1、Empire Brands launches Blu2.0 in the UK market
Empire Brands recently launched a new vape product in the U.K. market – Blu2.0, replacing its existing Myblu product.
Empire Brands said the new product uses ceramic coil heating technology, while its previous product used a cotton coil, so the new product can provide a better consumer experience. The new product also has a longer-lasting battery and larger capacity vape cartridges with a magnetic lock function and power button, making it easier for users to check battery levels. At the same time, the Imperial brand has also launched six flavors of e-liquid.
2 New Zealand vaping regulators review all vaping substances to ensure compliance
According to a news release, the New Zealand vaping Regulatory Authority reviews each of the 8,083 vaping substances notified in New Zealand to identify any that may not meet product safety requirements going into vaping.
To date, the Authority has found no problems with 2,374 vaping substances. An additional 3,413 vaping substances have been identified and are subject to a more detailed review or clarification of information provided to the Authority.
All vaping products must be notified to the Authority, and the notification process automatically flags products containing known hazardous chemicals for review. It does not allow notifiers to release products with nicotine levels above the law.
3 Estonian health minister considers banning disposable flavored vapes
Following concerns raised by parents and educators, Estonian Labor and Health Minister Pip Pettersson (SDE) has pledged to take quick steps to ensure fewer new tobacco products, such as disposable flavored vapes, fall into the hands of minors.
ERR reports that sales of individually flavored vaping in Estonia increased from 2.5 million in 2020 to 35 million last year, fueled by clever marketing techniques such as fresh flavors.
The decision to ban disposable vapes or vape is theoretically on the table, with no fault of the retailer, and should check the customer’s age in due course, Estonia’s minister of labor and health said.
Measures may include retailers taking back used vaping, although environmental considerations are at their disposal.
4 Canada can only sell vaping products that have been stamped with excise tax from next year
According to the news report, Canada is strengthening its regulatory regime to manufacture and sell vaping products.
From October 1, manufacturers and importers must obtain a license or registration from the Canada Revenue Agency, affix an excise stamp on their products, and pay excise taxes. October 1 to December 31 is a transition period, after which retail stores can only sell stamped vaping products. The changes come from amendments to the Excise Tax Act of 2001 and its federal budget regulation for 2022.
Robert Kreklewetz, an indirect tax, customs, and trade attorney with Millar Kreklewetz LLP, said a 20-pack of cigarettes is subject to a $2.91 federal excise tax. At the same time, a roughly equivalent quantity of two milliliters of e-cigarette liquid is subject to a $1 duty. It applies to liquids that do not contain nicotine, he added.
Canada also regulates e-cigarette products through the Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Products Act and the Food and Drug Act. It has regulations limiting nicotine concentration and establishing packaging and labeling rules.
5 California voted overwhelmingly to ban flavored tobacco products, including vaping
According to a news report, California voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to ban all flavored tobacco products in the state, including vaping.
Proposition 31, which the referendum vote in favor of the law, led by a 65% to 35% margin on November 9. Official results will take longer to be finalized, however. The state mailed the ballot to all active voters. Ballots postmarked by Election Day take a week to arrive.
The move makes California the most significant state to ban such products, which are already illegal in a handful of smaller states such as Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
California’s ban would also outlaw menthol cigarettes, which federal regulators have proposed banning nationwide because they believe such products are easier to start and more difficult to quit.
6 Juul received a capital injection to maintain business: no bankruptcy, layoffs of 400 people
On November 11, the Wall Street Journal reported that Juul Labs had received a cash infusion that would allow the vaping maker to stay in business. It appealed a marketing denial order by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about its vapor products.
Juul Labs has reportedly stopped preparing for bankruptcy. As part of a restructuring, Juul plans to lay off 400 employees and reduce its operating budget by as much as 40 %.
The financing is the first part of a bailout plan discussed with two of Juul’s early investors, Nick Pritzker and Riaz Valani. They were Juul’s most significant shareholders before the Ochiai Group bought a $12.8 billion stake in the company.
7 New rules in Kyrgyzstan set minimum retail prices for vapes, heated tobacco
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan recently passed a resolution setting minimum retail prices for a range of tobacco and vaping products. From January 1, 2023, 20 sticks of heated tobacco products will be sold at a minimum price of 100 som (1 som is approximately 0.012USD). From January 1 to December 31, 2023, disposable vapes and e-liquids (cartridges) will be sold at a minimum price of 250 som, and from 2024 onwards, at a minimum price of 300 som each.
A minimum price of 1300 som per e-cigarette and similar electronic smoking devices (vapes) from January 1 to December 31, 2023, and 1400 som per e-cigarette from January 1, 2024, has also been introduced.
8 EU ban on flavors of heated tobacco products coming into force
On November 3, the EU issued an enabling directive that will ban flavors of heated tobacco products and prohibit all flavors other than tobacco flavors from being added to heated tobacco. Neither the EU Council nor the European Parliament raised any objections. The directive will enter into force on November 23, and EU member states will have until July 23, 2023, to transpose it into national law.
9 Several leading scientific journals recognize the oral harm reduction of vaping
Many scientific journals, including Nature, have recently published articles suggesting that vape products may be a safer nicotine alternative for periodontally healthy patients and may reduce the risk of oral cancer. The study, published in the IGPH (International Journal of Public Health), suggests that vaping does not have significant short-term lung health effects and does not impair lung function compared to cigarettes.
