Nicotine

Three large Chinese vape companies are researching nicotine-like chemicals they think could serve as a substitute for nicotine in products like vapes, company officials said, but the health implications may still need "years" of investigation.

The European Commission has proposed extending smoking bans in the EU to include open public spaces. This recommendation is designed to enhance protection against "passive smoking," according to BTA.

European governments are weighing the introduction of tougher rules on cigarette makers' new zero-tobacco heat sticks, moving to close the loopholes they were designed to exploit just months after their launch.

The Hellenic Lung Cancer Society has launched an awareness campaign aptly titled "Mind the Gap," referring to the gap in information and access to health services and in prevention.

The French Parliament passed a law to regulate the activities of social media influencers in an attempt to limit the promotion of dangerous products and trends, reports Prof. Nelly Ognyanova in her "Media Law" blog. The project of two MPs was supported by the entire political spectrum.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 23 said it was ordering all products produced by Juul Labs off the market after finding the vaping giant had failed to address certain safety concerns.

The decision, which Juul said it would appeal, clears the way for rival brands to increase their share of the market it once dominated.

Oral nicotine pouches or lozenges, a novel flavoured nicotine product, are gaining popularity. This substance fills the space between the cheek and the gum. They don't have tobacco in them, but they do have nicotine, flavourings, sweeteners, and plant fibres. 

A recent study from the University of Burgundy found that even though women smoke fewer cigarettes than men but they are less likely to quit.

Tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally every year. More than 7 million of these deaths are from direct tobacco use and around 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

Electronic cigarettes are "undoubtedly harmful" and should be regulated, the WHO said. It also warned against the use of vaping products by smokers trying to quit their deadly habit.