DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Teen vaping linked with toxic lead exposure, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Now, a new study, building upon previous evidence, has found that among teens, vaping often may spike the risk of exposure to lead and uranium — potentially harming brain and organ development in young people. However, chronic exposure to metals, “even at low levels, can lead to detrimental health impacts, affecting cardiovascular, renal, cognitive and psychiatric functions,” she added. The study was conducted at one point in time, so the authors couldn’t control for chronic or long-term exposure. The authors acknowledged that their study is observational, meaning it didn’t find a causal relationship between vaping and toxic metal levels. But knowing why this preference led to higher uranium exposure requires more research.

Persons: CNN — Vaping, vaping, ”, Hongying Daisy Dai, Vaping, Dai, coauthors, vaped, Dai wasn’t, ” Dai, “, Lion Shahab, Shahab, wasn’t, don’t, ” Shahab Organizations: CNN, Tobacco, Tobacco Survey, US Food and Drug Administration, biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, National Youth Tobacco Survey, Tobacco and Health, University College London, UCL Tobacco, Alcohol Research, ” Locations: United States, vaping

☆ Biden Delays Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Christina Jewett | Noah Weiland | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Biden administration said on Friday that it was delaying a decision on whether to ban menthol cigarettes as federal officials take more time to consider the move. The White House has faced considerable opposition from the big tobacco companies that could lose billions of dollars from the move. But the proposal has also posed risks for President Biden in an election year because of his weakening support among Black voters, some of whom view it as heavy-handed. “This rule has garnered historic attention, and the public comment period has yielded an immense amount of feedback, including from various elements of the civil rights and criminal justice movement,” Xavier Becerra, the health and human services secretary, said in a statement. “It’s clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time.”

Persons: Biden, ” Xavier Becerra, ” Organizations: Black

☆ A Quarter of Smokers Quit Under Menthol Bans, Study Finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Christina Jewett | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Nearly a quarter of menthol cigarette smokers quit in the year or two after a ban on menthol went into effect, according to a study published on Wednesday. Researchers found that about half of the menthol smokers switched to other cigarettes and another quarter managed to keep smoking menthols. The rate of menthol smokers who quit was higher in nations that imposed bans, in contrast with cities or states, since it was harder for people to drive a few miles to keep buying menthol cigarettes, according to the study. The Food and Drug Administration has been urging the Biden administration to impose a ban on menthol cigarettes, a goal that has generated intense opposition from retailers and tobacco companies alongside concerns in a presidential election year that it could alienate Black voters. Black smokers, who heavily favor menthol cigarettes, also stand to gain the most from such a ban, public health researchers say, noting that premature deaths from cancer, heart and lung disease could be avoided after a sharp decline in smoking rates.

Persons: menthol, Biden Organizations: Drug Administration

☆ A quarter of smokers quit within a year or two of menthol bans, researchers find
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Menthol cigarette bans are effective at getting people to quit smoking, new research finds. The pooled results show that about a quarter of menthol smokers quit within a year or two when the substance is banned from cigarettes. Menthol cigarette smoking rates were lower in settings with national bans and highest when there were only local or statewide bans. Even if just a quarter of menthol smokers quit, it could improve the health of thousands of people. Menthol itself isn’t addictive, but menthol cigarettes are more attractive to new smokers, studies show, because the flavoring masks the harsh taste and smell that may put some new smokers off.

Persons: Biden, Dr, Sarah Mills, ”, Mills, Menthol, ” Mills, We’ve, menthols, Rafael Meza, Sanjay Gupta, Meza, There’s, ” Meza Organizations: CNN, US Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco Research, European Union, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, Gillings School of Public Health, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Studies, Foreign Relations, CNN Health, Cancer Research Institute Locations: Canada

☆ Vaping Declines Among High School Students, Survey Shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Christina Jewett | More About Christina Jewett | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

About 90 percent of the students who reported vaping said they used flavored products, citing favorites that tasted like fruit and candy. Public health experts also linked other state and local flavor bans and education campaigns to the falling high school vaping rate, which is the lowest in nearly a decade. In all, about 2.1 million middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes, down from 2.5 million last year. While the agency has authorized about two dozen vaping products for sale, thousands of illicit candy-colored flavored vapes have flooded the country and are top sellers. Other researchers noted that the combined general use of tobacco products by middle and high school students barely fell, to 10 percent this year from 11 percent last year.

Persons: vaping, Juul, Brian King, There’s, Dr, Neff, “, ” Dr, ”, Karen Knudsen Organizations: Public, ., Food and Drug Administration, Federal, University of Southern, American Cancer Society Locations: California, University of Southern California

☆ Big Tobacco turns to rooibos tea to counter upcoming ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Emma Rumney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Tobacco companies have yet to publish any research showing the health implications of rooibos or other zero-tobacco sticks, Simonavicius added. PMI (PM.N) CEO Jacek Olczak told shareholders that its zero-tobacco sticks could avoid the regulatory scrutiny that tobacco products face. BAT's zero-tobacco sticks are not subject to current EU tobacco rules, the company told Reuters. That means it can sell rooibos sticks in flavours like peppermint and tropical fruit even after a ban on flavoured heated tobacco products is implemented across the bloc later this month. Across the European Union, heated tobacco products must be taxed at a minimum of 20% of the retail price, though national governments can go higher.

Persons: Erikas Simonavicius, Simonavicius, Philip Morris, Jacek Olczak, Jefferies, Owen Bennett, Bennett, Phil Gorham, Gorham, Fabienne, Morningstar's Gorham, Shabab, Emma Rumney, Matt Scuffham, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Big Tobacco, British American Tobacco, Union, Tobacco, BAT, Reuters, King's College, King's College London . Tobacco, Philip Morris International, PMI, Rivals Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco International, Morningstar, EU, Dunhill, Lucky, European Union, University College London . Tobacco, Thomson Locations: Cape, Germany, Greece, King's College London

☆ FDA Bans Sales of Vuse Menthol E-Cigarettes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Jennifer Maloney | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/fda-to-ban-sales-of-vuse-menthol-e-cigarettes-5cf916cc

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: fda

☆ Juul seeks authorization on a new vape it says can verify a user’s age. Here’s how it works
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Nadia Bidarian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —E-cigarette company Juul Labs is seeking US authorization to sell a “next-generation” vape with age verification capabilities in the United States. If authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration, Juul Labs hasn’t yet decided on the name to market their new product in the US. Courtesy JuulAdvertising itself as an alternative nicotine product, Juul publicly advises that adults vape only as a replacement for combustible cigarettes. In total, Juul Labs has agreed to pay more than $1 billion in its various legal settlements. Even with limited flavors, the FDA banned Juul products in the US last year after reviewing Juul’s applications seeking marketing authorization for their devices.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Joe Murillo, it’s, Juul, Robin Koval, vaping, ” Koval, Kirk Phelps Organizations: CNN, FDA, US Food and Drug Administration, Juul Labs, Truth Initiative, Tobacco Survey, Labs, Canada, Tobacco, Virginia, Centers for Disease Control Locations: United States, Canada, Washington, DC, Virginia

☆ Hunching Over Your Computer Like a Buzzard Is Not Helping Your Back
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Jancee Dunn | More About Jancee Dunn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I’ve had chronic back pain, but the cause is not a mystery: I hunch over my computer for hours at a time. Backaches happen for a host of reasons and are best evaluated by your doctor, Dr. Echebiri said. But computer-related pain isn’t uncommon: A 2021 study of 2,000 people who worked on computers found that 48 percent had back and neck pain. I asked Dr. Echebiri and other experts how to prevent pain and keep your back strong. “I tell patients the cheapest option would be to get a stand for your laptop, or even a stack of books, and then a wireless keyboard,” Dr. Wei said.

Persons: “ Mac, hunching, Nnaemeka, Echebiri, it’s, Edward Wei, “, Dr, Wei Organizations: Hospital for Special Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital Locations: New York

☆ Gov. Hochul Gets a Budget Deal, but No Signature Win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Grace Ashford | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ALBANY, N.Y. — It was around dinner time on Thursday, with many New York State lawmakers already heading home to their districts, when Gov. Kathy Hochul dropped a budget bombshell: Roughly four weeks past the deadline, she and legislative leaders had reached a tentative deal. She hastily convened a news conference in the Capitol’s ornate Red Room to announce the handshake agreement, but there were no hands to shake. Neither the leader of the Assembly nor the Senate was present, leaving Ms. Hochul to make a solitary victory lap around a $229 billion budget that, if passed by the Legislature next week, will be one month overdue. She backed off from her pledge to construct 800,000 new homes, a potential centerpiece of her first term.

☆ Black Smokers at Center of New York Fight to Ban Menthol Cigarettes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Luis Ferré-Sadurní | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ALBANY, N.Y. — A push by Gov. Kathy Hochul to ban menthol-flavored cigarettes in New York has become the focal point of a fierce and expensive lobbying fight, pitting Big Tobacco against the medical community. Caught in the middle are Black smokers, who smoke menthol cigarettes at higher rates than white smokers, and are the main group the ban is meant to help. Decades of aggressive marketing by tobacco companies have caused Black smokers to consume menthol cigarettes, whose cooling sensation on the throat makes them more appealing and addictive. The companies have also funneled at least $135,000 since 2020 to a convenience-store trade group that is fighting the ban.

☆ New York’s Budget Is Really Late. What’s Taking So Long?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Grace Ashford | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But lawmakers have seemingly agreed to leave intact most of the 2019 changes to the state bail law that made the vast majority of misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies ineligible for bail. Why It MattersMs. Hochul has repeatedly said that a good budget is better than an on-time budget. On April 26, New York City’s executive budget plan is due — which will be a challenge, given the uncertainty in Albany. And the budget clock is not the only one that is ticking: The 2023 legislative session runs only until June 8. The longer lawmakers spend on the budget, the less time they will have to address anything else.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Ford, Tesla, Netflix, Charles Schwab, Costco & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Thursday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Morgan Stanley reiterates Ford as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's standing by its overweight rating on Ford. Evercore ISI upgrades Walmart to outperform from in line Evercore said the "traffic turn [is] building" for Walmart. Morgan Stanley downgrades Charles Schwab to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said it has "less confidence" in the stock. Evercore ISI reiterates Meta as outperform Evercore said it's bullish on Meta's messaging monetization opportunity. Piper Sandler reiterates Tesla as overweight Piper said it's bullish heading into the automaker's delivery numbers this weekend.

☆ Marlboro Maker Ditches Juul and Buys NJOY
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Jennifer Maloney | Robb M. Stewart | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc. agreed to buy vaping pioneer NJOY Holdings Inc. for at least $2.75 billion, after closing the chapter on its disastrous investment in e-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc. The deal for NJOY, one of the few e-cigarette makers whose products have clearance from federal regulators, includes an additional $500 million if the Food and Drug Administration authorizes additional NJOY products. Those include the menthol-flavored refill pods it currently sells and a new version of its device that uses a Bluetooth connection to authenticate the user before unlocking.

Feb 27 - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to Los Angeles County's ban on sales of flavored tobacco products brought by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which had argued that only the federal government - not state or local governments - has the legal authority to regulate tobacco products. The Supreme Court in December allowed a California statewide ban on flavored tobacco products, also challenged by R.J. Reynolds, to go into effect. California became the second state to ban all flavored tobacco product sales, after Massachusetts in 2019. Flavored tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes, have come under scrutiny in recent years as critics have said they appeal to youth. Circuit Court of Appeals last year upheld the Los Angeles ban on a 2-1 vote.

☆ Biden will take aim at smoking in his State of the Union speech as part of his 'cancer moonshot'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Biden will announce plans to accelerate progress in lowering cancer deaths. Biden will announce plans tonight to accelerate progress in the fight against cancer deaths, and that includes fighting the biggest, preventable driver: smoking. "We're going to continue to focus on prevention," Danielle Carnival, the White House "Cancer Moonshot" coordinator, told reporters during a Tuesday morning call. He launched his "Cancer Moonshot" program while serving as vice president after losing his son Beau to a brain tumor in 2015. Also as part of his plan to tackle cancer, Biden will call on Congress to reauthorize the National Cancer Act to update cancer research and care systems and the administration will take steps to ensure patient navigation services are covered benefits.

☆ Goldman Sachs upgrades Philip Morris, cites expansion in U.S. with smoke-free alternatives
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An expansion into the U.S. makes tobacco company Philip Morris International a buying opportunity for investors, according to Goldman Sachs. Analyst Bonnie Herzog upgraded shares to buy from neutral, saying the launch of a line of smoke-free electronic cigarette products in the U.S. will drive growth for the company. The analyst pointed out the tobacco company's deal with Swedish Match, which "unlocks access to the world's largest and most lucrative nicotine market for PM." Shares of Philip Morris are little changed this year, after rising more than 12% in 2022. The tobacco stock was up more than 1% in Wednesday premarket trading.

☆ Supreme Court upholds California ban on flavored tobacco
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a bid from the tobacco industry to block a California ban on flavored tobacco products. The ban, or Proposition 31, was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November and will prohibit the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. R.J. Reynolds, which sells Newport menthol cigarettes, argued the ban contradicts the Tobacco Control Act of 2009, a federal law that prohibits states from blocking the sale of tobacco products. Some California cities, including Los Angeles and San Diego, have already enacted such bans on flavored tobacco products and menthol cigarettes. Once the statewide law takes effect, California will become the second state in the nation, after Massachusetts, to enact a statewide ban.

☆ How to get rid of chapped lips, according to dermatologists
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Christina Colizza | Christina Colizza Is An Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +13 min

Next to a large zit, there are few things that can make you feel more self-conscious than dry, chapped lips. While most people are prone to chapped lips in the winter, it can happen at any time of year. SKIP AHEAD: The best lip balms and ointments / What causes chapped lipsWhat to look for in lip balms and ointmentsOne of the best solutions to chapped lips is using balms or ointments to moisturize and soothe. The American Academy also recommends using Vaseline to heal chapped lips, chafing and diaper rash among other skincare uses. “Lip licking and lip smacking are common behaviors for those with dry, chapped lips, but it actually makes the problem worse.

Billie Jean King defeating Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes marked a historic moment for women's tennis, and sport. It’s their job now to step up, lead and shape the future.”Billie Jean King worked with fashion designer Tory Burch on the Billie Jean King Cup's 'winner's jacket.' Magazine IAnd inside the jacket, to remind the champions of the Billie Jean King Cup of the ‘fight’ and their place in it, is a message from King herself. “Congratulations on winning the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup,” King reads aloud. Billie Jean King, be bold.”

☆ More adolescent e-cigarette users report vaping within five minutes of waking up, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The data included a total of 151,573 survey respondents, all in middle or high school in the United States. ‘Concerning’ trends in the intensity of useThe overall prevalence of e-cigarette use peaked in 2019 and then declined. But by 2019, more e-cigarette users were using within the first five minutes of waking up each day compared with traditional cigarette users. “It is encouraging that the prevalence of e-cigarette use has declined among U.S. adolescents from 2019 to 2021. “Unfortunately, early nicotine addiction could overturn the significant tobacco control progress made over many decades,” she said.

☆ How to get rid of razor burn, bumps and ingrown hair
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Zoe Malin | Zoe Malin Is The Associate Updates Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

Razor burn and ingrown hairs are uncomfortable and unsightly, but thankfully, avoidable. So if you suffer from razor burn or bumps, or want to avoid them in the future, consider these expert tips from dermatologists. SKIP AHEAD: How to prevent razor burn | What are ingrown hairs and how to prevent themWhat is razor burn and how do you treat it? (Note that razor burn is different from razor bumps, or ingrown hairs, which we cover below). In fact, King said the worst marks come from picking at ingrown hairs, not the ingrown hairs themselves.

☆ How to stay cool without air conditioning
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-18 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Take a cold shower or bathTaking a cold shower or bath helps cool your body by lowering your core temperature, Porter said. Use box fansPlace box fans facing out of the windows of rooms you’re spending time in to blow out hot air and replace it with cold air inside. The outdoors can pull the hot air from your home, leaving a cooler temperature or bringing in the breeze. Don’t refrigerate or freeze blankets or clothingCommon advice for staying cool without air conditioning includes refrigerating or freezing wet socks, blankets or clothing then ringing them out to wear while you sleep. To make the switch, watch for sales on energy-efficient bulbs, then slowly replace the bulbs in your house, Porter said.

Persons: that’s, Wendell Porter, Porter, ” Porter, Shutterstock, Samantha Hall, Don’t, ”, Hall, Cook, don’t, “, you’ve Organizations: CNN, US National Institutes of Health, University of Florida, READ Locations: Australia, you’re

Victor große Macke is the founder of Farmerscent. Yet the health of animals affects more than just the quality and quantity of products like milk and meat. For farmers, weakened animals can quickly become a cost factor, as medications like antibiotics are expensive. Lavender oil to boost moodVictor große Macke wanted to find a way to promote animal health with a herbal remedy. "We hope it will get even better with the Internet," said große Macke.

Search resuls for: "menthol"

24 mentions found