Hong Kong may reverse its ban on the re-export of e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products, reports the South China Morning Post, citing unnamed sources.
In April, the city prohibited the sale, manufacture and trade in alternative smoking products.
Authorities are now reportedly considering amending the law, with an eye on the billions of dollars that trade generates annually.
Hong Kong is close to Shenzhen, the world’s largest manufacturing hub for vapor devices.
A survey released by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) demonstrates the influence of the “vape vote,” referencing the millions of Americans who use vapor products to stay away from cigarettes, to impact the 2022 U.S. midterm elections.
“This data conclusively proves how the vaping vote can influence elections,” said Tim Andrews, ATR’s director of consumer issues. “Vapers are very active in political issues. Almost four in five voters who vape said they are likely to speak out on vaping issues.
“Supporting consumers’ right to quit smoking through vaping isn’t only the morally right thing to do—it’s the politically smart thing to do. Our exclusive polling data shows that vapers are significantly more likely to vote for a candidate who opposes tax increases or flavor bans on vaping products.”
According to Andrews, there are 20 million adult vapers in the United States. That equates to at least 45,000 in each Congressional district, he says—enough to make the difference in a close election. ATR’s survey found that two in three vapers are likely to vote for a candidate aligned with them on vaping policy.
In 2016, Senator Ron Johnson credited his come-from-behind victory in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate election to the “vape vote.” Survey data found that vapers lean Democratic but are willing to switch their vote for a pro-vaping candidate. There is clearly potential for vaping voters to change close races.
“Vaping is shown to be 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes and has the potential to save 6.6 million American lives over the next 10 years,” said Andrews. “Supporting the right of Americans to access lifesaving vaping products should be a no-brainer for all candidates in this year’s midterms. Vaping not only saves lives—it can also save an election campaign.”
The International Tobacco Growers Association will host its 2022 annual general meeting Oct. 26–29 in Castelo Branco, Portugal.
The event will bring together member associations and partners from around the world.
Among other topics, participants will discuss the latest developments for the sector and industry. Representatives from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe will present their sustainability visions, which will be complemented by the visions of leading companies.
For more information, visit https://www.itgaevents.com/events/agm-2022.
KT&G and Mirae Asset Financial Group have created the New Growth Investment Partnership No. 1 to identify and develop new business areas.
“We are forming a strategic alliance with Mirae Asset for investment in new-growth industries in order to secure sustainable growth in the midst of the rapidly changing business environment and to identify businesses of new plant species,” said Lee Woong-kyu, a representative of KT&G’s growth and investment department, in a statement.
He explained that KT&G will invest in new business areas while strengthening the capacity of its existing businesses.
The Korea Electronic Cigarette Association (KECA) has sued the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), demanding the government correct misinformation about e-cigarettes, reports the Korea Biomedical Review.
The KECA’s lawsuit alleges that the government caused financial damage to e-cigarette-related small business owners by releasing incorrect information via an Oct. 23, 2019, press release recommending Koreans stop using liquid e-cigarettes.
The MOHW’s recommendation was issued following an outbreak of lung injuries in the United States that was initially attributed to nicotine vapes but was later determined to be associated with illicit THC products.
“According to the U.S. [Food and Drug Administration’s] notice banning the sale of liquid-type e-cigarettes, which was the basis of the MOHW’s decision that advised smokers to stop using e-cigarettes, tetrahydrocannabinol, a hemp-derived substance, was the main problem,” the KECA said.
In 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that there were 530 confirmed severe lung diseases and eight deaths in the U.S. related to the use of liquid-type e-cigarettes.
“However, at the time of the announcement of the MOHW’s recommendation, there was only one suspected case of lung damage in Korea, and even the suspected case came from a person who smoked tobacco,” the KECA said.
According to a paper published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science in December 2021, there were no cases of severe pneumonia or lung damage among liquid e-cigarette users, according to the KECA. The group stated that the MOHW’s failure to withdraw its recommendation to stop use of liquid e-cigarettes shows a neglect of its duties.
A MOHW spokesperson said it will investigate the complaint and respond to the lawsuit in conjunction with other agencies, such as the KDCA and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
The American Vapor Manufacturers Association (AVM) has requested that the Senate Ethics Committee investigate Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for allegedly violating Senate rules by attempting to improperly influence U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientific decisions about vaping products, according to Vaping360.
On Oct. 14, the AVM delivered a letter to the chair and vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics that alleged Durbin pressured the FDA to ban all vaping products despite the agency’s premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) review process.
Citing Durbin’s track record (urging the FDA to ban vapor products via letters, Senate floor speeches, press releases and private meetings) the AVM says it believes Durbin attempted “to interfere with and influence the outcome of an ongoing executive branch agency review process in violation of Senate Ethics rules.”
“Senator Durbin’s arrogant bullying has now become a grave threat to public health.”
“Senator Durbin’s arrogant bullying has now become a grave threat to public health,” AVM President Amanda Wheeler said in a press release. “At a time when trust in public health authorities is already shaky, Durbin’s shameful campaign to hijack federal policy on this crucial health issue should come to an immediate end.”
The letter to the Senate committee marks the second time this year that the AVM has asked a government body to investigate corruption of the FDA PMTA review process.
According to Vaping360, the ethics committee is unlikely to seriously investigate Durbin or cite him for misconduct; Durbin is Senate Majority Whip, making him the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Democratic-led body.
Turning Point Brands appointed Graham Purdy as CEO and board director, effective Oct. 16, 2022, following Yavor Efremov’s resignation as CEO and director. Additionally, David Glazek will transition from nonexecutive to executive board chairman, effective January 2023.
Purdy will lead TPB’s strategy, execution and operations, with a focus on growing and maximizing the value of the company’s portfolio of brands. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Purdy served as TBP’s chief operating officer since 2019. Since joining TPB in 2004, Purdy has held various leadership positions, including president of the new ventures division and senior vice president of sales.
During his tenure at TPB, Purdy oversaw two successful brand extensions, rolling out Zig-Zag Cigar Wraps and Stoker’s MST. In addition, he built an effective sales organization driven by an industry-leading performance management system, positioned a number of successful new products and led the integration of many of the company’s most important strategic initiatives. Purdy led day-to-day operations during the Covid-9 pandemic, managing complex challenges while completing three of the most successful years in the company’s history.
“Graham is a highly experienced operator who has been integral to Turning Point’s success. His deep knowledge of the company’s operations and industry make him ideally suited to lead TPB today. We are confident in his ability to oversee Turning Point’s brand strategy and sharpen the company’s operational focus,” said Glazek, chairman of TPB’s board of directors, in a statement.
“The board would also like to thank Mr. Efremov for his many contributions during his tenure. In the last year, he has launched key initiatives, including the expansion of our distribution platform, enhancing our IT infrastructure and adding new leadership talent. We wish him well going forward.”
“I am excited to serve as Turning Point’s next CEO and drive the company’s strategic priorities to enhance shareholder value,” said Purdy. “Over the past three decades, Turning Point has built a leading industry position through our portfolio of large and leading brands, innovative marketing and omni-channel distribution capabilities, along with our strong track record of new product innovation. I look forward to working with our highly talented team to continue to build a world-class consumer products company for the benefit of our employees, customers and shareholders.”
“I am proud of what we have accomplished in a short period of time and the progress that has been made on key initiatives over the past year,” said Efremov. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as CEO and meet and work alongside the many hardworking and dedicated employees of Turning Point.”
The E-Cigarette Professional Committee of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC) has signed the Independent European Vape Alliance’s (IEVA) recently updated Code for Responsible Marketing.
The Code for Responsible Marketing contains 14 mandatory principles, focusing on the idea that “e-cigarette marketing should not make vaping seem appealing to minors.”
“As confident as we are that e-cigarettes have significant harm reduction potential, we also recognize that they must be marketed responsibly,” said Dustin Dahlmann, president of IEVA, in a statement.
“The signatories therefore only address adult smokers and e-cigarette users with their advertising and marketing to inform them about the products. Youth protection is imperative for us. We are very glad that we agreed on this with our dear colleagues from China.”
BAT has conducted a cross-sectional clinical study of Velo, which is designed to provide new insights into the real-world health impact of its modern oral nicotine pouch product compared to smoking. Protocol details explaining the design have been published in the journal JMIR Research Protocols.
The study evaluates exposure to certain toxicants and early indicators associated with smoking-related disease in people who have been exclusively using Velo for over six months and compares them with groups of smokers, former smokers and never-smokers.
The results are currently being analyzed and will be published by the end of the year.
“Modern oral nicotine pouches are an exciting product category, which build upon the extensive scientific evidence available for snus but are designed to offer adult consumers an improved tobacco-free, reduced-risk alternative,” said Sharon Goodall, BAT’s group head of regulatory sciences, in a statement.
“We have already generated data that shows Velo has a toxicant profile better than snus and is comparable to nicotine-replacement therapy. However, we wanted to generate further evidence to demonstrate the important contribution it can make to tobacco harm reduction. I believe the results of this study will provide important new information, and we look forward to sharing them once available.”
RLX Technology has released its annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) report Envisaging a Better Future, highlighting its efforts in market responsibility, research and development investment, environment protection, employee careers and corporate governance.
According to the report, RLX has strengthened its commitment to product quality and vaping science. Since its inception, RLX has invested RMB800 million ($111.1 million) in research and development. RLX operates eight laboratories and has developed a research chain covering product quality, physiochemical research, toxicology research, long-term impact assessment and clinical research.
In March 2021, RLX launched the first e-cigarette clinical research project in China. In February 2022, RLX started the first clinical study on the safety of e-cigarettes in China. The results of various research projects were published in prominent academic journals such as Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety and the Chinese Journal of Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment.
By June 2022, RLX had applied for over 610 patents covering vaping device design, e-liquid formula, electric control, smart device and released content.
Environment protection is another highlight in RLX’s CSR report. In September 2021, RLX started the Pods Reborn recycling program with China Siyuan Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. By June 2022, the program had been carried out in 188 Chinese cities. More than 16,000 stores have been equipped with a used pods recycling bin.
As part of the Amur Tiger and Leopard Conservation Project, RLX has planted 20 ha of eco-fields in Jilin Province to ensure sufficient food supply for these endangered species. RLX has also organized a patrol team to remove animal traps. By the end of 2021, the RLX Tech Patrol Team had patrolled 12,600 kilometers.
In April 2022, RLX launched its net-zero carbon emission plan Aim for Zero to achieve carbon neutrality in its direct operations by 2033 and along the value chain by 2050.
As part of this project, RLX will take eight major initiatives, including plastic reduction, waste reduction, promoting the Pods Reborn program, establishing a green supply chain partner mechanism, reducing product carbon footprint and introducing zero-carbon products, creating a zero-carbon plant and a green store and reducing carbon footprint in the office and during business travel.
By the end of 2021, RLX had opened more than 24,000 stores in more than 300 cities, creating about 370,000 jobs across the industry chain.
“In more than four years of entrepreneurship, one of the things we are particularly proud of is our dedication to fulfilling our social responsibility,” said Kate Wang, founder and CEO of RLX Tech, in a statement. “RLX Tech sees social responsibility as one of its core competitive advantages. It is also our duty as corporate citizens.”