Altria enters into agreement with Okono A/S to develop innovative, non-combustible nicotine-containing products for adult tobacco consumers

[Bill Godshall]

Altria Client Services Inc. entered into an agreement with Okono A/S to develop innovative, non-combustible nicotine-containing products for adult tobacco consumers. Okono A/S is an affiliate of Fertin Pharma A/S, a global leader in the development and manufacture of nicotine gum with additional capabilities in other products and technologies.
Press Release - Altria=

Also, Altria reported a 4% cigarette volume decrease in 2011 in the US (from 7.04 billion packs in 2010 to 6.755 billion packs in 2011), and a 1.4% smokeless tobacco volume increase (from 724.4 million cans/packs in 2010 to 734.6 million cans/packs in 2011).

Despite massive opposition by FDA, CDC, CTFK, ACS, AHA, ALA, AAP, AMA, ADA, Legacy, drug companies, RWJF and others, tobacco harm reduction continues moving forward in the US.

 

[Vocalek]

Ah-hah!

This is just what you predicted would happen, Bill.

The e-cig vendors better put a wiggle on getting organized before Big Pharma starts dictating all the standards.

 

[denali_41]

fear that big pharm is will finally get on the vaporizer wagon one day,,and act like they were responsible for its development

hence giving them the ability to dictate anything and everything vaporizer related,,,sad day

 

[Petrodus]

I'm so confused...
When BP takes over...Does this mean "their" e-cigs
and all "their" related supplies will be FDA Approved?

 

[Foxfur]

Wait until they start declaring their ingredients as proprietary or trade secrets.
Just as they add ingredients to potentiate the uptake efficiency or bioavailability of nicotine in their analogs, I'd expect them to do the same with their pharmajuice. It was only through government mandated disclosure, for the most part confidentially to selected officials and scientists, that a broad array of additives and compounds were discovered being employed in the alteration of natural tobacco. I see no reason for them to change their ways.
Ans as a previous response said, they damn sure will attempt a stranglehold on the industry through legislative based standards imposition.

 

[Bill Godshall]

It appears that some responders are confusing Altria/Philip Morris with GlaxoSmithKline.

Altria is a tobacco company, and based upon this press release, I conclude that they are planning to develop and market new smokefree tobacco products (which is what I've been telling them and other tobacco companies to do for the past several years).

 

[tommy2bad]

It appears that some responders are confusing Altria/Philip Morris with GlaxoSmithKline.

Altria is a tobacco company, and based upon this press release, I conclude that they are planning to develop and market new smokefree tobacco products (which is what I've been telling them and other tobacco companies to do for the past several years).

As a business move you are right but unfortunately this will only make it harder for legislators and the general public to distinguish between vaping and smoking. Eletricman will be right "its all a big tobacco plot"
On the other hand, it might be the very thing to stall bans. BT have the clout to advertise and campaign for vaping.
( Although I think this is something different from our PV's but time will tell)

 

[Bill Godshall]

Instead of promoting phoney conspiracy theories about drug companies or tobacco companies, it would be helpful if folks fought the legislative and regulatory threats that actually exist for e-cigarettes.

 

[throatkick]

I will not hide from you that I am one of those that is worried by the involvement of big tobacco/government. The primary reason for this is their motivation. We are generally happy because we have found a way to feel better with very little (if any) withdrawal symptoms or feelings of deprivation.

I think it would be best if this followed a similar path like the media and the flow of information. When it was concentrated we were in the dark. Now that the flow of information is free we are all much better for it. The same goes with e-cigs. Sure, they may develop a better delivery method, but that will not happen unless they can be guaranteed a protected market and that is the root of the incestuous relationship we have all analyzed so thoroughly. If the new products are similar to vaping, they will seek to control this market. If the products are not, they will attack vaping directly.

Vaping is no longer lacking. I would be perfectly happy if there was no progress in this regard as I know the next step will be to control the market with added "sophistication", which is usually trickery in a very well-presented package. Battery life is excellent, charging methods are easy enough, and cartomizers are crude but work just fine.

I would not be against some monitoring of e-liquids for purity and nicotine strength and some general guidelines concerning ingredients. On the other hand, this monitoring would best be instituted amongst the industry and not necessarily from outside sources that may have insidious motives.

Let us be active, informed and very responsible. Whatever we do, let's never return to the days where a few companies controlled the tobacco trade and a few people controlled the printing press.

I'll step down from the podium now. Apologies in advance if this sounded like a speech.

 

[wfx]

thanks. good news. i'm really hoping BT takes the entry market and not BP.

 

[Eric A. Blair]

Instead of promoting phoney conspiracy theories about drug companies or tobacco companies, it would be helpful if folks fought the legislative and regulatory threats that actually exist for e-cigarettes.

Bill, you have been involved in the legislative process, if you know something that we don't regarding Big PhRma funding for vaping bans let us know. As it stands, it's not a "conspiracy theory" it's just business and the truth. RWJF funded ASH, ANR and local anti smoking groups with millions of dollars to push smoking bans not out of a philanthropic benevolent desire to help mankind, but to coerce smokers to switch and buy their nicotine like Nicoderm and Nicorette made by their subsidiary.

They are not too keen on their millions being wasted because the free market came up with a better nicotine replacement that people actually love. Tell me I'm wrong please, with links. Or I'll tell you that my theory is right with links.

 

[rolygate]

Eric, I think Bill would agree with you. Pharma opposition to e-cigs is not a conspiracy, it's just good business practice, as you said. Perhaps the regulatory capture issue brings it more into that area, but everyone has known for years that certain government agencies are bent; indeed such agencies almost seem to flaunt it. A conspiracy probably needs to be secret to a certain extent - that hardly applies to pharma's friends.

Bill was probably talking more about the various BP + BP + FDA vs the rest of the world theories. Those are quite interesting. Some may be flights of fancy, but when tobacco and pharma corporations are co-owned, it doesn't look too far out.

 

[Eric A. Blair]

Thanks roly. Me and Bill know each other from Dr. Siegels blog. He even knew me when I was a smoker 3 years ago before switching.

I have a lot of respect for him. Like Rocky and Apollo taking on Clubber in Rocky III.