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FDA targets vaping ‘influencers’ over online promotions

hellcatrydr

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FDA targets vaping ‘influencers’ over online promotions

WASHINGTON — US regulators moved to discipline vaping companies for inappropriately promoting their flavored nicotine formulas through so-called influencers on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.

The Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters Friday to four companies that used paid social media influencers to pitch nicotine solutions to their online followers, including flavors like Watermelon Patch and Strawberry Kiwi.

The posts didn’t include a mandatory warning that the vaping liquids contain nicotine, which is addictive. The FDA, joined by the Federal Trade Commission, sent the letters to Solace Vapor, Hype City Vapors, Humble Juice Co. and Artist Liquid Labs. The companies did not immediately return calls and emails seeking comment Friday morning.

Facebook prohibits e-cigarette ads even with warnings, and the FTC has been pressuring influencers — people with many social media followers who promote products and services — to disclose when they are being paid to endorse something.

The action comes as the FDA and other government agencies struggle to reverse what they call an epidemic of underage e-cigarette use. Researchers have linked the trend to a surge in online videos, photos and other posts about vaping, some of them generated by companies, advertising agencies and paid influencers.

Government figures showed a nearly 80% jump in vaping by teens last year, with one in five high school students reporting that they used the devices in the previous month.

E-cigarettes typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol. They are largely viewed as less harmful than traditional paper-and-tobacco cigarettes and some adult smokers use them as an alternative source of nicotine. But health experts warn that nicotine can harm developing brains and recent research shows many teenagers are unaware they are consuming the addictive chemical when they vape.

“It’s critical we ensure manufacturers, retailers and others are including the required health warning about nicotine’s addictive properties on packages and advertisements — especially on social media platforms popular with kids,” acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless said in a statement.

The FDA letters do not mention Juul, which dominates the US e-cigarette market. The Silicon Valley startup is widely credited with helping trigger an explosion in vaping with its early viral marketing, which included paid posts and referrals by social media influencers.

After coming under intense scrutiny last year, Juul shuttered its Facebook and Instagram accounts in November. Since then, the company has reworked its marketing to focus on older adult smokers who are interested in quitting cigarettes.

In response to written questions from Senate lawmakers, Juul said in April it does not use paid social media influencers.

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80% rise in teen vaping in one year... o_O yeow.

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jwill

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Is it anymore obvious that BT is just going to try and stamp the rest of the vape world into oblivion? I see JUUL ads on TV at least a few times a day but people cant share shit on social media.
 

JuicyLucy

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Is it anymore obvious that BT is just going to try and stamp the rest of the vape world into oblivion? I see JUUL ads on TV at least a few times a day but people cant share shit on social media.

Also consider this: Regulating agencies figure they can push around smaller juice companies and influencers compared lawyered-up entities such as TV networks and BT owned Juul
 

jwill

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Also consider this: Regulating agencies figure they can push around smaller juice companies and influencers compared lawyered-up entities such as TV networks and BT owned Juul

Definitely. This is a hit on the DIY and self sufficient part of the community. They want to force everyone back onto their platforms which is still a chemical death. Evil bunch of bastards.
 

Rooster Cogburn

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But health experts warn that nicotine can harm developing brains and recent research shows many teenagers are unaware they are consuming the addictive chemical when they vape.

This is such a ridiculous statement, they are teenagers not toddlers. The FDA’s head is so far up its own ass it can’t even make logical statements anymore.
 

5150sick

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They could advertise here all they want :D


Vendors: Are You reading this? Yea, You!

PM us to get your top, bottom, or sidebar ad.:bliss:





*May as well try to hustle some ad space while the FDA is bitching about other platforms.:giggle:
 

Rooster Cogburn

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I'm surprised they FDA isn't demanding VU warn users the forum is a tobacco product

VU certainly can be addicting :teehee:
It’s addicting?????!!!!??? I didn’t know a kick ass forum that allows adults to speak like adults about adult subjects without a moderator just itching to start shit and shut me down is addictive?!
Well I guess your post was a warning so no excuses from anyone saying they didn’t know. May even be worth a sticky
Anyhow I need to check the classified section in case something good pops up, then discuss CBD, swing thru rda’s, check out flavor......well you get the point. I need to mainline me some VU :tantrum:down the rabbit hole
 

MyMagicMist

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This is such a ridiculous statement, they are teenagers not toddlers. The FDA’s head is so far up its own ass it can’t even make logical statements anymore.
But health experts warn that nicotine can harm developing brains and recent research shows many teenagers are unaware they are consuming the addictive chemical when they vape.

Are they aware they consume nicotine eating carrots, tomatoes, beets, kale, apples? Are their parents aware? Should we call out CPS to take all these teens away from their parents then?

Think of these poor adolescent human children! Save them!

What is wrong with parents that don't parent? Well, we have a generation afraid of critical thinking, thinking in any capacity for themselves. The result is they run to the nanny state to save them, "please oh please tell us how to raise our own poor children," they beg. Sure enough the state takes the children and since fascism has crept in will sell them to highest bidder.

Although I doubt technology & science will be getting many from that auction, at least here in the U.S. where it seems we are still very much Luddites.Well, we survived the steam engine and wheat thrasher. What did we do then when so many driven to unemployment? Oh yes, endless office cubicles doing busy work paper work.

What are we to do? Who would know? Reckon we run off to psychologists, fill our holes with useless junk, fill our bodies with useless "medicines". Nothing is ever enough, is it? What do I know though? I'm just some smart ass kid myself that saw vaping let me feel better, enjoyed a little comradeship with it and realized all the more the world is insane.

Reckon life will go on? I hope so. Hope we've not terrified it into hiding. Wouldn't surprise me if we haven't. We'll see, ...
 

MyMagicMist

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FTC has been
pressuring influencers — people with many social media followers who
promote products and services — to disclose when they are being paid
to endorse something.

Going to want them to tell how BT pays them to sell cigarettes then?
Good for the goose, so too the gander. I doubt they'll have any problem
overlooking "influencers" (in flue ncers, WTFH? They nce the flue they
are in?) not mentioning big BT paying them to advertise for BT.

The action comes as
the FDA and other government agencies struggle to reverse what they
call an epidemic of underage e-cigarette use. Researchers have linked
the trend to a surge in online videos, photos and other posts about
vaping, some of them generated by companies, advertising agencies and
paid influencers.

Total bullshit, will explain why.

Government figures
showed a nearly 80% jump in vaping by teens last year, with one in
five high school students reporting that they used the devices in the
previous month.

"Government figures" -- There's why exactly. Can we let someone more
independent do the research? Also there is H.R. 5181 allowing the
government to blatantly lie to the U.S. citizens. Granted it is meant to
be used to stop propaganda from foreign actors. Maybe that is alright but
it leaves a big wide door open.

Would we really want to admit we're lied to by the instrument we created
to help actually take care of us, in the positive sense?

Also, they're using a statistic. Who is to say they've not read this? It is
easily available.

In response to written questions from Senate lawmakers, Juul said in April it does not use paid social media influencers.

Oh no, of course not. I've got a bridge to sell you too.
 
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MyMagicMist

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Well yeahh, that's my plan.:) ...In fact, that's been the theme of my last 2 parties. :banana:

*chuckles* As long as there's good fun and all are responsible, enjoy a great party. :) No I'm not against a good time. In fact everyone needs that every now and then, I think.

Seeing it as a way of life and living strung out to me doesn't make sense. But if it's what you've considered and you're making it as a choice I'll step aside and let anybody get it on. I might disagree its a good idea, ultimately though it ain't my life.

I also feel similar toward a lady's right of abortion. I might hope and ask she consider putting a child up for adoption. Might feel life is sacred. Ultimately though, I'd be waiting for her in the clinic waiting room, get her home. Freedom of choice is as sacred as I feel life is sacred. I might hope life is here from love and can be granted out of love.

I'm sure there's some see that too, just as sure some don't. Everyone don't think the same. Our world would be so dull if they did. If we all for example still thought our world was flat, maybe we would still be in Africa and Europe, all of us. Maybe we are but to make living easier for ourselves we accept the lie of a tale which tells us some few dared and discovered our Earth is round? How do we know otherwise? Read it in a book, got told so by "authorities", tradition?

For me it is as simple as looking up at night, seeing silver mama ball is round, during the day papa sun is round. Would only be reasonable to think we here as the child would be round too.But then, I think different as well. Maybe I need to start lusting after expensive vehicles that cost as much as a house or two, or possibly chasing after one of those dream vacation cruises. Sorry, nope no desire for them.

I also don't get "hey go get stoned and play video games" as a meaningful life, much as I probably could enjoy it well enough. So there I am caught in the middle, lost but not caring I'm lost, got no plan but know where I'm headed even if I don't at the moment. :)
 
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hellcatrydr

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*chuckles* As long as there's good fun and all are responsible, enjoy a great party. :)

We're not children!... We're totally responsible at parties!
But I can't seem to find my girlfriend...

giphy.gif
 

MyMagicMist

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We're not children!... We're totally responsible at parties!
But I can't seem to find my girlfriend...

giphy.gif

Well, don't look my way brother. I'm over here trying to figure out how to put this Dan guy, that does the new Bond in this footlocker. I can almost get him talked into it. Then, he mentions something about needing a fresh drink, ... I can't win. Reckon this old graying dog has lost his while. *smh* Does my ass look fat in these sweat pants? :) :D

Ah ha! Idea, I'll ask if wants to tandem halo. Not sure my knees can handle the landing but oh what fun on the long ride down.
 

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