Read articles from United States of America

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.

July 23, 2025 by reason.org

Rhode Island has increased taxes on nicotine pouches by 80%, impacting harm reduction efforts and public health. The FDA approved Zyn pouches as a safer alternative for smokers, reducing tobacco-related harms. The tax hike jeopardizes these benefits, affecting low-income individuals and potentially leading to unintended consequences such as reduced tax revenue and cross-border shopping. The move contradicts harm reduction strategies, neglecting the success of providing safer options. Nicotine pouches offer a less harmful alternative to smoking, yet the tax increase may hinder their accessibility. States should consider evidence-based policies supporting harm reduction to improve public health outcomes instead of punitive taxation.

July 23, 2025 by dcjournal.com

With most state legislatures on break, vapers have a temporary pause from new taxes and restrictions. However, the FDA’s failure to regulate harm reduction products continues to pose a threat. In 2025, Indiana and Illinois passed major tax hikes on cigarettes and vaping products, while flavor bans failed in states like Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. A consistent, science-based federal approach is urgently needed.

July 18, 2025 by cbsnews.com

The FDA has decided to allow Juul to continue selling its tobacco and menthol-flavored e-cigarettes. The agency stated that Juul's research shows these products are less harmful for adult smokers who switch completely from traditional cigarettes. This decision follows years of controversy, with Juul being widely blamed for contributing to the rise in teen vaping. The ruling applies only to the tobacco and menthol versions, as Juul had already pulled its fruit and candy flavors from the market due to their appeal to teens.

July 17, 2025 by njspotlightnews.org

New Jersey, a longtime leader in tobacco prevention, banned flavored vaping products in 2020 to protect youth. However, e-cigarette use among teens remains high, with 18.2% of high school students reporting current use. New legislation aims to strengthen enforcement of the ban by increasing penalties, requiring more inspections, and prohibiting deliveries to those under 21. Lawmakers are urged to pass these measures quickly to better protect young people’s health.