According to the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized determinations on more than 99% of the nearly 26 million new tobacco products for which pre-market tobacco applications (PMTAs) were filed by manufacturers with the FDA. The vast majority of these FDA determinations are in the form…
Visa and MasterCard $5.6 Billion Settlement Upheld
On Wednesday, March 15, a federal appeals court upheld a $5.6 billion antitrust class-action settlement with more than 12 million retailers that accused Visa and MasterCard of improperly fixing credit and debit card fees, according to Reuters. The second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan rejected claims that a class action should not have…
FDA Issues MDOs to Two Vuse Solo Menthol E-Cigarette Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for two products under the Vuse Solo brand. Currently marketed by R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co., the two menthol e-cigarette products are the Vuse Replacement Cartridge Menthol 4.8% G1 and the Vuse Replacement Cartridge Menthol 4.8% G2. The company must not market or distribute…
Growth Energy Favors Rule Expanding E15 Markets in Arizona
Growth Energy praised the Arizona Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Services Division for allowing the sale of E15 in the greater Phoenix area under the state’s Clean Burning Gasoline (CBG) program. While E15 is currently allowed in other areas in Arizona, regional restrictions will no longer discourage retailers from bringing new options to the…
Elfbar Manufacturer Banned from Marketing E-Cigarettes
According to LAW360, the maker of Elfbar vape products was ordered by a Florida federal judge on Feb. 23 to stop marketing Elfbar e-cigarettes anywhere in the U.S. The judge found that VPR Brands LP, which makes and sells “Elf” brand vapes, is likely to succeed on its claims that the Elfbar vapes infringe its…
FDA Files Complaints Against Four E-Cigarette Product Manufacturers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed civil money penalty (CMP) complaints against four tobacco product manufacturers. The complaints were for manufacturing and selling e-liquids without marketing authorization. This is the first time the FDA has filed CMP complaints against tobacco product manufacturers to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act’s…
FDA Appeals Graphic Cigarette Warning Court Decision
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) has reported that on Feb. 1, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed a Notice of Appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to appeal the decision issued on Dec. 7, 2022, by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of…
Reynolds American Wants to Stop Sale of Disposable E-Cigarettes
Reynolds American has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help put a stop to the sale and manufacturing of disposable e-cigarettes. Reynolds American is calling out Puff Bar and Elf Bar in particular because of the increased use of their products by young teenagers. The company has submitted a formal citizen petition…
EV Network Operators to Expand Public Access
The Biden-Harris administration announced new progress it has made in establishing a reliable electric vehicle (EV) charging network. These steps will help the United States meet President Biden’s goals of building a national network of 500,000 EV chargers and having EVs make up at least 50% of new car sales by 2030, The recent actions…
Republic Brands Obtains Injunction Against HBI International
Republic Brands has obtained a permanent injunction in a federal lawsuit against defendant HBI International requiring HBI to cease making claims about its RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers. On Jan. 31, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois permanently enjoined HBI from making certain claims about its products and ordered HBI to…