Read articles from North America

January 27, 2026 by westernstandard.news

Health Canada’s recent Tobacco Strategy progress report celebrates declining smoking rates and low youth smoking levels. The government aims to reduce tobacco use to under 5% by 2035. However, the report fails to differentiate effective nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) for quitting smoking. Around 300,000 Canadians quit smoking in 2024, with over half quitting unaided, 25% using NRTs collectively, and 21% turning to vaping products.

January 27, 2026 by vapingpost.com

Public health authorities are shifting focus to regulations on oral nicotine pouches as smoking rates decline worldwide. The debate centers on harm reduction benefits over past mistakes, such as youth vaping uptake. US FDA approvals for pouches aim to offer less harmful options to adult smokers. Usage remains low but is growing, particularly among younger adults. Concerns about youth uptake persist, prompting calls for stricter regulations. Sweden shows success in reducing smoking with pouch alternatives. Despite oral health risks, innovation in product design aims to minimize harm.

January 23, 2026 by apnews.com

The FDA is considering approving Phillip Morris International's Zyn pouches as a less harmful alternative for smokers. FDA experts are inclined towards approval, though concerns about underage use and marketing efficacy remain. Zyn, with various flavors, is a fast-growing product in the tobacco industry. Phillip Morris aims to promote Zyn as reducing risks associated with smoking-related diseases. Evidence supports Zyn's potential health benefits, but long-term studies and impact on smokers switching are lacking. FDA must also assess potential harm to young people despite low teenage use of nicotine pouches.

January 23, 2026 by junonews.com

Even though new data show that alternatives such as vaping are helping thousands of Canadians stop smoking, the Liberal government continues to maintain strict restrictions on these nicotine replacement products. In 2024, around 300,000 Canadians successfully quit smoking, yet federal rules on many nicotine replacement options remain unchanged.

January 21, 2026 by 13wham.com

Governor Hochul's FY2027 budget proposes taxing nicotine pouches like Zyn under the tobacco products definition, drawing criticism from Philip Morris International. The FDA authorized Zyn in 2025 as a safer alternative for smokers. The Hochul Administration sees nicotine pouches as a public health concern despite their potential benefits. The proposed tax aims to generate $54 million in revenue, but critics argue it hinders smokers seeking healthier options.

January 21, 2026 by filtermag.org

Banning vape flavors can lead to increased cigarette sales, as shown by a study in Canada. Research demonstrates that restrictions on vape flavors backfire, causing a spike in cigarette purchases. Despite strict tobacco laws, flavor bans have proven counterproductive. Experts highlight the substitution effect between vapes and cigarettes, emphasizing the need for evidence-based public health policies. Advocates urge policymakers to consider the unintended consequences of flavor bans, which can undermine harm reduction efforts and public trust in health authorities. Calls for a science-based approach to regulating nicotine products aim to protect access to safer alternatives and prevent harmful outcomes.

January 16, 2026 by mb.com.ph

A Canadian study reveals that cigarette sales increased post-vape flavor bans, aligning with prior U.S. observations. Such bans, aimed at reducing youth vaping, could lead to smokers switching back to cigarettes. The study showed a significant drop in flavored vape sales alongside a spike in cigarette sales. This trend underscores the substitution effect between the two products. While bans can impact smoking habits, evidence suggests they may not decrease nicotine consumption. Policymakers must weigh the unintended consequences of flavor restrictions, especially in relation to youth and smoking trends.

January 16, 2026 by tobaccoreporter.com

Mexico has recently enforced a comprehensive ban on electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, as per reforms to the General Health Law. The ban includes marketing, imports, sales, and advertising of all such products. Personal use remains lawful, but breaking the ban could lead to prison terms of one to eight years and fines up to 2,000 times the daily UMA value.

January 16, 2026 by reason.org

Research indicates that banning flavored e-cigarettes can lead to increased sales of traditional cigarettes, undermining public health goals. A study examined Canadian data from 2018-2023, showing that flavor restrictions boosted cigarette sales by nearly 10%. When provinces eliminated flavored e-cigarettes from common outlets, cigarette sales rose significantly. Despite the dangers of smoking, e-cigarettes are considered safer. Past studies suggest flavor bans increase cigarette purchases and youth smoking. Canada and the U.S. have strict tobacco regulations, with both countries experiencing significant smoking-related deaths.

January 05, 2026 by jamanetwork.com

When e-cigarettes first appeared, many public health professionals saw them as a potential tool to help people who smoke transition away from combustible cigarettes to a less harmful source of nicotine. While this approach worked for some individuals, aggressive and risky marketing strategies contributed to a surge in vaping among young people. Now, a new effort from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that the agency may be shifting its harm-reduction strategy toward another product: nicotine pouches.