN products emphasize child safety, highlighting the importance of safeguarding public health and product responsibility.

August 29, 2025 by fox11online.com

New regulations in Wisconsin ban the sale of electronic vaping devices not listed on a directory starting Sept. 1. There are currently 216 approved products. Hemp-containing, nicotine-free devices have until July 1, 2026, to comply. Violators face a $1,000 daily fine per device and potential seizure. The Department of Revenue manages the directory.

August 28, 2025 by missouri.edu

The University of Missouri researcher received over $3 million from NIH to develop treatments for substance use disorders, focusing on helping people quit smoking. Brett Froeliger, PhD, aims to disrupt habitual nicotine use through brain stimulation. His research investigates TBS's effects on brain areas involved in addiction and aims to identify optimal stimulation targets for therapy. Nearly 50 million US adults used tobacco in 2022, underlining the need for effective cessation programs. Froeliger's grant supports a 5-year study exploring how brain stimulation can treat addiction beyond nicotine.

August 20, 2025 by washingtontimes.com

The FDA portrays itself as protecting Americans from dangerous products, but its history suggests otherwise. Its approval of opioids helped cause the deadly epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands since 2000. At the same time, the FDA restricts safer alternatives to cigarettes, applying stricter standards to harm-reduction products while effectively protecting cigarette companies. Although the dangers of smoking have been known since the 1960s, the 2009 Tobacco Control Act gave the FDA broad authority over nicotine products, requiring new ones to undergo a burdensome approval process to prove they benefit public health.

August 19, 2025 by axios.com

Illinois has raised its tobacco tax from 36% to 45% as part of the 2026 budget, which now also applies to nicotine pouches like Zyn. The change, effective July 1, is expected to generate about $53 million in new revenue. Zyn pouches, popular among young people for their discreet use and flavored options, are now taxed similarly to cigarettes, though they remain cheaper—a tin starts at $5.60 before tax and about $9.92 after. By contrast, heavy taxation makes cigarettes in Chicago cost up to $20 per pack, the highest in the U.S.

August 18, 2025 by the-sun.com

Starting September 1, popular items like nicotine pouches will be banned in Southborough, Massachusetts, affecting stores like 7-Eleven, with fines for violators increased to $1,000. The decision aims to prevent sales appealing to children due to flavored varieties. Despite protests from industry groups citing FDA approval and low youth usage, officials emphasize the products' risks to teens and difficulty in detection by parents. The unanimous board decision follows concerns over teens turning to pouches after a decline in youth vaping. Adult-only stores are the only remaining option for purchasing these products post-ban.