Category: News This Week

Fourth-Generation Atomizers Not Harmless

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
Fourth-generation electronic cigarette pod atomizers are similar in design to those of previous generations and contain elements that may adversely affect health and accumulate in the environment, according to a new study by the University of California (UC), Riverside.
According to the researchers, chronic exposure to the elements/metals in atomizers could adversely affect human health. Further, e-cigarette pod products, which eventually enter the environment, could contribute to chemical pollution in water and soil.
“The more these devices aesthetically evolve, the more the atomizer components and elemental composition stay the same,” said Esther Omaiye, a graduate student in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology at UC Riverside and the first author of the research paper that appeared in PLOS ONE, in a statement.
“While major components such as filaments, thick wires, filament-wire joints, air tubes and wicks have been preserved across generations, we see newer components in fourth-generation pod products, such as connector pins, connector-wire joints, ceramic wicks and chambers that house these wicks.”
The more these devices aesthetically evolve, the more the atomizer components and elemental composition stay the same.
Esther Omaiye, UC Riverside
“We set out to characterize the design features of pod-style atomizers and analyze the elemental composition of the atomizers,” said Prue Talbot, a professor of cell biology at UC Riverside, who led the research team. “These elements may, upon heating, enter the aerosol and be inhaled by users.”
The external appearance, design, battery power, atomizers and nicotine delivery of e-cigarettes have evolved over the last decade. Fourth-generation pods have low-powered batteries, an e-liquid reservoir and an atomizer/mouthpiece. According to the researchers, they contain high concentrations of nicotine and acid.
Scientists have only limited understanding of what exactly makes up pod atomizers, which are required components for aerosol production in e-cigarettes.
“Since elements in the atomizers can leach into the e-fluids or transfer to the aerosols when the e-fluids are heated, it is important to know what these elements are that users can get exposed to,” said Omaiye, who works in Talbot’s lab.
The researchers examined 11 fourth-generation pods from six brands/manufacturers. Of 23 elements they identified in the pod atomizers, 11—nickel, chromium, iron, gold, copper, zinc, tin, oxygen, silicon, carbon and sodium—were present in relatively high abundance. Some of these elements have been linked to human illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases, immune system suppression, lung injury, cancer, renal damage, neurotoxicity and silicosis. Nickel, chromium, iron and gold were found to be the most abundant elements in fourth-generation atomizers.
“We now know what elements users may be inhaling by using fourth-generation products,” Omaiye said. “Our work reinforces the idea that e-cigarettes are not without harm. Our next line of research is evaluating fluids and aerosols generated from fourth-generation products to get a clearer picture of how their elements may be directly affecting e-cigarette users’ health.”
March 26, 2021
BAT Ranked Third in ESG Index

Photo: BAT
British American Tobacco (BAT) has been rated as the third-highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) company in the FTSE-100 index, which consists of the 100 largest publicly traded companies in the United Kingdom. The designation for BAT was made by Refinitiv, a global provider of financial market data and a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group.
BAT achieved an ESG score of 91 out of 100 and is the highest-rated business in the food and tobacco sector globally.

Winning more than 200 awards in 2020 was an exceptional recognition of our achievements and shows we are on track to build the sustainable enterprise of the future.
Guy Meldrum, CEO and president, Reynolds American Inc.
“Winning more than 200 awards in 2020 was an exceptional recognition of our achievements and shows we are on track to build the sustainable enterprise of the future,” said Guy Meldrum, CEO and president of BAT subsidiary Reynolds American Inc., in a statement. “We’re delighted to be part of the ranking as one of the FTSE-100 top three ESG performers as continued proof of this. In 2020, we committed to ambitious new ESG targets to deliver ‘A Better Tomorrow’ for consumers, society and for our investors, and we’re well on our way to achieve them.”
In March 2021, BAT published its annual ESG report demonstrating the global organization’s progress against its targets, including: increasing consumers of noncombustible products by 3 million to 13.5 million at year end 2020; increasing New Categories revenue by 15 percent in 2020 versus 2019; increasing renewable energy to more than 26 percent in 2020—a 10 percent increase from 2019, coupled with a greater than 30 percent reduction in overall carbon emissions since 2019; reducing water withdrawn by nearly 11 percent since 2019; holding more than 38,000 human rights training sessions, with more than 390,000 attendances across its supply chain; and reaching 38 percent of female representation in management roles.
March 25, 2021
FDA Urged to Remove Flavors from Market

Photo: Bacho12345 | Dreamstime.com
Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have sent a letter to the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to remove all flavored vaping products from the market. The 43 House Democrats sent the letter to acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock as the agency continues to review thousands of premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs).
“Flavored e-cigarettes are putting a new generation of kids at risk of nicotine addiction and the serious health harms that result from tobacco use,” states the letter drafted by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Diana DeGette, according to The Hill.
The lawmakers want the FDA to ban all flavored e-cigarettes upon further review and eliminate the exemption the FDA has for menthol and disposable products.
Along with a ban on flavored e-cigarettes, lawmakers want a ban on PMTAs and the marketing of e-cigarettes that target minors. “Today, e-cigarette use by youth remains at what FDA calls ‘epidemic proportions,’ and e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco products among youth since 2014—and flavors are a key reason why,” the letter states.
The FDA has already put a ban on fruity e-cigarettes. However, brands such as Puff Bar are sidestepping the ban by selling fruit-flavored disposable vaporizers that use synthetic (tobacco-free) nicotine. “We strongly recommend that FDA’s premarket review process require manufacturers to provide convincing evidence that their products do not increase youth use of nicotine and tobacco in ways that increase the risk of abuse and addiction among youth,” the lawmakers stated.
March 25, 2021
‘Hungary Tobacco Tax Too Low’

Photo: hince from Pixabay
Hungary has failed to comply with European Union regulations by keeping the excise tax on tobacco products below the required threshold, reports Hungary Today, citing the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
In October 2019, the European Commission (EC) complained to the CJEU that Hungary had failed to gradually raise the excise tax on tobacco products to the required threshold by the deadline of Dec. 31, 2017.
Under EU guidelines, the excise tax on tobacco products must reach 60 percent of the average retail price but at least €90 ($105.88) per 1,000 cigarettes. The 60 percent ratio does not apply to prices above €115 per 1,000 cigarettes.
The EC said Hungary had failed to reach that threshold in 2017 or in subsequent years until the suit was brought, distorting competition within the bloc and violating EU health protection regulations
March 25, 2021
Intertabac Exhibition Postponed Again

Photo: Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe
The Intertabac and Intersupply 2021 trade shows will not take place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Billed as the world’s largest tobacco trade show, the event was scheduled to take place Sept. 16–18, 2021, in Dortmund, Germany. Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, the owner of the Intertabac show, announced today that the event is cancelled after talking with exhibitors and sponsors.

Working closely with the industry associations and partner associations, the conceptual sponsors, the advisory board and the exhibitors of the twin fairs, it has become clear that the vast majority is against holding the events this September.
Sabine Loos, managing director, Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe
“Working closely with the industry associations and partner associations, the conceptual sponsors, the advisory board and the exhibitors of the twin fairs, it has become clear that the vast majority is against holding the events this September as previously announced,” said Sabine Loos, managing director for Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, in a statement.
Intertabac showcases nearly every product that is associated with consuming nicotine, from vaping products and combustible cigarettes to machine-made and premium cigars, pipes, shisha, smokeless and other tobacco-related products. In 2019, 13,800 people attended the event, which had more than 500 exhibitors from 47 countries, according to Intertabac.
Last year’s event was also cancelled. Intertabac 2022 is scheduled for Sept. 15–17, 2022, according to Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe .
March 25, 2021
Philippines Urged to Adopt Virtual Stamps

Photo: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
A senior legislator in the Philippines wants the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to create “virtual stamps” for export cigarettes to deter their smuggling into the domestic market, reports Business World.
At a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Ways and Means on March 22, Representative Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda proposed a “less visible” form of security labelling along with material labelling features.
Salceda also reiterated his call for the BIR to revoke a rule that exempts cigarettes sold for export from tax stamp affixture, adding that unstamped export cigarettes were a key source of supply for smugglers. Cigarettes for domestic sale affixed with tax stamps indicate that the manufacturer has paid the required excise taxes.
The House tax panel has found that tobacco smugglers evade excise taxes by declaring tobacco products “for export.”
BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel SD. Guballa said while the agency supports stamps on export cigarettes, manufacturers expressed concerns that this could deter foreign markets since most other countries prefer the products to be shipped without stamps.
“The international market demand is for cigarettes to have no stamps,” he said.
The government loses PHP30 billion annually due to untaxed tobacco products on the domestic market. In February, the Philippines’ Bureau of Customs declared an “all-out war” against cigarette smuggling.
March 25, 2021
Prospect of Vapor Regs Boosts China Tobacco

Photo: Shenzhen Smoore Technology
Chinese stocks related to the traditional tobacco business rose following suggestions that China would regulate e-cigarettes like tobacco products.
Cigarette packaging provider Letong Chemical and cigarette printing and filter maker Shaanxi Jinye Sci Tech & Education surged by the daily cap of 10 percent, according to the South China Morning Post.
By contrast, vapor companies tanked. Smoore lost HKD106 billion in market cap while RELX Technology shed $14.45 billion on the New York Stock Exchange immediately after the announcement.
On March 22, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration released a proposed policy that aims to address tobacco product quality issues and false advertising. Without providing details, the agencies indicated that the changes would also apply to vapor products. The changes are currently subject to a public consultation that ends April 22.
Having taken arduous and often herculean steps to remain compliant with all government regulations, Kaival Brands and the leadership at Bidi Vapor hope that additional supervision of e-cigarette manufacturing will help raise standards for the devices worldwide.
Kaival Innovations Group
With around 300 million smokers, China is the world’s largest tobacco market and the world’s largest potential market for vapor products. iiMedia Research estimates that the Chinese e-cigarette market could reach CNY10 billion ($1.53 billion) in 2021. There were more than 170,000 vapor companies as of February 2021. The market is also expected to grow in the future year.
In 2019, Chinese authorities banned e-cigarettes from online shopping channels. The restrictions prompted e-cigarette companies to invest significantly in developing physical stores across the country. RELX Technology, for example, received 30 percent of its revenues from online sales prior to the ban. In January 2020, the company pledged to invest more than CNY500 million over the three years to open 10,000 authorized sellers in China.
Some vapor companies welcomed the prospect of greater supervision over the e-cigarette sector in China. U.S.-headquartered Kaival Innovations Group, which distributes the Bidi Stick brand, said the announcement would have no effect on its operations.
“Having taken arduous and often herculean steps to remain compliant with all government regulations, Kaival Brands and the leadership at Bidi Vapor hope that additional supervision of e-cigarette manufacturing [in China] will help raise standards for the devices worldwide,” the company wrote in a press release.
March 25, 2021
Senate Confirms Murthy as Surgeon General

Photo: forcal35 from Pixabay
Vivek H. Murthy
The U.S. Senate on March 23 confirmed Vivek H. Murthy as United States surgeon general, reports The Washington Post.
The surgeon general, also known as the “nation’s doctor,” typically serves as a prominent spokesperson on public health issues but has a limited role in policymaking. President Joe Biden wants him to be a key public voice on the Covid response to restore public trust in medicine.
The surgeon general also oversees the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a uniformed service of about 6,000 public health workers who have helped staff the coronavirus response and administer vaccines but struggled earlier this year to get vaccinations of their own.
Murthy first served as surgeon general during the Obama administration, working on public health issues such as the opioid crisis. He also pursued his own work combating loneliness and the stigma of mental illness. He was the nation’s first Senate-confirmed Asian American surgeon general.
His original 2013 nomination was stalled in the Senate for more than a year, in part because gun rights organizations faulted Murthy for saying gun violence was a public health problem—a stance Murthy has continued to espouse.
Murthy is an advocate of e-cigarette regulation. In 2016, he released “E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults,” calling for action to reduce the use of vapor products among young people.
Michael Siegel, a professor at the Boston University School of Public Health, at the time described the report as scientifically dishonest.
Siegel said the report essentially lied about the single most important fact that the public needed to understand about electronic cigarettes and vaping products: that they do not contain tobacco and therefore vaping is not a form of tobacco use.
March 25, 2021
Farmers Exceed Cuban Leaf Cultivation Plan

Photo: Habanos
Farmers in Pinar del Rio, Cuba’s primary tobacco producing province, have planted 16,189 hectares of tobacco to date, exceeding the plan of 15,800 hectares of tobacco for the current growing season, reports Prensa Latina.
According to the agricultural specialist of the Tabacuba group in Pinar del Rio, Virginio Morales, the farmers have fulfilled 85 percent of the harvest plan to date.
Some 3,400 workers are engaged in the processing of the leaf, which has reached 2,445 tons. Since the end of December, more than a thousand workers have joined this work.
Most of the tobacco leaf harvested in the area is used to make premium handmade cigars for export, a luxury product demanded in most international markets.
March 24, 2021
Innokin Launches ‘AC’ Vaporizer

Photo: Innokin
Innokin has teamed up with Fourier Technology to develop the Sensis, the first vaporizer with fourth-generation vape technology.
Whereas earlier generations of vaporizers used direct current to power coils in a single direction, fourth-generation vape technology uses alternating current mode (ACM) to send electricity through the coil in both directions.
“Our goal in developing alternating current mode is to provide vapers with an even better experience and the vaping industry new ways to grow and improve,” said Meredith Zhao, chief technology officer at Fourier Technology, in an Innokin press note. “We are looking forward to working with experienced users to discover the full potential of this exciting new vape technology in the hope of working together to create a smoke-free future.”
According to Fourier, ACM introduces waveform frequency control to vaping. Vapers can now adjust the hertz frequency waveforms as well as the wattage output. This upgraded output provides many advantages over the previous generation’s single direction current.
By selecting different types of waveforms and adjusting the frequency, the full spectrum of flavors can be produced from liquids and specific flavors can be enhanced.
Our goal in developing alternating current mode is to provide vapers with an even better experience.
Meredith Zhao, CTO, Fourier Technology
ACM increases the efficiency of heat transfer between the coil and liquid, which improves flavors, extends coil life and much more.
ACM has been shown to help extend coil life by increasing coil saturation and reducing carbon buildup on coils.
According to Innokin, the Sensis demonstrates the great progress that has been made in vapor technology.
The industry distinguishes four generations of technology. First-generation vape technology was basic, where direct power output to the coils could not be adjusted. With the push of a button, or by simply inhaling, the battery heated coils, changing the liquid into vapor to deliver nicotine and flavors.
Second-generation vape technology introduced variable voltage and variable wattage, where adjusting the power output to the coils increases or decreases heat to personal taste. With adjustable voltage/wattage technology, vaporizers became smarter and more user-friendly. The device chipsets read the coil resistance then automatically calculated power output to provide a safer, personalized experience across devices and tanks. The simplicity of variable wattage has made it the most widely used vape technology today, especially in intermediate and advanced e-cigarettes.
Third-generation technology with temperature control utilized more advanced chipsets and new types of coil materials. Designed to eliminate dry-hits and reduce potential harm from damaged cotton wicking, third-generation vape technology used resistance-temperature correlation to calculate coil temperature based on detected coil resistance. Due to limited choices of coil materials and coil performance issues, temperature control is not used as widely as wattage mode.
The fourth generation features ACM technology as deployed in the Sensis.
March 24, 2021