GOP efforts to limit ballot measures protecting abortion build on similar efforts by Big Tobacco in the 1980s

On April 23, 2023 the New York Times published an extensive description of how Republican states are trying to limit access to ballot initiatives that pro-choice groups have been using to protect abortion access. Such efforts are not new. After public health advocates started using the initiative process to pass tobacco control measures, including tobaccoContinue reading “GOP efforts to limit ballot measures protecting abortion build on similar efforts by Big Tobacco in the 1980s”

E-cig studies from England twice as likely to support e-cigs as studies from other countries

England is unquestionably the most pro-e-cigarette country on the planet, most recently evidenced by the fact that the government is giving away free e-cigarette starter kits to one million smokers despite the fact that e-cigarettes as consumer products don’t help smokers quit and may, in the long run, keep them smoking (even in England). TheContinue reading “E-cig studies from England twice as likely to support e-cigs as studies from other countries”

The 6-state Juul settlement includes some stronger provisions than earlier settlements

The latest settlements between six states (California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico and New York) and the District of Columbia and Juul, announced on April 11, 2023, mostly follows the earlier North Carolina settlement, but does include some stronger provisions, particularly compared to the earlier 33 state settlement. This summary is basedContinue reading “The 6-state Juul settlement includes some stronger provisions than earlier settlements”

Juul settlement should stop internet sales of Juul menthol pods in California

On April 11, 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that he (and six other states) has settled litigation against Juul for money, making some of the Juul documents from discovery public, and an agreement by Juul to curb some specific marketing activities. I will be providing a detailed analysis of the settlement later, butContinue reading “Juul settlement should stop internet sales of Juul menthol pods in California”

“Non-menthol” is a characterizing flavor, so illegal to sell in California

California law (SB793, upheld against an RJ Reynolds’ referendum) prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products. In response, RJ Reynolds and ITG Brands introduced “non-menthol” cigarettes to try and evade the law. While most discussion has concentrated on the fact that these products are marketed just like menthol brands (which, by itself, is enough toContinue reading ““Non-menthol” is a characterizing flavor, so illegal to sell in California”

Camel Crush Non-menthol Oasis Blue “sweet with a vanilla undertone”

An online review of Camel Crush Non-menthol Oasis Blue (posted Feb 17, 2023) describes it as “sweet with a vanilla undertone” adds to the evidence that RJ Reynolds’ “non-menthol” cigarettes introduced in California violate the state’s ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products. As discussed in detail before, here is what the California lawContinue reading “Camel Crush Non-menthol Oasis Blue “sweet with a vanilla undertone””

Three new papers detail FDA errors in authorizing Vuse Solo

Last week Tobacco Control published two peer reviewed scientific critiques of FDA’s authorization for RJ Reynolds to sell Vuse Solo e-cigarettes as well as a commentary on the two papers.  Both papers recommend FDA exercise its authority to withdraw authorization to sell Vuse Solo and the commentary because FDA did not demonstrate that marketing VuseContinue reading “Three new papers detail FDA errors in authorizing Vuse Solo”

FDA pushes back date for finishing PMTAs (again)

The convenience store trade publication CSP reported that the FDA has pushed the anticipated date for finishing making decisions on premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) — mostly e-cigarettes — again, this time to the end of 2023. According to CSP, The Food and Drug Administration is going to need until the end of 2023 toContinue reading “FDA pushes back date for finishing PMTAs (again)”

UCSF Tobacco Center Billion Lives Symposium available for online viewing

As in past years, the symposium is archived and available to watch for free here. This is the program: Keynote Panel: 20 Years of the Industry Documents: Past, Present and Future: Presentations by Faculty and Postdoctoral Scholars: Closing Remarks, Chris Shaffer, MS, UCSF Assistant Vice Chancellor and University Librarian The last several years’ symposia areContinue reading “UCSF Tobacco Center Billion Lives Symposium available for online viewing”

RJR non-menthol Newport cigs are “substantially equivalent” to RJR Newport menthol

There are three ways that a tobacco company can get authorization to sell a new tobacco product in the US.  The way that has attracted a lot of attention lately is through a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA); all the e-cigarettes have to go through this process.  There are also two easier processes: submit aContinue reading “RJR non-menthol Newport cigs are “substantially equivalent” to RJR Newport menthol”