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Category: Science & Innovation

  • PMI Urges FDA to Educate Doctors on Harm-Reducing Alternatives

    PMI Urges FDA to Educate Doctors on Harm-Reducing Alternatives

    A new white paper from Philip Morris International U.S. (PMI U.S.) warns that many American healthcare providers misunderstand nicotine and tobacco harm reduction, limiting their ability to advise patients on safer alternatives to smoking.

    Survey results cited in the report show that half of medical professionals incorrectly believe nicotine causes cancer, while most are unaware which products are FDA-authorized for reduced harm. The paper stresses that the real health risks come from tobacco combustion, not nicotine itself, and switching to FDA-reviewed smoke-free products can significantly reduce harm for adults who continue to use nicotine.

    PMI U.S. calls on the FDA to actively educate providers, noting that 93% of surveyed doctors want guidance on lower-risk products and 95% would share it with patients. The report highlights that the U.S. is falling behind other countries in offering scientifically validated smoke-free options and emphasizes the need for science-based policy in tobacco harm reduction.

    The white paper is available here.

  • ‘Clear’ E-Cigarettes Linked to Higher Heart Risks

    ‘Clear’ E-Cigarettes Linked to Higher Heart Risks

    A new study suggests that e-cigarettes marketed as “clear” (i.e. less flavorful and potentially not subject to flavor bans) may pose greater cardiovascular risks than other vapes. In the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers reported that “clear vape” users experienced sharper spikes in blood pressure, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure compared with non-users and users of menthol or other flavored products.

    In tests with young adult participants, clear vapers showed nearly 10 mm Hg increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with a 10 beat-per-minute rise in heart rate. Chemical analysis of 19 “clear” products revealed they all contained odorless synthetic cooling agents such as WS-3 or WS-23, and most also included menthol and other flavorings, raising concerns about violations of state flavor bans.

    Researchers said the synthetic additives may make vaping smoother, leading to higher puff volumes and nicotine exposure. They called for more studies to assess the health impact of these chemicals and warned that “clear” products, though marketed as neutral, may in fact deliver more harmful cardiovascular effects.

  • Study: Nicotine-Free Vape Liquids Linked to Fetal Skull Changes in Mice

    Study: Nicotine-Free Vape Liquids Linked to Fetal Skull Changes in Mice

    A new Ohio State University study suggests that even nicotine-free e-cigarette liquids can affect fetal development. Researchers exposed pregnant mice to two common vape humectants—propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG)—at different ratios. Offspring exposed in utero to a “safer” 30/70 PG/VG blend were born lighter and had narrower faces and shorter skulls than those exposed to filtered air or a 50/50 mix.

    “This had no nicotine, and it’s still having effects on the development of the skull in our model, which was not anything we expected,” said lead author James Cray, professor of anatomy. Cray said that propylene glycol has been associated with enhanced nicotine absorption in e-cigarettes, prompting many companies to increase glycerol content in newer formulations in an effort to market them as safer.

    The findings, published in PLOS One, challenge assumptions that high-VG formulations are safer and highlight potential risks for people unaware they are pregnant. Cray said the results underscore the need to study nicotine-free vaping products as closely as those that contain nicotine.

  • Study: Curiosity-Based Messaging Reduces Nicotine Misperceptions

    Study: Curiosity-Based Messaging Reduces Nicotine Misperceptions

    Many Americans still misunderstand nicotine’s role in smoking, with some wrongly believing it causes cancer or isn’t addictive, according to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication and Rutgers University’s Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies.

    In a new Scientific Reports study, researchers focused on three groups of smokers who have “been targeted by the tobacco industry and tend to hold more false beliefs about nicotine” than other populations: Black/African American adults, rural adults, and young adults.

    The study found that messages designed to spark curiosity—such as posing questions or sharing surprising statistics—were more effective at correcting nicotine false beliefs than fact-only statements, though the best approach varied by audience. The findings could help shape public education ahead of a proposed FDA rule to cap nicotine levels in cigarettes, which remain harmful regardless of nicotine content.

  • Study Links Teen Vaping to a Resurgence in Smoking Risk

    Study Links Teen Vaping to a Resurgence in Smoking Risk

    A new study is raising alarms that the decades-long decline in youth smoking could be at risk due to the rise of e-cigarettes. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Michigan, Penn State University, and Purdue University, suggests that teen vaping may be acting as a “gateway” to traditional cigarette use.

    According to the study, teen smoking rates have been in a steep decline since the 1970s, a result of widespread anti-smoking campaigns and stricter regulations. However, the study’s data suggests that for a new generation of youth, those protective measures may be failing.

    The research finds that the probability of a non-vaping teen becoming a regular cigarette smoker is extremely low—less than a 1-in-50 chance. But for a teen who has tried vaping, that risk jumps to more than 1 in 10, and for consistent vapers, the odds rise to nearly 1 in 3.

    The authors of the study, including Jessica Mongilio of the University of Michigan, are using their findings to advocate for stronger regulations on e-cigarette marketing and sales. They believe that building a strong body of evidence is essential to pushing for policy changes that could protect young people from nicotine addiction and prevent a reversal of the hard-won gains against tobacco use.

  • Tobacco Use Linked to Higher Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents: Study

    Tobacco Use Linked to Higher Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents: Study

    A recent study in PLOS Mental Health showed that adolescents who use e-cigarettes or traditional tobacco products have a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety than non-tobacco users.

    The study looked at more than 60,000 U.S. middle school and high school students between 2021 and 2023.

    According to the study, adolescents using tobacco reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety while adolescents using both e-cigarettes and conventional tobacco products showed higher risk of these mental health issues.

    The authors of the study stated that “while causality cannot be determined, the results from this study showed that all forms of tobacco use were significantly associated with mental health issues. There is a need to continue promoting mental health support and implementing tailored interventions to combat all forms of tobacco use among adolescents.”

  • Australian Study Finds Vaping Triples Quit Rate for Smokers

    Australian Study Finds Vaping Triples Quit Rate for Smokers

    A clinical trial by Australia’s National Drug and Alcohol Research Center (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales found that nicotine vapes are significantly more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) like gum or lozenges in helping low-income adults quit smoking.

    The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, followed over 1,000 daily smokers receiving government financial assistance. Participants were randomly assigned vaping products or nicotine gum/lozenges for eight weeks, along with motivational text messages.

    At the six-month mark, 28.4% of vape users had successfully quit smoking compared to 9.6% of those using gum or lozenges. However, the study also noted that 58% of quitters were still using vapes after six months, underscoring the need for ongoing cessation support to eventually wean off vaping as well.

    Lead researcher Dr. Ryan Courtney said the study’s real-world design — allowing participants to choose their own vape devices and e-liquid flavors — contributed to the impressive quit rates.

  • South Korea Expands Use of Mobile ID for Tobacco Purchases

    South Korea Expands Use of Mobile ID for Tobacco Purchases

    In response to a growing number of young adults who carry only smartphones, the South Korean government is promoting the use of its certified mobile identification card for verifying age when purchasing alcohol and tobacco. The mobile ID holds the same legal status as a physical card, and officials say it could boost small business sales by making age verification easier and more accessible.

    The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and HiteJinro announced a campaign in Seoul’s Seocho district to raise awareness among retailers. The initiative includes 1.5 million bottles of Soju labeled with mobile ID promotion and guides for store owners on verifying ID authenticity using anti-counterfeiting features like animated backgrounds and tilt-responsive effects.

    Starting late July, mobile ID access will expand beyond Samsung Wallet to include platforms like KB Star Banking, Naver, NH AllOne Bank, Toss, and KakaoBank.

  • Haypp Partners to Age-Verify Online Sales

    Haypp Partners to Age-Verify Online Sales

    Haypp Group has partnered with Veratad Technologies, a global leader in identity verification, to implement a next-generation compliance system on Haypp’s U.S. e-commerce platforms, Nicokick.com and Northerner.com. The partnership integrates Veratad’s advanced real-time age and identity verification tools to strengthen youth access prevention and regulatory compliance, while maintaining a fast, seamless shopping experience for adult consumers.

    “Age and identity verification isn’t just a compliance checkbox — it’s a fundamental part of who we are as a brand and our ongoing commitment to being a responsible retailer,” said Peter Grafström, President of Haypp Group US. “With Veratad’s technology, we’ve strengthened our position as a trusted leader while launching a best-in-class solution at scale. This is just the beginning and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”

    Haypp operates in seven international markets and sees this move as a major step in its commitment to being a compliance-first, trusted retailer in a fast-changing industry.

  • Study: Nicotine Loop Inhibits Dopamine, Induces Anxiety in Mice

    Study: Nicotine Loop Inhibits Dopamine, Induces Anxiety in Mice

    A recent study published on Nature.com explored how nicotine and ethanol influence dopaminergic activity and anxiety-related behavior through electrophysiology, optogenetics, and behavioral assays in mice. Researchers in France extracted neuronal currents from patch-clamp recordings, identifying signals significantly above noise levels and assessing peak responses following nicotine puffs or optogenetic stimulation. Juxtacellular and whole-cell recorded neurons were post-hoc identified via TH immunohistochemistry to confirm their dopaminergic phenotype.

    Mice showed altered time spent in open arms or traveled distances depending on drug and light conditions. Neuronal firing responses to nicotine and ethanol were quantified in vivo, classifying neurons as excited or inhibited based on significant deviations from baseline, identified using bootstrapping and spike interval shuffling. Correlation analyses explored how ethanol and nicotine modulate overlapping VTA dopamine neuron populations.

    The results highlight the nuanced, bidirectional modulation of VTA dopamine neurons by nicotine and ethanol, with implications for understanding reward, anxiety, and substance co-use.

    Read the entire study here.