Read articles from United States of America

April 04, 2025 by filtermag.org

Dr. Brian King, head of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, was placed on leave amid 10,000 job cuts in the Department of Health and Human Services. Many staff lost positions without notice. The FDA faces restructuring, impacting its former leadership and tobacco regulation. King, criticized for biased decision-making, delayed authorizing certain vape products. THR advocates voiced concerns about FDA's approach under King's tenure. Uncertainty looms over access to reduced-risk products and regulatory changes. Despite ongoing issues, eliminating parts of the broken THR system brings unforeseen challenges and opportunities for tobacco harm reduction.

April 03, 2025 by indiatimes.com

E-cigarettes, commonly used by US students, contain nicotine, aerosol, and harmful chemicals. The Supreme Court upheld FDA rules on flavored liquids. Nicotine in e-cigarettes is addictive and can harm brain development. E-cigarettes produce aerosols with cancer-causing chemicals, metals, and VOCs. Studies show risks of coughing, wheezing, asthma, and cell toxicity from e-cigarette use. The FDA requires approval for new tobacco products. In 2024, over 1.6 million US students used e-cigarettes. Popular brands include Elf Bar and Breeze. Acute nicotine exposure is toxic, affecting attention, learning, and mood. E-cigarettes also deliver cannabis and other drugs. E-cigarettes pose health risks and potential harm to youth.

April 02, 2025 by tennessean.com

Tennessee's Senate bill aims to implement a 10% tax on vape products and potentially ban certain types, citing the need to curb underage vaping and counter Chinese imports. Critics argue it favors big tobacco. The bill sponsors have received significant campaign contributions from major cigarette manufacturers. It could impact the vape industry and limit choices for adult vapers. The bill, facing a final Senate vote, also addresses age verification and FDA approval. Tennessee high schoolers have a significant vaping issue, prompting stricter regulations. Revenue from the proposed tax would go to the state's general fund. The measure contrasts with some state board recommendations, with debates on the best approach ongoing.

April 01, 2025 by apnews.com

FDA's chief tobacco regulator, Brian King, was placed on leave amidst agency cuts. King, known for reducing teen vaping rates, faced backlash from vaping lobbyists. His removal follows FDA vaccine chief Dr. Marks' resignation over vaccine misinformation support. FDA is experiencing a leadership shakeup, with new commissioner Makary inheriting a workforce in flux. FDA faces challenges balancing regulation of vaping products for adults with preventing teen use. Recent departures include key officials in drugs, foods, and medical devices oversight. The agency is under scrutiny for its handling of tobacco regulations and struggles with turnover and layoffs. FDA's leadership changes coincide with efforts to promote public health and tackle preventable causes of death.

March 27, 2025 by vaping360.com

The Senate confirmed Dr. Martin Makary as the new FDA commissioner, overseeing vaping and tobacco products' regulation. Makary, a health policy expert and pancreatic surgeon from Johns Hopkins, supported FDA enforcement actions against illicit vaping products. His stance on flavored vaping remains unclear. The FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, led by Brian King, has faced criticism for its strict enforcement approach. Makary's role will be crucial for Trump's promise to support flavored vaping. The question remains if he will challenge the current anti-vaping stance at the FDA.

March 25, 2025 by cspdailynews.com

Three U.S. representatives urge Trump administration to address illegal Chinese e-cigarette smuggling, impacting American public health and youth vaping. Despite existing federal task forces, they advocate for stronger enforcement actions, emphasizing the need to seize unauthorized products. The congressmen highlight the contradiction of China banning flavored e-cigarettes domestically while exporting them globally. Recent seizures in Miami raised concerns about the safety and prevalence of these products, originating from China. The letter calls for utilizing all available enforcement tools to combat illicit vape sales in the U.S., stressing the urgency to protect public health.

March 13, 2025 by filtermag.org

The Senate will hold a confirmation hearing for Dr. David Weldon, the nominee for CDC director. Weldon faces challenges, including proposed budget cuts and past controversial views. The CDC's misleading information on nicotine products perpetuates confusion. Despite declines in cigarette smoking, the CDC paints reduced use as a problem. The agency's inconsistent messaging on harm reduction methods hinders smoking cessation efforts. Criticisms include unclear terminology and failure to promote proven cessation aids like vapes. The CDC's resistance to change perpetuates misinformation and obstructs public health progress. Weldon's stance on nicotine is unknown. The need for a drastic shift in the CDC's approach to smoking cessation is crucial for improving public health outcomes.

March 03, 2025 by cleveland.com

Ohio Senate passed a bill cracking down on recreational marijuana, potentially criminalizing users. The legislation restricts growth, caps potency, and alters rules for sellers, partly undoing a law legalizing marijuana. Renters could face criminal charges for using or growing marijuana, even if leases don't explicitly ban it. Passengers in cars face strict penalties for smoking marijuana, raising concerns. Home growers may not share plants, inviting debate on interpretation. The law removes protections for users in various aspects of life. Overall, the bill tightens regulations on marijuana in Ohio, impacting users and growers.

February 28, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Flavour bans in the U.S. resulted in a 3.6% decrease in vaping and a 2.2% increase in smoking. Research showed that for every five fewer vapers, there were between 3.1 to 4.4 additional daily smokers. Flavour restrictions may lead to reduced vaping but higher cigarette smoking among young adults, potentially offsetting public health benefits. The impact varies by state, with Maryland's limited ban on non-menthol vapes showing a lesser increase in smoking. The study suggests exempting menthol vapes or open-system devices from flavour restrictions may help reduce youth vaping without promoting smoking. Future research is needed to explore effective measures to address this issue.

February 27, 2025 by rhodeislandcurrent.com

Nearly two months after Rhode Island's flavored e-cigarette ban took effect on Jan. 1, the controversy continues. During a recent House Committee hearing, Rep. William O’Brien proposed legislation to exempt vape shops from the ban, calling it an “injustice” with unintended consequences for small businesses and smokers using flavored vapes to quit cigarettes. The ban, part of the state’s fiscal 2025 budget, does not include menthol or tobacco flavors, which remain available but are now subject to new taxes.