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  • North Dakota Votes to Up Taxes on All Nicotine Products

    North Dakota Votes to Up Taxes on All Nicotine Products

    The North Dakota Senate voted 26-21 Monday to raise taxes on tobacco and alternative products. Senate Bill 2281 would raise North Dakota’s cigarette tax from 44 cents per pack to 69 cents, and also impose a 31% tax on the wholesale purchase of cigars and a 28% tax on the wholesale purchase of alternative products.

    North Dakota has not raised taxes on cigarettes in over 30 years and this increase would move the state from the third-lowest to the 10th-lowest state cigarette taxes in the nation. The increases would be used to establish a Tobacco Tax Distribution Fund, which would be slated to provide an estimated $12.9 million in grants to local public health units and $12 million to organizations providing 988 crisis hotline services.

    The bill previously received a 5-1 recommendation to pass from the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee, and now must pass the House and receive the governor’s signature to become law.

  • Chinese E-Cig Maker Wants Case Against Moved to Federal Court

    Chinese E-Cig Maker Wants Case Against Moved to Federal Court

    A Chinese e-cigarette maker has removed to federal court a suit alleging that the battery in one of its products exploded just days before the trial was set to start in Texas state court, according to Mike Curley, writing for Law360. The removal was filed on Feb. 21 with the trial slated to begin Feb. 24.

    Shenzhen IVPS Technology Co. Ltd. filed a notice of removal for the case filed by Michael Herrera, telling the court that it believed Herrera was not intending to present evidence against the Texas-based retail co-defendants named in the suit and therefore there was diversity jurisdiction warranting removal.

    “When a defendant removes the case after a jury has been sworn in, that kind of tells you everything you need to know,” said William R. Ogden of Farrar & Ball LLP, who represents Herrera. “They were scrambling.”

    In the case, initially filed in October 2023, Herrera said he was using an electronic cigarette made by Shenzhen and distributed by TheSY LLC, and included with the purchase a Sony lithium-ion battery bought from PDK Smoke ‘N Vape LLC and imported by Toro Imports. While Herrera was using the device, he said, it exploded and caused severe burns to his eye and face. TheSY has since been dismissed from the suit.

    In its notice of removal, Curley wrote, “Shenzhen said based on Herrera’s trial witness list and other factors, ‘it is abundantly clear that [the] Plaintiff does not intend to put up any evidence against PDK Smoke or Toro Imports at trial scheduled to start next week.’”

    Ogden said he expects the federal court to remand the case to the Harris County District Court.

    Read the full article (requires a subscription).

  • Pakistani Growers Demand Fair Prices

    Pakistani Growers Demand Fair Prices

    In a letter to the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), farmers demanded that the minimum indicative price (MIP) be examined for the upcoming purchasing season. The letter said historically the Economic Coordination Committee kept MIP almost equal to the cost of production (COP), and thus there was virtually no return for the eight months of rigorous labor.

    “Tobacco growers are playing a critical role in the tobacco industry, generating employment for thousands, revenue for the federal government through taxes and foreign exchange from exports,” the letter said. “Therefore, time has come to realize the contribution and hardships of growers.”

    The letter further said there was a dire need for improving the economic condition of growers because if they fail the tobacco industry will collapse and cause unimaginable economic and social loss to the country.

    According to the requirements of tobacco marketing law MLO-487, the average market price should not be less than the previous year. However, the letter noted, that the tobacco marketing law had been flagrantly violated by the companies and that the PTB constantly sided with those companies over the growers.

    Officials of companies said they purchased tobacco according to the price set by the government.

  • Philippines to Align Cigarette and Vape Taxes 

    Philippines to Align Cigarette and Vape Taxes 

    The Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it plans to balance taxes on vape products and traditional cigarettes this year to boost collection. It currently charges P63 ($1.07) in taxes per pack of 20 cigarettes and for every 10 ml of classic nicotine liquids, but other vape devices are charged higher at P109.20 ($1.86) for 2 ml salt nicotine pods. From January to November 2024, the government collected P128.98 billion ($2.2 billion) in taxes from tobacco and P1.35 billion ($23 million) from vape products.

    BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said that aligning tax rates for both products is a priority for the BIR to maximize collections from the tobacco and vape industries. “I think it will happen this year,” he said. “There will be an improvement, and the drag down of excise taxes on tobacco and vape will not be that big.”

    Lumagui also said the BIR will be destroying confiscated cigarettes nationwide, with vape products to be destroyed once they are inventoried.

  • Thai PM Orders Crackdown on E-Cigs

    Thai PM Orders Crackdown on E-Cigs

    Following a raid in Bangkok that seized 3,000 vapor items worth more than 2 million baht ($60,000) over the weekend, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ordered a comprehensive crackdown on e-cigarettes, warning that any officials found complicit will face serious consequences.

    The Thai government’s spokesperson, Jirayu Huangsap, said that the directive comes amid reports of widespread e-cigarette sales and corruption across the country.

     “The Prime Minister has ordered a crackdown on e-cigarettes and urged decisive action against any officials involved,” Jirayu said. “This operation covered just one jurisdiction under the Metropolitan Police Bureau, yet numerous illegal vendors were found operating openly.”

    Jirayu said shops selling the products were not concealed but operated openly on streets with eye-catching displays, making it unlikely that local police patrols would overlook them. He also said some of the shops were operating near schools, with reports suggesting certain officials had accepted bribes to turn a blind eye to these activities.

     “In areas where arrests are made by other agencies, local police must be investigated to determine whether negligence or involvement in bribery is a factor, similar to when illegal gambling dens are discovered in their jurisdictions,” Jirayu said. “I have already reported this to the Royal Thai Police. If commanding officers fail to take action, the problem will persist. The situation has escalated to the point where potent drugs are being mixed into e-cigarettes, resulting in youth fatalities, including cases of lung perforation.”

  • Researchers Developing App to Detect Starch in Tobacco Leaves

    Researchers Developing App to Detect Starch in Tobacco Leaves

    Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China have developed a low-cost, immediate, general, and high-throughput (LIGHt) total starch determination of plant leaves using smartphone colorimetry. The performance of LIGHt smartphone colorimetry repeatedly provided significant consistency compared with traditional spectrophotometry detection, which can be easily transferred into a portable, low-cost, Android-based handheld device for convenient colorimetric measurements.

    The LIGHt smartphone colorimetry returned an average relative error of 5.74%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) ranging from 2.58 to 4.31%, a detection limit of 1.53 µg/mL, and an average recovery rate of 95.72%. 

    “While there is still slightly lower detection precision compared to traditional spectroscopic instruments like microplate readers, the method has proven its feasibility for rapid detection of starch content in tobacco powder and its potential for on-site testing in the tobacco industry due to its good reproducibility and stability,” researchers wrote. “The method does not require complex laboratory equipment or professional personnel to operate, enabling rapid on-site testing. Furthermore, the LIGHt smartphone colorimetry for starch detection resulted in a BAGI score of 80, reflecting its alignment with green chemistry principles and its high practicality.

    “The results showed that the LIGHt smartphone colorimetry is expected to effectively improve the efficiency of real-time monitoring of tobacco leaf quality. The proposed method greatly reduces detection costs and operational complexity. The LIGHt total starch determination can be extended to the detection of starch content in fruits, vegetables, and other foods.”

    Read the entire report here.

  • Study: Pneuma’s New Delivery System Free of Concerning Compounds

    Study: Pneuma’s New Delivery System Free of Concerning Compounds

    Pneuma Respiratory announced the results of its study examining the aerosol composition of various nicotine delivery devices. The study highlights the absence of concerning heavy metals and organic compounds in Pneuma’s innovative, non-heated reduced-risk nicotine delivery system, reinforcing the company’s scientific leadership and commitment to harm reduction.

    “These findings provide scientific evidence that Pneuma’s approach to reduced-risk nicotine delivery is fundamentally different, indicating a possibly lower health risk product compared to conventional inhalation methods,” the company wrote.

    The study compared the presence of concerning compounds in the emissions of different nicotine inhalation devices. The compounds of interest included heavy metals such as chromium, nickel, lead, and arsenic, as well as harmful organic compounds like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene.

    • Pneuma’s device, using 1.8% nicotine solution and non-heated technology, did not produce quantifiable levels of any tested heavy metals or organic compounds.
    • Another vape device, using 1.8% nicotine solution and heated technology, emitted quantifiable levels of copper, nickel, and zinc, along with acetaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl, and formaldehyde.
    • A heat-not-burn device (tobacco sticks with heated technology) did not generate quantifiable levels of heavy metals but produced quantifiable levels of all tested organic compounds.

    “These findings provide scientific evidence that Pneuma’s approach to reduced-risk nicotine delivery is fundamentally different, indicating a possibly lower health risk product compared to conventional inhalation methods,” said Matthew Culpepper, principal study investigator at Pneuma Respiratory. “Our goal is to provide a scientifically sound alternative for adult nicotine users who are looking for a reduced-risk option.”

  • Vape Group Files to Halt KY E-Cigarette Law

    Vape Group Files to Halt KY E-Cigarette Law

    Three vapor groups filed an injunction Friday (Feb. 21) urging the Sixth Circuit to halt enforcement of Kentucky’s new H.B. 11 law regulating vaping products while their appeal plays out. The Vapor Technology Association, E-Town Marketing & Distributing LLC and Legendary Vapes Inc. brought an action in Kentucky federal court in December alleging that H.B. 11 was preempted by the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and that Kentucky was attempting to usurp regulatory authority that belonged to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, wrote Sam Reisman for Law360.

    The plaintiffs said that a lower district court judge erred in dismissing their suit challenging Kentucky’s law and renewed at the appellate level their effort to block the policy’s implementation, claiming it will cause them irreparable damage.

    “HB 11 continues to wreak havoc on vapor-product wholesalers and retailers in the Commonwealth,” the motion said. “Compliance with HB 11 requires removal of most (and nearly all of the most popular) products from the shelf on threat of ever-mounting penalties imposed illegally by the Commonwealth under a preempted State law.

    “HB 11 interferes with FDA’s exclusive enforcement authority and discretion by allowing the Commonwealth of Kentucky to exercise that authority,” Friday’s motion said. “This is the epitome of conflict preemption.”

    U.S. District Judge Karen K. Caldwell dismissed the action for lack of standing in January, without ruling on the plaintiffs’ bid for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, according to Reisman. The plaintiffs told the Sixth Circuit on Friday that it would be “impracticable” to seek an injunction from the district court, given that the court had already tossed the suit.

    The vaping interests alleged that they were likely to succeed on the merits of their preemption challenge to H.B. 11, which bans the sale of “unauthorized” e-cigarettes in Kentucky but pegs its definition of what is “authorized” to the FDA standards.

  • France Bans Disposable E-Cigarettes 

    France Bans Disposable E-Cigarettes 

    Today (Feb25), France officially banned the sale, distribution, and free provision of pre-filled and non-refillable vaping devices. It does not apply to refillable cartridges. Previously passed unanimously by France’s Parliament on Feb. 13, the law aims to curb youth nicotine use and reduce waste, Le Parisien reported.

    Proposed by former Green Party Deputy Francesca Pasquini, the ban follows two years of legislative work, including consultations with the European Commission. Lawmakers criticized the disposable devices for targeting young consumers with sweet flavors, colorful packaging, and low prices.

    The ban comes as global concerns grow over the popularity of e-cigarettes and similar devices, which are often marketed as safer alternatives to traditional smoking.

  • Illicit U.S. Vape Sales at $2.4 Billion for 2024

    Illicit U.S. Vape Sales at $2.4 Billion for 2024

    Sales of illicit, flavored disposable vapes in the United States accounted for 35% of the e-cigarettes sold in convenience stores and supermarkets in 2024, according to Reuters. The $2.4 billion in sales marks a considerable improvement over 2023’s $3.2 billion.

    The research comes from a source at Circana, which could not confirm the data as it is not officially public yet. The company’s data only tracks sales in certain channels such as convenience stores but does not capture vape sales made online, in independent stores, or specialty vape outlets.

    Circana told Reuters that it estimated the entire vape market it tracks to be $6.8 billion last year.