Oklahoma House Bill Proposes Shifting Vaping Regulation Enforcement to Attorney General’s Office
In a recent development, House Bill 3971 has been introduced in the Oklahoma legislature, proposing to transfer the enforcement of regulations related to the purchase and sale of vapor products from the Oklahoma Able Commission to the Attorney General’s Office. Read more
The Finnish government is taking steps to regulate the use of nicotine pouches, a smokeless tobacco alternative, by bringing these products under the purview of existing tobacco laws. The move comes as concerns mount over the potential health risks associated with nicotine pouches, particularly among young people.
Nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free bags that users place in their mouth, typically between the gum and lip. While they do not contain tobacco leaf, they do contain nicotine, an addictive stimulant derived from tobacco. Users consume nicotine pouches in a manner similar to snus, another smokeless tobacco product.
Read more: NICOTINE POUCH INGREDIENTS EXPLAINED
The government’s proposed regulations aim to curb nicotine levels in these pouches to 20 milligrams per gram of product, while also prohibiting online sales and limiting the range of available flavors. These measures are designed to make nicotine pouches less appealing to young people and to prevent the development of nicotine addiction.
Under the proposed legislation, retailers selling nicotine pouches would be required to obtain a license, while importers would face additional restrictions. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is leading the charge on this legislative package, which is expected to be presented to parliament this spring.
The government’s stance on nicotine pouches is informed by the Finnish health agency THL, which classifies nicotine as an addictive stimulant that can constrict blood vessels, increase blood pressure, and make users more susceptible to arrhythmia. By regulating these products, the government hopes to mitigate the potential health risks associated with oral nicotine use, particularly among youth.
Interestingly, the widespread availability of strong nicotine pouches in Finland has had an unexpected impact on the smuggling of oral tobacco products from neighboring Sweden. As nicotine pouches have become more accessible, the demand for smuggled snus has decreased dramatically, underscoring the need for effective regulation of these products.
News source: https://yle.fi/a/74-20078963
In an effort to address the growing concern of underage vaping, New York state Sen. Monica Martinez, a Democrat from Long Island, has introduced a new bill that seeks to ban the sale of e-cigarette products designed to appeal to minors. The legislation targets products that resemble school supplies or toys or are packaged in a way that attracts children.
Read moreThe Yukon government is taking proactive steps to address the increasing prevalence of vaping and the associated health risks, particularly among youth. Last Thursday, the government tabled the Coordinated Vaping Product Taxation Agreement Act in the legislature, aimed at curbing the growing rates of vaping across the territory.
Read moreCargolux, a leading European cargo airline, has announced that it will no longer carry disposable vapes on its fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft. The decision, which the company says was made for “ethical reasons,” extends to its Italian subsidiary, Cargolux Italia, and could have significant implications for the distribution of these popular vaping devices in several European countries. Read more
The Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) has announced that it will begin enforcing the ban on non-FDA-approved vape products starting Monday, March 18th. This decision comes after a period of legal uncertainty, during which a preliminary injunction temporarily halted the enforcement of the ban. Read more
The UK government has taken a significant step towards implementing its planned disposable vape ban, releasing draft regulations that provide insights into the timeline, enforcement measures, and potential penalties for non-compliance. The documents, published on March 11, 2024, for England, shed light on the specifics of the forthcoming ban.
Read moreAs the final hours of West Virginia’s 60-day legislative session ticked away on Friday, lawmakers found themselves in a race against time to pass critical bills addressing issues in education, substance abuse recovery, and public health.
In a significant move, the House of Delegates voted to empower elementary school teachers to more easily remove disruptive, unruly, and violent students from their classrooms. The bill, which applies to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, is now headed to the Senate, where it is expected to receive approval.
Read moreA new bill in the Kentucky General Assembly aims to establish a statewide database of vape retailers and bring state law in line with federal regulations on vaping products. House Bill 11, sponsored by Republican Rep. Rebecca Raymer of Morgantown, was approved with a committee substitute by the House Health Services Committee on March 7 and is now awaiting action by the full House.
Read moreThe Florida Legislature has passed a compromise bill that prohibits the sale of certain flavored single-use vape products while preserving access to refillable vapes and e-liquids. The amended measure, HB 1007, aims to curb youth vaping without completely eliminating flavored options for adult users. Read more