Tag: France

  • France Declares War on Cigarette Litter

    France Declares War on Cigarette Litter

    Photo: ymgerman

    France wants to reduce the number of discarded cigarette butts in the environment by 40 percent within six years, reports DPA International, citing government officials.

    Every year, smokers toss an estimated 23.5 billion cigarettes into the country’s streets and parks.

    The French environment ministry wants tobacco companies to help solve the problem. A recycling and anti-waste law passed last year requires them to take responsibility for their products after their “end of life.”

    The tobacco industry will pay €80 million ($93.8 million) per year to a newly created institution that will allocate the money to projects aimed at eliminating cigarette butts and raising awareness, the ministry said.

    The ministry also wants to distribute pocket ashtrays, set up more cigarette-only trash bins and establish new collection and recycling systems for cigarette butts.

    According to the latest EU statistics, smokers account for 22.4 percent of the French population.

  • ‘Smoke Locally’ Law Tabled in France

    ‘Smoke Locally’ Law Tabled in France

    Photo: Olrat | Dreamstime.com

    French Parliament member Bruno Fuchs recently introduced a draft bill proposing that cigarettes must be consumed in the same country that they were purchased. According to Fuchs, about one-third of the 54 billion cigarettes consumed in France were purchased abroad by either legal or illicit means.

    Of primary concern are cigarettes purchased in Luxembourg by French travelers and brought home. The difference in price of a pack of cigarettes in France and Luxembourg is €3 ($3.68). If Fuchs’s measure is approved, France could generate about €2 billion in additional tax revenue.

  • Juul Labs to Exit South Korea, Five EU Markets

    Juul Labs to Exit South Korea, Five EU Markets

    Juul Labs said today it would end operations in South Korea, a year after it entered the market. The company states the cause was its inability to gain market share amid government health warnings.

    In a statement, Juul Labs stated that since the beginning of the year it was working through a restructuring process aimed a re-establishing a viable business in South Korea by significantly reducing costs and making changes to its products.

    “However, these innovations will not be available as anticipated,” the statement said. “As a result, we intend to cease our operations in South Korea.”

    In October last year, South Korea’s health ministry advised people to stop vaping because of growing health concerns, especially after a case of pneumonia was reported in a 30-year-old e-cigarette user that month, according to Reuters news article.

    The announcement prompted convenience store chains and duty free shops to suspend the sale of flavored liquid e-cigarettes, including those made by Juul Labs.

    In December, South Korean health authorities said they had found vitamin E acetate, which may be linked to lung illnesses, in some liquid e-cigarette products made by Juul Labs, but the company denied using the material, according to Reuters.

    Juul Labs launched a product portfolio that was specifically developed for the Korean market in May 2019, but “our performance has not met expectations in terms of meeting the needs of our Korean adult smokers to successfully transition from combustible cigarettes,” according to the statement. “We have learned through this process and are focused on innovating our product portfolio.”

    Juul Labs is also reportedly ready to withdraw from a handful of EU markets as well, claiming the regulatory environment has become overly hostile to the device.

    According to BuzzFeed News, Juul will soon remove its products from shelves in Austria, Belgium, Portugal, France, and Spain.

    The news outlet reports the European Union’s strict requirement that e-cigs contain no more than 20 milligrams of nicotine makes it difficult for Juul to do business there.

    Austria, Belgium, and Portugal are very small markets for Juul, but the leading e-cig manufacturer generates significant sales from France and Spain. It will exit France by the end of the year, but withdraw from the other countries in July, paring its presence in global markets to a narrow selection that includes Germany, Italy, Russia, and the U.K.

  • CORESTA reporting

    CORESTA reporting

    The CORESTA (Co-operation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco) Secretariat has given details of the publications it has recently published and the projects it has launched.

    The following documents have been published and can be downloaded from the Documents section of the CORESTA website at www.coresta.org.

    • Guide No. 5 “Technical Guideline for Pesticide Residues Analysis on Tobacco & Tobacco Products (includes Technical Notes)” updated
      (2018-10-17) (AA-099-CTG-05)
    • Technical Note #001 “Maleic Hydrazide” updated
      (2018-10-17) (AA-185-CTN0001)
    • Report “Inter-Laboratory Comparison Test Measuring Total NNAL in Human Urine”
      (2018-11-13) (BMK-092-CTR)
    • Report “Study of the Short-Term Variability of Commercial Cigarettes through Select Cigarette Constituent Testing”
    • (2018-09-19) (CVAR-081-CTR)
    • Report “Study of the Medium-Term Variability of Commercial Cigarettes through Select Cigarette Constituent Testing”
      (2019-01-09) (CVAR-082-CTR)
    • Report “4th Round Robin Test for Air Permeability Calibration Standards”
      (2018-10-08) (PTM-022-CTR)
    • Report “13th Round Robin Test for Multi-Capillary Pressure Drop Calibration Standards (2017/2018)”
      (2019-01-25) (PTM-159-CTR)
    • Report “11th Collaborative Study (2018) for Physical Parameters of Cigarettes and Filters”
      (2018-12-05) (PTM-167-CTR)
    • Guide No. 4 “A User Guideline for the Measurement of Pressure Drop of Cigarettes and Cigarette Filter Rods” updated
      (2019-01-11) (PTM-192-CTG-04)
    • Method No. 53 “Determination of Paper Wrapper Burn Speed” updated
      (2019-01-29) (PTM-201-CRM-53)
    • Method No. 78 “Determination of Selected Phenolic Compounds in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke by HPLC-FLD” updated
      (2018-12-05) (SMA-194-CRM-78)
    • Report “Collaborative Study on the Suitability of Certain Substrates for the Ignition Propensity Test According to ISO12863:2010”
      (2019-01-10) (RAC-106-CTR)
    • Report “2018 Collaborative Study of CORESTA Monitor 8 (CM8) and 9 (CM9) for the Determination of Test Piece Weight, TPM, Water, Nicotine, NFDPM, Carbon Monoxide and Puff Count Obtained under Mainstream ‘ISO’ and ‘Intense’ Smoking Regimes”
      (2019-02-05) (RAC-187-CTR)
    • Method No. 63 “Determination of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines in Cigarette Mainstream Smoke – GC-TEA Method” updated
      (2019-01-10) (SMA-163-CRM-63)
    • Guide No. 23 “Placement of Data Loggers in Air-cured Barns and Data Logger Maintenance”
      (2019-02-05) (TSNA-034-CTG-23)
    • Report “2018 Collaborative Study for the Determination of Water Activity of Tobacco and Tobacco Products”
      (2019-01-07) (TTPA-172-2-CTR)
    • Method No. 88 “Determination of Nicotine in Tobacco Products by GC/MS”
      (2019-01-07) (TTPA-172-3-CTR)

    NEW PROJECTS
    A full list of active projects is available on the CORESTA website under the
    Study Groups/Active Projects section:

    • Project 190: Consumer Reported Outcome Measures (CROM) Consortium Task Force (approved)
    • Project 196: AA SG – Statement by AA SG related to ISO Resolution No. 94: ISO 4876 – MH analysis (completed)
    • Project 197: PTM SG – 14th Round Robin Test on Pressure Drop Calibration Standards
    • Project 198: SMA SG – 2018 Cigar Collaborative Study: Smoke BaP and TSNAs
    • Project 200: COR – Sustainability Goals and Scientific Methodologies for Impact Assessment
    • Project 201: PTM SG – Editorial revision of CRM 53 (Determination of Paper Wrapper Burn Speed) (completed)
    • Project 202:  COR – Presentation at Next Generation Nicotine Delivery 2018 Conference in London, November 2018 (completed)
    • Project 203: EVAP SG – Presentation at the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Conference (ENDS 2019) in London, UK, June 2019
    • Project 204: PTM SG – 12th Collaborative Study on Physical Parameters
    • Project 205: AA SG – 15th FAPAS CPA Analysis Proficiency Test – 2019
    • Project 206: SMA SG – Systematic Review of CRM 83
    • Project 207: RFT SG – Residue Field Trials – 3rd 3-year cycle
    • Project 208: GMO SG – 6th Proficiency Test for Detection of Transgenic Tobacco

    OTHER PUBLICATIONS

    Reference Products: CM9 Use and Conditions
    (2019-02-05)

  • HNB scientific workshop

    HNB scientific workshop

    A one-day workshop on heated-tobacco products is due to be hosted by CORESTA (Co-operation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco) in Paris, France, on March 26.

    The workshop will discuss a range of issues related to these products and set up a road map for further CORESTA activities in this area.

    A press note announcing the workshop said the interest in new nicotine delivery products had increased significantly during the past decade.

    ‘Recently, among these products, those using heated-tobacco technologies have come to the forefront of discussions within the scientific, health and regulatory communities,’ the note said. ‘Studies have been published, but there are still different scientific opinions, based on different approaches. Therefore, further work remains to be conducted to provide better understanding of all issues, and robust data produced to assist to make science-based decisions in terms of devices, components and product use patterns.

    ‘Regarding heated-tobacco products (HTP), also known as tobacco-heated, heat-not-burn or non-combusted tobacco products, an interest from many CORESTA members and non-members is growing to embrace these new alternatives to conventional cigarettes. This is why CORESTA, six years after a similar situation with electronic cigarettes, which eventually led to the first vaping industry international standard, considered that it should capitalize on its global scientific expertise in helping with the understanding and characterization of these products, in co-operation with all interested and relevant stakeholders.

    ‘After an open-discussion held on the topic during the CORESTA Congress in Kunming, China, October 2018, a one-day workshop will be convened on March 26, 2019, in Paris, France, to discuss a range of issues related to these products and to set up a road map for further CORESTA activities in this regard.’

    Registration is open to all interested parties.

    More information is available on the CORESTA website.

  • Paris off the smoking map

    Paris off the smoking map

    France’s national health body, Santé Publique France, has published a map of smoking patterns across the country revealing some unexpected regional findings, according to a story in The Local France.

    For example, Parisians are the least likely to take up smoking. About 21 percent of people living in the greater Paris region of Ile-de France are smokers, the lowest rate in the country, and it is followed by the regions of Pays de La Loire, in second place with 23 percent, and Normandy, in third place with 25.6 percent.

    By contrast, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in the south east, smokers make up 32 percent of the population.

    That makes people from Marseilles and their coastal counterparts the heaviest smokers in France.

    And while Normandy overall had a below average rate of smokers, it has, at 7.5 percent, the highest proportion of 17-year-old smokers.

    Overall, the Local reported, anti-tobacco campaigns and price hikes seemed to be convincing the French to quit smoking. The number of smokers in the country dropped by about one million to 12.2 million between 2016 and 2017.

    Santé Publique France reported also that smoking levels were linked to income and education levels.

    It said that the higher the level of wealth and education, the lower the chances of having nicotine dependency and the higher the probabilities of responding to health awareness campaigns.

  • HNB workshop for March

    HNB workshop for March

    A report on its 2018 Congress is included in the latest newsletter from CORESTA (Co-operation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco).
    The 2018 Congress was hosted by the China National Tobacco Corporation and held in Kunming in October.
    The report includes details about the CORESTA Congress presentations and workshops, and a brief outline of the networking events.
    Special mention is made of the Heated Tobacco Products Open Discussion and the announcement that a workshop is due to be held on this topic in Paris, France, in March.
    The report includes, too, an outline of the CORESTA Prize presentation and medal awards ceremony, the results of the Board elections during the General Assembly, and the names of the newly-elected Scientific Commission executives.
    The newsletter includes mention of the Golden Leaf Award, which was presented to CORESTA at Tobacco Reporter’s GTNF 2018 for outstanding service to the industry.
    And, as usual, the newsletter has a list of recently published CORESTA Technical Reports, Guides and New Projects launched, and revised CRMs.
    It has an update on CORESTA external communications and the dates of upcoming CORESTA meetings.

  • Good support for TFWA

    Good support for TFWA

    The TFWA (Tax-free World Association) says that, so far, 516 exhibitors have registered 496 stands for its World Exhibition & Conference, which is due to take place at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, between September 30 and October 5.
    This, it says, marks the second consecutive year that exhibitor numbers have exceeded 500.
    Of the 516, 50 exhibitors are new or returning to Cannes after a short break.
    The Beach Village, located outside the Palais des Festivals, has this year been extended to the Majestic Beach opposite the Majestic Hotel.
    All delegates are invited to visit the TFWA Digital Village at the Gare Maritime from October 2 to October 5, which will showcase the latest technology, digital solutions and hardware for the duty free and travel retail industry.
    The TFWA Product Showcase is returning this year and can be found at www.tfwaproductshowcase.com. It said the service had proved instrumental in helping exhibitors highlight their new products, and was regularly used by journalists and visitors looking to catch up with the latest news in the duty free and travel retail market.
    ‘A range of tools will be available to help attendees navigate more than 22,000 square metres of floor space,’ the Association said in a press note. ‘A geo-localisation app will allow users to identify their location on a 3D interactive floor plan, while delegates who download the new TFWA app will receive also up-to-date information about activities and events taking place in and around the exhibition.
    In addition, visitors can take advantage of on-site services at the TFWA Lounge, including a dedicated concierge service, private bar and lounge area.
    Interactive directional screens, discounted rates on helicopter flights between Nice and Cannes, and professional photos and films of exhibitor stands will be available also.
    Registration is available at: www.tfwa.com.

  • Going it alone

    Going it alone

    The EU Commission has said that figures showing a high level of illicit cigarettes entering France from Algeria are principally a matter for the French authorities.
    The Commission was responding to questions from the Czech member of the EU Parliament, Tomáš Zdechovský.
    Zdechovský had said that France was the EU member state that recorded the highest volumes of illegal cigarettes each year.
    ‘Algeria is the country of origin of 3.19 billion cigarettes, i.e. over 35 percent of the total, according to a study of the illicit cigarette market commissioned by the Royal United Services Institute,’ he said, before asking.

    1. ‘Is OLAF supporting France in investigating the routes from Algeria?
    2. ‘Has OLAF considered that those routes may include other member states (e.g. Spain)?’

    In reply, the Commission said that the figures quoted did not come from a Report of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). ‘They are principally a matter for the French authorities to consider,’ it said. ‘France has so far not requested OLAF’s assistance in this regard.’
    The Commission went on to say that, in general, OLAF had a unique investigative mandate to fight tobacco smuggling into the EU. ‘In complex cross-border cases in particular, OLAF can bring significant added value by helping co-ordinate anti-smuggling operations carried out by law-enforcement agencies across Europe,’ it said. ‘OLAF works to ensure that evaded duties are recovered, criminal smuggling networks are dismantled and perpetrators brought to justice. In such cases, OLAF always considers implications on other member states and countries outside the European Union.’
    In recent years, the Commission added, EU member states had seized between 3.1 and 3.8 billion cigarettes each year. ‘OLAF contributed to the seizure of more than 1.5 billion cigarettes over the last three years,’ it said. ‘Detailed information and examples about joint customs operations (JCOs) co-ordinated by OLAF which have led to the seizure of tobacco products can be found in the OLAF reports for 2017 and 2016.’

  • CORESTA reporting

    CORESTA reporting

    The CORESTA (Co-operation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco) Secretariat has given details of the documents that it has published and the projects that it has launched since May.
    The following documents have been published and can be downloaded from the Documents section of the CORESTA website at www.coresta.org.

    • Method No. 64 “Routine Analytical Cigar-Smoking Machine – Specifications, Definitions and Standard Conditions” updated

    (2018-05-15) (CSM-121-1-CRM-64)

    • Report “2017 Collaborative Study on Carbonyl Containing Compounds in Electronic Cigarette Liquids”

    (2018-05-17) (EVAP-127-1-CTR)

    • Method No. 46 “Atmosphere for Conditioning and Testing Cigars of all Sizes and Shapes” updated

    (2018-06-11) (CSM-121-3-CRM-46)

    • Report “5th Round Robin Test for Multi-Capillary Ventilation Calibration Standards (2016/2017)”

    (2018-06-19) (PTM-124-CTR)

    • Guide No. 1 “Agrochemical Guidance Residue Levels (GRLs)” updated

    (2018-06-28) (ACAC-195-CTG-01)

    • Report “Sub-Group Collaborative Study on Blue Mould – Final Report”

    (2018-07-03) (BM-025-CTR)

    • Report “Joint Experiment Technical Study (JETS) Report 17/1 Maleic Hydrazide in Tobacco”

    (2018-07-27) (AA-130-CTR)

    • Report “Tobacco Virus Collaborative Study (1996-2011)”

    (2018-08-07) (VIR-030-CTR)

    • Report “2018 Moisture (Oven Volatiles), Water by Karl Fischer and Gas Chromatography Interlaboratory Study”

    (2018-08-20) (TTPA-171-1-CTR)

    • Report “2018 Proficiency Study for Water Activity of Tobacco and Tobacco Products”

    (2018-08-20) (TTPA-172-1-CTR)

    • Method No. 57 “Determination of Water in Tobacco and Tobacco Products by Gas Chromatographic Analysis” updated

    (2018-08-21) (TTPA-188-2-CRM-57)

    • Method No. 56 “Determination of Water in Tobacco and Tobacco Products by Karl Fischer Method” updated

    (2018-08-30) (TTPA-188-1-CRM-56)
    Meanwhile, a list of active projects is available on the CORESTA website under the
    Study Groups/Active Projects section:

    • Project 186: BMK SG – Meta-analysis of Cigarette Smoke Exposure Biomarkers
    • Project 187: RAC SG – CM8 & CM9 Collaborative Studies – 2018
    • Project 188: TTPA SG – Systematic Review of CRMs 56 and 57 (completed)
    • Project 189: AA SG – 14th FAPAS CPA Analysis Proficiency Test – 2018
    • Project 190: Consumer Reported Outcome Measures (CROM) Consortium (approval pending)
    • Project 191: PTM SG – 7th Round Robin Test on Filter Ventilation Calibration Standards
    • Project 192: PTM SG – Systematic Review of CORESTA Guide No. 4
    • Project 193: TTPA SG – Collaborative Study for the Determination of Nicotine in Tobacco and Tobacco Products
    • Project 194: SMA SG – Systematic Review of CRM 78
    • Project 195: ACAC SG – CORESTA Guide No. 1: Addition of CPA Fluopyram to GRL list (completed)