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  • Senate Confirms New FDA Commissioner

    Senate Confirms New FDA Commissioner

    Last week the U.S. Senate confirmed former Johns Hopkins surgeon and professor Dr. Marty Makary to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by a 56-44 vote. During his confirmation hearing, Makary said his goals for the agency were “more cures and meaningful treatments for Americans,” and offered several insights as to how he would achieve those goals throughout the hearing.  

    In the past, Makary has been critical of the FDA, in 2021 calling for “fresh leadership at the FDA to change the culture at the agency and promote scientific advancement, not hinder it.” Reporting to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Makary’s leadership of the FDA also includes its Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). However, it’s not yet clear how he will approach CTP’s looming issues of reviewing premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs), the illicit vape market, and other tobacco-related issues.

    Much of the confirmation hearing centered around past problems, including those with Covid-19 vaccines, the pharmaceutical industry, and various other issues that have often gained headlines of late, but he did not commit to specifics in that venue.

    “I have no preconceived plans on mifepristone policy except to take a hard look at the data and to meet with the professional career scientists at the FDA who have reviewed the data,” he said at his hearing. “We now have a generational opportunity in American healthcare. President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s focus on healthy foods has galvanized a grassroots movement in America. Childhood obesity is not a willpower problem, and the rise of early-onset Alzheimer’s is not a genetic cause. We should be, and we will, be addressing food as it impacts our health.”

    When asked about the backlog of cases the FDA has across all departments, Makary did not rule out leveraging artificial intelligence and making other regulatory changes to streamline the drug review process. He suggested FDA reviewers could use AI “to help reviewers in the review process—not to replace human reviews, but to improve efficiency.”

    National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) Executive Director David Spross told CSP on Friday that “NATO looks forward to working with Dr. Makary and the team at FDA on tobacco and nicotine product regulatory issues, including for the FDA is to support tobacco harm reduction policies by authorizing more PMTA vapor and nicotine pouch product applications that provide adult smokers with more choices.”

    Spross added that there is a “need for more transparency from the agency by providing retailers more information on illicit products, specifically in the vapor and nicotine pouch categories.”

    Makary is a surgical oncologist and health policy researcher who has spent more than 20 years at Johns Hopkins.

    “I am pleased to congratulate Dr. Makary on his new role as FDA commissioner,” said Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels. “We are fortunate to have one of our senior faculty members at the School of Medicine undertake this critical service to the nation.

    “An accomplished clinician and widely published health policy researcher, Dr. Makary has had a storied career at Johns Hopkins that reflects the research and clinical acumen and openness to different ideas and approaches undergirded by academic freedom that are the hallmark of our great institution,” said Daniels.

    Makary founded the Johns Hopkins Center for Surgical Trials and Outcomes Research and co-developed a surgical safety checklist used in operating rooms worldwide. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and three New York Times bestselling books on healthcare.

    Senate also confirmed Jay Bhattacharya as the new director of the National Institutes on Health.

  • Farmers Encouraged to Focus on Quality

    Farmers Encouraged to Focus on Quality

    Tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe have been encouraged to prioritize crop quality in order to combat expected price decreases, according to The Herald.

    The 2025 tobacco marketing season is expected to see an increase in production due to favorable weather conditions, expanded hectarage, and an increase in farmers. However, the anticipated increase in supply along with other global market dynamics are expected to put downward pressure on prices, especially for middle-grade to low-grade leaf.

    “China, the world’s largest tobacco producer and consumer, continues to show strong demand for top-end grades, which may help stabilize prices for high-quality tobacco,” said Tapiwa Masedza, a tobacco trading expert.

    “While the increased production is a positive development, farmers must brace for potential price declines,” Masedza said. “To mitigate these challenges, we emphasize the importance of improving crop quality through better handling, curing, and presentation. Mixing grades in bales, excessive moisture, and moldy tobacco can lead to discounts or rejections, ultimately affecting profitability.

    “In the long term, farmers are encouraged to invest in energy-efficient curing infrastructure, adopt precision farming techniques, and implement improved agronomic practices.

    “These measures can help reduce operating costs, enhance yield, and ensure better returns despite fluctuating prices.”

    The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board is developing a new price matrix for contract tobacco sales in order to establish a more representative minimum price for the marketing season. The new system is expected to be implemented in the upcoming selling season beginning April 5.

    Under the new system, the day’s minimum price will be based on the previous day’s average price of all tobacco sold, at auction and through contract, across all grades.

    Tobacco is Zimbabwe’s largest single foreign currency earner following gold.

  • Smoking Increases in Croatia

    Smoking Increases in Croatia

    The number of smokers in Croatia is increasing, according to Croatia Week, citing a study from January 2025 carried out by JA Trgovac magazine and Hendal, a global market research agency.

    The study showed that 37 percent of people used tobacco products in January of this year, four percentage points higher than the previous year. In two years, the number of tobacco users has increased by 12 percent.

    Of all tobacco users, 74 percent smoke cigarettes, an increase of 6 percent from January 2023.

    Hrvatski Duhani, a BAT-owned company, purchased more than 4,500 tonnes of tobacco last year from 250 growers in the Podravina and Slavonia regions, marking a 41 percent increase from 2023. According to Hrvatski Duhani, the company paid tobacco producers more than €20 million last year.

  • Taiwan: Legislator Criticizes Enforcement of E-Cig Ban

    Taiwan: Legislator Criticizes Enforcement of E-Cig Ban

    Since the March 2023 amendment to Taiwan’s Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which prohibits the sale, demonstration, and use of e-cigarettes, enforcement has been notably insufficient, according to one Taiwanese legislator. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wan Mei-ling highlighted that out of 500,000 e-cigarette-related cases, only 1,247 resulted in fines—a mere 0.25%.

    The fines issued include 251 for selling e-cigarettes, 619 for selling heated tobacco devices, and 404 for illegal use. Additionally, between July and September 2024, authorities confiscated 681 “zombie vapes” containing the anesthetic etomidate, averaging 227 per month. Etomidate, classified as a Category 2 narcotic, poses significant health risks, including adrenal insufficiency and impaired concentration, potentially leading to accidents.

    Wan[MM1]  emphasized the health dangers of e-cigarettes, particularly for adolescents, citing risks to brain development, lung damage, and increased cancer susceptibility. She called for enhanced inspections and public awareness campaigns to mitigate the societal impact of e-cigarettes and associated substances.

    In response, the Executive Yuan [MM2] reported that the High Prosecutors’ Office convened meetings with relevant ministries to discuss e-cigarette prevention and control. Efforts include intensified investigations into e-cigarettes laced with illegal drugs, collaboration with e-commerce and social media platforms to identify sellers, suspension of illegal websites, and tracking financial transactions to enforce the ban more effectively.

     [MM1]Is that the proper way to do the name?

     [MM2]Who? IS that a full name?

  • Belgium First in EU to Ban Disposable Vapes

    Belgium First in EU to Ban Disposable Vapes

    Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations.

    Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the inexpensive e-cigarettes had turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine.

    “Disposable e-cigarettes is a new product simply designed to attract new consumers,” he said in an interview, according to NPR.

    Because they are disposable, the plastic, battery and circuits are a burden on the environment. On top of that, “they create hazardous waste chemicals still present in what people throw away,” Vandenbroucke said, adding that he wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc.

    “We are really calling on the European Commission to come forward now with new initiatives to update, to modernize, the tobacco legislation,” he said.

    There is an understanding of Belgium’s decision, even in some shops selling electronic cigarettes, and especially on the environmental issue.

    Once the cigarette is empty, “the battery is still working. That’s what is terrible, is that you could recharge it, but you have no way of recharging it,” said Steven Pomeranc, owner of the Brussels Vapotheque shop. “So you can imagine the level of pollution it creates.”

    A ban usually means a financial loss to the industry, but Pomeranc thinks it will not hurt too much.

    “We have a lot of alternative solutions which are also very easy to use,” he said. “Like this pod system, which are pre-filled with liquid, which can just be clipped into the rechargeable e-cigarette. So we will simply have a shift of clients towards this new system.”

  • On Jan. 1, New Illinois Vape Laws go Into Effect

    On Jan. 1, New Illinois Vape Laws go Into Effect

    New Illinois laws that go into effect Jan. 1, will place more restrictions on electronic cigarettes.

    One law prohibits the advertising, marketing or promoting of an electronic cigarette in a manner that is likely to cause a person to mistake it for an object that is anything other than what it is, a tobacco product.

    State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, said some e-cigarettes are designed to look like school supplies, like highlighters, erasers and pencil sharpeners.

    “This law will prohibit tobacco companies from pulling the wool over the eyes of educators and guardians whose job it is to keep kids safe,” said Morrison.

    Elizabeth Hicks with the Consumer Choice Center said the assault on vaping may push some Illinoisans back to regular combustible cigarettes, leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab, according to media reports.

    “Taxpayers unfortunately also suffer in addition to consumers,” said Hicks. “The annual Medicaid costs for smoking-related illnesses in Illinois is over $2 billion, which is one of the highest throughout the country.”

    Another law prohibits electronic cigarettes purchased by mail, online or through other remote sale methods from being shipped to anyone in the state other than a distributor or retailer.

  • Vaporesso Launches First-Ever Solar Vape

    Vaporesso Launches First-Ever Solar Vape

    Vapporesso launched its Pure Power For All” global eco-empowerment initiative—a testament to the company’s commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and promoting sustainable lifestyles worldwide.

    At the center of this initiative lies the industry’s first solar-powered open-system vape—ECO NANO SOLAR. Crafted from 70% eco-conscious materials, the innovative device features a modular structure with interchangeable components, extending product life while promoting resource efficiency and long-term sustainability, according to a press release.

    This pioneering eco-innovation combines degradable photovoltaic technology with a recyclable modular design. Its solar panel achieves quality light-to-electricity efficiency and is over 80% biodegradable, advancing clean energy adoption while significantly reducing environmental impact, according to the release.

    With the ECO NANO SOLAR, Vaporesso sets a new standard for sustainability in the vaping industry, inspiring a broader shift toward eco-conscious practices and paving the way for a greener future in vaping and beyond.

  • Wang: Global Trade Tariffs in Vaping

    Wang: Global Trade Tariffs in Vaping

    The vaping industry has always faced its share of challenges—from shifting regulatory landscapes to evolving consumer preferences. However, a few factors significantly threaten the industry’s future, such as the impact of global trade tariffs. With the United States set to increase tariffs on Chinese imports, companies that fail to adapt could face skyrocketing costs, disrupted supply chains, and a diminished ability to compete in one of the world’s largest markets.

    Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have been escalating for several years. The vaping industry, which relies heavily on hardware manufactured in China, is particularly vulnerable to these developments. Currently, vaping products imported from China face a 25% tariff, but there is a high likelihood that this could double or even increase to 100% under future U.S. administrations.

    For vaping companies, such tariff hikes mean the cost of importing devices could skyrocket. A 100% tariff would effectively double the cost of hardware produced in China, driving up retail prices for all such products in the U.S. market. This scenario threatens the financial viability of vaping companies and the availability of affordable, high-quality products for consumers.

    The Strategic Decision to Move Manufacturing to Malaysia

    Recognizing the potential for increasing tariffs and broader geopolitical challenges, some vaping manufacturers began shifting their operations from China to other countries. Such decisions were never made lightly. China has long been a global leader in manufacturing efficiency with a robust infrastructure and supply-chain network,, and moving away from such an established infrastructure posed significant logistical and operational challenges.

    Malaysia offered several key advantages to manufacturers. Firstly, Malaysia enjoys favorable trade agreements with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. For instance, starting in December 2024, a new free trade agreement between Malaysia and the U.K. took effect, eliminating tariffs on products moving between the two countries. Similar agreements are in place or in development with other major markets.

    Secondly, Malaysia’s robust manufacturing ecosystem and skilled workforce make it an ideal location for high-quality production. By establishing operations in Malaysia, companies can continue to deliver reliable, innovative hardware without the added burden of excessive tariffs.

    The Broader Impact on the Global Supply Chain

    The shift to Malaysia reflects a broader trend in global manufacturing. As trade barriers between the U.S. and China grow, a widespread redistribution of manufacturing operations is underway. Companies across industries—not just vaping—are reevaluating their supply chains to reduce dependence on any single country.

    This global redistribution of resources presents both challenges and opportunities. For manufacturers, the challenge lies in building new infrastructure, securing reliable suppliers, and maintaining quality control in unfamiliar territories. However, companies that successfully navigate these changes benefit from more resilient supply chains, reduced geopolitical risk, and greater flexibility in responding to market shifts.

    Maintaining Compliance and Quality Standards

    Shifting manufacturing bases also brings new compliance considerations. Regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTAs) for vaping devices. These applications are tied to specific manufacturing facilities, meaning that changing production locations requires amendments to existing PMTAs or new submissions.

    Manufacturers must ensure that new facilities meet the highest quality and compliance standards. Proactively managing these regulatory requirements ensures that products remain market-ready even as production locations change.

    The Future of the Vaping Industry Amid Trade Challenges

    Looking ahead, it’s clear that trade tariffs and global manufacturing shifts are not short-term challenges. Regardless of who occupies the White House, protectionist trade policies are likely to persist or even intensify. The vaping industry must be prepared for this new reality.

    Companies that fail to diversify their manufacturing operations face mounting costs and increasing vulnerability to trade disruptions. On the other hand, those who invest in flexible, resilient supply chains will be well-positioned to thrive.

    The vaping industry is at a crossroads. Global trade tariffs pose a significant threat, but they also offer an opportunity for companies to rethink their supply chains and build more resilient operations. For manufacturers, shifting production from China to countries like Malaysia is not just a reactive measure—it’s a strategic move to secure long-term growth and competitiveness.

    As the industry moves forward, companies that adapt to these challenges will be the ones that lead the way. The ability to anticipate trade disruptions, embrace innovation and maintain rigorous quality standards will determine who succeeds in this ever-evolving market.

    As co-CEO of Ispire Technology Inc., Michael Wang is a leader in the development and commercialization of vaping technology and precision dosing. Previously, he served in executive roles at The Pharm/Sunday Goods, Onestop Commerce, Zazzle, and Honeywell.

  • GSTHR Report Finds Vapes Help Smokers Quit

    GSTHR Report Finds Vapes Help Smokers Quit

    The latest Briefing Paper from the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), a project from public health agency Knowledge·Action·Change (KAC), focuses on Aotearoa New Zealand’s remarkable journey towards “smokefree” status.

    “Pro-consumer laws and an endorsement for vaping: why smoking is disappearing in Aotearoa New Zealand” tells the story of the country’s rapid and growing embrace of vaping, which overtook smoking in 2022, and provides another vital case study showcasing the potential of tobacco harm reduction through the adoption of safer nicotine products (SNP), following recent GSTHR Briefing Papers on Japan and the United Kingdom. This country profile also features in The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2024: A Situation Report published last month.

    While Aotearoa, New Zealand, had been experiencing falling smoking rates for the last 50 years, this decline gathered pace following the widespread adoption and, in 2018, the legalization of nicotine vaping products. Thanks to the Government’s step change in vaping policy, Aotearoa New Zealand now has a considerable chance of reaching its “Smokefree 2025” goal, a designation indicating that smoking prevalence has been reduced to below 5%.

    David MacKintosh, a director for KAC, said the Briefing Paper explores the rapid trajectory of Aotearoa New Zealand’s progress in reducing smoking, the approaches that have underpinned this, and the lessons that can be learned.

    “By embracing vaping as a tool for smoking cessation, policymakers are accelerating the transition away from cigarettes and their associated harms,” he said. “More needs to be done in addressing high smoking rates in some groups, notably among Māori communities, which contributes significantly to health disparities in the country. However, the experiences and success of Aotearoa New Zealand provide food for thought for many other countries seeking to tackle smoking.”

    This would be a remarkable achievement given the smoking rate in 1976 was 40% for men and 32% for women. This has now fallen to the point where only 8.3% of adults smoked in 2023. In the same year 11.9% of adults vaped in the country, up from 1.4% in 2016. But while the overall smoking figures are low, they mask much higher rates within some communities. Daily smoking prevalence for Maori, who make up 16% of the country’s population, was 17.1% in 2022/2023, which is in stark contrast to the 6.1% rate for people of European descent.

    Alongside regulatory oversight of vaping products to ensure quality and safety, a key factor has been the proactive encouragement of vaping as a tool for smoking cessation by the Government. The Ministry of Health has provided official resources for people looking to stop smoking with the help of vaping. Smokefree New Zealand, a smoking cessation resource run by the country’s publicly funded healthcare service Health New Zealand, has stated that “using vaping products is a legitimate option for those people who are trying to quit smoking”.

    Through the Vaping Facts website, the Ministry of Health of New Zealand and Health New Zealand have also emphasized the Cochrane Review’s position that vaping is significantly safer than smoking.

    Aotearoa New Zealand’s attitude to vaping is in direct contrast to its neighbor Australia, which has heavily restricted the availability of SNP by making nicotine available only in pharmacies. Australia has sought to reduce significantly the availability of safer nicotine products, which has led to the proliferation of a thriving black market in the absence of a legal market. Meanwhile, with its broadly supportive public health messaging, Aotearoa New Zealand has enabled consumers to make positive changes in their own volition, enabling them to switch from smoking to safer products.

    These differences in approach have resulted in a marked difference in smoking rates between the two countries, with Australia’s smoking prevalence plateaued in recent years after many years of steady decline. Indeed, the current smoking prevalence for Australians aged 14 and over has only fallen slightly in the last five years, from 12.8% in 2018 to 11.8% in 2023.

    It should be noted that Aotearoa New Zealand’s attitude towards vaping is not mirrored for all SNP. While heated tobacco products are also legal, the sale of both snus and nicotine pouches is banned. Still, as this Briefing Paper shows, Government and public health organizations in Aotearoa, New Zealand, working with consumers, have highlighted the crucial role that vaping can play in reducing smoking.

    The country has demonstrated its ability to enact pro-consumer legislation effectively, and its consistent endorsement of some safer nicotine products has been a key component of its stop-smoking strategy. Central to this has been consumers, who have established a demand for safer products and proven to the Government that these products can and will exist despite initial legislative opposition.

  • Zimbabwe to Phase Out Ethylene Dibromide

    Zimbabwe to Phase Out Ethylene Dibromide

    The Kutsaga Tobacco Research Center in Zimbabwe announced the phaseout of ethylene dibromide (EDB) effective Dec. 31.

    In a notice to the industry, Kutsaga said the measure was necessary to ensure that the country’s leaf tobacco meets international standards. More than 90 percent of Zimbabwe’s tobacco crop is exported.

    “No person shall treat any tobacco with a remedy which is not registered nor reap of offer for sale any tobacco treated with nonregistered remedy,” the notice read. “Furthermore, any tobacco so treated will be destroyed without compensation to the grower.”

    Zimbabwean tobacco farmers have used the agrochemical for soil fumigation for many years. According to Kutsaga, there are several alternative nematicides and soil formulations available for nematode control. The research station is also evaluating new active ingredients.

    EDB joins a growing list of banned fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides and insecticides in Zimbabwe. Other prohibited chemicals include benomyl, butralin and alachlor.

    The agrochemical’s discontinuation notice comes as the Zimbabwean tobacco sector anticipates record-breaking tobacco yields for the 2024–2025 growing season, thanks to heightened prospects of good rainfalls due to the La Nina weather phenomenon.