S.B. 920 Aims to Prohibit Sales of Products with Distinguishable Non-Tobacco Tastes or Aromas
Senator Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has introduced a new bill in the Texas Senate that would ban the sale of all flavored tobacco and vaping products in the state. Senate Bill 920 (S.B. 920) defines a flavored product as one that has a “distinguishable taste or aroma other than the taste or aroma of tobacco.”
Read moreThe Alaska State Senate has reintroduced a bill closely resembling one vetoed by the governor last year, proposing statewide taxation and regulatory measures for e-cigarettes. Senate Bill 89 aims to increase the age limit for purchasing e-cigarette products from 19 to 21 years; however, a recent study published in the Journal of Health Economics suggests that e-cigarette taxation that is more stringent tends to result in increased cigarette sales. While the specific tax rate has not been disclosed, a similar bill proposes a 35% tax on e-cigarette products based on wholesale prices. The bill is based on a recent tobacco report highlighting the need for more measures to reduce tobacco use in Alaska, especially among young people.
Read moreThe UK is considering adjusting its tax policy for electronic cigarettes due to concerns over the increasing use of disposable e-cigarettes, especially among young people. The proposed measures include imposing a new tax category on electronic cigarette products, further improving related standards for packaging, marketing, and flavors. However, it is unlikely that the current proposal under review will completely ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes. The adjustment reflects the UK government’s recognition of e-cigarettes as tobacco harm reduction products, and its efforts to establish reasonable rules and adjust them as necessary over time.
Read moreELFBAR, a globally popular disposable e-cigarette brand, has been sued for trademark infringement by VPR Brands, a Florida-based company claiming to have the rights to the Elf brand of e-cigarette products in the USA. As a result, ELFBAR will change its name to EBDESIGN in the USA, while retaining its name in the UK and other markets. The product models for EBDESIGN will remain the same, but be more prominent on their devices and packaging. iMiracle, the parent company of ELFBAR, is appealing the preliminary injunction. Meanwhile, ELFBAR’s other disposable brands, including Lost Mary and Funky Republic, will continue production.
Read moreGroundbreaking research conducted by the Advanced Technology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shenzhen reveals that nicotine has a tremendous anti-aging effect. The study shows that sustained intake of low-dose nicotine directly increases the level of NAD+, an anti-aging substance, thereby slowing down the aging process. The research highlights the beneficial effects of e-cigarettes with low nicotine content as an effective way to extend human lifespan. Additionally, it is found that nicotine is beneficial to the brain and has a positive impact on reducing anxiety, protecting memory, and improving cognitive impairment. These findings would contribute towards more comprehensive understanding of the potential positive impact of e-cigarettes on public health in smokers who cannot quit cigarettes.
Read moreAs global regulatory measures for e-cigarettes continue to improve, more and more countries and regions are gradually including e-cigarettes in the category of tobacco products for management. Especially in the United States, the world’s largest e-cigarette consumer market, it was the first to classify e-cigarettes as tobacco products through the revision of relevant legislation, providing important reference value for the development of relevant laws in more areas. It seems that the ultimate destination for e-cigarettes can only be tobacco companies, which is also a kind of “return to the roots.”
Read moreThe Altria Group has announced that it has given up its entire minority interest in JUUL Labs, exchanging it for a non-exclusive, irrevocable global license to the company’s heated tobacco intellectual property. Altria CEO Billy Gifford released a statement saying that the exchange makes sense because JUUL is facing significant regulatory and legal challenges and uncertainties, while Altria is continuing to explore all options to compete in the e-vapor category.
Read moreThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to release proposed new regulations for tobacco product manufacturers, including e-cigarettes, in an effort to prevent the contamination of the products and to establish guidelines for their manufacture and packaging. The regulations will also work towards ensuring public safety and compliance with federal regulations. The proposed rules will address issues such as product contamination and inconsistencies between the concentration of the e-liquid and the information on the label. The FDA plans to host a public hearing on the regulations and will consider input from stakeholders and the public for a period of 180 days.
Read moreAltria plans to buy US e-cigarette company NJOY Holdings for at least $2.75bn, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. The move would diversify Altria, which sells Marlboro cigarettes in the US and has struggled to create additional revenue streams as smoking rates decline globally due to severe health risks. NJOY’s e-cigarettes, some of which can be sold in the US under Food and Drug Administration authorisation, would provide Altria with additional expertise in the sector. The purchase comes as Altria seeks to divest its stake in Juul Labs, which is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
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