Read articles from North America

September 12, 2024 by newsweek.com

E-cigarettes remain the tobacco product most used by children in the United States, but their use has declined significantly, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says that smoking e-cigarettes, or vapes, has declined among middle and high school students. E-cigarette use has gone from 2.13 million students in 2023, to 1.63 million in 2024. Vaping still remains a significant issue, with 2.5 percent of middle schoolers reporting that they use e-cigarettes, meaning that children as young as 11 years old are starting to use nicotine products.

September 11, 2024 by iwf.org

The CDC released early findings from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey focusing on e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. E-cigarette use among U.S. middle and high school students hit record lows, with only 5.9% currently using them, down significantly from 2019. Nicotine pouch use is also low, with 1.8% of students reporting current use in 2024. Concerns over youth safety in schools, like weapon threats, are more pressing than nicotine product use. The data show a need for expedited approval of harm reduction products by federal regulators, considering the potential benefits for adults using these products for smoking cessation.

September 11, 2024 by westernstandard.news

New rules stopping convenience stores from selling nicotine pouches have left many Canadians scrambling to find the product. On August 28, the federal government stopped the sale of nicotine pouches in convenience stores and banned flavours. They can only be sold behind the counter in pharmacies. Users have found it difficult to find the nicotine pouches, as many pharmacies do not have them in stock yet. In Calgary, smokers who use the pouches to quit are having trouble finding them.

September 11, 2024 by dglobe.com

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison urged over 5,000 retailers to cease selling unauthorized flavored tobacco products, emphasizing the harm to minors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports stricter tobacco regulations. Vaping among youths is present in ISD 518, with a focus on prevention through social and emotional learning in schools and communities. Programs like My Life, My Quit offer support for quitting vaping. Educators stress early intervention and education as crucial in combating the youth vaping issue. Proactive measures, including youth coalitions and community involvement, are seen as essential.

September 11, 2024 by scientificamerican.com

A new synthetic nicotine, Metatine, similar to traditional nicotine, has entered the U.S. vaping market, evading FDA regulations. Concerns arise as studies suggest it may be more potent and harmful than nicotine. Researchers worry about mislabeling and lack of data on its effects when burned or metabolized. Calls for regulatory action urge caution due to potential risks and loopholes in current laws. Experts emphasize the need for thorough scientific evidence to ensure public health protection. The FDA is funding research on nicotine analogs but acknowledges a lack of comprehensive data. Authorities face challenges in defining and regulating these emerging products amid growing concerns.

September 10, 2024 by atr.org

Brian King, head of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Control, faces a House hearing due to agency failures and political influence. The CTP's mishandling led to court criticism and whistleblower claims of neglecting science for politics. Amid demands for FDA reform, the agency's delays in approving safer nicotine products endanger public health. Transparency issues, administrative burdens, and public misperceptions on vaping worsen the situation. The hearing seeks accountability and urges the FDA to prioritize harm-reducing products, highlighting the need for structural reforms to protect millions of lives.

September 10, 2024 by financialpost.com

Over the last six months I’ve been using nicotine pouches to try to get away from cigarettes. I’ve managed to go from smoking as many as 16 cigarettes a day to just one or two, all because of nicotine pouches. I am sure other people have experienced similar benefits from pouches. Unfortunately, federal Health Minister Mark Holland has decided to seriously restrict access to pouches, which is going to make it harder for thousands of people like me to quit. In the name of protecting kids from nicotine pouches, Ottawa has decided to limit the flavours available to just mint or menthol and ban the fruit flavours that were previously legal and approved by Health Canada.

September 10, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com

Representatives of the U.S. vapor industry had mixed feelings on the fourth anniversary of PMTA filings. The FDA has received 26 million applications for novel tobacco products, mostly e-cigarettes, but rejected over 99% of them. The agency approved over 6,000 new combustible tobacco products while only allowing four vaping devices as cigarette alternatives. The refusal to authorize flavored e-cigarettes aimed to protect youth, despite a decline in youth vaping rates. The vapor industry criticized the FDA for prioritizing deadly combustible products, leading to millions of smoking-related deaths and substantial healthcare costs.

September 09, 2024 by theblaze.com

The latest U.S. vaping statistics show increasing popularity in vaping and decreasing smoking rates, highlighting the need for updated FDA regulations. Despite the rise in vaping, restrictions hinder access to safer smoking alternatives. SAMHSA reports an increase in adult vaping and a decrease in cigarette use. Tobacco manufacturers face declining sales due to economic pressures and rising disposable e-cigarette products. Current regulatory processes favor major tobacco companies, limiting market competition. The FDA's slow approval of safer alternatives poses challenges, overlooking the growing adult vaping market. Congressional intervention is crucial to amend outdated tobacco laws and improve access to harm reduction products for American adults.

September 06, 2024 by thehill.com

The number of teenagers who use electronic cigarettes in 2024 dropped significantly from its peak in 2019, according to new federal data, which officials touted as a major public health victory against vaping products. Half a million fewer U.S. youth reported current use of e-cigarettes in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2024, an estimated 6 percent of all middle and high school students said they currently used e-cigarettes, a drop from last year’s 7.7 percent, according to the survey.