E-cigarette epidemy in U.K., U.S. and even in Australia, summarised by Stan Shatenstein, Canada, 2023-04-18

“Some high street vapes claiming to be nicotine-free actually contain the same level of addictive substances as full-strength e-cigarettes, tests shows. Data shared with the Guardian by Inter Scientific – which offers analytical testing of products to check whether they are following regulations – examined dozens of vape brands sold in shops across England and Wales. The data showed that oversized and overstrength vapes are being sold unlawfully in shops. Laboratory analysis of 52 products bought in England showed 73% were above the legal e-cigarette tank capacity of 2ml. More than 40% of those tested had been filled with 5ml of liquid or more. The analysis also showed that eight devices purporting to contain no addictive substances did contain some, with many containing almost 20mg/ml of nicotine – the legal limit in the UK. One vape had levels more than 50% higher than the legal limit.” [Sarah Marsh. Some ‘nicotine-free’ vapes high in addictive substances, tests reveal, The Guardian. See also: Is vaping safe or not? All you need to know about e-cigarettes, The Guardian]

“Big Tobacco is turning to free giveaways of nicotine pouches in the UK through websites and at summer music festivals to lure consumers to the orally-administered substitute for smoking and vaping. Tobacco companies are trying to show smokers that pouches — which in the UK are regulated only by general product safety laws — are a convenient way to get a nicotine hit in places where restrictions prevent smoking, like in the office or on airplanes. A few clicks on the website of British American Tobacco Plc’s Velo brand and a consumer in the UK can order a sample can of Polar Mint, Ruby Berry or Tropical Breeze nicotine pouches. Japan Tobacco International plans to give them away at the Isle of Wight and Creamfields music festivals later this year… Tobacco companies have been pushing hard into oral tobacco and nicotine for some time and the market is expected to surge sixfold by 2026, according to some estimates… BAT expects nicotine pouches to be regulated at a European level as part of the next revision of tobacco products regulation expected this year. Having left the bloc, Britain will need to develop its own regulatory system.” [Dasha Afanasieva. Big Tobacco Pushes Nicotine Pouches as Vaping Hit by Curbs, Bloomberg News]

“A 13-year-old girl was able to purchase handfuls of illegal vapes containing as much nicotine as 100 cigarettes in the space of just one day… Up to one in four vaping shops are selling super-sized vapes with illegal amounts of nicotine to kids, a Mirror investigation has found… The Chartered Trading Standards Institute warned last month: “While trading standards officers are working tirelessly to try and combat the tidal wave of non-compliant vapes being sold by retailers, there is a wider issue of faults in the supply chain.” Dr Mike McKean, vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, wants it to go further, with tighter restrictions on advertising vapes. He called for action on “bright packaging, exotic flavours and enticing names” which appeal to children.” [Nick Sommerlad, Nicole Wootton-Cane. Illegal vapes with as much nicotine as 100 cigarettes sold to girl, 13, in Manchester, investigation reveals, Manchester Evening News. Source: The Mirror]

“The emergence of vaping devices claiming to contain up to 10,000 puffs has prompted calls for health authorities to take urgent action given the rate of young people taking up the habit. It comes as the Australian Medical Association of Queensland (AMAQ) has called on the governments to crackdown on the vaping industry to protect the health of young people. University of Sydney associate professor Becky Freeman recently led the Generation Vape study, which surveyed more than 700 New South Wales teenagers aged between 14 and 17 about their experiences and perceptions of vapes. The study found 32 per cent had used a vape, and a third of those bought it themselves from a friend or from retailers like convenience stores or tobacconists. Dr Freeman told the ABC she had seen a vaping device that claimed to contain 10,000 puffs after it had been seized by NSW authorities late last year.” [Antonia O'Flaherty. Fears vaping generation risk chronic lung disease and shortened life spans as '10,000-puff' devices emerge, ABC (Australia)]

“New York, California and several other states announced a $462 million [€421 million] settlement with Juul Labs [last] Wednesday, resolving lawsuits claiming that the company aggressively marketed its e-cigarettes to young people and fueled the nation’s vaping crisis. The agreement brings much of the company’s legal woes to a conclusion, with settlements reached with most states and 5,000 individuals and local governments. Juul is in the middle of a trial in Minnesota, an unusual case in which a settlement was not reached. But the company’s efforts to broker deals over the lawsuits have cost it nearly $3 billion [€2.7 billion] so far, a massive sum for a company still seeking official regulatory approval to keep selling its products. The latest settlement resolved the claims of New York, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Mexico. It follows others that took the company to task for failing to warn young users that the high levels of nicotine in their e-cigarettes would prove addictive.” [Christina Jewett, Julie Creswell. Juul Reaches $462 Million Settlement With New York, California and Other States, New York Times]