Counterfeit and street made products--especially pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, tobacco/nicotine or illicit drugs--should never be used. It is unlikely that the quality control or formulation of these products is up to the FDA's or US consumer's standards. Some of the evidence of the vape lung illness is starting to point towards these black market products, but nobody knows anything for sure yet.

By manufacturing and packaging Pixotine in the US, we know that any shipment from a foreign country into the US would be a counterfeit version. We are lucky that a $4 pack of Pixotine has little allure to entice a counterfeiter to make Pixotine.

Our products provide nicotine to the user without the need to inhale smoke or vapor.

This informative article dives into what authorities know and don't know regarding the vape illnesses...

Read full article from NPR here

A  "New England Journal of Medicine" study discusses the discovery of lipid-filled alveolar macrophages in people with the vape lung illness. I always think of macrophages as large cells that eat bad cells, cellular debris, foreign particles, etc. They are like Pac-Man eating bad things that need to get eaten and digested to protect the rest of the body.

While this finding is the result of research regarding the vape related lung illness, it still does not find the cause. After 10+ years of vaping in America, why is this so prevalent now and what is the cause? I break down the possibilities into two simple statements below:

1. A bad batch of tainted hardware being supplied and used in counterfeit, clandestine, DIY or even major brands...like bad coils, plastics and other elements/materials that come in contact with the liquids.
2. A bad batch of tainted ingredients, whether supplied or from poor manufacturing and/or formulation, of the internal liquids being used in counterfeit, clandestine, DIY or even major brands.

I believe lungs were designed to breathe air, but I also believe in freedom of choice. If you have to vape, buy from a reputable manufacturer.

It is my personal belief that our lungs were designed to breathe air, but I also believe in freedom of choice--whether it be cigarettes or extra large french fries or 40 ounces of soda.

I think vape products could be a great stepping stone for adult smokers that want to quit cigarettes and still want to inhale something--although it is not the method of nicotine ingestion I choose for myself.

Blu eCigs sold flavors for about 10 years without a major increase in youth use. But why did a youth epidemic coincide with the launch of JUUL?

Fingers have pointed to a decline in anti-smoking youth education, social media popularity, ease of use, accessibility and high nicotine content. Maybe it is some combination of the above. Or maybe the viral growth can't be explained--a la fidget spinner or slap bracelets of the eighties. Either way, educating minors about the harmful effects of smoking/nicotine, alcohol, drugs, unhealthy eating and crossing a busy street are the responsibility of the community as a whole.

Very interesting article that raises some questions beyond the obvious ones. What are your thoughts?

1. Shouldn't there be some IP protection for "trade dress"?
2. Maybe JUUL can take a look at Kuerig case law to understand a course of action. Like Kuerig K-Cups 2.0, JUUL 2.0 could have the device communicate and function with official JUUL pods only and buy up there competitors. Would this backfire and lead to an anti-trust or monopoly suit?
3. If we don't police ourselves in this industry, then aren't we begging for the government to increase the regulation? Please manufacture responsibly!!!

Read the full article here >>