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Pravosud V, et al. Cannabis legalization and changes in cannabis and tobacco/nicotine use and co-use in a national cohort of U.S. adults during 2017-2021. Int J Drug Policy. 2024 Nov 4;134:104618. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104618. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39500225.

Of 5,420 participants that were followed in 2021 from the initial 2017 cohort, Current cannabis use significantly increased +3.3 % between 2017 and 2021, while tobacco/nicotine use significantly declined (-1.9 %); co-use of cannabis and tobacco/nicotine did not change significantly (+0.2 %). Both medical and recreational cannabis legalization were associated with increased current cannabis use; the independent effect of recreational cannabis legalization was 1.13 times larger than that of medical.

Note: E-cigarette research also shows that legalization of recreational cannabis is a factor for youth co-use of nicotine and cannabis.

TRC Research Commentary

New Restrictions on Tobacco and Nicotine Products
France
Giordano E. Politico EU. 30 October 2024

https://www.politico.eu/article/french-health-minister-announces-upcoming-ban-on-nicotine-pouches/

France plans to ban nicotine pouches, which have gained popularity among teenagers, according to Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq.

“They are dangerous products because they contain high doses of nicotine,” Darrieussecq told Le Parisien, adding that the ban will be announced in the coming weeks.

LAOS to implement plain packaging in Dec. 2024

https://laospost.com/laos-to-implement-plain-cigarette-packaging-from-december-2024

MALDIVES bans e-cigarettes; Maldives announces vape ban, amendments to be sent to Parliament this week. 14 Oct 2024
https://edition.mv/news/36736

According to the post (on X), the import of all vape products and individual parts of vape devices will be illegal from November 15, 2024, onwards. Additionally, the use, possession, production, sale, advertisement, and distribution of all vape products will be banned from December 15, 2024.

ENGLAND: Government crackdown on single-use vapes. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-crackdown-on-single-use-vapes Ban on sale and supply of single-use vapes in England to come into force on 1 June 2025
US: Two new California laws, AB 3218 and SB 1230, will ban non-menthol coolants, nicotine analogs, and online sales of flavored vaping products and nicotine pouches starting in January 2025.

US: British American Tobacco set to introduce synthetic nicotine pouches in the US.

Comment: Synthetic nicotine is already regulated in the US, but nicotine pouches are not yet regulated. The tobacco industry takes advantage of any loophole to introduce new products where regulatory delay applies. Stephen Hamann