Daily Archives: February 16, 2024

A study by the University of Louisville has revealed that nicotine salts in e-cigarettes, especially at higher doses, could increase the risk of heart arrhythmias more than previously believed. This challenges the notion that nicotine in e-cigarettes is harmless and highlights the need for careful consideration and potentially stricter regulations to protect public health.

As the new year begins, individuals who smoke or vape might have made resolutions to quit or reduce their consumption for better health. However, they should exercise caution if they plan to transition from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, which some believe to be a safer option.

A new study from the University of Louisville shows the nicotine in certain types of e-cigarettes may be more harmful than others, increasing the risk for irregular heartbeat, or heart arrhythmias.

A popular claim is that nicotine in e-cigarettes is relatively harmless, whereas additives and combustion products largely account for the harms of traditional cigarettes. The UofL research, which tested the effects of e-cigarettes with various types and doses of nicotine in animal models, showed that the nicotine form contained in pod-based e-cigarettes, nicotine salts, led to heart arrhythmias, particularly at higher doses.

In the study, published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, researchers compared heart rate and heart rate variability in mice exposed to vape aerosols containing different types of nicotine. The aerosols contained either freebase nicotine, used in older types of e-cigarettes; nicotine salts, used in Juul and other pod-based e-cigarettes; or racemic freebase nicotine, simulating the recently popularized synthetic nicotine; and their effects were compared to nicotine-free e-cigarette aerosols or air. In addition, the research team delivered increasing concentrations of the nicotine over time, from 1% to 2.5% to 5%.

The nicotine salts induced cardiac arrhythmias more potently than freebase nicotine, and the cardiac arrhythmias increased with the higher concentrations of nicotine.

This suggests the nicotine is harmful to the heart and counters popular claims that the nicotine itself is harmless, said Alex Carll, assistant professor in UofLs Department of Physiology, who led the study. Our findings provide new evidence that nicotine type and concentration modify the adverse cardiovascular effects of e-cigarette aerosols, which may have important regulatory implications.

The study also revealed that the higher levels of nicotine salts increased sympathetic nervous system activity, also known as the fight-or-flight response, by stimulating the same receptor that is inhibited by beta-blockers, heart medications that are prescribed to treat cardiac arrhythmias. In the autonomic nervous system, sympathetic dominance increases the fight-or-flight response in bodily functions, including heart rate.

The nicotine in e-cigarettes causes irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) in a dose-dependent manner by stimulating the very receptor that many heart medications are designed to inhibit, Carll said.

The findings conclude that inhalation of e-cig aerosols from nicotine-salt-containing e-liquids could increase cardiovascular risks by inducing sympathetic dominance and cardiac arrhythmias.

This work is part of a growing body of research on the potential toxicity and health impacts of e-cigarettes reported by the American Heart Association Tobacco Regulation and Addiction Center, for which UofL serves as the flagship institute. The teams previous research found that exposure to e-cigarette aerosols containing certain flavors or solvent vehicles caused ventricular arrhythmias and other conduction irregularities in the heart, even without nicotine, leading Carll to speculate that the arrhythmias may not be the result of the nicotine alone, but also by the flavors and solvents included in the e-cigarettes.

The researchers concluded that, if these results are confirmed in humans, regulating nicotine salts through minimum pH standards or limits on acid additives in e-liquids may mitigate the public health risks of vaping.

Even without regulatory changes, however, the research suggests that users may reduce potential harm by opting for e-cigarettes with freebase nicotine instead of nicotine salts or using e-cigarettes with a lower nicotine content.

Reference: Nicotine Formulation Influences the Autonomic and Arrhythmogenic Effects of Electronic Cigarettes by Cory Kucera, Anand Ramalingam, Shweta Srivastava, Aruni Bhatnagar and Alex P Carll, 27 November 2023, Nicotine & Tobacco Research. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad237

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Vaping's Hidden Hazard: Study Questions Safety of Nicotine Inhalation - SciTechDaily

Youth vaping is recipe for addiction, officials say Illegal flavored e-cartridges still being sold NJ town has new fines, penalties in place

HOWELL A Monmouth County town hopes to ease the youth vaping epidemic with a new series of actions and fines.

Howell Alliance Coordinator, Christa Riddle said that town officials will crack down on the illegal sale of flavored e-cartridges, while also hoping to stem the alarming and widespread use of vape products by youth around New Jersey.

Riddle said the risks of using traditional, combustible cigarettes seems to have gotten through to families while dangers of newer nicotine and tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices appear to need more emphasis.

(Monmouth County Canva)

Howell Township updated its smoking ordinance nearly a year ago in spring 2023.

Enforcement measures for violations are starting now with a particular focus on flavored and disposable e-cigarettes.

Many of these cartridges have not been regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and have strong concentrates of nicotine, synthetic nicotine, and even THC (the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis).

Outbreak Of Severe Pulmonary Disease Increases Scrutiny Of Vaping

Despite being illegal at the federal and state levels since 2020, many of the flavored vape cartridges are still on some store shelves, "which is confusing" to consumers, Riddle added.

Some youth are already vaping two to three nicotine pods a day, Riddle said, which can be the equivalent of up to 20 cigarettes' worth of nicotine creating a perfect storm for addiction.

There are no nicotine or THC potency caps, she continued, so e-cigarette pods and e-liquids may contain stronger nicotine salts, synthetic nicotine and higher nicotine concentrates than traditional cigarettes.

Riddle said there has also been concern about high potency, concentrated marijuana products with THC levels of up to almost 100%, which has been linked to psychoses and cannabis use disorder.

Township police officers will now be enforcing the town-wide ban on smoking on public property and in public places, issuing violations no matter what substance is being smoked.

While a first offense earned a fine of $250, a Howell Township Municipal Court judge has the option to waive that amount with proof of completion of RWJ Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recoverys 8-week Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery Program, or another similar, accredited program.

Fines for smoking on public property then increase to $500 for the second offense and $1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

As for Howell's efforts concerning the sale of e-smoking devices, township code enforcement officers and police would be writing up retailers for selling, distributing, or providing any e-cigarette product to anyone under 21 as well as all sales of flavored e-cigarette products.

Since 2017, the legal age for buying tobacco products and electronic smoking devices in New Jersey has been 21.

It is also illegal in NJ for any retailer to give away e-cigarette products or to accept e-cigarette coupons.

The township has launched a new, required e-cigarette retailer license the fee is $1,000 and it needs to be renewed annually.

Fines for retail electronic smoking device product sales violations are $1,000 for a first offense; $1,500 for a second offense and $2,000 for third and subsequent offenses.

Any business with two violations within a year or five total violations could see its license permanently revoked, at the discretion of Howell's mayor and town council.

Howell does notallow retail cannabis dispensaries and has opted out of retail cannabis licensing.

The town's full ordinance on smoking and e-cigarette regulations can be found online.

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These are the schools in New Jersey with the highest rates of bullying. The rankings are based on the annual School Performance Reports for the 2021-22 school year. New Jersey 101.5 ranked the schools based on the rate of reported bullying incidents per 100 students. Schools with enrolment less than 100 are excluded.

Gallery Credit: New Jersey 101.5

Gallery Credit: Aubrey Jane McClaine

Gallery Credit: Martha Sandoval

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NJ town will have cops crack down on youth vaping - New Jersey 101.5 FM

(Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels)

Over half of university students are now addicted to vaping - and at one uni nearly 75 percent vape, an investigation has found.

It says the figures are ''even more shocking'' than last year and ''provide an exclusive look into the changing vaping habits of students''.

The Tab last year found that 27 percent of students were addicted to disposable vapes - this year the figure is 57 percent.

Exclusive data found that Lost Marys has officially taken over as the most popular vape - with 34 percent of students saying it was their first choice.

Elf Bars, which dominated uni campuses last year, were the choice of 21 percent of students.

Of all the students who admitted to vaping, 52 percent said they didnt smoke before picking up the habit and 34 percent said they get through a disposable vape as quickly as one day or night out.

Donn Gabriel Baleva

As a result, 16 percent of students reported having health complications since starting vaping with common ones including gum disease, mouth ulcers, constant shortness of breath, coughing and teeth problems.

The results found at Northumbria University 74 percent of students vape.

Speaking on vape addiction and offering advice to students who may be addicted, Doctor Babak Ashrafi said: Similar to regular cigarettes, vapes release nicotine a substance that releases neurotransmitters like dopamine, which generate feelings of pleasure and reward in the brain.

''Certain electronic vapes can deliver nicotine to the bloodstream more rapidly than cigarettes, making them more addictive.

Quitting vaping after youve become addicted to nicotine can result in withdrawal symptoms.

''This, coupled with the wide array of flavors available in stores, has played a key role in the increase in vaping weve seen in the past few years. For students hooked on vaping, its important to ask for help.

''If youre struggling, talking to your GP or an addiction specialist is a good first step. They can offer personalized plans and medication to help you quit.

To kick the habit, its crucial to understand whats driving your need to vape. Talking with a healthcare professional can help you uncover the stressors or mental health issues that are contributing to your addiction.

''By tackling these issues, you can adopt healthier ways of dealing with stress. Dont forget about the power of your support network.

''Mental health counselors and support groups are there for you. Connecting with them can offer the support you need to beat the addiction.

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Investigation finds over half of UK university students addicted to vaping - news-daily.com

New York, NY, Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Blinc Group, a pioneering force in the cannabis vaporizer industry, is thrilled to introduce Simpl Too, the latest innovation in its esteemed vaping device lineup. Building upon the foundation laid by the original Simpl launched last year, Simpl Too embodies the companys dedication to user-centric design, advanced technology, and environmental responsibility.

Empowering Consumers with Recyclable Battery Solutions

At the heart of Simpl Too's design is our commitment to sustainability, primarily through enabling users to recycle the device's battery using their preferred methods.

"Our vision with Simpl Too was clear to offer a product that not only excels in performance and customization but also empowers our users to participate in responsible recycling practices, particularly for the battery component," states Pete Sahani, CEO of The Blinc Group.

This approach underscores Blincs belief in responsible consumption and our dedication to minimizing the environmental footprint of our products.

Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, Co-founder and CXSO of The Blinc Group saidSimpl Too is not merely a product launch; it is a strategic move towards sustainability, innovation, and leadership in the competitive cannabis vaping market

Innovative Design for an Unparalleled Experience

Simpl Too continues to revolutionize the vaping experience with its postless design, making it remarkably easy to fill and cap. The devices gravity-fed coil system is engineered to prevent leaking and clogging, ensuring a flawless experience with a wide range of cannabis extracts. With dual airflow and a powerful 230mAh UL compliant rechargeable battery, Simpl Too delivers exceptional performance that meets the diverse needs and preferences of brands, processors, and consumers.

Remaining true to The Blinc Group's commitment to personalization, Simpl Too offers full customization options. This not only enhances the consumer experience but also reflects our strategic focus on providing vaping solutions that cater to individual preferences, setting new benchmarks in the industry.

Join Our Sustainable Cannabis Vaping Initiative

The introduction of Simpl Too represents a significant stride towards sustainable vaping practices. By facilitating easy battery recycling, we encourage consumers to join us in making environmentally conscious choices, contributing to a collective effort towards a more sustainable future.

As we unveil Simpl Too, we invite our community to embrace this innovation and the positive environmental impact it brings. Together, we can make significant strides in promoting responsible and sustainable vaping practices.

Follow this link for more information aboutSimpl Too and our initiatives.

About The Blinc Group

As a trailblazer headquartered in New York City, The Blinc Group melds cutting-edge cannabis vaping hardware and dedicated service solutions to cater to our diverse clientele. Beyond offering an extensive collection of cartridges, batteries, ready-to-use vaporizers, and custom device development, we amplify the backbone of our service orientation with unique features. 'Scale Now Pay Later' , Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), and rheology expertise underscore our commitment to fostering our clients' growth. Through our 'Powered by Blinc' process, we assure end-to-end supply chain control, empowering our clients to deliver innovative, safe, and quality-controlled products to global cannabis enthusiasts. The Blinc Group also offers comprehensive support services that encompass flexible payment terms, R&D, production, testing, SOPs, training, and strategizing go-to-market and brand communication approaches. Learn more about the value we bring at http://www.theblincgroup.com.

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The Blinc Group Unveils Simpl Too: Pioneering the Future of Eco-Responsible Vaping - GlobeNewswire

According to the report, 622 individuals out of the total participants were placed in what was termed the 'intervention group'. This group received an unlimited supply of e-cigarettes in any flavour they preferred, along with other aids to give up smoking, like nicotine patches and counselling. The rest of the participants only received counselling and quitting aids, but not e-cigarettes.

After six months of observation, 29% of the e-cigarette group had successfully quit smoking compared to just 16% from the other group. At the end of the study, 60% of the people who vaped quit smoking compared to 40% of people who gave up without the help of e-cigarettes.

According to Dr. Reto Auer, the study's lead researcher and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Bern, the findings align with other research showing similar outcomes. He also noted that the research team plans to follow up with the participants for five years to further evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of vaping as a cessation tool.

I'm a primary care doctor, and smoking cessation is a core element of my daily clinical practice. So it's really important to know if people stop smoking, and I think that becoming really clear in the literature that it helps to quit smoking, Auer said.

We aim to follow up on participants for 12, 24, months, but also at five years to continue to see how, over time, participants use these products and about long-term health," Auer added.

Experts outside the study, such as Dr. Sarah Jackson from the Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group at University College London, also support the evidence that vaping can be a more effective method for quitting smoking. She highlighted that those provided with e-cigarettes were nearly twice as likely to stop smoking for six months or more compared to those who received standard care, without any significant increase in adverse health events or respiratory issues.

It's a really delicate balancing act because what we want to do is try and make sure that these products are as attractive and appealing as they can be to people who smoke, to encourage them to switch to a much less harmful product," she says.

"But in doing so, we don't want to make them too attractive to young people, in particular, who have never smoked. So it's it's a careful balancing act that requires trade-offs. But I think it's essential that we don't make these effective smoking cessation aids less attractive to people who smoke by removing the flavours."

Auer agreed, saying, It's the central conundrum we'll always have with e-cigarettes: on one side, helping smokers quit. And on the other side, avoiding that adolescents become addicted to nicotine.

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Vaping is good for people who want to quit smoking according to new research - Business Insider Africa

Newly released documents related to Juul Labs, a major player in the vaping industry, provide unprecedented insight into the methods corporations utilize to influence government policies. These documents reveal the extensive efforts Juul has made to promote its interests in Washington, including lobbying, political donations, and attempts to prevent action against the company. This glimpse into Juuls corporate practices provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between corporations and the government.

According to a report from Stat News, a trove of internal emails and documents from Juul Labs were released, revealing the companys extensive efforts to establish its presence in Washington. This included lobbying, political donations, and attempts to prevent regulatory action against the company. The documents also revealed Juuls use of dark money groups to funnel large donations to political candidates, and the companys efforts to raise the age for purchasing tobacco products to 21. Juuls CEO and board members coordinated donations to lawmakers, and the company also made traditional donations to individual candidates and their political action committees.

As part of a national settlement, Juul Labs has been ordered to pay over 8 million to the state of Nebraska. This settlement also requires Juul to refrain from marketing its products to youths. However, critics argue that the vaping epidemic among children invalidates Juuls response to the FDA ban on its vapes. Vaping is popular among teens, with a third reporting seeing classmates vaping in school a few times a week or daily. The rise of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and decriminalized marijuana have begun to undermine traditional anti-smoking arguments.

A study from the University of York found that the popularity of vaping among young users is fuelled by viewing e-cigarette advertisements and content on social media. Marketing strategies for e-cigarettes have resulted in more users and intentions to use the products among young people. Sponsorship by celebrities and social media influencers, as well as a focus on the appeal of e-liquids, has been observed. The UK Government has taken measures to ban disposable vapes and the ways they are marketed to children in shops, but these do not include targeting social media campaigns.

The Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law includes e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery products. The official Massachusetts government website provides guidance to school administrators on educating staff and parents about vaping, collecting data on tobacco use, and accessing resources for quitting tobacco. It encourages the establishment of chapters of The 84 Movement and provides information about regional Tobacco-Free Community Partnerships.

The 10th Conference of Parties (COP10) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recently took place in Panama City. The tobacco, vape, and nicotine industries are heavily involved in lobbying and promoting electronic smoking devices (ESDs) at such occasions. The WHO has concluded that ESDs are addictive and that all forms of tobacco and nicotine use are dangerous. The Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance has voiced concern about the marketing tactics of the industry contributing to the appeal of ESDs to the young, leading to increased initiation and experimentation among young people.

As these recent revelations show, there is a pressing need for more robust regulation and transparency in the vaping industry, particularly in terms of the influence corporations like Juul can wield over government policy and public health. Its clear that we need to take further action to protect young people from the harmful effects of vaping.

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The Influence of Juul Labs on Government Policy and Public Health | Health News - Medriva