Author: moonswamp

In recent years, vaping has become increasingly popular, particularly among youth and young adults. However, this trend has not come without its share of concerns. Dr. Pamela Ling, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), has been at the forefront of uncovering alarming trends in the vaping industry. Her research, which involves analyzing Big Tobacco's internal documents housed at UCSF, has shed light on the staggering nicotine content in vapes and the industry's marketing tactics that have contributed to the current youth vaping epidemic in…

New research commissioned by Material Focus and conducted by Opinium has uncovered an alarming trend in the UK: more than a million vapes are being thrown away or recycled incorrectly every day. This staggering figure, which equates to 13 vapes discarded every second, has led to what experts are calling an "environmental nightmare." Larger "Big Puff" Vapes Exacerbate Problem The study also highlights the growing popularity of "big puff" vapes, which are larger devices capable of holding up to 6,000 puffs per unit, compared to the average of 600 puffs for a standard single-use vape. According to the research, approximately…

The Welsh Parliament, known as the Senedd, has approved a ban on the sale of disposable vapes in Wales, set to take effect from June 1, 2025. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies hailed the decision as a significant step towards addressing the throwaway culture and the environmental consequences of single-use vapes. UK-Wide Coordination for Simultaneous Implementation The Welsh government is collaborating closely with ministers across all UK nations to ensure the ban comes into force simultaneously. This means that from June 1, 2025, businesses will no longer be permitted to sell or distribute single-use vapes free of charge in Wales.…

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to 115 brick-and-mortar retailers for selling unauthorized e-cigarette products, specifically targeting disposable vape brands such as Geek Bar Pulse, Geek Bar Skyview, Geek Bar Platinum, and Elf Bar. The enforcement action, announced last week, is the result of the FDA's ongoing efforts in collaboration with state partners to crack down on the sale of illicit flavored disposables. The FDA contracts with states, territories, and third-party entities to assist with compliance check inspections of retail establishments. Findings from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey indicated that 5.8% of current youth e-cigarette…

A recent review conducted by the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) at the University of Catania has found that e-cigarettes are more effective than other treatments for smoking cessation. The study, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, represents one of the most comprehensive analyses to date, evaluating 16 systematic reviews and encompassing data from 24 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Lead author Renée O'Leary stated, "The data from our umbrella review can support the integration of harm reduction strategies into public health policies in many countries. However, the review highlights a critical gap in existing cessation…

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, experts in the tobacco and nicotine industry weigh in on the potential impact of his administration on U.S. tobacco policy. While Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) introduces uncertainty regarding the future of tobacco harm reduction (THR) policies, his campaign promises to "save vaping" and criticized the Biden administration's stricter regulatory approach have raised hopes for a more industry-friendly environment. Trump's First Term Offers Clues to Future Policy Direction During his first term, Trump proposed shifting tobacco regulation from the FDA to a…

Poland's Ministry of Health has announced a significant delay in implementing comprehensive e-cigarette regulations targeting youth access. The new legislation, originally planned for January 2025, will now take effect in the second quarter of 2025 due to extended transition periods and European Commission notification requirements. Current Regulatory Gaps and Youth Access Despite existing laws prohibiting the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to minors, enforcement remains problematic. The current legislation fails to address nicotine-free products, creating a significant loophole. Retailers continue to display these products prominently in glass cases and near checkout counters, making them easily accessible to teenagers. Key Changes in…

The French Senate has voted decisively in favor of increasing taxes on tobacco products, sugary drinks, and gambling activities as part of the ongoing debates on the 2025 Social Security budget. The amendments, which received broad support from politicians across the political spectrum in both the Senate and the Assemblée nationale, were passed on Thursday, November 21. Cigarette Prices Set to Rise, Other Tobacco Products Targeted If the amendments are included in the final budget, the average price of a packet of cigarettes will reach €12.70 in 2025, a 40-cent increase compared to the previous government's anti-tobacco plan. The tax…

President Andrzej Duda has signed a groundbreaking tobacco excise tax law that will significantly impact Poland's 8 million smokers. The new legislation introduces substantial price increases for tobacco products starting January 2025. Pricing Changes Through 2027 The Ministry of Finance projects a dramatic shift in cigarette prices: Vice Minister of Finance Jarosław Neneman outlines specific tax rates under the new law. Manufacturers will pay 476.10 PLN per 1,000 cigarettes plus 32.05% of maximum retail price. Unlicensed cigarettes face an even higher rate of 789.77 PLN per 1,000 units. Impact Across Tobacco Products The legislation affects all tobacco products: The government…

Poland's Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna announced strict new measures targeting synthetic nicotine products during a recent TVP Info interview. The Ministry of Health plans to implement a comprehensive ban on synthetic nicotine pouches, marking a significant shift in the country's tobacco control policy. Minister Leszczyna emphasized the critical distinction between traditional snus, which already faces prohibition under EU directives, and synthetic nicotine pouches that have emerged as a concerning trend among Polish youth. These pouches deliver nicotine doses exceeding those found in conventional cigarettes through oral absorption between the lip and gum. The Ministry began developing this legislation in October…