Daily Archives: September 8, 2021

A researcher holding various vape pens.Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer (AP)

A new, international survey of experts found wide agreement that vaping devices like e-cigarettes are safer than traditional tobacco products. But the experts also expressed that vaping products should only be sold in specialized stores and shouldnt be used inside public spaces. The findings come just before the Food and Drug Administration is preparing its final decisions this week on the state of the vaping market in the U.S.

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are marketed as better and safer alternatives to cigarette smoking. E-cigarettes work by vaporizing nicotine-filled fluid that can then be inhaled, while heated tobacco products are supposed to heat-not-burn the tobacco inside, in theory leading to fewer harmful emissions. Vaping devices can also be used to consume other drugs, namely cannabis or its active ingredient THC.

The FDA is set to issue its first major regulations concerning the industry by September 9, which will include its final decision on millions of applications from e-cigarette companies. The agency has said that it will deny products that fail to show they are appropriate for the protection of public health. In recent weeks, it has already pulled over 55,000 flavored products from three small companies from the market, perhaps signaling that very few of these products will survive the cull.

In a new study published in BMJ Open, researchers in France and Switzerland decided to poll public health specialists around the world about their opinions on the future of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. They used a method known as a Delphi survey, which uses a series of detailed questionnaires and feedback to help determine a consensus among experts on a specific topic (in other words, the survey isnt intended as just a simple question-and-answer poll).

They conducted two rounds of the survey, with the first involving 92 experts and the second involving 55. These participants came from 15 countries, including the UK, Sweden, Finland, France, and the U.S., and they all had experience in tobacco control or smoking cessation research.

G/O Media may get a commission

For e-cigarettes, the team found consensus (at least 70% agreement on yes-no questions, for instance) that all ingredients of an e-liquid should be listed on the product; that there should be a maximum concentration of nicotine in an e-liquid; and that products should come with a warning label noting the limited evidence on their long-term outcomes, including their safety and addiction potential. E-cigarettes, they also agreed, shouldnt be sold at general stores, only at specialized vaping stores or other places where tobacco products are sold, like pharmacies with sale restrictions for minors. Heated tobacco products should considered as addictive as traditional cigarettes and should come with the same warnings and taxes attached to cigarettes, the surveyed experts said.

A majority of experts did agree that e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes and less addictive than heated tobacco products, and that vaping should be offered as one of many cessation aids for quitting smoking. But most also believed that people are more likely to use e-cigarettes and cigarettes at the same time, rather than use vaping as a way to quit cigarettes permanently. The majority similarly agreed that neither e-cigarettes nor heated tobacco products should be allowed indoors in public spaces and that they shouldnt be advertised to non-smokers.

The study, while meant to be the first international survey of its kind, does have its caveats. Namely, the low response rate, with only 34% of eligible participants responding to the initial survey and only slightly more than half returning for the second round. So the findings may not be generalizable to all relevant experts around the world, the researchers warn. They also noted that the second round of the survey took place after the epidemic of lung illness among some vaping users in the U.S. in 2019, which could have affected some peoples opinions (the crisis, while used as justification by some states to further crack down on the industry, was traced to black market THC products, not legally sold e-cigarettes).

Some countries, particularly the UK, seem to have a much more favorable opinion of e-cigarettes than others. Public health experts there widely support its use as a cessation aid for smokers, and its leading public health agency argues that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. There are also some scientists in the U.S. who have been very critical of their fellow vaping researchers and who have argued that policies like banning flavored products could be counterproductive and actually increase the risk of teen smoking.

The authors of the new study do point out the ongoing debates over vaping and the passionate responses expressed by experts on various sides. But they also hope that their results may be useful for health authorities, decision makers and researchers of the tobacco use and cessation field.

Read the original here:

Experts Call for More Regulation of E-Cigarettes Ahead of Major FDA Decision - Gizmodo

The campaign encourages adolescents to dispose of their e-cigarettes with the goal of collecting a total of 500 devices.

The campaign encourages adolescents to dispose of their e-cigarettes at any of the White, Greer & Maggard Orthodontics 20 locations, with a goal of collecting a total of 500 devices. While vaping might seem safer than smoking cigarettes, the nicotine in vape pods can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, and a narrowing of the arteries, as well as irritability, mood swings, anxiety, impulsivity and learning difficulties. That is why White, Greer & Maggard Orthodontics is working alongside the American Heart Association to educate people throughout Central Kentucky on the harmful effects of vaping, said Dr. Stan Ferguson of White, Greer & Maggard Orthodontics.

The AHA has also recently launched a youth-driven Tobacco Endgame site which also features the personal experiences of young vapers but also gives teens the opportunity to connect directly with policymakers, learn how they can create healthier communities by taking charge and speaking up.

Meanwhile, the American Lung Association (ALA) has launched a a similar campaign with the aim of offering a more productive alternative than school suspensions for students caught vaping on campus.

Amongst the Vape-Free Schools Initiatives goals, is providing educators with more effective strategies than suspensions in handling teens caught vaping in schools. The reason we want an alternative to suspension program is because if you suspend kids for using a very addictive substance, then they are more likely to stay home and vape and theyre missing out on educational opportunities, says Ellen Penrod, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Colorado, where high school tobacco use rates are at 28%. T

The programme, includes a ten-week program that takes students caught vaping through the entire quitting process and costs $400 per school to get these programs set up. To this effect the AHA has launched the Vape-Free Schools Scholarship Fund, which aims to raise $400,000 to serve 1,000 schools by the end of 2021. Any school can apply to receive the funding. To donate, visit Lung.org/scholarship.

Read Further: WTVQ

#QuitLying: An AHA Campaign Against Lying Spreading Nothing But Lies

Read the original post:

American Heart Association Launces New Campaign to Combat Teen Vaping - Vaping Post

Cannabidiol products recently became a hot topic of concern globally. The vaping industry is one of the beneficiaries of the emerging interest in CBD. There are countless articles on the internet today that cover the potential health benefits of CBD.

What Is CBD?

CBD or Cannabidiol is a compound found in the cannabis or hemp plant. One of the products that can be derived from CBD is CBD vape oil. The product has increased in popularity over the years with many strengths available such as 500mg CBD vape oil. But what are some of the benefits associated with taking it?

Before we get into the health benefits, lets evaluate what CBD vape oil is in the first place.

CBD vape oil is CBD oil and a carrier liquid. It is also known as CBD Vape Juice. CBD vape oil comes in the following forms;

Treating Type 2 Diabetes

About 29 million people in the US have type 2 diabetes. Some of the symptoms of the disease include wounds that dont heal and blurry visions.

Studies have shown that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit people who have type 2 diabetes.

While chronic inflammation develops insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients, vape oil wards off the inflammation. In turn, it can improve the metabolism rate and keep the patient away from diabetes. Using Scientists these studies, scientists believe that CBD can cure other diseases that result from chronic inflammation.

Alleviating The Side Effect Of Chemotherapy

CBD can serve the same purpose as Marinol, which treats cancer chemotherapy symptoms. CBD can be effective in regulating vomiting and nausea, which are side effects of chemotherapy.

CBD vape oil interacts with receptors in the brain, which in turn release serotonin. Taken moderately, CBD vape oil reduces vomiting and nausea.

The Case Of Epilepsy

According to WHO, over 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy. CBD vape oil can help alleviate this condition. Clinical trials have revealed that CBD is indeed a potential treatment for patients who have epilepsy.

The studies go back as far as 1973 where it was proven to reduce convulsions in rodents. In 2018, two CBD-based drugs were approved by the FDA.

Treat Insomnia And Reduce Anxiety

With many people suffering from insomnia and anxiety, CBD vape oil can help treat that with its sleep-inducing effects that are highly beneficial to people with insomnia.

While it may induce drowsiness in some cases, CBD vape oil can improve alertness in others, depending on the dosage consumed.

CBD vape oil also has anxiolytic effects that can help regulate moods. Thus can be used on people with PTSD, OCD, and depression.

Neuroprotective And Anti-Oxidative Effects

Studies have also revealed that CBD vape oil has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Thus can be used in treating neurological disorders such as Parkinsons disease and cerebral ischemia.

Read this article:

Proven Benefits Of CBD Vape Oil - Pennsylvanianewstoday.com

WINDSOR, ONT. -- Flavoured e-cigarette products could soon be banned in Canada following a proposal put forward by Health Canada.

Its an attempt to reduce the appeal to youth, but local vaping advocates disagree.

Vaping saves lives, thats the message from the Rights4Vapers group.

We are here to push back, stand up and stand against the flavour ban that Canada has proposed, says Rights4Vapers spokesperson Maria Papaionnoy Duic.

Health Canada announced in June it is looking to implement restrictions on vaping flavours, prompting the group Rights4Vapers to head out on a tour of Ontario with a stop in Windsor Thursday.

Vaping is part of the harm reduction spectrum, says Papaionnoy Duic.

Weve already made changes in this industry, to bring the nicotine level down, to take the mass appeal off the packaging. I feel weve done enough to to really get the point across that this is for adults only, says Vape Vine manager Ryan Jacques.

Health Canada research has shown flavoured vaping products are highly appealing to youth, recommending a ban to reduce the temptation.

Fruit flavours that are being used, the online marketing promotions in the industry have been targeted in terms of to be appealing to youth, says Dr. Brent Friesen, Medical Officer of Health, Tobacco and Cannabis.

Youth are especially susceptible to the negative effects of nicotine including altered brain development

We as adults love to vape and we need to get rid of cigarettes and as adults sometimes we like the sweeter flavours, says Jacques. Finally we have come up with an alternative to get rid of and eradicate the death and destruction that has been caused by cigarettes and to take that away thats just going to push Canadians that are young, old in between back to that traditional tobacco.

Jaques also believes that if the flavours are banned, the vaping industry will be gone.

This is livelihoods, this is peoples jobs, this is peoples lives, this is feeding our families and if the flavours go away, so does the industry, he explains.

Both sides arguing a ban impacts lives and livelihoods in very different ways.

Asking Health Canada to do is to pause, remove the moral compass and lets go back to the science, there are studies, figure out the root cause of why kids are accessing vaping products, says Papaionnoy Duic.

Read more:

Stop the flavour ban: Rights4Vapers tour makes a stop in Windsor - CTV News Windsor

Despite the growing mistrust towards e-cigarettes and the current regulatory atmosphere, RLXs sales grew 147% to $585 million in 2020, with a small net loss of $20 million, making it Chinas largest vaping firm. Subsequently last January, the brand went public with a brand new initial public offering (IPO) on stock markets in the United States.

At the time, Bloomberg News, had reported that RLX Technology intended to sell 116.5 million American depositary shares of their company at $8 to $10 each. This move had elevated Wang into the ranks of the worlds richest.

Meanwhile, a recent statement by Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced the addition of a clause to the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Tobacco Patent Sales Law of China as Article 65, .. regulations on e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products shall be implemented with reference to the relevant provisions on cigarettes in the regulations. The new regulations will affect the production and operation of e-cigarettes, ensure quality and safety standards and set in place advertising guidelines.

Following the announcement, the stock price of RLX Technology Inc., dropped by more than 24% or $14.70 at 9:55 GMT in pre-market trading on the US market. The day after the announcement the brands stock price closed at $19.46, with a market value of $30.2 billion. In a period of 55 hours starting on the morning of March 22, shares in company collapsed by 54%, slashing more than $16 billion from the startups market cap.

Yet, Wang reassured that she remains unfazed. That doesnt bother me, she said as quoted by Forbes. Every day I focus on my work, which is problem solving.

Meanwhile, a recent report by ECigIntelligence, the renowned independent data analysis resource for the tobacco-alternatives industry, looked into the key aspects and drivers of the current Chinese market. Amongst these factors, the document listed changes in consumer preferences, the roles of different retail channels and how they are changing, and also pointed out the main players in the industry.

The document also highlighted the fact that Chinas market faces specific challenges due to the local tobacco monopoly, which leaves the vaping industry in a vague grey area.

Read Further: Forbes

Go here to read the rest:

The Woman Behind The Vape Brand That Became China's Largest in Three Years - Vaping Post

Teenagers are being sold a harmful mix of CBD and THC oil that can cause a number of nasty side effects when vaped. Parents and teenagers have been warned about the risks of smoking the oil

Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Police have warned parents about a dangerous new trend involving vaping that has already left one boy debilitated.

It is believed the teenage boy vaped a mixture of CBD and THC oil which has been said to cause a variety of nasty side effects.

Police officers say they have already seized a large quantity of the dull, yellow liquid which is being sold in spot bottles as they warn parents and young people about the risks.

Teesside Live says the teenager was at home at the time and thankfully was able to get help when he became unwell.

CBD and THC are both derived from the same cannabis plant.

Image:

However, THC is associated with the high feeling or psychoactive effects, while CBD is more well known for its health benefits.

A spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary said: "Officers particularly want to warn any young people who may be offered or use the liquid, especially in remote areas around Barnard Castle and Teesdale.

"A large quantity of the dull yellow liquid - being sold in sport bottles and distributed in small, unlabelled bottles has already been seized by police.

"Remember, it is illegal to vape if you are under 18."

Anyone who sees or is offered anything that matches the liquids description, call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

For more information visit Cannabis: the facts - NHS

View original post here:

Parents warned of dangerous new vaping trend which led to teenager falling ill - The Mirror

House Bill 3681 (H3681) which is currently being reviewed by Senate, would remove the authority from towns and cities to pass any laws related to vaping and tobacco products.

Section 44-95-45.

(A) Political subdivisions of this State may not enact any laws, ordinances, or rules pertaining to ingredients, flavors, or licensing, beyond a general business license, related to the sale of the following products:

(1) cigarettes, as defined in Section 12-21-620;

(2) electronic smoking devices, e-liquid, vapor products, tobacco products, or alternative nicotine products, each as defined in Section 16-17-501; or

(3) any other product containing nicotine that can be ingested into the body by chewing, smoking, absorbing, dissolving, inhaling, or by any means.

(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with a political subdivisions authority to determine its own public use policies relating to any of the products referenced in this section, states the bill.

Discussing the proposed measure, an educator from Greenville SC, saidthat the bill would have dire consequences on society. Can you imagine living in a community with a vape shop on every corner, with no policies or laws to prohibit that from happening? Furthermore, passing this bill would perpetuate practices that disproportionately target low-income communities and at-risk youths, further aggravating health disparities,

Similarly, the American Lung Association in South Carolina issued a statement highlighting the negative consequences of the measure. The American Lung Association urges lawmakers to oppose House Bill 3681. This bill would take away the right of local communities to pass laws on cigarettes and vaping products that address flavors, ingredients and licensing. This legislation is a win for Big Tobacco and a loss for communities that want to protect their children and youth from the harm of tobacco and flavored nicotine products.

Meanwhile, earlier this year the state of Illinois passed Senate Bill 512, which aims to prevent teens from being able to acquire vaping products. The measure bans any vape adverts considered appealing to adolescents, whilst also requiring vape shops to verify that any customers are 21-years or above. The bill also forbids vape retailers to offer coupons on vape products within their store.

Michigan House Passes Bill Banning Vitamin E Acetate in E-Liquids

Go here to see the original:

South Carolina's Proposed House Bill 3681 - Vaping Post