Blog - Tobacco Reporter

Vapers Cheer EU Recognition of E-cigs as Possible Quit Aid

The EU’s Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) has endorsed the potential role of vaping in supporting smoking cessation, according to the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA).

Parliament’s report on non-communicable diseases acknowledges that vaping is a way for smokers to gradually quit.

“Parliament’s recognition that vaping can help smokers quit is a step in the right direction,” said WVA Director Michael Landl. “With the well-documented success of vaping as a smoking cessation aid, it’s crucial for the EU to fully embrace this tool within its strategy to reduce smoking-related illnesses. Vaping not only offers a way out for smokers but is instrumental in achieving public health goals.”

Despite this recognition, the WVA views the report’s proposal to extend smoking bans to vaping as problematic.

“Treating vaping the same as smoking in public spaces sends the wrong message to smokers who want to quit,” said Landl. “There is no evidence of harm from secondhand vaping. The Subcommittee must reconsider the broader impact, including the risk of former smokers relapsing. A more thoughtful regulatory approach based on common sense is imperative to ensure that vaping remains a viable option for those committed to quitting cigarettes.”

The WVA believes that for the EU to significantly lower smoking rates and effectively tackle NCDs, supportive measures for harm reduction strategies like vaping must be integrated into public health policies.

November 8, 2023

No Added Harm from Vape Substitution: Study

A new systematic review conducted by the Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction on the available scientific research showed no difference in respiratory parameters in human clinical tests on the respiratory effects of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use in participants who smoke tobacco cigarettes.

In their study “Respiratory health effects of e-cigarette substitution for tobacco cigarettes: a systematic review,” the researchers analyzed 16 studies from 20 publications. They found that the large majority of the studies showed no difference in respiratory parameters. According to the authors, this indicates that electronic nicotine delivery systems substitution for smoking likely does not result in additional harm to respiratory health.

One of the problems the researchers found during their evaluation is that many studies were not of sufficient duration for observing any harmful or beneficial effects because these may take time to manifest. In fact, the researchers observed a general low quality of the studies included in the review, with 10 of 16 studies rated at high risk of bias.

In light of the findings of no change in respiratory function plus the presence of reporting spin bias, the researchers call for long term studies that include diverse participants and to assess smoking behavior and history. Furthermore, they note that exclusive ENDS use and dual use with cigarettes should be identified as separate categories for analysis and findings. They also stressed that additional studies are necessary to assess the potential benefits or risks of e-cigarette substitution for tobacco cigarette smoking.

November 8, 2023

BAT Ups Investment in Organigram

Organigram Holdings Inc. has extended its relationship with British American Tobacco. The move boosts the Canadian cannabis producer’s financial strength and positioning it to expand globally.

Organigram said in a statement that BAT is investing a further $90.5 million in the business, building on an initial $160 million injection back in 2021.

Organigram said the investment will allow it to extend its footprint beyond Canada, and also strengthen its financial position for long-term, sustainable growth, according to media reports.

“This investment bolsters an already strong balance sheet and solidifies our position as a leading cannabis company,” said Beena Goldenberg, chief executive of Organigram.

The firm said the deal enables it to invest in growing the topline of its core business, while optimizing operations to deliver on cost-saving efficiencies, thus accelerating earnings growth.

Organigram will use the majority of the investment to create a strategic investment pool, named Jupiter.

Jupiter will target investments in emerging cannabis opportunities that will enable Organigram to apply its industry-leading capabilities to new markets, it said.

November 8, 2023

Quit for Good Signs THR Statement

Quit for Good, a public health advocacy group based in the Philippines, has joined other scientific organizations and associations across the world in calling for the adoption of tobacco harm reduction (THR) to save smokers and help improve people’s lives.

“We endorse the consensus statement of SCOHRE—the International Association on Smoking Control and Harm Reduction—to remind the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Conference of the Parties of the growing support and scientific basis for THR strategies that it continues to ignore,” said Lorenzo Mata Jr., president of Quit for Good.

“The THR approach, which the Philippines acknowledged when it approved the vape law in 2022, provides smokers with better options, such as smoke-free alternatives, when quitting is not achievable,” said Mata, a Filipino doctor.

Quit For Good is one of the 14 scientific organizations on four continents that support the consensus statement of SCOHRE that the WHO FCTC should no longer ignore the evidence in support of THR. It is also one of the two organizations based in the Philippines that signed the statement, the other being the Harm Reduction Alliance of the Philippines (HARAP).

SCOHRE, an international scientific association of independent experts who promote a new approach to smoking control policies, issued the statement as the WHO FCTC prepares to convene the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) Nov. 20–25, 2023, in Panama.

“Rather than viewing them [THR products] as a threat to public health, the WHO FCTC should look at them as tools that can help more than a billion smokers around the world quit smoking. It has been well documented that it is the smoke, and not nicotine, that causes serious diseases among smokers,” said Mata.

Mata said the U.K. and Sweden models prove that harm reduction works. He said providing safer nicotine products to reduce harm for smokers is common sense as smokers are already offered nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) to quit or reduce harm.

“NRTs, however, are largely ineffective in making smokers quit. Why not give them highly successful and innovative products that are at least 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes?” said Mata, referring to smoke-free products such as vapes. “These products are much better than confining smokers to a lifetime of smoking without any viable alternatives. Other doctors should explore these options if they really care about their patients.”

Mata said the COP10 meeting in Panama should focus on scientific evidence that there are safer nicotine products and that restrictive and prohibitionist policies that penalize smokers only lead them to continue smoking and suffer from the lack of better alternatives.

The consensus statement of SCOHRE noted the mounting scientific evidence that THR strategies can contribute to reducing the detrimental effects of smoking and that switching to less harmful products will have a tremendously positive effect for many people who smoke cigarettes.

“Healthcare and public health professionals need to continuously raise awareness to every person who smokes cigarettes and to the overall population about the adverse effects of smoking and that they can be also limited by tobacco harm reduction, i.e., with novel safer alternatives to cigarettes. We need to increase the knowledge that empowers people to pursue better health,” according to the consensus statement.

Aside from Quit for Good and HARAP, other groups that supported the SCOHRE consensus statement are the European Medical Association, New Nicotine Alliance in Ireland, Platform for the Reduction of Harm due to Tobacco Consumption in Spain, Indonesian Tar Free Coalition (KABAR), DIRETA in Brazil, Tunisian Society of Tobaccology and Addictive Behaviors, Associazione Nazionale Consumatori Vaporizzatori Personali (ANPVU) in Italy, Densaulyk Harm Reduction Association in Kazakhstan, Polish Society of Public Health, New Nicotine Alliance in the U.K., UKVIA and the Hungarian Scientific Association for Harm Reduction and Environmental Diseases.

November 7, 2023

FDA Warns Nic Nac ‘Nicotine Mints’

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to Nic Nac Naturals for the marketing of their unauthorized dissolvable nicotine products, which the company describes as “nicotine mints” and which resemble a pack of mints. These products are of particular concern because of their resemblance to popular candies and the potential to cause severe nicotine toxicity or even death if accidentally ingested by young children, according to the FDA.

“FDA remains steadfast in our commitment to actively monitor the marketplace and to crack down on companies selling unlawful products, particularly those that can appeal to youth,” said Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). “Our goal is to identify and prevent these emerging threats to our nation’s youth before they become mainstream.”

The manufacturer markets these tobacco products in a variety of mint and fruit flavors, all of which come in two nicotine strengths (3 mg or 6 mg). The packaging states the products contain nontobacco nicotine. The FDA regulates tobacco products containing nicotine from any source, including nontobacco nicotine. Nic Nac Naturals does not have a marketing authorization order from the agency to sell or distribute these products in the U.S.

One container of 15 of these mints can have as much as 90 mg of nicotine total. According to research, the FDA stated, ingesting 1 mg to 4 mg of nicotine could be toxic or severely toxic to a child under 6 years old, depending on body weight. This means ingesting one mint could be severely toxic to a child under 6 years old. Nicotine toxicity among youth of any age can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, respiratory failure, coma and even death. The FDA also stated that nicotine is highly addictive and exposure during adolescence can harm the developing brain.

“Today’s action is another example of our ongoing efforts against illegal nontobacco nicotine products,” said Ann Simoneau, director of the CTP’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement. “We remain unwavering in our use of compliance and enforcement resources to curb unlawful marketing of tobacco products, particularly those that youth could easily confuse with something that they consume regularly—like candy.”

The company has 15 working days to respond to the FDA with steps they will take to correct and prevent future violations. Failure to respond and correct violations may result in addition FDA action, such as an injunction, seizure and/or civil money penalties.

November 7, 2023

Cyprus: One in Three Smokes

About one-third of Cyprus residents smoke, according to statistics from Marc, a research company, reports The Cyprus Mail.

Marc interviewed 801 households across Cyprus, finding that 30.1 percent of respondents are smokers. The research was done on behalf of Philip Morris Cyprus.

The number of smokers last year was 31.3 percent.

Though the number of smokers remains high, about 90 percent of respondents said they are concerned about the health effects of smoking, and 80 percent of smokers said their main motivation for quitting would be the impact quitting would have on their health and physical condition. Only 22 percent of smokers stated that they are fully informed about available alternatives, and 81 percent said information should be available to them.

November 7, 2023

Western Australia: New School Vaping Policies

The government of Western Australia (WA) has introduced new school behavior policies to prevent students from vaping.

Students caught vaping will risk being unable to attend school events, such as balls, graduations and other extra-curricular activities. The new rules also include mandatory programs for students in years five to seven that teach them about the dangers of vaping; new teaching and learning resources for prevention education for students in years eight to 10; and a trial of vape detectors in up to 10 schools across the state.

“The prevalence of vapes in our community is a serious issue,” said Tony Buti, WA’s education minister. “The biggest misunderstanding is they are harmless compared to cigarettes—this is not true—vapes are not safe, and they are contributing to a new generation of nicotine dependency.”

It’s illegal in WA to sell e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products to anyone without a doctor’s prescription. These devices are only allowed for smoking cessation purposes and must be obtained from a pharmacy.

Youth often purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts, according to the WA Department of Education. More than 70 percent of participants in an October survey of over 3,000 individuals aged 12 to 18 found it easy for a young person to “get a vape,” and many respondents stated that the products are prolific, especially in schools. The survey was used in a report on vaping by Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, WA commissioner for children and young people.

November 7, 2023

Cigar Group Wants Better Justification for U.S. Flavor Rule

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) testified before the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as part of the administration’s review of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s draft Final Rule “Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars.”

PCA President Scott Regina provided several examples of the impact that the rule would have on specialty tobacco retail, emphasizing that the FDA had not conducted a proper small business impact analysis. The PCA also outlined how the rule would directly affect regulatory matters outside of the FDA’s jurisdiction, including law enforcement, international trade and foreign policy.

“It’s questionable whether FDA has the authority to issue standards that result in a product ban, especially when they are acknowledging that the regulation does not address a specific risk,” said Regina in a statement.

“Ultimately, we asked OIRA to consult with a host of affected federal agencies and to remit the draft Final Rule back to FDA for better justification of authority, cost-benefit analysis and small business impact,” said Scott Pearce, executive director of the PCA.

The OIRA has scheduled meetings with additional stakeholders throughout the month as well as proponents of the characterizing flavor product standard for cigars.

The PCA published a full list of recommendations on the draft Final Rule.

November 7, 2023

Ontario to Double Vaping Tax

Ontario, in partnership with Canada’s national government, will double the tax on all vaping products sold in the province.

The federal/provincial tax partnership scheme that was announced in 2022 allows provinces to double the current federal vape tax and keep half the proceeds, according to Vaping360.

The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) urged the federal government to reconsider its proposal to impose an additional provincial levy, as this would effectively double the already substantial tax burden. “The CVA suggests a more equitable approach where the federal government shares the revenue generated by the current levy with the provinces,” the industry group wrote in a statement.

“With the introduction of the excise tax, depending on product type, vape products are now almost as expensive as cigarettes despite the significant reduction in risk,” the statement says.

The CVA cautioned that the increased tax may lead to more illicit trade. “Legal businesses will find it nearly impossible to compete with the unregulated market that remains largely unchecked. The consequence of such punitive taxation will be widespread business closures, significant job losses and an increase in criminal activity.”

“The CVA encourages the province to leverage its negotiating influence with the federal government to establish a fair revenue-sharing framework for the existing tax revenue. Preserving the regulated market, rather than destroying it, will lead to higher tax revenues. The additional revenue generated can be used by the province to increase enforcement resources and support educational programs for youth,” said Darryl Tempest, government relations counsel to the CVA.

November 7, 2023

KT&G Joins Payment Integration Cooperative

KT&G has joined the payment integration cooperative, an initiative to help reduce the burden of raw material costs on small-sized and medium-sized partner companies.

Before the system became legally established, KT&G already stipulated in purchase contracts that in the event of an increase in raw material prices compared to the contract period, it could proactively adjust the purchase contract amount to alleviate the burden on partner companies.

To further reduce the burden, KT&G pays for its supplies monthly in cash and provides early payments before holidays. The company is also helping its contracted farmers save money through the dissemination of the “draft reduction device,” a fuel-saving tool for tobacco dryers.

To promote the welfare of agricultural workers, the company has contributed KRW3.66 billion ($2.79 million) in health examination fees and scholarships since 2013.

“The payment integration cooperative will enhance the competitiveness of partner companies, ultimately laying the foundation for a sustainable industrial ecosystem,” a KT&G representative said. “We will continue to expand the scope of social responsibility across the entire value chain in the future.”

November 7, 2023