Author: moonswamp

North Carolina legislators are seeking to increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. House Bill 430 and Senate Bill 318, both titled "Protect Youth from Harms of Vaping & Nicotine," were filed on Tuesday by Rep. Donnie Loftis (R-Gaston) and Sen. Gale Adcock (D-Wake), respectively. The proposed legislation, dubbed "Solly's Law," also aims to establish a mandatory tobacco retail sales permit for stores selling vapes and tobacco products. The bill is named in memory of Solomon "Solly" Wynn, a North Carolina teenager who died from vaping-related complications. Wynn's story and the issue of…

In recent years, a new form of nicotine consumption has been gaining popularity among young people: oral nicotine pouches. One brand in particular, Zyn, has seen a significant rise in usage due to its discreet nature and variety of flavors. As parents and community members, it's crucial to understand what these products are, the risks they pose, and how to recognize signs of use among youth. What Are Nicotine Pouches? Nicotine pouches, like Zyn, are small, white pouches filled with nicotine powder or salts, along with various additives such as fillers, pH balancers, sweeteners, and flavorings. Users place these pouches…

A bipartisan bill aimed at regulating the vape industry and protecting children in Tennessee has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers and vape retailers. The proposed legislation, which includes a universal carding requirement, a 10% tax on "open system" vape products, and a ban on products without FDA approval, has been met with opposition from some retailers who claim it would force them out of business. Lawmakers Cite Youth Vaping Concerns Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston), the bill's Senate sponsor, expressed concern about the youth vaping rate and the safety of products being sold. "A lot of these products being sold…

Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would make the state one of a handful in the nation to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. Senate Bill 702 and its companion, House Bill 3437, have drawn both passionate support and personal objections during a recent public hearing. Proponents Argue Flavors Hook Kids as Young as Elementary School Supporters of the bill argue that flavored tobacco products, which often smell like candy, are addicting children as young as elementary school age and setting them on a path toward early death. They say that despite Oregon's age restrictions on tobacco sales,…

The Utah Legislature finds itself split on the issue of banning the sale of flavored vapes, a law they passed in 2024 with comfortable margins in both the Senate and the House. Despite the ban, a legal challenge has allowed vape shops across the state to continue selling cotton candy and fruity pens without restriction. After heated debates on whether to eliminate the ban altogether, it appears that nothing may change this legislative session. Competing Bills and Amendments Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, introduced HB432 in early February, which included a provision to repeal the prohibition on sweet vape…

Arkansas lawmakers are intensifying their efforts to reduce tobacco use by proposing additional restrictions on consumers and manufacturers. On Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Aaron Pilkington's House Bill 1192 took center stage, marking a strong start to these proposed initiatives. Two Main Points of the Bill According to Rep. Pilkington, the bill focuses on two main points: While it is already illegal in Arkansas to have tobacco products on school property, the bill seeks to impose stronger penalties by adding the word "possession" and holding parents accountable for their children's actions. Proposed Fines for Repeat Offenders Under the proposed legislation, parents who…

The Iowa Senate is set to consider a bill that would impose a new state tax on vapor cartridges for electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The proposed legislation, authored by Senator Mike Klemish (R-Spillville), recently underwent a Senate subcommittee hearing, during which various stakeholders presented their arguments for and against the bill. Michael Triplett, a lobbyist representing Iowans for Alternatives to Smoking and Tobacco, a group of vapor product retailers, contended that it is the smoke, not the nicotine, that makes cigarettes deadly. This argument suggests that e-cigarettes and vaping products should not be subject to the same level of…

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against 13 e-cigarette manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, including convenience stores, for their role in creating a "youth vaping epidemic." The legal action seeks hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, including financial penalties for wide-ranging violations of local, state, and federal laws. The companies named in the lawsuit include 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…

The UK government has announced a groundbreaking 10-year study to examine the long-term effects of vaping on children and teenagers aged 8 to 18. With a budget of £62 million, this ambitious research aims to address growing concerns about the rise in youth vaping and its potential health implications. Rising Concerns Over Youth Vaping Recent data reveals a sharp increase in vaping among minors, with nearly 25% of 11- to 15-year-olds experimenting with e-cigarettes. This trend has prompted the government to take decisive action, including a ban on disposable vapes by June 2024 and the introduction of the Tobacco and…

The French Parliament voted decisively on Thursday to ban disposable e-cigarettes, becoming the second EU nation after Belgium to implement such restrictions. The Senate's final approval of the bill targets popular "puff" devices known for their fruit flavors, high nicotine content, and lithium battery waste. Key Stat: Disposable vapes account for 68% of nicotine initiation among French teens, according to Santé Publique France data. Three-Pronged Rationale for Ban 1. Youth Protection 2. Environmental Impact 3. EU Compliance Implementation Timeline Lawmaker Francesca Pasquini confirmed: Industry Response Vape trade associations warn the ban could:→ Increase black market activity (currently 12% of sales)→ Remove 2,800 jobs…