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Tag: vape

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Study: Villainizing Vape is Backfiring

    Study: Villainizing Vape is Backfiring

    A study published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research, conducted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School, revealed that the constant vilification of all nicotine products so users will stop smoking and using “tobacco products” altogether appears to be backfiring. The study said that while many smokers are looking for less harmful alternatives, “inappropriate misinformation” about products such as e-cigarettes is keeping them from switching.

    In the findings, 85% of the smokers in England, where the study was conducted, had an incorrect understanding of vaping’s risks. Whereas vaping is not risk-free, it is less harmful than traditional smoking, yet some believe it’s as much or even more harmful as combustible cigarettes.

    “This misunderstanding is a big obstacle in the path of quitting cigarettes,” wrote the Hindustan Times. “They don’t see vaping, as a viable alternative to cigarettes.

    “To overcome any addictive habit or even go to the milder alternatives to gradually quit the habit, a strong motivation is required. With the widespread misunderstanding, smokers don’t feel motivated enough to switch. As per them if it’s as bad as traditional smoking, they see little point in making the switch.”

  • NY AG Files Lawsuit Against 12 Vape Companies

    NY AG Files Lawsuit Against 12 Vape Companies

    New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit against 12 e-cigarette manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for “their role in fueling the youth vaping epidemic.” Those named in the lawsuit are Puff Bar, MYLE Vape, Pod Juice, Mi-One Brands, Happy Distro, Demand Vape, EVO Brands, PVG2, Magellan Technology, Midwest Goods, Safa Goods, and Price Point Distributors, as well as Price Point principals Weis Khwaja, Hamza Jalili, and Mohammad Jalili.

    “These companies are responsible for illegally distributing, marketing, and selling flavored disposable vapes, which have become extraordinarily popular among minors,” James said in a statement. “The vaping industry is taking a page out of Big Tobacco’s playbook: they’re making nicotine seem cool, getting kids hooked, and creating a massive public health crisis in the process.”

    In 2020, New York banned the sale of flavored vapor products, however, the products exploded in popularity globally in the past decade and are readily available at numerous outlets. The lawsuit seeks a “disgorgement of all revenues earned as a result of illegal activity” which would translate to hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as a permanent ban on flavored vapes in New York.

    “This punitive approach undermines American entrepreneurship and ignores the public health benefits of vaping as a smoking cessation tool,” Allison Boughner, the vice president of American Vapor Manufacturers, a trade group that represents vape makers and retailers, said in a statement. “This misguided action unfairly targets legitimate American businesses that employ thousands and contribute to local economies. Our members are dedicated to offering adult smokers safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes, supporting a mission of harm reduction backed by science and millions of successful former smokers.”

    Matthew Glauser, the chief strategy officer and a co-founder of Demand Vape, one of the companies named in the lawsuit, said in a statement that the suit was “wasting New York taxpayers’ money and federal court time, which desperately need to be focused on substantive issues that truly impact our communities.”

    According to the New York Times, Tony Abboud, the executive director of another industry group, Vapor Technology Association, disputed the suit’s claim that there was a youth vaping epidemic and called on President Trump “to take bold and decisive action to end the government lawfare against the flavored vaping industry.”

  • U.K. Investigating Vaping Effects on Children

    U.K. Investigating Vaping Effects on Children

    Today, Britain’s government announced the launch of a decade-long study that will investigate the long-term effects of vaping on children as young as 8. The government has been cracking down on the rapid rise of vaping among children, with estimates showing a quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds have tried it.

    “The long-term health impacts of youth vaping are not fully known, and this comprehensive approach will provide the most detailed picture yet,” the health department said.

    The £62 million ($78.1 million) study will track 100,000 people aged 8-18 years for 10 years, collecting data on behavior and biology as well as health records, the statement said. The World Health Organization has urged governments to treat e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco, warning of their health impact and potential to drive nicotine addiction among non-smokers, especially children and young people.

  • Study: Youth More Vulnerable to Nicotine Addiction

    Study: Youth More Vulnerable to Nicotine Addiction

    People in their late teens and early 20s may be more susceptible to nicotine addiction than middle-aged adults, according to a new study in mice from researchers in the Penn State Department of Biobehavioral Health. The results provide evidence that the effects of drugs on the body—both medication and misused substances—change over the lifespan in ways that clinicians and researchers need to consider when developing and prescribing treatments, the researchers said.

    Doctoral student Carlos Novoa and his adviser, Thomas Gould, Jean Phillips Shibley Professor of Biobehavioral Health and head of the department, led the study. The researchers demonstrated that nicotine lowers the body temperature of young adult mice more quickly and reduces their movement more significantly than middle-aged mice. These results indicate how the effects of nicotine change as people age, according to the research team.

    “Sometimes, people think of development as something that occurs until we reach a certain age—like 18 or 25—and then stops,” Gould said. “But people continue to develop and change across their entire lifespan, and this affects how our bodies respond to medications and other chemicals, including nicotine. This research adds one piece to the puzzle of all the factors—age, biological sex, genetics, and many others—needed to create effective medical treatments and policies for all people.”

    The results of the study appear in Behavioral Pharmacology.

  • Washington’s Proposed Flavored Product Ban Takes Hit 

    Washington’s Proposed Flavored Product Ban Takes Hit 

    The Washington State House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business narrowly advanced House Bill 1203 by an 8-7 vote yesterday (Feb. 18), setting the stage for further legislative debate on a proposal to ban flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products statewide.

    If passed, the bill would prohibit the sale, display, and advertisement of flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products, including those marketed with terms like “cool,” “chill,” “ice,” or “fresh.” The bill also targets so-called “entertainment vapor products,” which include vape devices with interactive features such as music or video display capabilities. It also mandates a statewide public awareness campaign, led by the Department of Health, to educate the public on the risks of flavored nicotine products. Retailers would be required to post clear signage notifying customers of the ban, and violators would face stiff penalties enforced by the Liquor and Cannabis Board.

    While the bill moved forward, the debate in committee reflected deep divisions over the proposal, and even its main sponsor, Rep. Kristine Reeves, admitted the bill needs more work. Rep. Chris Corry voiced strong opposition, arguing that adults should have the right to make their own choices.

    “I think that this bill, while I understand the underlying merits…it’s a little paternalistic for us to say which products they can and can’t have,” Corry said. He also warned of unintended consequences, citing examples from other states where similar bans have fueled underground markets.

    The bill now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration but is not expected to pass this year.

  • VOOPOO Announces Latest in VINCI Series

    VOOPOO Announces Latest in VINCI Series

    VOOPOO today unveiled its VINCI Spark220, improving on its previous VINCI Spark100, saying, “The vaping industry has grown stagnant, weighed down by uninspired designs and predictable performance. Inspired by humanity’s eternal fascination with the stars, VOOPOO set out to redefine what vaping can be.”

    The VOOPOO VINCI Spark220 houses a dual-battery setup, capable of providing 220W of power, yet at 108g is 30% lighter than conventional mods. The compact aluminum alloy casing is equipped with an intuitive multi-functional wheel button and a 1.47-inch display.

    “Powered by VOOPOO’s revolutionary PnP X atomization technology, the top dual airflow designed tank, coupled with optimized internal structure, is meticulously engineered for leak-proof performance and optimal airflow,” the company said. “It boasts three distinct modes catering to diverse DTL vaping needs. Equipped with a 0.15Ω coil, it delivers explosive flavor and dense vapor and offers up to 100mL of pure and steady pleasure without waiting.”