Week of February 24 Regulatory Intelligence Recap

Trade Press and Regulatory Summary:

• RFK Jr. moves to eliminate public comment on HHS decisions - HHS Secretary Kennedy proposes to remove public participation from many department decisions, raising concerns about transparency. Normally, before issuing a new rule or regulation, the public is given an opportunity to submit written comments in support or in opposition to government proposals. This has been the case for years under the Administrative Procedure Act.

• New US AG Shifts Resources Away From Tobacco Enforcement - The new US Attorney General is diverting resources from tobacco enforcement to focus on other priorities.

• Philip Morris International: Manufacturing - PMI is adapting its manufacturing strategy due to cost pressures and shifting global demand. This reflects the broader changes in the tobacco industry, with declining cigarette sales in some markets and growth in others.

• Senate HELP Committee to Hold Confirmation Hearing on Nomination for FDA Commissioner - On Thursday, March 6, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Dr. Martin Makary to be Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• OPM-OMB Memo Guidance on Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans - Federal agency reorganization and potential workforce reductions. It may have indirect implications for agencies involved in tobacco regulation, such as the FDA.

• Study: Pneuma’s New Delivery System Free of Concerning Compounds - A study found that Pneuma's new nicotine delivery system does not contain harmful compounds.

• Vape Group Files to Halt KY E-Cigarette Law - Vape groups are challenging a new e-cigarette law in Kentucky. This legal battle highlights the ongoing conflict between regulators and the vaping industry.

Publications Summary:

• Cardiovascular health effects of vaping e-cigarettes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Kundu, A. (2025). Cardiovascular health effects of vaping e-cigarettes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart, heartjnl-2024-325030.

  • Summary: This meta-analysis digs into the heart health impacts of vaping. It's crucial for understanding if vaping truly poses less risk than smoking, which is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.

• Vaping cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Heshmati, J. (2025). Vaping cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Tobacco Control, tc-2024-058798.

  • Summary: As vaping becomes more common, we need effective ways to help people quit. This review looks at what interventions work to help people stop vaping, which is important for addressing youth vaping and potential long-term health risks.

• The impacts of e-cigarette flavours: An overview of systematic reviews

  • Livingstone-Banks, J. (2025). The impacts of e-cigarette flavours: An overview of systematic reviews. Addiction, add.70017.

  • Summary: Flavors are a huge part of the vaping debate. This overview examines the evidence on how flavors impact e-cigarette appeal and use, especially among youth, and their potential role in smoking initiation or cessation.

• Association between electronic cigarette use and respiratory outcomes among people with no established smoking history: a comprehensive review and critical appraisal

  • Selya, A. (2025). Association between electronic cigarette use and respiratory outcomes among people with no established smoking history: a comprehensive review and critical appraisal. Internal and Emergency Medicine.

  • Summary: This review focuses on the respiratory effects of vaping among those who've never smoked. This is important for isolating the impact of vaping itself on lung health, separate from the effects of smoking.