Category Archives: Vaping

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) A ban on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) passed the third reading at the Taipei City Council on Wednesday (Nov. 3), positioning the capital to become the first city in Taiwan to outlaw novel tobacco products.

The city ordinance stipulates that the manufacture, import, sale, supply, display, or advertising of the products is illegal, while their use is banned within 50 meters of school campuses. The regulation is pending Cabinet approval, wrote CNA.

Violators will be fined between NT$10,000 (US$359) and NT$50,000. Juveniles busted using e-cigarettes or HTPs will be required to receive education about ways to quit smoking, and absences from these classes will incur penalties ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000.

The city's Department of Health suggested businesses selling vaping and heated tobacco products have misled the public by claiming such alternatives help wean people off smoking. However, up to 80% of e-liquid refills are found to contain nicotine in annual sampling inspections led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which indicates the risk of addiction, said the department.

The apparent health threat such products can pose has also been a major reason for the tightening of rules.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about the higher levels of toxins in HTP aerosols than in conventional cigarette smoke, while a study published by the Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis in March indicated that at least 164 of the 1,064 chemicals found in vaping devices available in Australia were toxic, according to the John Tung Foundation.

The new products have proved to be appealing to youths, in part due to the various flavors. Last month the Consumers Foundation flagged the prevalence of such merchandise on e-commerce platforms.

The review of a proposed amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act has hit a snag as the Cabinet debates the need to separately regulate e-cigarettes and HTPs. Premier Su Tseng-chang () has promised to submit it for legislative reading by the end of this year, reported China Times.

E-cigarettes and other contraband found on Taiwan's e-commerce platforms. (CNA photo)

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Taipei set to ban sale of vaping and heated tobacco products - Taiwan News

An adaptable kit

The Z80 kit has a stylish design and a sleek finish, and uses an 18650 battery. The addition of new operating modes to the updated Zenith II clearomizer mean you can use it for indirect and restricted direct vaping What a great way to start vaping!

On the top of the box theres a spring-mounted 510 connector. It can take atomizers up to 26mm in diameter, which meets most peoples needs, as is using a single 18650 battery. The box can reach 80 W.

The body of the box is covered with a smooth leather- or suede-look material depending on the finish. It feels soft and smooth in your hand.

You access the battery compartment via a screw cap. Theres a small tab (for picking it up) that makes it easy to handle. 4 degassing outlets increase the safety level of the Z80 in case of battery problems. The cap thread is smooth. It only takes a few seconds to fit the battery.

On the front there are two buttons for settings and under them theres a USB-C port for occasional charging. The activation button is on the top of the box. It is discreetly edged in gold.

The display screen is bright enough and shows all the information youll need for everyday use. The Z80 box has a menu in watts and volts, and a F function. This menu allows you to set a frequency in Hertz to suit the coil youre using. To make this function easier to use, the box displays recommendations about the range of use. Depending on your inhalation style and the e-liquid youre using, you should update the value within the recommended range. The refresh function is a kind of low powered pre-heat function that cleans any e-liquid deposits off the coil. Its a bit unusual when you use it, but it works well. Combining the two functions ensures a much longer coil life than you get in conventional wattage mode.

The Zenith II comes with two mouth pieces (drip tips). The mouthpiece installed when you open the package is for indirect inhalation (into your mouth then into your lungs, like a tobacco cigarette). The second mouthpiece is bigger and black. Its for direct inhalation (when you breathe directly into your lungs). These new features show just how far the Zenith II has come. Its more versatile than its big brother, but well come back to that. Its easy to fill just turn the top ring on the clearomizer to open the filling hole. The split seal guarantees it wont leak, even if you turn the Zenith II upside down. We recommend using bottles with narrow tips to make that process easier. With a 5.5 ml capacity, you wont even need to fill the Zenith II that often.

The design of the Zenith II is sober. The edges are slightly rounded and add to the styling of the clearomizer. The upper rotating ring has a Z for Zenith engraved into it. Its discreet and well integrated. The lower ring, which allows you to access the coil is also machined to make it easier to turn.

The biggest change in the new Zenith II is the option to take it apart completely. Unlike the first model, you can change the Pyrex tank. The kit actually comes with a second tank too. Taking the clearomizer apart only takes a few seconds everything screws on and off easily and totally smoothly.

Changing the coil is a breeze. It only fits in one way, thanks to two flat plates either side of the coil. Putting in and removing the coil is easy and once its in, it wont budge. The seals work perfectly. During out tests we didnt see a single leak or any horrible seepage.

What sets the Zenith II apart is this new found versatility. As the go-to clearomizer for indirect inhalation and a very tight draw, the first model gained a great reputation and a large fan base. The new model retains the qualities that made the first clearomizer so successful, and has been developed to offer restricted direct inhalation too. The air flow adjustment ring has a series of 3 small holes for an ultra-tight draw. Turning it a little more gives you a wide opening for a more direct draw. Teaming this up with the Z coils makes the option of using a wide range of powers pretty amazing.

The 0.8 ohm coil is designed for indirect inhalation. Its range of use is between 15 to 18 W, and delivers great, aromatic flavour. Adjusting the air flow adjustment ring gives you variable draft tightness, and that can change the vapour temperature. Its perfect for gourmet liquids. Vapers who prefer lower powers can easily switch to other coils that work with the Zenith II and range from 0.48 ohm to 1.6 ohm. Thats more than enough for most peoples needs.

The second 0.3 ohm resistor, for use between 30 and 40 W, is reserved for restricted direct inhalation. Whichever liquid we tried, the flavours were excellent. Vapour production is consistent with the power used with the coil. Without a doubt, this coil gives beginners the opportunity to try direct inhalation, and also offers a reasonable direct vape for people who like small clouds.

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Test: the Coolfire Z80 kit by Innokin - Vaping Post

Researchers found that adolescents who say they vaped cannabis within the last 30 days increased 7-fold from 2013 to 2020. Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images hide caption

Researchers found that adolescents who say they vaped cannabis within the last 30 days increased 7-fold from 2013 to 2020.

Teen vaping of marijuana doubled between 2013 and 2020, indicating that young people may be swapping out joints, pipes or bongs for vape pens, according to a new study.

Researchers also found that adolescents who say they vaped cannabis within the last 30 days increased 7-fold from 1.6% to 8.4% during the same period.

The report was published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday by researchers who analyzed 17 studies involving nearly 200,000 adolescents in the U.S. and Canada. Overall, they say, the cumulative data points to what may be a shift in preference from dried herb to cannabis oil products, which is how marijuana is ingested via vaping.

This may be due to the more intense high that can be achieved by cannabis oils, which contain higher levels of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and the misconception that vaping devices are safer than smoking.

However, researchers stressed that vaping marijuana poses serious health dangers for teens.

"Regular use of high THC products could increase the risk of dependence, other substance use and many other health, social and behavioral problems later in life," study author Carmen Lim, a doctoral candidate in health and behavioral sciences at the University of Queensland in Australia, told NPR.

The Monitoring the Future survey a large U.S. survey on drug and alcohol use related attitudes in adolescents is one of the 17 studies included in the new meta-analysis. Although it showed that marijuana use has remained relatively stable among 12th graders in the last few years, hovering around the 35% mark, the growing popularity of electronic pot vaping devices is alarming, Lim said.

"Since marijuana is currently illegal at the federal level, many products are not regulated," she explained.

She noted that the amount of toxicant in marijuana vapes, including cutting agents such as Vitamin E acetate, which can interfere with normal lung functioning when inhaled, remains unknown.

The Centers for Disease and Prevention reported an outbreak of more than 2,800 cases of lung injury, including 68 deaths, that were linked to e-cigarettes and vaping products between March 2019 and February 2020. Investigators eventually determined that the vast majority of people who had sustained lung injuries after vaping had consumed THC-containing products, many of which also contained Vitamin E acetate.

Carol Boyd, co-director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health at the University of Michigan, told NPR "vaping marijuana appears even worse" for young people than vaping nicotine products.

The 2020 Monitoring the Future survey found that "adolescents' lifetime cannabis vaping" use was associated with several adverse respiratory symptoms.

"In contrast to smoking cannabis, vaping marijuana with an electronic nicotine device increased the likelihood that adolescents would have worrisome pulmonary symptoms, including things like wheezing or whistling in their chest," Boyd said.

They are also more likely to have their sleep disturbed by wheezing and experience a dry cough when exercising, she added.

"They vape because they think it's safer but that's not necessarily the case," Boyd said. "They are misleading themselves."

The study advocates for greater investment in intervention and prevention measures, including better regulation of cannabis vaping products and bans on advertising that target young people.

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Cannabis vaping among teens has grown sharply in recent years - NPR

To the editor:

Teens all over the country are being influenced by vapes. Vapes are being marketed towards the younger population due to all the fun, different flavors they put out. Over half of teens that vape have said that they do it because of the flavors, along with it being the fun, cool thing to do nowadays.

There has been a recent push to ban all non-tobacco flavored vapes, to try to decrease the number of users. A lot of teens think that vaping is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes, and some are under the assumption that they cannot get addicted to the nicotine in them.

They are wrong. While theyre generally thought to be less harmful than smoking, a lot of the long-term effects of vaping are unknown. Recently, there has been a lung disease that has been able to be tied back to vaping called EVALI, which implies that vaping may have more potentially harmful side effects than people are aware of.

Nicotine has also been shown to possibly harm the developing adolescent brain by effecting the parts that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Overall, teen vaping has several effects on the body along with increasing the risk of them becoming addicted to other drugs in the future.

If you or someone you know wants to quit vaping and needs help you can call or text 1-855-891-9989 and youll be put in contact with a youth coach who can provide free and confidential counseling sessions.

KIMBERLEE WIGGERS,

Youngstown State University nursing student,

Lisbon

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Teens and the dangers of vaping | News, Sports, Jobs - Morning Journal News

In 2016 the Food & Drug Administration "deemed" electronic cigarettes, vaping pens, and other electronic Nicotine delivery systems ("ENDS") to be "tobacco products" under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. As a consequence, all ENDS manufacturers were required to submit premarket tobacco applications (PMTAs) in order to continue selling their wares. Under the Tobacco Act, the FDA is only to approve a PMTA if it concludes approval is "appropriate for the protection of public health," taking into account "the risks and benefits to the population as a whole." Without a PMTA, a deemed tobacco product cannot be sold.

PMTAs are supposed to be submitted before a new tobacco product is sold, but this was impossible since the FDA's rule applied to products already on the market. Accordingly, the FDA announced that ENDS manufacturers would have two years to prepare and submit the lengthy and detailed materials necessary for their applications before they would face the prospect of FDA enforcement. The FDA soon realized that the material and information necessary for PMTAs would be substantial, particularly because a separate PMTA is required for each product, defined quite capaciously (i.e. each package size, each flavor, each nicotine level, each delivery system, etc.). So the FDA tried to extend the enforcement deadline until 2022, but anti-tobacco groups sued, and they settled on a 2020 deadline.

The FDA ultimately received applications for over 4.8 million ENDS products from 230 companies. Needless to say, this is a bit more than the agency anticipated, and it has been working to process the applications, denying most of them. Because a PMTA denial is a death sentence, some disappointed ENDS producers have filed suit, challenging the denials and seeking judicial orders blocking FDA enforcement in the meantime.

Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled on one company's application for a stay pending resolution of its petition challenging the FDA's denial of its PMTAs. The court's opinion inWages and White Lion Investments LLC v. USFDA (WWLI) is a blistering indictment of the agency's decision-making and evaluation of ENDS PMTAs.

InWWLIa unanimous panel granted Triton Distribution's application for a stay, concluding that it had demonstrated not only a strong likelihood of success on the merits, but also that it would suffer irreparable injury without a stay, and the government would not.

A key problem with the way that the FDA handled the PMTAs filed by Triton (and other ENDS manufacturers) is that the FDA based its denial of their applications on a different standard than it had told companies they have to meet. This sort of action is at the heart of arbitrary agency action, and is antithetical to principles of due process.

For years, the FDA had informed ENDS manufacturers that they would not need to conduct long-term health studies on their individual products for their applications. This only makes sense, as ENDS manufacturers only had a limited period of time to prepare their materials. Yet, on August 26 when the FDA announced it was denying PMTAs for 55,000 flavored e-cigarette products, it claimed that such studies were "likely" necessary for approval. A few weeks later, the FDA denied Triton's applications, explaining that the key basis" for the denial, was the lack of "robust and reliable evidence" from long-term studies of the sort FDA had previously told manufacturers were unnecessary. (Triton had nonetheless committed to conduct such studies, but the FDA refused to consider that assurance.)

As Judge Oldham's opinion makes clear, the FDA's decision-making in denying Triton's application is an almost textbook example of what agencies arenot supposed to do. It both changed course without adequate explanation or consideration of serious reliance interests while simultaneously refusing to consider multiple relevant factors and information submitted by Triton.

Here are a few examples from Oldham's opinion:

The FDA failed to reasonably consider Triton's proposed marketing plan. The FDA repeatedly stated that a marketing plan is "a critical factor in[] FDA's statutorily required determination." Premarket Tobacco Product Applications and Recordkeeping Requirements, 86 Fed. Reg. 55,300, 55,324 (Oct. 5, 2021) ("Final Rule"); see also 84 Fed. Reg. 50,566, 50,581 (Sept. 25, 2019) ("Proposed Rule") ("The applicant's marketing plans . . . will provide input that is critical to FDA's determination of the likelihood of changes in tobacco product use behavior, especially when considered in conjunction with other information contained in the application." (emphasis added)); A.45 n.xix ("Limiting youth access and exposure to marketing is a critical aspect of product regulation." (emphasis added)); A.45 (Premarket "assessment includes evaluating the appropriateness of the proposed marketing plan."). Here, however, the FDA simply ignored Triton's plan. It stated: "[F]or the sake of efficiency, the evaluation of the marketing plan in applications will not occur at this stage of review, and we have not evaluated any marketing plans submitted with these applications."

The FDA's excuses for ignoring the "critical factor" of Triton's marketing plan are unpersuasive. First, the FDA says it didn't evaluate Triton's plan for "the sake of efficiency." Ibid. But "efficiency" is no substitute for "reasoned decisionmaking." Michigan, 576 U.S. at 750; see also Judulang v. Holder, 565 U.S. 42, 64 (2011) (emphasizing that "cheapness alone cannot save an arbitrary agency policy"). . . .

In a footnote Judge Oldham notes that the FDA's failure to consider Triton's marketing plan, and how it would control youth access, was particularly striking given that then-FDA Commissioner Scott Gottleib had identified Triton's approach as "best practices."

And then there are Trtiton's reliance interests, which the FDA disregarded in the course of its regulatory "switcheroo."

Between the Deeming Rule's effective date and the deadline for PMTAs, the FDA held public meetings and issued guidance on how e-cigarette manufacturers could get premarket authorization. In its "final guidance," the FDA stated that it did not "expect" that tobacco manufacturers would need to conduct long-term studies to support their PMTA. See, e.g., A.7374; A.92; see also Nicopure Labs, LLC v. FDA, 944 F.3d 267, 282 (D.C. Cir. 2019) ("The FDA has expressed willingness to accept scientific literature reviews instead of commissioned studies in support of e-cigarette applications in appropriate circumstances."). The FDA's expectation did not deviate in its Proposed Rule issued before the Order or the Final Rule issued a couple weeks after the Order. See Final Rule, 86 Fed. Reg. at 55,387 ("FDA does not expect that long-term clinical studies will need to be conducted for each PMTA; instead, it expects that it should be able to rely on other valid scientific evidence to evaluate some PMTAs."); Proposed Rule, 84 Fed. Reg. at 50,619 (similar). Many e-cigarette companies relied on the FDA's repeated insistence that it did "not expect that applicants will have to conduct long-term studies to support an application" and did not perform or submit such evidence.

Then the FDA "pull[ed] a surprise switcheroo on regulated entities." Env't Integrity Project v. EPA, 425 F.3d 992, 996 (D.C. Cir. 2005) (Sentelle, J.); accord Azar v. Allina Health Servs., 139 S. Ct. 1804, 1810 (2019) (citing the "surprise switcheroo" doctrine). Almost a year after the PMTA deadline, the FDA issued its first marketing denial orders for various flavored e-cigarettes and announced that it required the very studies it originally expected it didn't need. . . . Despite the radical difference, the FDA never mentioned, let alone reasonably considered, whether e-cigarette manufacturers, like Triton, could've reasonably relied on the FDA's prior meetings and guidance.

The law requires more. "When an agency changes course, . . . it must be cognizant that longstanding policies may have engendered serious reliance interests that must be taken into account." Regents, 140 S. Ct. at 1913 (quotation omitted). This does not mean that the FDA could not have "determine[d], in the particular context before it, that other interests and policy concerns outweigh any reliance interests. Making that difficult decision was the agency's job, but the agency failed to do it." Id. at 1914. This reinforces that the Order was likely arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise unlawful.

The FDA further failed to consider Triton's reliance interests, whether there were alternatives to denial on this basis, and other evidence submitted by Triton. As Judge Oldham noted, the FDA responded more to some of Triton's claims before the Fifth Circuit than it had when rejecting Triton's PMTA. The court also found that that, on balance, a majority of the other relevant factors favored granting Triton's request for a stay

The opinion also rejected the government's (in my view, borderline frivolous) argument that Triton sought relief -- a stay of FDA enforcement action -- that the court could not give. Yet just as a court could issue a stay barring the deportation of an unlawfully present alien pending review of the alien's claim for asylum or lawful presence, a court may order an administrative agency defendant to preserve the status quo pending the outcome of the litigation (in this case, by not initiating an enforcement action). How a government attorney argued the alternative is beyond me, particularly given the innovative and aggressive arguments in favor of expansive judicial authority to enter stays the federal government is currently making in the S.B. 8 litigation (something which I doubt was lost on this panel).

The Fifth Circuit's WWLI decision indicates the FDA faces a tough road ahead defending many of its PMTA denials--and it appears the FDA knows it. Other manufacturers have also sought relief in court, and even before the Fifth Circuit's decision issued the FDA was already beginning to back down. For instance, on October 11, in the face of a pending stay request before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the FDA agreed to rescind its denial of PMTAs submitted by Turning Point Brands.

What is particularly galling about the FDA's treatment of ENDS manufacturers is that the FDA is well-aware that ENDS products pose far less risk to users than traditional, combustible cigarettes, and has acknowledged that ENDS can help some smokers quit. Further, there is substantial evidence that limitations on ENDS products will increase smoking, particularly among youth (as has been well-documented). Thus the FDA's cavalier rejection of PMTAs is not only arbitrary and capricious, it is contrary to the FDA's underlying public health mission (and may also be unconstitutional).

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Fifth Circuit Rebukes FDA for Regulatory "Switcheroo" in Denying Vaping Product Applications - Reason

A proposed ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products in Denver got bogged down Wednesday as members of the City Councils safety committee debated a handful of amendments including changes that would exempt hookah lounges and menthol cigarettes.

Committee members will have three weeks to work on things behind the scenes, agreeing Wednesday to pick up the measure and the five changes proposed so far again at a meeting on Nov. 17 before it can be moved along for consideration by the entire City Council.

Brought forth earlier this month by Councilmembers Amanda Sawyer and Debbie Ortega, the ordinance would make it illegal to sell items including flavored cigars, e-cigarettes, vape pens, vape juices, menthol cigarettes and shisha, the flavored tobacco used in hookah pipes in Denver. The sponsors and their backers argue its a public imperative, with flavored products being used to lure in young people and make them smokers for life.

The youth smoking and vaping epidemic is what we are trying to solve for here, Sawyer said Wednesday. It is an extraordinary problem. It has been declared an epidemic by the Surgeon General.

Adults over 21 could still possess and use those products but they would have to buy them somewhere outside city limits. Seven other Colorado municipalities have similar bans.

Some of Sawyers fellow safety committee members disagreed with an approach they view as too restrictive and likely to drive many small retailers out of businesses.

This is not being done with a scalpel, its being done with a sledgehammer and we are going to impact adults and prevent them from buying products that they want to buy, Councilwoman Kendra Black said.

Proposed amendments talked about Wednesday included an exemption for premium cigars and pipe tobacco and another carve-out for menthol cigarettes.

Councilman Kevin Flynn proposed the menthol amendment late Tuesday night after he said he heard from members of Denvers Black community that both favored and opposed the inclusion of menthol products, a style of tobacco products that has been disproportionately marketed to the Black people. He didnt see it as the Councils place to take that decision out of peoples hands.

The hookah lounge exception is viewed as the most important change to its backers because all shisha is flavored tobacco. The practice of smoking shisha out of hookah pipes in communal settings is a cultural practice that goes back centuries in many Middle Eastern cultures.

As written, the flavor (ban) would put all of the hookah lounges out of business, said Councilman Jolon Clark, who proposed the amendment.

Earlier on the meeting, Clark brought a separate proposed ordinance forward that would make it illegal for hookah lounges to allow customers to smoke between midnight and 7 a.m. The 15 to 20 lounges operating in the city today can stay open after bars close at 2 a.m., leading some, including one located in Clarks District 7, to become hotspots for early morning violence and other bad behavior, he said.

That measure was forwarded to the entire Council and was back by the National Hookah Community Association.

We are behind reasonable regulation that addresses the main issue, said Rima Khoury, an attorney with shisha brand Fumari and secretary of the association said via Zoom. Khoury added, a broad ban on flavors would have unintended consequences since shisha has always been flavored.

Sawyer told The Denver Post earlier this month that the lobbying effort around the proposed ban has been intense. On Wednesday she said she and Councilwoman Ortega were opposed to amendments that might erode the value of this proposal.

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Denvers proposed ban on flavored tobacco, vape products may be tweaked to exempt hookah lounges, menthol products - The Denver Post

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has officially banned the mailing of vaping products and that includes cannabis, as well as federally legal CBD vapes and nicotine.

The agency announced the final rule on Wednesday to comply with legislation passed last year to stop nicotine vapes from being shipped through the U.S. mail.

While the law bans "electronic nicotine delivery systems," it defines them broadly as "any electronic device that, through an aerosolized solution, delivers nicotine, flavor, or any other substance to the user inhaling from the device."

"It goes without saying that marijuana, hemp, and their derivatives are substances," the agency said, as reported by Marijuana Moment. "Hence, to the extent that they may be delivered to an inhaling user through an aerosolized solution, they and the related delivery systems, parts, components, liquids, and accessories clearly fall within the [Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act's] scope."

There are exceptions: vapes can be shipped within the states of Alaska and Hawaii, verified businesses can mail vapes to each other or to government agencies, and individuals can ship up to 10 electronic nicotine delivery systems for non-commercial use per 30 days.

Hemp-derived products can be shipped, but only if they're not vaping products.

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Please Stop Sending Cannabis Vapes In the Mail, Says USPS - Cleveland Scene

October 24, 2021Updated October 24, 2021 at 4:11 pm

Ive heard many adults refer to vaping and juuling as the epidemic of our generationa title that has lost its bite in the past year due to the actual pandemic. But the sentiment remains as campaigns across the country continue to crack down on vape usage.

Boston College followed suit by updating its smoking policy as of Aug. 1, 2020 to include vaping on its list of prohibited activities, therefore making it punishable to vape on campus. The University recognizes not only the health risks associated with the carcinogens and toxic chemicals in vapes but also the difficulty associated with quitting, and hopes that students take advantage of the resources necessary to quit.

Regardless of the Universitys policy, however, vaping persists. In my personal experience, there has been at least one person with some type of vape at every social gathering Ive been to, without exception.

I think it is safe to say, at this point, we are all pretty aware of the health effects of vaping. Without getting into minutiae, we know that vaping is just not good for us. And generally, if we know the chemicals in vapes are not good for our own health, then by extension those chemicals cannot be good for the health of plants, animals, micro-organisms, etc. Whether we intend it or not, the chemicals in vaping devices eventually end up interacting with the natural world when we throw them away. The entire industry of vaping is environmentally unfriendlyfrom manufacturing all the way to disposal.

So, lets begin with the manufacturing process. As with any product, creating a vape requires a combination of energy and materials. Metals and heavy metals need to be obtained for the battery. The nicotine in vapes is often synthetic, created using solvents like formaldehyde, formic acid, and dichloromethane in multiple rounds of purification, and therefore a resulting multiple rounds of waste are emitted into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, emissions from these manufacturing plants are typically not measured because the Environmental Protection Agency doesnt require plants that do not meet the Toxics Release Inventory to submit reports on their emissions, so we do not even have the full picture of what these emissions look like.

Then there is the process of actually vaping, which is mostly only harmful for the person using the vape, but it never hurts to hear it again. Over 70 percent of whats inhaled from a vape is eventually exhaled, which poses a problem for indoor spaces because pollutants are not diluted as well as they are in outdoor spaces. Therefore, indoor concentrations of particulate matter from vaping can potentially reach up to 45 times as high as the World Health Organizations limit for outdoor concentrations.

And finally, there is the problem of what happens to the vaping device after its been used. In general, vaping creates a lot of both toxic and plastic waste. Once thrown away, the vape can leak the aforementioned heavy metals, battery acid, and nicotine into the soil and groundwater, eventually making its way into the lives and bodies of animals and plants. The biggest blight of vapesfrom an environmental perspective, that isis that most of them are single-use or disposable, like Juuls and Puff Bars. And because they are most often plastic, their waste will not biodegrade at all. This means that if the founders of BC in 1863 took a hit of a vape and left it on Stokes Lawn (and what an image that is), the traces of plastic and chemicals would still be there. The vape device will eventually deteriorate into the microplastics and chemicals that comprise it, which will make their way out into waterways to pollute them and surrounding wildlife.

This less-explored route of vapings environmental effects is not to undermine the campaign against them for the sake of human health, as vaping impacts the people using them the most and I hope that all who need help quitting get the assistance they need.

That being said, I think it is important to shed light on vapings environmental effect because it is often overlooked. I think that the disposal of the single-use vape products is particularly overlooked because the subject of vaping is almost boorishpeople dont really casually talk about vaping, much less how to dispose of vapes. Plenty of people who have vapes are underage, and therefore are much more worried about being caught with a vape than how to properly dispose of it.

The fault of not properly disposing of vapes does not all fall on the consumer, though. Vape manufacturers do not give any guidance on how to throw away their product or take accountability for their own waste. Studies show that youth vape users understand that vape waste is bad for the environment, but do not know how to properly dispose of vapes because of the lack of information available. To that end, Green Smoke and Call2Recycle are two companies looking to mitigate the problem of vape waste by offering disposal solutions, and there is more information on disposal available online as well.

At the end of the day, personal choices are personal choices. So, no matter what your personal choice is, I would implore you to consider the environmental consequences of vaping.

Featured Graphic by Olivia Charbonneau/HeightsEditor

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Vapes Aren't Just Hurting You, They're Hurting the Environment, Too The Heights - The Heights

A man prepares to smoke at a vape store in Manila. Photo:DANTE DIOSINA JR / AFP

More than $2 million worth of vapes, components and tobacco products have been seized in Singapore, making it the largest haul in the city-state to date.

Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) inspected an industrial storage facility located north, towards the border with Malaysia. They discovered 10,057 vapes, 48,822 e-vaporiser components, and large quantities of vape juice.

This is the largest seizure haul of tobacco products by HSA, in terms of the volume and street value of e-vaporizers, officials said in a statement, adding that the products had an estimated street value of more than $2 million dollars.

No arrests have yet been made but HSA said that three people were currently assisting in investigations. The authority also revealed that more than 170 vape raids were carried out between 2018 and 2020.

Vaping continues to surge in many countries around the world. Despite being generally viewed as less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, doctors and health experts have warned of serious effects on the body, like burned lungs and the accidental ingestion of toxic metals.

It is banned in Singapore due to public health fears and concerns about its popularity among the youth. Shisha and chewing tobacco are also banned and the sale of cigarettes strictly regulated, with smoking largely prohibited even in most public places.

Under a law introduced in 2018, offenders are subjected to hefty fines and jail terms. But illegal vaping continues, and product seizures have been on the increase

Sales on the black market continue, where vaping products are often smuggled in from neighboring Malaysia and sold openly on platforms like Telegram.

In July, 13 people between the ages of 20 and 40 were jailed and slapped with fines amounting to more than $50,000 after they were caught selling vape products online.

Other incidents saw a Canadian man arrested and jailed for 16 weeks for possessing a vape pen containing cannabis, as well as a 32-year-old Singaporean man fined $7,000 and jailed for two years and three months for selling vape products online.

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A Country That Bans Vaping Just Busted $2 Million Worth of Products - VICE

Emerald Patent Licensee Announces Partnership with Leading Cannabis Vaporization Technology Company, Grenco Science

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 28, 2021) - Emerald Health Therapeutics, Inc. (CSE: EMH) (OTCQX: EMHTF) ("Emerald") announces that its partner, FlowerPod LLC, has completed product development related to a new form of cannabis consumption, a first-of-its-kind cannabis vaporizer puck, created a new brand called HUUETM, and established a partnership with Grenco Science, the leader in advanced cannabis vaporization technology, to provide a go-to-market strategy. As announced by Emerald in May, FlowerPod exclusively licensed the use of Emerald intellectual property relating to the cannabis puck concept for all US states, with an option to expand globally (excluding select medical markets including Canada) upon meeting certain milestones. FlowerPod plans to launch HUUETM in Massachusetts in December 2021 with select retailers and will quickly expand into additional states in 2022.

HUUE's first-of-its-kind cannabis vaporizer puck, Bounce Back

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FlowerPod's intent with its innovative HUUETM plant-based vaporizer pucks is to fill a void in the market with an environmentally-friendly flower consumption format that is portable, user-friendly and provides a consistent dosage with every vaporization experience. HUUE bypasses the barriers to entry for new and goal-seeking cannabis users by providing a convenient (fast form factor; no grinding or mess), dose-controlled, and discreet delivery system. It simplifies the cannabis experience by creating five puck varieties catering to prominent social needs, including Productivity, Socialization, Anxiety, Pain and Sleep, with 3 SKUS available at launch - (Un)Wine, GSD, and ROFL.

Based on Emerald's initial prototype design and development collaboration with Emerald, FlowerPod designed its compact flower pucks for use with Grenco Science's G Pen Dash dry herb personal vaporizer. Compact and lightweight, the Dash features a glass-glazed stainless steel heating chamber combined with a clean air source and integrated air path for unsurpassed flavor from the HUUE experience. FlowerPod is device-agnostic and plans to launch its HUUE products with other vaporizer devices in the future.

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"We believe this innovation in the dry herb vaping space is extremely overdue and that it will do for cannabis what pods did for the coffee industry, introducing incredible benefits of cannabis in an easy-to-use, clean convenient format," said FlowerPod Head of Communications & Lead Investor, David Salinas. "The mission with HUUE is to introduce an entirely new set of everyday cannabis consumers to the market by simplifying the cannabis vaporization experience. Our partnership with long-standing industry titan Grenco Science will be game-changing for accomplishing that."

"Grenco Science is excited to partner with this revolutionary brand and bring HUUE into our growing portfolio of partners. The HUUE pucks will forever change the way people use plant-based vaporizers. We look forward to helping grow HUUE into a leading global brand in the industry," said Chris Folkerts, CEO and founder of Grenco Science.

As part of the license agreement, Emerald provided FlowerPod with a repayable loan of US$350,000. Emerald received 19% equity ownership of FlowerPod and will receive IP license payments.

"It is gratifying to see the maturing development of this product concept from our original ideation, patenting and engineering through to FlowerPod's manufacturing, elegant branding, and strategic sales and marketing initiatives for HUUE that are now coming to fruition to soon launch this unique cannabis product line," said Riaz Bandali, President and CEO. "Emerald's focus on science-driven product innovation and intellectual property development provided the right foundation for this development, and we look forward to seeing the results of the HUUE product launch."

About HUUE

HUUE Plant-Based Vapes is a new innovation in the cannabis vaporization space, providing the full spectrum benefits of cannabis flower fresh-pressed into a compact and convenient puck. For more information, contact david@huue.co. Visit huue.co.

About Grenco Science

Grenco Science is a leader in engineering advanced cannabis vaporizers, setting new standards in aesthetics, portability, functionality, and user experience. Through proprietary research and development, as well as collaborations with influencers in music, art, and fashion, Grenco Science is transforming the cannabis experience and leading the movement to bring cannabis traditions to the 21st century. Visit gpen.com.

About Emerald Health Therapeutics

Emerald is committed to creating new consumer experiences with distinct recreational, medical and wellness-oriented cannabis products with an emphasis on innovation and product excellence.

Please visit http://www.emeraldhealth.ca for more information or contact:

Riaz Bandali, Chief Executive Officer(800) 757 3536 Ext. #5

Emerald Investor Relations (800) 757 3536 Ext. #5invest@emeraldhealth.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include: the effects of products developed by FlowerPod; the launch date of products developed by FlowerPod; partnerships with third parties; expansion to other geographical areas; payment of amounts owned to Emerald; and FlowerPod meeting certain milestones.

We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties related to, among other things, changes of law and regulations; changes of government; failure to obtain regulatory approvals or permits; failure to obtain necessary financing; results of product development, production and sale activities; changes in prices and costs of inputs; demand for products; changes in business strategy; as well as the risk factors described in Emerald's annual information form and other regulatory filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our expectations as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are presented for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to obtain a better understanding of our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Emerald undertakes no obligations to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, unless required by applicable law.

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Emerald Health Therapeutics Strategic Licensee, FlowerPod, Unveils Groundbreaking Dose-Controlled Cannabis Vaping Product, New Brand, and U.S. Launch...