Category: Flavors

  • PMI Settles D.C. Flavor Ban Violations Case

    PMI Settles D.C. Flavor Ban Violations Case

    Image: PMI

    Swedish Match North America (SMNA) will pay $1.2 million to settle an investigation into violations of Washington D.C.’s flavored tobacco ban, reports Reuters.

    The District of Columbia attorney general’s office accused SMNA of facilitating online sales of “tens of thousands” of flavored Zyn nicotine pouches to D.C. consumers between Oct. 1, 2022, when the ban was enacted, and June 30, 2024.

    SMNA parent company Philip Morris International must now monitor its distributor’s compliance with D.C.’s ban quarterly and stop sales of flavored Zyn pouches through Zyn.com and related e-commerce platforms.

    Nicotine pouches became the second most commonly used tobacco product in the U.S. after combustible cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    PMI suspended sales on Zyn.com after it had been issued a subpoena by the D.C. attorney general earlier this year.

    Swedish Match would continue to focus on its brick-and-mortar stores, PMI said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.

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  • Spain Starts Consultation on Flavor Ban

    Spain Starts Consultation on Flavor Ban

    Image: MSCT

    Spain has started a public consultation on new rules for vaping devices, reports Sur.

    The proposed legislation would ban the ban on the use of non-tobacco flavorings in e-cigarettes with the goal of making these products less attractive to young people.

    The decree also aims to regulate the labeling of electronic cigarettes without nicotine. As with traditional tobacco, they will have to have a list of ingredients and health warnings indicating that their consumption is harmful to health.

    They will also have to include a leaflet with information on contraindications and possible adverse effects.

  • Dutch Flavor Ban Lawful: Court

    Dutch Flavor Ban Lawful: Court

    Image: promesaartstudio

    The Dutch ban on flavored vapes is lawful, a court in The Hague ruled, arguing that the harmfulness of e-cigarettes and the “attractive effect” of sweet flavors on young people have been sufficiently established, reports The NL Times.

    The verdict came in response to a legal challenge brought by British American Tobacco and Nicoventures.

    In 2020, the government prohibited all vape flavors other than tobacco, citing not only the receptiveness of young people to such tastes, but also the risk that sweet-tasting e-cigarettes would encourage people to transition to regular cigarettes.

    According to the court, any gateway effect does not need to be scientifically proven to justify a ban. The harmfulness vaping and the appeal of sweet flavors to young people are sufficient to justify the measure, the judges noted.

    In their appeal, BAT and Nicoventures argued that the measure disrupts the free traffic of goods within the European Union. They also said there was no evidence to suggest that the ban would benefit public health, and they warned that it would discourage smokers from trying to quit cigarettes with the help of e-cigarettes.

    The court, however, ruled that the state has the “political discretion to give more weight to the interests of the youth and of a future smoke-free generation in the context of public health.”

    And while acknowledging that the ban infringes on the free movement of goods, the court noted that this is permitted to protect public health if it is “appropriate, necessary and proportionate.”

  • Philippines Urged to Regulate Flavors

    Philippines Urged to Regulate Flavors

    Photo: Borgwaldt Flavors

    Researchers urged the Philippine government to regulate flavored tobacco and mandate plain packaging, citing the country’s obligation as a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, reports The Manila Times.

    “Historically, tobacco companies have used flavoring agents to enhance the appeal of tobacco consumption, encourage initiation and experimentation of tobacco use, and sustain tobacco use,” researchers of the Ateneo de Manila University were quoted as saying. 

    “However, the Philippines currently does not regulate flavored tobacco products, despite the increasing market shares of flavored tobacco products and novel technologies, such as crushable capsules.”

    In a recent study of 106 cigarette and cigar products, only 62 turned out to have flavor descriptors.

  • California Governor Signs Bill Against Fake Menthols

    California Governor Signs Bill Against Fake Menthols

    Photo: fizkes

    California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills to strengthen enforcement of California’s law ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. On Jan. 1, 2023, California implemented one of United States’ strongest laws prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes.

    In response, tobacco and e-cigarette companies introduced products mimicking the taste and cooling effects of menthol without actually using the prohibited substance.

    The new laws are designed to thwart those initiatives.

    One bill (AB 3218) requires the state Attorney General to establish and maintain a list of unflavored tobacco products, putting the onus on the tobacco industry to demonstrate that a product does not have a flavor and can be legally sold in California.

    The bill also updates the definition of a prohibited “characterizing flavor” to include products that impart a menthol-like cooling sensation, thereby making it illegal to sell the menthol-like cigarettes that tobacco companies introduced to evade California’s prohibition on the sale of menthol cigarettes.

    The second bill (SB 1230) authorizes the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to seize illegal, flavored tobacco products discovered during routine tobacco tax inspections.

  • Trade Group Speaks up for Vape Flavors

    Trade Group Speaks up for Vape Flavors

    Photo: DD Images

    The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) has expressed concern over recent attempts by tobacco control lobbyists to convince the government to ban vape flavors nationwide. According to the trade group, such a ban would have negative public health consequences and undermine Canada’s goal of reducing smoking rates to less than 5 percent by 2035.   

    “We must acknowledge and not ignore that more than 1.5 million adult vapors in Canada use flavored vaping products to stop smoking,” the CVA wrote in a statement.

    “We agree underage youth should not vape; however, more needs to be done through education and providing the necessary tools for parents, teachers, coaches and community members to understand the underlying issues as to why youth are vaping and providing solutions to solve their nicotine dependence.”

    According to the CVA, Canada already has some of the best vape regulations globally, covering labeling, packaging, marketing, promotions, reporting and nicotine concentration limits. The group also urged the tobacco control lobbyist to consider the risks of the illicit market.

    “The bullying tactics of anti-harm reduction lobbyists pressuring Minister Saks and Health Canada to act quickly will only help grow the black market of vaping products,” the CVA wrote. “This will make vaping more accessible to youth at much lower prices and greater risk to their health.”

  • Trump Vows to Save Flavor

    Trump Vows to Save Flavor

    Photo: Alexander

    Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he will save flavored e-cigarettes if reelected, according to Newsmax.

    “I saved flavored vaping in 2019, and it greatly helped people get off smoking,” Trump wrote in a Sept. 20 post on his Truth Social account. “I raised the age to 21, keeping it away from the ‘kids.’ Kamala and Joe want everything banned, killing small businesses all over the country. I’ll save vaping again.”

    In his first term, Trump promised to crack down on sales of flavored products but then backtracked, saying vaping could help people stop smoking. Trump’s watered-down proposal banned the sale of all sweet-flavored and fruity-flavored vape pods and cartridges but allowed gas stations and convenience stores to continue selling menthol cartridges and vapes. It also allowed vape shops to sell a broad range of e-cigarette liquids in open-tank vaping systems.

    Free market advocates and small business vape shop owners and vape makers supported the new proposals while anti-tobacco advocates accused Trump of caving to pressure from the nicotine business.

    VTA’s meeting with President Trump represents a great day for small businesses across America who fear the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to shut down small businesses and deprive adults who smoke of their flavored vaping products.

    Tony Abboud, executive director, VTA

    The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) welcomed Trump’s latest comments.

    “Today, VTA had the opportunity to meet with President Donald J. Trump,” wrote VTA Executive Director Tony Abboud on Sept. 20. “We had a wide-ranging conversation, and we thanked President Trump for taking two bold and decisive actions in 2019: saving flavored vapes for adults and protecting youth by raising the age to 21.

    “Since then, youth vaping has dropped to an all-time low, and many adults have used flavored vaping to quit smoking. VTA’s meeting with President Trump represents a great day for small businesses across America who fear the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to shut down small businesses and deprive adults who smoke of their flavored vaping products. We are pleased that former President Trump is continuing to fight for vapers.”

  • DKiss Menthol Flavoring to Exhibit at Intertabac

    DKiss Menthol Flavoring to Exhibit at Intertabac

    Menthol cigarettes and menthol-flavored heated tobacco sticks are strictly banned in multiple countries, including Canada, Ethiopia, the European Union, Moldova, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and specific regions of the United States like California, the District of Columbia, and Massachusetts.

    In an effort to satisfy menthol consumers, Dekang Biotech Co. Ltd., an established player in the vaping industry, developed the DKiss menthol flavor roll-on. According to the company, the innovative product is set to transform the smoking experience in several ways.

    “It is the easiest way to flavor cigarettes. The DKiss Menthol Flavor Roll-On is distinguished by its innovative roll-on design, ensuring a clean and convenient application process while allowing users to adjust the intensity based on their preferences,” a Dekang representative said.

    The DKiss menthol flavor roll-on can be used with both traditional cigarettes and heated tobacco sticks for heat-not-burn nicotine delivery systems. It caters to a diverse audience by providing a wide variety of flavor options, including flavors specifically designed for individuals sensitive to cigarette odors.

    DKiss menthol roll-on allows smokers to flavor their own cigarettes. In addition to menthol, the Dkiss line offers several other mixed flavors derived from plant extracts, such as loquat and ginseng, blended with menthol. This helps remove the bad breath caused by smoking. It brings the most satisfying fragrance to add a new dimension to your inhalation experience, according to Dekang.

    “This product effectively eradicates cigarette odors and bad breath caused by smoking, serving as a discreet solution for smokers,” the representative said. “Mint enthusiasts will appreciate the refreshing mint flavor variant, which cleverly balances the taste of the cigarette and the unpleasant smell it creates, making it an ideal choice for menthol cigarette lovers.”

    Dekang will showcase its DKiss menthol roll-on brand and its other innovative product lines during the Intertabac industry trade show (booths 5.D14 and 1B.A28), which will be held in Dortmund, Germany, from Sept. 19 – 21, 2024.

  • Irish Minister Proposes Vape Flavor Ban

    Irish Minister Proposes Vape Flavor Ban

    Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly proposed bans on nontobacco vape flavors and advertising in nonspecialized shops, reports The Irish Times. He tabled the suggestions as Ireland’s cabinet approved restrictions on disposable vapes on Sept. 9.

    Donnelly said the proposals are aimed at protecting children. He believes companies are “very cynically” targeting children. The proposed legislation, he said, would see just one flavor, tobacco, being sold.

    “We live in a country where around 13 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 17 have vaped in the last 30 days,” said Taoiseach Simon Harris, who described vaping as “the revenge of the tobacco industry.”

    Minister of State for Public Health Colm Burke said the regulations are necessary because “many people who used vaping products subsequently moved on to smoking.”

  • Lawmakers Act Against ‘Mimic Menthols’

    Lawmakers Act Against ‘Mimic Menthols’

    Photo: niroworld

    The California legislature has passed two bills to strengthen enforcement of the state’s law ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. The legislation must still be signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

    On Jan. 1, 2023, California implemented one of the strongest laws  in the United States prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes. In response, tobacco companies have developed alternative products that provide a similar cooling sensation with a less pronounced flavor. While tobacco companies insisted the such “mimic menthols” complied with state law, critics said they were designed to circumvent California’s rules.

    One of the new bills (AB 3218) requires the state Attorney General to establish and maintain a list of unflavored tobacco products, putting the onus on the tobacco industry to demonstrate that a product does not have a flavor and can be legally sold in California. The bill also updates the definition of a prohibited “characterizing flavor” to include products that impart a menthol-like cooling sensation, thereby making it illegal to sell tobacco companies’ menthol-like cigarettes.

    The second bill (SB 1230) authorizes the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to seize illegal, flavored tobacco products discovered during routine tobacco tax inspections.

    Anti-tobacco activists advocates welcomed the move. “We applaud the California leaders who have championed these bills,” said Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement. “They are ensuring that California’s law works as intended to protect kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity and save lives.”