Read articles from United States of America

February 20, 2025 by washingtonpost.com

California lawmakers are proposing a ban on disposable vape sales by 2026 to reduce plastic pollution. The bill aims to address environmental and health concerns linked to single-use vapes, which contain harmful chemicals. Similar bans have been considered in other countries. Local businesses are concerned about the impact on sales and potential smuggling activities. The state has previously implemented regulations on vape sales, especially targeting youth. Advocates stress the health hazards and environmental damage caused by these products. The bill faces opposition but is viewed as a positive step towards addressing the risks associated with disposable vapes.

February 18, 2025 by reason.com

A Massachusetts vape shop owner was sentenced to six months in jail for tax evasion linked to illicit sale of flavored e-cigarettes. Massachusetts bans all flavored tobacco products, with violators facing felony charges up to five years in prison. The ban has spawned a surge in illegal markets, prompting concerns from criminal justice reformers and civil rights groups. Cases like the one in Marlborough highlight the unintended consequences of such bans, including revenue loss and increased cigarette sales. Despite public health motivations, the enforcement of flavor bans has led to criminal prosecutions and jail sentences, challenging the balance between regulation and criminal justice in the tobacco industry.

February 14, 2025 by dcjournal.com

Smoking kills half a million Americans each year, highlighting the need for bold, science-driven solutions. Quitting is an extremely difficult challenge for millions of smokers, often leading to severe health consequences. Instead of imposing bans and reinforcing misconceptions, the Trump administration has an opportunity to support innovation and a common-sense approach to reducing smoking-related harm. The nominations of Martin Makary for FDA commissioner and Jay Bhattacharya for NIH director suggest a shift in tobacco policy. Both are known for challenging rigid healthcare orthodoxy and have the potential to play a transformative role in shaping the future of public health in the U.S.

February 12, 2025 by csnews.com

President Trump's Administration made significant changes to tobacco regulations, withdrawing rules on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The Biden Administration delayed these decisions due to public feedback. The FDA authorized ZYN nicotine pouches, citing their lower harmful content. The future of tobacco regulation is uncertain, with potential for harm reduction policies and more FDA authorizations for less risky tobacco products. President Trump aimed to support vaping during his campaign, suggesting the FDA should authorize more vapor products, including flavored ones, to assist adult smokers in transitioning from combustible cigarettes.

February 12, 2025 by regulatorwatch.com

For many within public health, the war on tobacco is over—and the new enemy is nicotine. It’s an uncomfortable pivot, one that requires ignoring what may be the greatest public health achievement of the century: the collapse of smoking rates across the Western world. Instead of celebrating, tobacco control, regulators, and activists have turned their guns on safer nicotine products—demonizing vaping, banning flavors, and destroying small businesses. Joining us today to break down the lies, bans, politics, and betrayal in the war on nicotine are two of the most prolific voices in tobacco harm reduction: Lindsey Stroud, and Martin Cullip from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance out of Washington, D.C.

February 06, 2025 by washingtontimes.com

The newly inaugurated administration brings a crucial opportunity to combat chronic diseases, which claim hundreds of thousands of American lives annually, and one leading preventable cause of death – smoking – could be eradicated under the new administration. This could easily be achieved simply by following through with plans to reform the beleaguered U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make it easier for smokers to quit by making the switch to less harmful products.

January 28, 2025 by dcjournal.com

The Biden administration’s last-minute proposal to drastically reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes was seen by many as a political move rather than a serious public health effort. However, experts like Jed Rose, head of the Rose Research Center, highlight the need for scientific progress and better public education to address smoking addiction effectively. Rose emphasizes that smoking isn’t just about nicotine—it’s also tied to sensory cues that create satisfaction. His decades of research, which began unexpectedly during his studies on anxiety, underscore the complexity of smoking behavior and the importance of targeted cessation strategies.

January 27, 2025 by politico.com

America faces a significant teenage vaping problem, with 1.63 million middle and high schoolers reporting usage. Popular disposable vapes, often brightly colored and flavored like candy or fruit, are designed to attract kids, despite packing dangerous nicotine levels equivalent to 590 cigarettes. These flavored vapes are technically illegal, but state laws, like Oklahoma's 2021 legislation, have been ineffective due to loopholes. Oklahoma’s law intended to limit sales to FDA-authorized or pre-2016 vapes but failed in enforcement, allowing unauthorized products to remain widely available. This highlights the challenges in regulating youth vaping.

January 23, 2025 by youtube.com

In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, we dive into the implications of the United States withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO) and what it means for vaping and tobacco harm reduction.

January 17, 2025 by bbc.com

The US FDA has officially authorized Zyn nicotine pouches, made by Phillip Morris, for sale in the US to help quit smoking. These pouches, offering 10 flavors, are placed between the gum and lips to release nicotine. Unlike tobacco, nicotine pouches have gained popularity without evidence of widespread teen use. While the FDA's approval does not signify safety, it acknowledges the harm reduction compared to other nicotine products. The agency emphasizes that no tobacco product is safe and discourages youth and non-users from starting. Additionally, the FDA has proposed a rule to limit nicotine levels in cigarettes, cigars, and rolling tobacco.