Read articles from North America

April 09, 2026 by hawaiipublicradio.org

Lawmakers in Hawaii are considering new legislation that would ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes as part of efforts to curb youth vaping. The proposal reflects growing concern over the popularity of single-use devices, which are often seen as particularly appealing to younger users due to flavours and ease of access. Supporters argue that removing disposable products from the market could reduce underage use and limit environmental waste linked to single-use plastics. At the same time, critics warn that such restrictions may push consumers towards alternative products or unregulated markets. The debate highlights a broader trend of targeted regulations focusing specifically on product types rather than vaping as a whole.

April 08, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu

Recent US data point to a significant shift in nicotine use patterns, with smoking rates falling to historic lows while vaping continues to rise, particularly among younger adults. The latest figures show that daily cigarette use has dropped dramatically over the past two decades, reaching levels as low as around 3 percent among young adults. At the same time, vaping has become increasingly common, with a growing share of the population reporting regular use of e-cigarettes. This trend is being interpreted by some as evidence of a broader transition away from combustible tobacco towards alternative nicotine products. The data is now fuelling ongoing debate about whether vaping is displacing smoking or introducing new patterns of use within the population.

April 08, 2026 by internationalcbc.com

Canada is experiencing a notable shift in consumption patterns, with alcohol sales continuing to decline while cannabis sales move in the opposite direction. Recent data show that alcohol revenue fell by around 1.6% in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, marking the fourth consecutive annual drop despite rising prices. At the same time, legal cannabis sales increased to approximately $5.5 billion, reflecting steady growth in the regulated market, although at a slower pace than in previous years. This divergence highlights a broader change in consumer behaviour, with Canadians—particularly younger demographics—gradually reducing alcohol consumption while exploring alternative products. The trend is contributing to a wider discussion about evolving social norms, public health awareness, and how regulatory frameworks are adapting to shifting demand across different substance categories.

April 08, 2026 by internationalcbc.com

Canada is experiencing a notable shift in consumption patterns, with alcohol sales continuing to decline while cannabis sales move in the opposite direction. Recent data show that alcohol revenue fell by around 1.6% in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, marking the fourth consecutive annual drop despite rising prices. At the same time, legal cannabis sales increased to approximately $5.5 billion, reflecting steady growth in the regulated market, although at a slower pace than in previous years. This divergence highlights a broader change in consumer behaviour, with Canadians—particularly younger demographics—gradually reducing alcohol consumption while exploring alternative products. The trend is contributing to a wider discussion about evolving social norms, public health awareness, and how regulatory frameworks are adapting to shifting demand across different substance categories.

April 07, 2026 by dcjournal.com

Growing debate is emerging over how regulators communicate progress in reducing youth tobacco use in the United States. Newly released federal data show significant declines across multiple categories, including vaping, cigarette smoking, and nicotine pouch use among young people. Despite these trends being widely described as a public health success, critics argue that the lack of public response from the Food and Drug Administration raises questions about transparency and consistency. Some commentators suggest that declining youth usage challenges earlier narratives of a widespread “youth vaping epidemic,” prompting calls for a reassessment of current regulatory approaches. At the same time, the discussion highlights broader tensions between youth protection policies and the role of lower-risk nicotine alternatives for adult smokers.

April 02, 2026 by substack.com

Growing debate is emerging around how nicotine is perceived in public health discussions, with some commentators arguing that it is often wrongly identified as the primary cause of smoking-related harm. The central claim is that it is the act of combustion—burning tobacco—that produces the vast majority of toxic chemicals responsible for disease, rather than nicotine itself. This perspective suggests that conflating nicotine with smoking risks misleading the public and obscuring the potential role of lower-risk alternatives in reducing harm. Proponents argue that clearer communication around relative risks could support more effective strategies to reduce smoking-related illness. At the same time, the issue remains contentious, particularly given nicotine’s addictive nature and concerns about uptake among non-smokers. The discussion reflects a broader divide in public health between precautionary approaches and harm reduction strategies.

March 31, 2026 by filtermag.org

A significant policy shift in Oklahoma is allowing prisoners to access nicotine vapes and pouches through prison commissaries, marking a notable development in harm reduction approaches within correctional systems. Smoking rates among incarcerated populations remain exceptionally high, while traditional tobacco bans have often fuelled illicit trade, debt and violence inside prisons. Officials argue that providing regulated access to lower-risk nicotine alternatives could reduce contraband markets and improve safety conditions. The move reflects a broader debate about whether harm reduction strategies should play a greater role in institutional settings, particularly where complete abstinence policies have proven difficult to enforce.

March 31, 2026 by reason.com

Public opinion in New York is showing clear resistance to proposed new taxes on nicotine pouches, highlighting growing tensions around how alternative nicotine products should be regulated. A plan put forward by Governor Kathy Hochul would apply the same high tax rate to nicotine pouches as to cigarettes, despite differences in how these products are used and perceived. Polling data suggests that less than half of New York voters support the measure, with a significant share favouring lower taxation for these products. The proposal has sparked a broader debate about whether treating lower-risk alternatives the same as combustible tobacco could discourage smokers from switching. At the centre of the discussion is how taxation policy can balance public health goals, consumer behaviour, and harm reduction strategies in an evolving nicotine market.

March 30, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com

The FDA issued draft guidance on evaluating flavoured nicotine vaping products for public health. The new framework may not significantly impact the U.S. vaping industry. The guidance places a high evidentiary burden on flavored vapes, preferred by adult smokers. It questions whether flavoured vapes should exceed tobacco vapes or match combustible tobacco.

March 30, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com

The FDA issued draft guidance on evaluating flavoured nicotine vaping products for public health. The new framework may not significantly impact the U.S. vaping industry. The guidance places a high evidentiary burden on flavored vapes, preferred by adult smokers. It questions whether flavoured vapes should exceed tobacco vapes or match combustible tobacco.