Stories

California passed two new laws, AB 3218 and SB 1230, tightening restrictions on vaping and nicotine pouch sales. Effective January 1, 2025, the laws ban non-menthol coolants, nicotine analogs like Metatine, and online sales of flavored products. The legislation expands the state's flavored tobacco ban, regulates synthetic nicotine, and introduces on-the-spot fines for violators. A "unflavored tobacco list" will restrict sales to approved products only, enforced by authorities empowered to seize illegal items. The laws aim to combat cigarette smuggling but may fuel a black market. Cannabis and hookah products are exempt, and these laws are the first to address nicotine analogs in the US.

Rights4Vapers in Ottawa urges the Canadian government to revamp tobacco control groups and support harm reduction methods. They highlight the benefits of reduced harm nicotine products and advocate for consistent regulations nationwide. The group calls for dismantling current structures, criticizing fear tactics and misinformation spread about vaping. They stress the importance of recognizing the role of vaping in smoking cessation globally.

Nicotine e-liquids for adult Australian vapers can be legally bought from online pharmacies with a prescription, despite initial confusion about a supposed ban. Online pharmacies offer a range of vape products like pod vapes and refills, but flavors are limited to tobacco, mint, menthol, and unflavored. E-liquids over 20mg/mL require a prescription. Some states restrict selling lower concentration e-liquids online. Online availability is crucial, especially for vapers in remote areas, as physical pharmacies rarely stock vape supplies. Lack of online access could lead vapers to revert to smoking.

Johan Hultberg, a member of Sweden's Moderate Party, has long pushed for harm reduction in tobacco policy. Recent government budget plans show a shift towards this approach, focusing on reducing harm from nicotine use. Hultberg emphasizes the importance of differentiating between nicotine products based on their harm levels. With a change in policy objectives, efforts will target reducing medical and social harm caused by tobacco. This change aims to shape both national and international policies. Recent actions include lowering taxes on smokeless products while increasing them on cigarettes.

When big tobacco controlled these food giants, rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases surged across the West. This has led many to ask: Did big tobacco apply its expertise in making cigarettes more addictive to the engineering of processed foods? Joining us today to explore this question is Dr. Tera Fazzino, Associate Director of the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment at the University of Kansas. Her ground-breaking research into “hyper-palatable” foods sheds light on how big tobacco may have spoiled the American food supply.

British American Tobacco (BAT) has launched a major global initiative to, it claims, “make a Smokeless World a reality during the company’s first ever Transformation Forum in London”. The FTSE-listed company unveiled Omni™, an evidence-based, accessible and dynamic resource that shows how science and innovation can combine to achieve a Smokeless World. The company’s Chief Corporate Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, said: “Tobacco Harm Reduction – encouraging smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch completely to less risky alternatives – is the fastest route to achieving a Smokeless World. And we’re committed to working with others to make this a reality.

Last Friday, anti-vaping activists gathered on Parliament Hill, demanding the resignation of Addiction Minister Ya’ara Saks for not implementing stronger vaping regulations after 14 months. Their primary concern is the availability of flavored vaping products, pushing for a ban on all flavors except tobacco. Critics argue that this would undermine harm reduction efforts, questioning why non-tobacco products should taste like tobacco and pointing out that limiting flavors could hinder smokers who are trying to quit.

Ireland's Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly, received approval to restrict nicotine vapes despite public consultation results. The legislation aims to reduce youth vaping by banning sales to under-18s, limiting flavors and displays, and imposing a new vape tax. Critics fear the restrictions will hinder smoking cessation efforts and harm reduction. Advocates highlight the positive impact of vapes on quitting smoking. Donnelly ignored concerns around removing popular products and flavors, risking a return to smoking. The move has sparked debate on balancing youth protection and harm reduction for adult smokers. McGovern warns against harms of prohibition based on the Australian experience.

The Czech Republic is set to implement significant new regulations on substances such as kratom, low-THC hemp, and flavored e-cigarettes. These measures aim to protect young people from the risks associated with psychoactive substances and promote safer consumption practices. Amended legislation on addictive substances will restrict the sale of kratom and low-THC hemp starting in December. The Senate recently approved the amendment, which limits sales of these products to adults in specialized stores and prohibits sales through vending machines. The legislation also mandates age verification for online purchases and bans items resembling toys or candy to deter children from accessing these substances.

New tobacco legislation in Switzerland effective from 1 October 2024 includes regulations on e-cigarettes, tobacco products, and protections for minors. The Tobacco Products Law and Tobacco Products Ordinance aim to create uniform regulations across Switzerland by covering various tobacco products and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. Changes include prohibited additives in products, mandatory packaging information, and advertising restrictions, particularly targeting children and young adults. Sales to minors, age restriction checks, and advertising restrictions are part of the new legislation.