Well, since Ahlusion's aromatics were discontinued prior to the recipe change of Smooth Criminal, I guessing these changes were prompted by concerns of upcoming FDA reg's and lab test results of naturally extracted tobaccos in general...
NET's, when done right (and Ahlusion did them like no other), can produce incredible results. Blending combinations of various tobaccos can yield some very unique flavors. In the case of SC for example, many vapors (myself included) would pick up flavor notes such as cinnamon; yet their wasn't a drop of cinnamon in it. Given the vast number of exotic tobaccos available in the world market today, a gifted mixologist like Wlad could produce flavors that would stagger the mind!
Now....on the flip side, NET's are dirty. NET tobacco solids can be suspended in water vapor and probably aren't the healthiest thing to be inhaling. I think Wlad read the writing on wall- in terms of what will be allowed by the FDA in the near future. I think he cleaned up the dirtiest of his NET's.
Just my two cents....
