fbpx

Author: Yaël Ossowski

Synthetic Nicotine Regulation Clears House

The House of Representatives approved a $1.5 trillion spending package that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate synthetic nicotine. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Synthetic nicotine—nicotine that is made in a lab rather than derived from tobacco—has long existed in a legal grey area, and many companies started using it after their natural nicotine products were denied market access by the FDA. Public health groups have been warning that synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes, such as Puff Bar, have grown in popularity among teens while skirting FDA oversight.

The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which includes the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, defines a tobacco product as “any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including any component, part or accessory of a tobacco product (except for raw materials other than tobacco used in manufacturing a component, part or accessory of a tobacco product).”

Read the full article here

Congress to Give FDA Power to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine

Do you remember the debate and legislation that gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to regulate synthetic nicotine? You’re not alone if you answered ‘no.’ In a surprise move, Congress has included language in the omnibus spending package that will help fund the government through September that would give the FDA the power to regulate any product that contains nicotine not derived from tobacco, including synthetic nicotine.

Bloomberg was first to obtain a document showing the congressional move to regulate synthetic nicotine which has become popular as many vapor and e-cigarette manufacturers have sought out ways to stay on the market while avoiding FDA regulations [read more here]. This effort was led by a bi-partisan group of senators that include Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), along with Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

Read the full article here

La Chambre votera sur le projet de loi budgétaire, la nicotine synthétique aujourd’hui

La Chambre des représentants des États-Unis devrait voter aujourd’hui sur un projet de loi de crédits omnibus (page 1 870) qui comprend un libellé qui donnerait à la Food and Drug Administration des États-Unis le pouvoir de réglementer la nicotine synthétique. Les législateurs ont déclaré que certains ajouts avaient déjà été convenus, tels qu’un ensemble de dispositions en matière de soins de santé comprenant des extensions du programme Medicare et l’élimination de l’échappatoire à la nicotine synthétique.

La Chambre prévoit de voter aujourd’hui avant de se rendre à Philadelphie pour sa conférence annuelle sur les enjeux. Le projet de loi doit être approuvé par le Sénat avant l’expiration du financement provisoire à minuit vendredi. Les objections du GOP à un accord de consentement unanime pour accélérer l’examen au Sénat pourraient retarder le passage final au week-end, ont averti les législateurs, mais les deux parties s’attendent à ce que le processus soit terminé à temps pour éviter une fermeture partielle du gouvernement lorsque les agences fédérales ouvriront lundi.

Read the full article here

EU Parliament Risks ‘Forever Stalling’ Digital Innovation If It Accepts Environmental Scrutiny on Proof-of-Work Mining, Bitcoin, and the Crypto Economy

BRUSSELS, BE – The European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will vote today on a comprehensive regulatory proposal called MiCA (Market in Crypto-Assets). This proposal has been in the works for months, however, last-minute several amendments have been added to the proposal, which if accepted could effectively ban Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining in the European Union, pushing thousands of innovators out of Europe.

“By effectively prohibiting the issuance or offering for exchange of crypto-assets that rely on proof-of-work protocols under environmental, social, and governance guidelines, the European Union would make a disastrous move that would obliterate not just the nascent crypto industry but also hurt consumers and once again cede technological leadership in innovation to the United States,” said Aleksandar Kokotović, crypto fellow at Consumer Choice Center, a global consumer advocacy group.

“If these amendments are adopted, EU regulators will strike a devastating blow to the crypto industry in member states. Not only will Bitcoin mining face immediate scrutiny, but the entire Defi space based on Ethereum, the rising NFT industry, and hundreds of companies will be forced to close, move or ban EU citizens from using their services. By not letting individuals and companies choose technologies they prefer, EU regulators are going against the principles of technological neutrality and are setting a very dangerous and harmful precedent.

“If the EU wants to completely stifle innovation and financial sovereignty of its citizens, this is the way to go. If it wants to lose millions of jobs, talent, and value that come with innovation, then this is a good plan for that. Otherwise, these amendments must not pass,” said Kokotović.

Yaël Ossowski, deputy director of the Consumer Choice Center, said such a vote risks “forever stalling” digital innovation in the bloc on flawed environmental goals, especially in light of the war in Ukraine.

“The Russian war in Ukraine has demonstrated that Europe has been too comfortable in using lofty environmental goals and ideology to mollify its energy policy and risk its security. By using similar environmental metrics based on ESG to halt innovation for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining, the European Union risks forever stalling digital innovation and pushing billions in assets and entrepreneurship off the continent,” said Ossowski.

“Pushing the cryptocurrency industry outside of the EU will encourage citizens to circumvent the law and use more loosely regulated platforms and services, all the while depriving Europeans of their consumer choice.

“Bitcoin and other proof-of-work cryptocurrencies represent a revolution in digital money, especially because proof-of-work is a uniquely strong and fair way to settle the creation of digital property when compared to our fiat money system. The incentives to seek cleaner and greener energy exist because of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, not in spite of them,” added Ossowski.

“We hope EU parliamentarians recognize the significant folly they’re due to introduce if they deny the voices of consumers and vote for amendments ALT A and ALT G to the Markets in Crypto Assets Proposal that would effectively kneecap proof-of-work currencies in the EU,” said Ossowski.

—

The CCC represents consumers in over 100 countries across the globe. We closely monitor regulatory trends in Washington, Ottawa, Brussels, Geneva, and other hotspots of regulation and inform and activate consumers to fight for #ConsumerChoice. Learn more at consumerchoicecenter.org.

Biden’s Digital Assets Executive Order Gets It ‘Mostly Right’ on Protecting Consumers and Innovation in Crypto

Washington, D.C. – Today, President Biden signed an executive order on digital assets, the first major federal executive action relating to cryptocurrencies in the United States.

Yaël Ossowski, deputy director of the consumer advocacy group Consumer Choice Center, praised the order for getting smart cryptocurrency regulation “mostly right”.

“President Biden’s statements demonstrate the federal government’s acknowledgment that Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies will play a positive role in our nation’s future, and offers some key guidance on ensuring the entire crypto economy remains competitive, transparent, and innovative for consumers,” said Ossowski.

“Protecting consumers from scams, giving legal certainty, and allowing for innovation to create new standards for cryptocurrency rules is a responsible and legitimate role for government when it comes to digital assets. We must recognize that the nascent crypto finance space is ever-changing and rapidly evolving and that overzealous regulation could cripple future potential.

“Biden echoed concerns about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining, but we believe the environmental benefits from accepting mining will far outweigh any negative repercussions. Crypto mining is an innovative field that strengthens networks and creates incentives for clean energy,” said Ossowski.

“Last year, my colleagues and I at the Consumer Choice Center released our Principles for Smart Crypto Regulation, underscoring the need for preventing fraud, pursuing technological neutrality, reasonably low taxation, and legal certainty and transparency.

“However, considering the toll of inflation on ordinary Americans and the civil liberties concerns related to consumers’ financial privacy, the plans to research a Central Bank Digital Currency are concerning and will need much more scrutiny in the months to come.

“Overall, we praise the administration’s efforts on keeping cryptocurrency legitimate and accessible and hope any legislation to come will follow these bedrock principles. We’re all going to make it,” concluded Ossowski.

Congress wants to sneak in an effective ban on synthetic nicotine vaping that would harm consumers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, it was revealed that several congressmen and US senators have added a provision in the upcoming emergency government funding bill that would relegate tobacco-free synthetic nicotine to the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration and its premarket tobacco application process.

This would give vaping firms less than two months to file a lengthy and convoluted Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA), which will ultimately lead to most small vaping firms and shops going out of business.

Yaël Ossowski, deputy director of the Consumer Choice Center, said this will actively harm adults who want to quit smoking.

“The byzantine process of asking permission to sell harm reducing vaping products in the 21st century is asinine in itself. But using sleight of hand during an emergency government funding bill to castigate millions of vapers and the entrepreneurs who make and sell the products they rely on is the definition of active harm,” said Ossowski.

“Only the largest and most powerful vaping and tobacco companies can afford the lawyers and the time necessary to complete the paperwork necessary to pass the FDA’s process, meaning thousands of hard-working American business owners will now be forced to close, depriving millions of adult consumers of harm reducing options. Many will be forced back to cigarettes.

“Synthetic nicotine is an innovative method of providing nicotine independent of tobacco, and millions of American adults now use these products as a less harmful method of consuming nicotine. A back door bureaucratic power move like this represents a sledgehammer to the men and women of our country who have sought out vaping devices to kick their cigarette habit,” added Ossowski.

“The method of fattening up continuing resolution bills with laws that benefit special interests, without broader democratic debate or analysis of the costs and benefits, is shameful in our modern American Republic.

“We hope our elected representatives reject this particular provision on synthetic nicotine and go back to the drawing board to offer a more permanent, sane, and smart policy on the next generation of vaping products,” said Ossowski.

Banning Flavored Vaping Products Will Do More Harm Than Good in Maine

This year, state lawmakers introduced two bills that would outlaw flavors for liquids used in nicotine vaping devices. The bills, LB 1550 and LB 1693, would ultimately harm adult users of these products, likely driving them back to using tobacco. These bills are currently being reviewed by the joint committees and will soon go to a vote.

Yaël Ossowski, deputy director at the D.C.-based Consumer Choice Center, said “enacting a flavor ban for vaping products will do more harm than good as it will push adult consumers to switch back to smoking combustible tobacco. Considering that studies have shown vaping to be 95% less harmful than smoking, ensuring that adult consumers have access to the vaping products they prefer will ultimately lead to fewer cigarette smoking-related deaths within the state.

“More than 4.1% of Maine’s adult population uses vaping products, accounting for over 54,000 consumers within the state who have switched to a healthier alternative to combustible tobacco. Banning flavored vaping products will encourage these former smokers to switch back to smoking cigarettes and will ultimately lead to increases in smoking-related healthcare costs, which are already costing (state) taxpayers over $262.6 million annually,” said Ossowski.

“If a flavor ban is enacted, then consumers will likely look towards the black market in order to get access to their preferred flavored vaping products. This presents serious concerns for public health as vapers will be purchasing unregulated products that could be extremely dangerous to their wellbeing.

“In addition to endangering public health, pushing consumers to the black market through a flavor ban will also be to the detriment of many vape shops throughout the state as many of their products will no longer be available. After already suffering through the economic hardships of the pandemic, this bill could effectively kill many of these small businesses already struggling to stay afloat. 

“Instead of implementing misguided flavor bans, lawmakers should embrace vaping products in order to protect public health, small businesses, and consumer choice throughout the state,” said Ossowski.

Tekan Risiko Kesehatan hingga 95%, Tembakau Alternatif Masih Sering Jadi Misinformasi

merokok di Indonesia sudah menyentuh 65 juta jiwa, bahkan menjadi salah satu yang tertinggi di dunia. Padahal aktivitas merokok berkorelasi dengan berbagai macam penyakit seperti kanker paru-paru, kanker kerongkongan, penyakit jantung koroner, hingga stroke.

Ketua Masyarakat Sadar Risiko Indonesia (Masindo) Dimas Syailendra Ranadireksa berpendapat, kampanye negatif tentang produk tembakau alternatif di Indonesia, perlu ditekan. Yaitu dengan menghadirkan informasi yang akurat dan kredibel terkait manfaat produk alternatif.

“Kampanye negatif hanya akan semakin menjauhkan perokok dewasa Indonesia dari produk tembakau alternatif yang bisa menjadi solusi komplementer menekan prevalensi merokok di negara ini,” ujar Dimas dalam keterangannya.

Read the full article here

Perlu informasi akurat terkait manfaat tembakau alternatif

Ketua Masyarakat Sadar Risiko Indonesia (Masindo) Dimas Syailendra Ranadireksa berpendapat bahwa kampanye negatif terhadap produk tembakau alternatif, terutama di Indonesia, perlu ditekan dengan menghadirkan informasi yang akurat dan kredibel terkait manfaat produk alternatif itu.

Prevalensi merokok di Indonesia sudah menyentuh 65 juta jiwa, salah satu yang tertinggi di dunia. Kampanye negatif hanya akan semakin menjauhkan perokok dewasa Indonesia dari produk tembakau alternatif yang bisa menjadi solusi komplementer menekan prevalensi merokok di negara ini, ujar Dimas dikutip dari siaran persnya, Rabu.

Ia melanjutkan aktivitas merokok berkorelasi dengan berbagai macam penyakit seperti kanker paru-paru, kanker kerongkongan, penyakit jantung koroner, hingga stroke. Dengan fakta bahwa produk tembakau alternatif memiliki risiko yang lebih rendah dibandingkan rokok, Dimas berharap perokok dewasa bisa beralih ke produk tersebut demi meringankan masalah kesehatan.

Produk tembakau alternatif memiliki manfaat yang besar demi mendorong perbaikan kesehatan publik. Pemerintah harus aktif dalam menekan kampanye negatif terhadap produk tembakau alternatif dengan menggandeng dan melibatkan seluruh pemangku kepentingan terkait demi terciptanya peralihan perokok dewasa ke produk yang lebih rendah risiko ini, kata Dimas.

Sebelumnya, Wakil Direktur the Consumer Choice Center, lembaga internasional perlindungan konsumen yang berpusat di Washington DC Amerika Serikat, Yael Ossowski mengatakan, kampanye negatif terhadap keberadaan produk tembakau alternatif masif digaungkan kepada publik demi menutupi fakta bahwa produk itu memiliki risiko yang lebih rendah daripada rokok konvensional.

Read the full article here

Kampanye Negatif Dapat Meningkatkan Masalah Kesehatan Publik

Keinginan perokok dewasa untuk beralih ke produk tembakau alternatif yang memiliki risiko lebih rendah dibanding rokok, rupanya masih terganjal oleh sejumlah hal. Salah satunya dikarenakan masih simpang siurnya informasi mengenai produk tembakau alternatif.

Wakil Direktur the Consumer Choice Center, lembaga internasional perlindungan konsumen yang berpusat di Washington DC Amerika Serikat Yael Ossowski mengatakan, simpang siurnya informasi mengenai produk tembakau alternatif tersebut lantaran masih ada kampanye yang tidak benar yang dilakukan oleh pihak-pihak tertentu yang tidak menginginkan orang untuk beralih ke produk yang lebih rendah risiko.

Contohnya, kampanye informasi publik yang menyebarkan misinformasi atas produk tembakau alternatif, pengenaan pajak tinggi, pembatasan hingga larangan penggunaannya. Intinya agar mencegah perokok dewasa memiliki akses ke produk tembakau alternatif.

Read the full article here

Fun Police

ConsEUmer Podcast

Consumer Choice Center Cast

Follow us

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube Spotify

Contact Info

712 H St NE PMB 94982
Washington, DC 20002

info@consumerchoicecenter.org

© COPYRIGHT 2024, CONSUMER CHOICE CENTER

Scroll to top
en_USEN
it_ITIT pt_BRPT fr_FRFR es_ESES de_DEDE en_USEN