3 chapters across the catalog
The FDA has proposed a ban on menthol cigarettes, citing data that 85% of Black smokers prefer menthol products. The agency claims the ban could save over 600,000 lives over 40 years. Adam Curry argues that this move is a setup for tobacco companies to transition the market toward new "heat-not-burn" technologies like IQOS, which will likely offer menthol-flavored alternatives once the combustible versions are banned.
Senator Dick Durbin is criticized for making inaccurate claims about nicotine levels in vaping devices. An industry insider suggests that the current regulatory crackdown on vaping benefits "Big Tobacco" companies like Altria and British American Tobacco, who own major vape brands. The source claims the goal is to slow down independent competition while transitioning customers to "heat-not-burn" tobacco products.
EU E-Cigarette Regulation, Pharmaceutical Bonanza
The European Parliament is voting on new rules to reclassify e-cigarettes as medicines, which would require manufacturers to undergo costly drug agency licensing. The proposal also includes bans on menthol and slim cigarettes. The hosts view this as a "bonanza" for pharmaceutical companies and a way for governments to control and tax the emerging vaping market.
