Author: Bill Tarling

“Billionaire and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ponied up $667,000 for the campaign defending a ban on flavored tobacco products in California. Bloomberg’s money is going to The Committee to Protect California Kids, a coalition of groups including the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Parents Against Vaping e-Cigarettes and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. At issue is the referendum over SB 793, the 2020 law that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, though there are several exemptions, including hookah and pipe tobacco.”

ARTICLE LINK:   Bloomberg spends on flavored tobacco ban

“Nueva Ecija First District Rep. Estrellita Suansing called “premature” and “deplorable” the Food and Drug Administrations’ (FDA) issuance of the administrative order regulating vapes and heated tobacco products (HTP) amidst unresolved issues raised by stakeholders and the call for a House probe on FDA’s receipt of funds from foreign anti-tobacco group. The order provided the FDA’s regulatory framework for the manufacture, distribution, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and/or use of vapor products and HTPs. On October 6 and 8 last year, the FDA conducted public consultations on its draft guidelines on the regulation of vapor products and HTPs, respectively. The hearing on HTPs was however cut short after FDA officials refused to answer Rep. Suansing’s question on FDA’s receipt of private funding intended to implement anti-tobacco and anti-vaping polices from foreign private groups. Suansing noted that in addition to receiving funds from the Bloomberg Initiative, the FDA also admitted to soliciting and accepting funding from another anti-tobacco and anti-vaping organization, The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).”

ARTICLE LINK:   Suansing calls ‘deplorable’ FDA’s premature issuance of vape, HTP regulations

“A new study published Tuesday 10 March, No Smoking Day, from King’s College London highlights the ‘clear benefit’ of using e-cigarettes daily in order to quit smoking, and supports their effectiveness when compared to other methods of quitting, including nicotine replacement therapy or medication. Published today in the journal Addiction, the study found that people who used a refillable e-cigarette daily to quit smoking were over five times more likely to achieve abstinence from tobacco smoking for one month, compared to those using no quitting aids at all. Similarly, people who used a disposable or cartridge e-cigarette daily were three times more likely to quit for one month, compared to those using no help. “The WHO is especially concerned about refillable e-cigarettes, as these could allow the user to add harmful substances or higher levels of nicotine. However, we’ve shown that refillable types in particular are a very effective quitting aid when used daily, and this evidence should be factored into any future guidance around their use.””

NOTE:  It is important to note that the data used is (1) based on just an online survey response, and (2) is from collected data from 2012-2017 [product efficiency and safety has improved immensely since then]

ARTICLE LINK:   Daily e-cigarette use shows ‘clear benefit’ in helping smokers to quit

“Spending and economic pressures from the pandemic have caused government debt to soar to 80% of GDP in 2020/2021, up from 66% the year before. Mboweni is therefore looking for new sources of cash. One area that has been mooted is a new excise on e-cigarettes. Because only VAT is levied on e-cigarettes, a new excise would undoubtedly bolster the public purse.”

ARTICLE LINK:   A high tax on e-cigarettes will bring evasion and illegality

“A celebrity doctor from Yorkshire is urging smokers to quit cigarettes in favour of vaping products. Bradford GP Dr Amir Khan, who is a regular guest alongside Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, has teamed up with Yorkshire Cancer Research to debunk myths about vaping. Common misconceptions persist that vaping can be as harmful as smoking traditional cigarettes – but scientists and health professionals have confirmed this is not the truth. In a documentary launched today to coincide with National No Smoking Day, Dr Khan says: “The message is very clear. Vaping is better than smoking cigarettes.””

ARTICLE LINK:
Good Morning Britain’s Dr Amir Khan debunks vaping myths in appeal to Yorkshire smokers

“A House panel on Tuesday approved legislation banning anyone under 21 from buying cigarettes or electronic smoking products. The House Health and Welfare Committee on Tuesday approved the measure that will bring Idaho in line with the federal smoking age. Supporters said Idaho stores are already abiding by federal law, but state law needs to be changed to avoid confusion and confrontations in stores. Opponents said the law will limit local governments in prohibiting specific types of smoking products. Opponents also said young people age 18 to 20 and who can legally do such things as join the military or buy a house should be able to buy cigarettes or vaping products.”

ARTICLE LINK:   Bill to lift Idaho smoking age from 18 to 21 heads to House

“The Governor vetoed a similar bill last year, but this year’s measure includes fixes. A Senate panel has advanced a renewed effort to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to advance St. Augustine Republican Sen. Travis Hutson‘s bill (SB 1080) to increase the smoking age in compliance with federal regulations. The bill would also place tobacco and vaping regulations into separate statutes. The House and Senate passed a similar measure last year that, in addition to raising the smoking age, would have banned most vaping flavors, but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the proposed restrictions. He argued it was redundant because of federal law and that banning vape flavors would drive people to the black market or back to cigarettes. Hutson said his latest version of the bill patches the Governor’s concerns. Mainly, the new bill does not limit vape cartridges to tobacco and menthol flavors.”

ARTICLE LINK:   Travis Hutson looks for Gov. DeSantis’ support with latest Tobacco 21 bill

“A London judge has revoked a British American Tobacco unit’s patents for a “heat-not-burn” electronic cigarette, saying on Tuesday it lacked an “inventive step” over a decades-old Philip Morris invention. In his decision, High Court Judge Richard Meade also invalidated the two patents because they included amendments that “added matter” with new information about the invention ― for a device that generates a nicotine-containing aerosol ― that was not apparent from the original application.”

ARTICLE LINK:   Philip Morris Gets BAT E-Cig Patents Invalidated In UK

“A second Voices 4 Vape e-conference is going to take place discussing “the highly restrictive, disproportionate regulations and bans that continue to be imposed on safer products”. The event is free to attend online on 21 March. It will feature members from The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) and Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA).”

ARTICLE LINK:   Second Voices 4 Vape Conference

“Tough, new vaping regulations are being proposed on Long Island. One township wants to stop stores from selling all vaping products near schools and parks. The public can weigh in on the two proposals at a public hearing on March 23. Tiffany Capers lobbied the Town of Hempstead. Now, the country’s largest township is proposing a ban on all vape sales within 1,000 feet of a school, park or playground. New smoke or vape shops would have to be located in an industrial zone. Critics say stores that only sell vape products and are located near schools will fold.”

ARTICLE LINK:   Town Of Hempstead Considers Banning Stores Near Schools, Parks And Playgrounds From Selling Vaping Products