Author: moonswamp
The Washington State House Committee on Consumer Protection and Business has approved House Bill 1203, which aims to ban flavored vapor and tobacco products in the state. Supporters argue that selling vapor products in fruit and candy flavors encourages children to become addicted to nicotine, which the CDC warns can damage their developing brains. While Washington state already prohibits the sale of all vapor products to individuals under 21, Chris Reykdal, the state's superintendent of public instruction, told lawmakers last month that kids are still accessing these products. HB 1203, sponsored by State Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), would not…
Vietnam is taking decisive action to protect public health by banning vaping (smoking electronic cigarettes) and heated tobacco products, which has been welcomed by global health leaders. The National Assembly of Vietnam has approved a comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes, including production, sale, import, storage, transport, and use, starting in 2025. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Vietnam's actions, writing on X (formerly Twitter), "Congratulations, Vietnam, for this courageous decision to protect your citizens, especially the young, from the harms of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products." The ban comes amid growing global concern about the popularity of e-cigarettes…
Washington state lawmakers have introduced a new bill, HB 1203, that seeks to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vape cartridges. The legislation, filed on Wednesday, also targets newer products that combine the consumption of tobacco or nicotine with gaming elements. The bill's sponsors cite the tobacco industry's targeted marketing campaigns aimed at young people and people of color as a primary justification for the proposed ban. State Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), a sponsor of the bill, shared a personal story about her mother, who began smoking menthol cigarettes at the…
Milan, Italy's bustling metropolis, has implemented a new ordinance banning smoking in public areas and outdoor spaces, including streets, effective January 1, 2025. However, the ban, which imposes fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros on offenders, does not extend to electronic cigarettes, allowing individuals to continue "vaping" in public spaces. This exemption has sparked controversy among health experts and advocates. Isolated Areas Allow Smoking, But E-Cigarettes Remain Unregulated Under the new law, smoking is permitted only in isolated areas where individuals can maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from others. The measure, introduced by Elena Grandi, Councilor…
Belgium has taken a significant step in the fight against youth vaping by banning disposable vapes as of January 1, 2025. This move, aimed at curbing the rise of nicotine addiction among young people, puts pressure on the European Union to update its anti-smoking legislation. Designed to Attract Young Consumers Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke emphasized that disposable e-cigarettes were designed to attract new, often young, consumers. "E-cigarettes often contain nicotine. Nicotine is addictive. Nicotine is bad for your health. That's it," he stated in an interview with news agencies. While a total ban on e-cigarettes, as implemented in Brazil,…
The vaping sphere challenges manufacturers to balance innovation with practicality. Devices must deliver across experience, customization and longevity to earn user trust and loyalty in an crowded market. Smok aims to hit that sweet spot with the feature-packed Priv Bar Turbo disposable vape. It makes bold claims around capacity, battery life and vapor quality - but does it live up to expectations? Our extensive hands-on testing reveals the highs and lows of Priv Bar Turbo’s proposition. We expand on its standout features, flavor offerings, customer sentiment and real-world performance benchmarks. For both vaping veterans and new users, these insights support…
A new Texas law went into effect this week placing strict limits on how vape shops can market e-cigarettes, specifically aiming to curb advertising deemed likely to attract underage users. Law Bans Cartoons, Celebrities, and Kid-Friendly Symbols "The purpose is to protect kids from the influence of marketing tactics clearly aimed at getting their attention and making vaping look harmless and cool," said Nueces County Justice of the Peace Joe Benavides. Judge Sees Rampant Underage Vaping Firsthand Having witnessed frequent vaping offenses by minors in his courtroom, Judge Benavides supports measures to curb youth exposure. "The new law targets how…
The UK government is expected to propose a new tax on vaping products when it unveils the national budget on March 6th. This would mark the first time vapes are taxed in the UK after nearly a decade of progressive harm reduction policies. Government sources say the vape tax aims to discourage youth vaping. It also intends to offset lost revenue from eliminating other taxes. If implemented as expected, vape prices could rise by over 25%. Taxes make vapes more expensive compared to cigarettes, which evidence shows increases smoking rates. Why A Vape Tax Now? The UK has taken a…
The Mr Fog MA8500 breaks new ground for disposables with its mammoth 17ml juice capacity and industry-leading 8,500 puff rating. After rigorously testing it for two weeks, I can confirm this innovative device delivers outstanding longevity without compromising performance. With adjustable airflow, great flavor, dense vapor production and fast USB-C charging, the feature-packed MA8500 sets a new benchmark when it comes to convenience and value. Read on for my full hands-on review of this game-changing disposable vape. Overview The MA8500 takes disposable vaping to the next level. On paper, the stats seem almost unbelievable. But after putting this device through…
A year after ChatGPT took the world by storm, Google has finally unveiled its response: Project Gemini. This new large language model looks set to power Google search, its Pixel devices, and a wide range of AI services in the years ahead. CEO Sundar Pichai positioned Gemini's launch as the start of a new AI-focused era for the company. One where a single improved underlying technology will enhance products across Google's portfolio. So can Gemini match fast-moving rival ChatGPT? And how exactly will this new model impact Google products and services going forward? Introducing Project Gemini Unlike OpenAI's separate DALL-E…