When people buy products, especially in a developed country like the US or UK, they have the logical expectation that the product will contain, or not contain, certain ingredients, based on the product labeling. But lately we’re seeing a rise of mislabeled or contaminated products that are causing issues for consumers. The most recent story to hit the airwaves – nicotine-free vapes sold on Amazon that do contain nicotine. Let’s take a closer look.
What’s the news?
Recent investigation by The Guardian (a British daily newspaper) found that “nicotine-free” vapes sold on Amazon were found to actually contain quite a bit of nicotine. They tested seven products sold through the marketplace by third-party sellers that claimed to contain no nicotine at all, and six did in fact, contain the addictive stimulant.
This all started with concerns raised by a consumer. He contacted Amazon directly in July and August, and was told to contact the seller directly (which we all know can be rather difficult sometimes). Now that the story has been picked up by the media, Amazon has since removed the products and said It would “take enforcement action against any third-party sellers who violate their policies”.
The customer, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had been using the disposable vape pens for quite some time before he realized something was amiss. “I have been trying to give up vaping so I bought no-nicotine ones,” he said. “I have bought them about 20 times and spent hundreds of pounds on them.”
“When I first got them I trusted they did not contain nicotine, so thought I was getting off [the substance]. But when I stopped using the vapes I got withdrawals. I looked at the reviews and loads of people were saying this product actually has nicotine in it. They were saying it is a fraud,” he said. He contacted Amazon customer service and stated that “as per the description we believe it [the product] contains no nicotine”. He replied asking: “So no tests were done on the product? Even though myself and other people in the reviews have said it probably contained nicotine.”
Not only was there nicotine in the nicotine-free vapes, but many of them came back as having more than the legal capacity of 2ml, with a strength no more than 20mg/ml. So not only did they have nicotine when they were not supposed to, but some of them had more than the legal limit for vapes that actually do contain nicotine.
According to The Guardian, “One vape was marketed as being zero-nicotine but actually had 12.27mg/ml of nicotine and a fill volume of 6ml. Another vape had 13.58mg/ml of nicotine and a similarly large fill volume.”
In the UK, where this problem was discovered, there is a pending ban on disposable vapes, after growing calls for action from healthcare professionals and advocates. An announcement is expected soon as to whether the ban will be implemented or not, and this story might be enough to push regulators in a certain direction.
What are the implications here?
The obvious problem here is that stories like this make it impossible for consumers to trust what they’re buying. It’s terrible to think about how many people out there are trying to get off nicotine, thinking they are purchasing vapes that will help there in their journey to fight addiction, only to be deceived by a shady company who may not even face any consequences for their actions.
Ultimately, it shows us that as much as we crave less government regulations, unfortunately, it seems that these industries just cannot seem regulate themselves, as we keep seeing issues like this with mislabeled and contaminated products in all the markets that sell smokables like cannabis and nicotine vapes.
But on the flip side, we have this problem in regulated industries as well. How often do we see product recalls in the news? Chicken strips with pieces of plastic in them, undeclared dairy in vegan products at trader joes, cookies containing rocks, soup with dead insects in it; the list goes on. Medications are often recalled also. A recent study found that over the last 10 years, an average of 4 medications are recalled every single day in the United States.
And the recalls don’t stop at consumable products. Ford recently issued a recall for 42,000 trucks over a defect that “may cause crashes”. Electrolux Group recently recalled 80,000 gas cooktops for gas leaks and fire hazards. And possibly the most terrifying, nearly 60,000 car seats were recalled earlier this year because the “models may fail”, according to records.
Are we simply not safe from sh***y products, regardless of whether the government steps in to oversee the industry or not? Honestly, it’s starting to seem that way. And this recent drama with Amazon and their nicotine vapes put the spotlight on this issue once again.
Final thoughts
Although some of these fringe industries have been requesting some help from the government lately, it’s hard to say if that will even work. When it comes to all the off-label vape products, it’s a high possibility that they will be responsible for the illegalization of certain items in many countries. If the UK moves forward with a ban on disposable vapes, it’s very likely that more countries will follow suit… and this recent buzz about nicotine in nicotine-free vapes does nothing to help.
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Millions suffer, but relief could be here thanks to science and a simple plant. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.
It is an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but the painful truth is a majority of women will suffer it at some point and finding relief is invaluable. Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain or discomfort during menstruation. It is a common gynecologic problem, but the pain can range from dull cramps to indescribable agony. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.
Medicinal cannabis has emerged as a potential treatment option for dysmenorrhea, offering hope for the tens of millions of women who suffer from menstrual pain. Current medical management options primarily consisting of over-the-counter pain relievers and hormonal contraceptives. The effectiveness of these treatments vary greatly.
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in uterine function and pain perception. Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R, as well as TRPV receptors, have been identified in human myometrial tissue. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a primary component of cannabis, can act as a cannabinoid agonist, potentially triggering myometrial relaxation and easing menstrual pain.
The potential benefits of cannabis for dysmenorrhea includes pain relief, improved sleep quality, and reduced reliance on pharmaceutical pain relievers. While research specifically on cannabis for dysmenorrhea is growing, studies on chronic pain provide some insights:
A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios may offer moderate improvement in pain severity.
A meta-analysis of 32 trials showed that medical cannabis or cannabinoids resulted in small to very small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning, and sleep quality among chronic pain patients.
There is significant interest in using cannabis for gynecologic pain management:
A survey found that 61.2% of women who had never used cannabis and 90.0% of those who had were willing to try it for gynecologic pain.
After cannabis legalization in Canada, current cannabis use increased from 13.3% to 21.5% among women with self-reported moderate-to-severe pelvic pain.
With th American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and even AARP recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis, it is critical more research is funded. Millions of women may be in pain needlessly due to untreated dysmenorrhea.
As it it becomes available to more people, there is a positive health change going on according to data.
Cannabis is becoming more mainstream and and the side effects are doing even better than expected. It seems the availability of legal marijuana is helping with the health of the general population. Studies in California, Canada and the now New Zealand have shown the upside of legalization. While cannabis has been used for health benefits for millions of years, reduction in more harmful intoxication products is another important wellness trend.
Alcohol consumption is associated with significant health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers. In contrast, marijuana has not been linked to the same level of severe physical health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 36,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to chronic alcohol use, while there is no comparable category for marijuana-related deaths. Alcohol is also much more addictive than marijuana, causing long term physical and mental issues.
A study from New Zealand has found some interesting trends regarding the relationship between marijuana legalization and the consumption of alcohol and opioids.
Following the legalization of marijuana in New Zealand, researchers observed a notable decline in alcohol consumption:
The study found no significant impact on underage drinking rates among those aged 12-20.
This suggests for adults, marijuana may be serving as a substitute for alcohol in some cases, particularly when it comes to heavy drinking episodes.
The relationship between marijuana legalization and opioid use appears more complex:
There was no clear evidence of marijuana legalization directly reducing opioid use or abuse.
However, some research indicates that people who use cannabis are more likely to initiate opioid use, with an odds ratio of 2.76 compared to non-cannabis users.
The likelihood of transitioning from opioid use to opioid use disorders among cannabis users was found to be 2.52 times higher than non-cannabis users.
The study also revealed some additional findings regarding substance use patterns:
Marijuana use increased by 16% among adults aged 21 and older following legalization.
There was a 5-6% increase in marijuana use initiation among adolescents and young adults aged 12-20. This would be go with the greater North American trend of California sober and Gen Z drifting away from alcohol and more into marijuana.
No significant changes were observed in the use of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin in any age group.
These findings suggest while marijuana legalization may lead to decreased alcohol consumption among adults, it does not necessarily translate to reduced use of other substances, particularly opioids. The relationship between cannabis use and other substance use behaviors is complex and multifaceted. Time and more research should yield more benefits.
Want something delicious with an “oomph” – these yummy creamy concoctions will make your mouth happy!
Fall is a time of coziness, cuffing and nights in front of the fire. Want better way to accent it with a nice tasty cocktail? Try these delicious autumn cream drinks and enjoy the pre-holiday season. Bailey’s was the commercial first cream liquor and made available to the public in 1971. But Irish monks have blended whiskey with fresh dairy cream since the 14th century. These new and classic connections will bring a smile on crisp nights.
Important note, using cream instead of milk in alcoholic cocktails can significantly enhance the drink’s texture, flavor, and overall experience. Cream provides a richer and smoother texture compared to milk. The higher fat content in cream (typically around 36% or more) creates a luxurious mouthfeel that can elevate the drinking experience.
White Russian
The White Russian’s development took about 30 years. The first mention of the drink is in a newspaper was in 1965 in the Oakland Tribune. The 1961 edition of the Diner’s Club Drink Book included a recipe for a Black Russian, with a note suggesting adding cream to make a White Russian. The White Russian’s popularity increased after the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski, where the main character, Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, drinks it throughout the film.
Ingredients
2ouncesvodka
1ounceKahlúa
1ounceheavy cream
Create
Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a rocks glass filled with ice
Top with the heavy cream and stir
Churro Cocktails
A churro is a fried dough pastry originated in Spain and Portugal. They are a fast-growing dessert and breakfast item on menus, and are a popular treat at theme parks and sporting events in Europe and North and South America. Somrus, who makes cream liquors, made a cocktail from the flavor.
Ingredients
1 1/2 parts Somrus Coffee
1/2 part cinnamon whiskey
Create
In an ice-filled shaker, add ingredients and shake
Strain and pour
Brandy Alexander
This is was a classic “go to drink” for X. It was rumored to have been created at the Paris Ritz in 1922. Or it could have been made in 1915 by celebrate pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander during a World Series. It was considered a posh way to end the evening, especially after other cocktails.It’s creamy and boozy or a delicious replacement for dessert for those who like to drink their sweets. In the 2000s, it has moved to the back of the line, but is still a great way to cap off a night drinking.
1 1/2ouncescognac
1ouncedark creme de cacao
1ouncecream
Gratednutmeg for garnish
Create
Add cognac, dark creme de cacao and cream into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or a coupe glass
For those who are holding on to every last bit of summer, this mango cocktail can add a a little sunshine. The fruit is considered the world’s most popular fruit with over 20 million tons consumed each year. Mangoes are a symbol of friendship and love, which can add to special evening.
Ingredients
2 parts Somrus Mango
1 part citrus vodka
½ part simple syrup
Club soda
Create
Combine Mango liqueur, vodka and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker