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Tag: vape

  • Bloom Vape Available in Missouri

    Bloom Vape Available in Missouri

    Bloom and BRB Missouri today (March 6) announced a partnership to bring Bloom’s vape lines to the Missouri recreational market. The products are already available for cannabis consumers across Missouri, the ninth state where Bloom is available.

    BRB Missouri is a manufacturing partner for BellRock Brands. Bloom will mark the third brand and only vape-focused brand in BRB Missouri’s portfolio. BellRock Brands’ products are currently sold and marketed in 11 states and Canada.

    “The potential in Missouri and the Midwest overall is exciting to Bloom,” said Casey Ly, CEO and co-founder of Bloom. “As we continue to focus on expansion, it is imperative we’re working with partners like BellRock who focus on best-in-class execution and a customer first approach.”

    Bloom will launch six strains across two collections under their flagship product, The One Gram Surf.

    “Always on the vanguard of innovation and design, Bloom is a leader and trusted brand within the cannabis market,” said Sat Joshi, board member of BRB Missouri. “As the Missouri market continues to grow, customers are demanding more sophisticated options that fit their lifestyle and needs. Bloom’s strong brand positioning and rigorous operating standards make it the perfect addition to our portfolio here in Missouri.”

  • Taiwan Bill to Strengthen E-Cig Regs

    Taiwan Bill to Strengthen E-Cig Regs

    Today, Taiwan’s  Health Promotion Administration (HPA) proposed an amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (THP) to strengthen regulations against e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The proposal allows the direct confiscation and destruction of these products and enhances online supervision, Tobacco Control Division head Lo Su-ying said.

    The THP was amended in 2023 to prohibit the manufacture, import, sale, display, advertisement, and use of e-cigarettes and unapproved heated tobacco products. Since then, more than 600,000 fines totaling $11.2 million have been issued, however, currently, the contraband items cannot be confiscated but are instead returned to the owner. The proposed amendment would fill in this loophole, facilitating the accelerated confiscation and destruction of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, Lo said.

    The new proposal would also stipulate that internet service providers must remove illegal tobacco advertisements and restrict access to related content. 

  • Study: E-Cigs Elevate Cancer-Causing Pathways

    Study: E-Cigs Elevate Cancer-Causing Pathways

    A new study from researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center published in Scientific Reports suggests an elevation of carcinogenic cellular signaling pathways with e-cigarette users when compared to non-users. Dongmei Li, the director of Translational Science Statistical Support Services for the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, said little is known about how exclusive e-cigarette use affects exosomal microRNAs, which regulate genes that influence cancer-causing pathways.

    By comparing exosomal microRNA profiles between exclusive e-cigarette users and non-users, the researchers identified several exosomal microRNAs that are upregulated—more active than normal—in exclusive e-cigarette users. These overactive microRNAs are involved in cancer pathways, suggesting an elevation of carcinogenic cellular signaling pathways in exclusive e-cigarette users.

    “Our results contribute significantly to understanding the potential health risks of e-cigarette use and should be considered by medical professionals and the public to protect public health,” Li said. “Our study results will spark further investigations into the impact of exclusive e-cigarette use on plasma exosomal miRNAs and other biomarkers related to cancer risks, which will help us better understand the toxicity of e-cigarette use.”

    This study was funded by an R21 grant from the National Institutes of Health

  • Charlie’s Holdings Receives PMTA Acceptance Filings for 11 Products

    Charlie’s Holdings Receives PMTA Acceptance Filings for 11 Products

    Charlie’s Holdings, Inc. announced today that it received acceptance filings for 11 of its best-selling flavored PACHA Disposables brands from the Center for Tobacco Products of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Charlie’s has received more than 700 acceptance filings for its PMTA submissions.

    The FDA has received PMTAs for nearly 27 million electronic nicotine delivery system products and has made determinations on more than 99% of the applications. However, the FDA has authorized fewer than three dozen tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products and devices. To date, no company in the world has received an FDA marketing order for a flavored (non-tobacco or non-menthol) disposable vape product.

  • Riot Labs Launches “Supercharged” Line of Flavors

    Riot Labs Launches “Supercharged” Line of Flavors

    Riot Labs launched its “supercharged” Riot X flavor collection for 2025, featuring 12 maximum-intensity flavors that the company says will deliver the “purest, punchiest hit of flavor on the market.” The company says it has a “massive opportunity” to support vapers as June’s impending ban on disposable products in the U.K. nears.

    “Amid increased government regulation on the sector, we must not forget the hundreds of thousands of adult smokers who use vaping, proven to be the most effective quitting tool, as part of their quitting journey,” said Ben Johnson, CEO and Founder of Riot Labs. “In a pivotal year, choice of flavor plays a crucial role in smokers turning to vaping to help them kick the habit and it’s the perfect moment to launch Riot X to help consumers who will inevitably need to move to pods or refillables to maintain their quitting efforts.”

    According to Riot Labs, its team spent years perfecting the blends of each e-liquid to produce “maximum intensity with maximum clarity,” allowing every layer of the flavor to shine through.

    The flavors include: Blackcurrant & Passionfruit, Cherry Ice, Strawberry & Melon Chew, Sour Pineapple Razz, Blueberry & Peach Fizz, Orange & Raspberry Ice, Blueberry Sour Strawberry, Morello Cherry & Banana, Grape & Strawberry, Cola Ice, Sweet Mint and Dark Fruits. Nicotine strengths of 5mg, 10mg and 20mg will be available starting from an RRP of £3.99.  

  • Croatian Authorities Targeting Terraces

    Croatian Authorities Targeting Terraces

    Croatia allows for small hospitality venues (under 50 square meters) to designate themselves as smoking areas, while larger ones can set up ventilated smoking zones. However, authorities are suddenly waging war on smoking on enclosed terraces. Since the start of this year, Croatian authorities have carried out 389 inspections in hospitality venues and leveled 181 violations for smoking on terraces.

    For such an offense, businesses can be fined €19,908, putting extra pressure on an industry struggling to stay afloat.

    “Why all these checks now, and why such steep fines?” said Željko Pojer, president of the Požega Craftsmen’s Association and a nightclub owner. “The nightlife in Croatia has been dying for a while. A total smoking ban would bring hospitality to its knees. If a full ban comes in, most of us will have to shut down and let our staff go.”

    Last year, the European Commission floated the idea of banning smoking in outdoor spaces too, but hospitality and hotel sectors pushed back hard, and the proposal fizzled out. Pojer argues that the industry’s survival hinges on flexibility, not stricter rules.

    “When we brought in our smoking ban years ago, everyone saw it wouldn’t work,” he said. “Businesses collapsed. That’s why we got these exceptions for smoking areas.” 

  • 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).

  • 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.”

  • 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.