Author: Matthew Ma

Alabama lawmakers have introduced House Bill 445, which aims to impose stricter regulations on THC products, including delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10. The proposed legislation seeks to restrict the sale of these products to locations inaccessible to minors and establish labeling, testing, and THC content limits for consumable hemp products. Under HB 445, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would be responsible for regulating hemp products through the licensure of manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and retailers. Those wishing to sell these products would need to obtain a license, similar to the requirements for selling alcohol. The bill would also limit the sale…

The UK government is intensifying its crackdown on illegal tobacco and vaping products, with a £10 million funding boost for Trading Standards. This investment, announced as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill nears becoming law, aims to support local enforcement efforts over the next year by recruiting and training around 80 apprentice enforcement officers. These new officers will work to disrupt the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes into shops and prevent underage sales. Trading Standards teams, often in collaboration with local police, play a crucial role in dismantling organized crime groups involved in the illicit vape trade through targeted raids…

The Blinc Group Inc., a New York-based vaping technology company, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in a New York court. The petition, signed by CEO Arnaud Dumas de Rauly and submitted on March 14, cited at least $1 million in liabilities. According to the list of creditors included in the filing, the company appears to have outstanding debts to various entities, including tax authorities, suppliers, media, and public relations firms. Although plant-touching cannabis companies are not eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, Blinc identifies itself as a vaping technology company, allowing it to file for this type of bankruptcy.…

A new study, drawing on 25 years of data on New Zealand teenagers, has challenged the notion that vaping displaces smoking among young people. The research, conducted by Cancer Council NSW, the University of Sydney's Daffodil Centre, and the University of Auckland, suggests that the introduction of e-cigarettes may have actually slowed progress in reducing adolescent smoking rates. The study, published in the Lancet Regional Health—Western Pacific, examined the potential impact of vaping on smoking trends among nearly 700,000 students aged 14 to 15 years old (Year 10) over a 25-year period. University of Auckland research fellow Dr Lucy Hardie,…

If you're trying to quit smoking, you may have considered various nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) options, such as patches or gum, to help reduce cravings. However, a newer product on the market, nicotine pouches, has been gaining popularity as an alternative to smoking and vaping. But are these tobacco-free sachets really an effective tool for kicking the habit? Let's take a closer look. What Are Nicotine Pouches? Nicotine pouches, first introduced in the UK in 2019, are small, tobacco-free sachets containing a powder made up of nicotine, flavorings, and other additives. They are placed between the upper lip and gum,…

Russian health authorities have reported the first case of "popcorn disease," also known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), in a teenage vaper from the Tomsk region. The regional office of Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian consumer protection agency, revealed this information in a recent press release. According to the report, several cases of illnesses among teenagers have been identified in Tomsk, stemming from the use of e-cigarette smoking mixtures. One patient was diagnosed with EVALI, while another experienced toxic effects on the central nervous system due to these mixtures. EVALI, or "popcorn disease," is a type of bronchiolitis…

In recent years, vaping has taken the world by storm, particularly among younger generations. Marketed as a "safer" alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaporizers have become increasingly popular. However, as more research emerges, experts are sounding the alarm about the potential health risks associated with vaping. To shed light on this critical issue, we spoke with Dr. Hernán Provera, a cardiologist and Head of the Cardiovascular Risk Department at the Buenos Aires Institute of Neurosciences (INEBA), who debunked common misconceptions and explained why vaping might be even more dangerous than it appears. The Rise of Vaping: From Smoking Cessation…

Recent news reports have highlighted the potential dangers of snus and nicotine pouches, particularly for young people. Two 13-year-old girls in Ferrara, Italy were hospitalized after reportedly consuming snus in class, experiencing symptoms like headaches, palpitations, nausea, and dizziness. But what exactly are snus and nicotine pouches, and why are they harmful? Let's break it down. Snus: A Closer Look Snus is a type of moist powdered tobacco that originated in Sweden. It's produced by mixing raw tobacco with water, sodium carbonate, and flavorings, then using steam to moisten the mixture. Users typically place a small pouch or "pinch" of…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forward a significant new rule that aims to drastically reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products. This proposed regulation has far-reaching implications not just for public health, but also for businesses and communicators across various industries. Let's break down what this rule entails, the potential challenges it faces, and how industry leaders can navigate this changing landscape effectively. The Goal: Reducing Smoking-Related Deaths At its core, the FDA's proposed rule seeks to address a major public health issue: the high number of deaths attributed to smoking. By lowering…

Alabama legislators are reworking a proposed bill that aimed to regulate the sale and possession of CBD and vape products in the state. The original version of the bill sought to classify these products as narcotics, placing them in the same category as heroin and making their sale or possession a felony offense. However, on Wednesday, the Senate Health Committee confirmed that they are refining the bill to remove the felony classification and instead focus on stricter penalties for businesses that allow minors access to these products, as well as imposing a 6% tax on their sale. Understanding the Controversy…