Read articles from United States of America

July 02, 2024 by usatoday.com

The Supreme Court will decide if FDA unfairly blocked marketing of flavored e-cigarettes. The industry argues FDA's regulations impose a de facto ban on non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, while the government asserts these products attract young people to tobacco use. Courts have mostly upheld FDA decisions, but one court criticized the agency for changing requirements without notice. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in October. Manufacturers claim FDA's approach lacks consideration for e-cigarettes as less harmful alternatives for smokers.

July 01, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com

Vaping product registry bills are on the rise in the U.S. due to concerns about illegal vaping products. Critics argue these bills benefit big tobacco companies. The PMTA process for vaping products is viewed as overly burdensome compared to cigarettes. Only a few e-cigarettes have FDA authorization, favoring large manufacturers. The industry debate focuses on health risks and market competition. Some states have passed registry bills, with more to come by 2025. Proponents argue the bills protect consumers, while opponents fear they benefit tobacco giants. Enforcement challenges and industry resistance complicate the implementation of these regulations.

July 01, 2024 by iwf.org

The 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Montana revealed a mixed picture of youth tobacco use. While e-cigarette use has decreased, combustible cigarette use among high school students is rising, suggesting a shift towards more harmful tobacco products. Efforts to reduce youth vaping have led to unintended consequences, with an increase in traditional cigarette smoking. Understanding the motivations behind youth vaping is crucial, as only a small percentage cite flavors as a reason. The data highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address both e-cigarette and combustible cigarette use among Montana teens.

June 28, 2024 by cnn.com

The Biden administration is moving toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, which will foreseeably embolden Mexican cartels and Chinese legal growing operations to generate millions in profit while creating greater strains on law enforcement and increasing health-related risks, from severe depression to impairing psychosis. The Justice Department moved forward last month with the rulemaking process to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which includes substances with high potential for abuse such as heroin, to a Schedule III drug, which is defined as having “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence” and includes substances such as testosterone and Tylenol with codeine.

June 21, 2024 by njspotlightnews.org

New Jersey has long been at the forefront of anti-smoking initiatives that promote health equity and aim to protect our children from the harms of Big Tobacco. I am proud to have led many of the policy efforts, including sponsoring the law in January 2020 making New Jersey the first in the nation to prohibit the sale and distribution of flavored vape products that are particularly attractive to kids. While this law was an important step forward, far too many young people are still getting their hands on illegal vapes, which are threatening their health and trapping them in addiction to nicotine.

June 19, 2024 by njspotlightnews.org

The Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies has a call to action for New Jersey lawmakers: Based on our research, New Jersey is failing its young people — and we need to bolster regulation and enforcement. State legislators deserve credit for passing innovative tobacco laws in recent years to protect young people. New Jersey was among the earliest states to raise the minimum age of sale to 21 for tobacco and e-cigarettes, contributing to a trend that spread nationwide. New Jersey also banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

June 07, 2024 by go.com

The reversal comes nearly two years after the federal health agency ordered the company's e-cigarettes and vaping products be taken off the market.

June 03, 2024 by reuters.com

Nicotine alternatives used in vapes being launched in the U.S. and abroad, such as 6-methyl nicotine, may be more potent and addictive than nicotine itself, though the scientific data remains incomplete, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and independent researchers. The synthetic substances - which have a chemical structure similar to that of nicotine - are not subject to U.S. tobacco and vaping regulations that are designed to control traditional nicotine, a highly addictive drug.

May 30, 2024 by reuters.com

Nicotine alternatives used in vapes being launched in the U.S. and abroad, such as 6-methyl nicotine, may be more potent and addictive than nicotine itself, though the scientific data remains incomplete, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and independent researchers. The synthetic substances - which have a chemical structure similar to that of nicotine - are not subject to U.S. tobacco and vaping regulations that are designed to control traditional nicotine, a highly addictive drug.

May 27, 2024 by thenightly.com.au

Kellyanne Conway's use of "alternative facts" echoes Australia's current vaping crisis. Despite evidence showing failure in the prescription model and ban, young Australians increasingly access vapes illegally. Organized crime profits from a $4 billion industry, impacting 1.5 million vapers. Proposed excise taxes could raise $9-12 billion, potentially curbing addiction and black market sales. Political leaders, like Nationals Leader David Littleproud, are reconsidering policies to address the epidemic. Public opinion favors taxing and regulating vapes like tobacco. Lobbyists suggest redirecting tax revenue to education and law enforcement. The Greens and Coalition are reviewing their stances, aiming to protect children from addiction amid widespread illegal vape availability.