Read articles from United States of America

March 08, 2024 by nytimes.com

Senate committee chairs urged convenience store CEOs to halt the sale of illegal flavored vaping products due to violating federal law. Expressing concern over e-cigarettes' appeal to youth, the lawmakers called for immediate removal of unauthorized products from shelves to tackle the public health risk posed by rising teen addiction to nicotine. Senator Durbin emphasized the need for stronger actions by the FDA and industry to combat the youth vaping epidemic. Letters were sent to major retailers such as 7-Eleven, Circle K, and bp America, following FDA warnings about unauthorized brands like Elf Bar and E.B. Design.

March 08, 2024 by jacobgrier.com

Massachusetts released an annual report showing arrests related to selling illegal flavored e-cigarettes, despite advocates believing flavor bans only regulate products. The ban led to a surge in illicit sales, with cases involving untaxed products resulting in arrests and prosecutions. Violations can lead to felony charges and up to five years in prison. The criminal justice process is slow, with some cases pending for years. Research suggests flavor bans increase cigarette sales, potentially harming public health. The text emphasizes the negative impact of such policies and calls for a shift from illiberal tobacco regulations.

March 05, 2024 by time.com

Juul reshaped the smoking landscape but now Zyn, an inconspicuous nicotine pouch brand, is gaining popularity. Zyn, owned by PMI, targets adult smokers with less visible nicotine delivery. Concerns arise about Zyn's appeal to teens, reminiscent of Juul's rise. Sales of oral nicotine products have surged, with Zyn seeing 62% growth in 2023. Health experts debate the safety of pouches for adult users, noting potential cardiovascular risks. While Zyn aims to attract adult tobacco users, there are worries about underage use and influencers promoting the product. Research indicates pouches might pose fewer risks than cigarettes, though some users continue smoking or vaping alongside.

March 05, 2024 by go.com

Zyn nicotine pouches trending on TikTok have sparked a debate among politicians, health experts, and the public. While some see them as a potential harm reduction tool for smokers, others are concerned about their appeal to underage teens. Advocates argue that Zyn could help adults quit cigarettes, despite its link to Big Tobacco. The FDA is reviewing its risks and benefits. Zyn's discreet nature and various flavors have contributed to its popularity, with growing sales of $1.8 billion. However, research on its effectiveness as a substitute for smoking remains inconclusive. Users tout its convenience and taste, while critics warn of potential health risks, especially for young people.

March 04, 2024 by tobaccoinsider.com

Philip Morris International now faces its first major legal challenge for ZYN in the US on the basis of ZYN being addictive and harmful to young people. The lawsuit says that ZYN pouches deliver more nicotine than cigarettes and that PMI benefits from “Zynfluencers” who promote the brand on social media (with an estimated 30,000 TikTok accounts that use the hashtag #Zyn). The single plaintiff alleges addiction and dental issues as a result of ZYN use. The suit seeks class-action status and claims that PMI and Swedish Match failed to warn about the risk of addiction and other harmful effects like cognitive issues, cardiovascular injuries, gastrointestinal problems and gum disease.

February 29, 2024 by floridapolitics.com

Florida's SB 1006 bill restricts the sale of vaping products to FDA-approved ones, mostly owned by major tobacco companies. The aim is to protect children from flavored vapes marketed to them. The bill requires manufacturers to register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Retailers must comply, facing fines and prison sentences for violations. Critics argue limiting choices could lead to a harmful black market and impact medical marijuana users. Despite opposition, Senator Perry maintains the bill will benefit public health by deterring underage vaping.

February 28, 2024 by salon.com

Health data reveals a painful legacy of deception towards Black Americans. The decades-long failure to curb cigarette addiction has fueled health inequities experienced by Black communities, where smoking disproportionately cuts lives short. But marginalized groups now suffer a new injustice: government agencies banning tobacco alternatives that empower harm reduction. Science shows switching to e-cigarettes provides the single most effective path for Black smokers to reduce smoking.

February 28, 2024 by bloomberglaw.com

The FDA didn’t mislead two makers of flavored liquids for e-cigarettes when the agency denied their applications to market their products, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. The US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit backed the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to toss the marketing applications for flavored liquids for e-cigarettes from Electric Clouds Inc. and Cloud 9 Vapor Products LLC. The two manufacturers requested judicial review of the FDA’s denials, which involved products bearing names such as Ice Cream Dream, Berries Gone Wild, Cap’n Berry Crack, Banana Colada, Apple Pie, and Candy Man.

February 28, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com

The FDA is pursuing $20,678 penalties on brick-and-mortar retailers who continue to sell unauthorized Elf Bar e-cigarettes despite warnings. Over 100 complaints have been filed, with concerns that these products are popular among U.S. youth. Retailers failing to address violations face consequences, as shown by the FDA's actions. The agency has issued numerous warning letters and taken enforcement actions against retailers, manufacturers, importers, and distributors for selling unauthorized tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

February 27, 2024 by news-medical.net

The University of California, Riverside study showed that vapers are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to e-cigarette aerosols. Nicotine, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin in e-liquids enhance COVID-19 infection. Adding benzoic acid to e-liquids can prevent this. The study used airway stem cells to simulate infection and found increased ACE2 and TMPRSS2 with nicotine exposure. Vapers are advised to stop vaping or use acidic e-liquids with benzoic acid to reduce susceptibility. The FDA could use these findings for e-cigarette regulations.