#european cigarettes online

[kellyvela]

Sophie's Hon Vol. VI Spring/Summer Edition 💐 ☀️

After wrapping her movie Trust in Mexico, Sophie is back home in the UK and has been *having fun* with Perry 😎

BRITISH VOGUE INTERVIEW

In her latest interview with Chioma Nnadi for British Vogue's June 2024 Issue, published online on May 15th 2024, Sophie briefly described what it's like dating Perry:

[...] she’s not entirely alone in Paris. In the past few days, she’s been papped on more than one occasion floating around the French capital with her rumoured new beau, Peregrine Pearson, a handsome British property developer and viscount’s son. “I am having fun dating. It’s very fun,” admits Turner, her striking blue eyes sparkling. “I mean, it’s strange when you get married so young. It’s like you never really learn how to date. So it’s all very new to me.” —British Vogue June 2024 Issue

And they are having fun indeed! During the last two months (May-June) they were seen attending costume parties, enjoying sunny days at his family estate, traveling to Italy, being VIP on Taylor Swift concerts & after concert parties, and more. Let's see!

~~~

LOLA

On Saturday night, May 18th 2024, Sophie posted a picture of Lady Lola Affrica Crichton-Stuart, also known as Lola Bute, on her IG stories:

I'm mentioning this since this was the first crumb we got after Perry's visit to Mexico while Sophie was filming Trust there.

So, since Lola is friends with Perry, it was easy to assume that he was with them that night.

Lola and Sophie started following each other on IG after that outing.

~~~

COSTUME PARTY

On Sunday, May 19th 2024, a picture of Sophie and Perry wearing costumes appeared on this forum.

Sophie looked super cute as Super Girl, while Perry opted for a Batman mask and cape.

After some research I found out that the costume party was a birthday celebration for a relative of Perry.

~~~

COWDRAY ESTATE

Sophie and Perry enjoyed a sunny day at Cowdray Estate (Perry's family estate in Midhurst, West Sussex).

They were joined by some friends and a few of Perry's relatives.

~~~

HEATHROW AIRPORT

On Saturday, May 25th 2024, Sophie and Perry were spotted at Heathrow Airport, leaving London for a romantic getaway to some European destination:

~~~

CAPRI

On Saturday, June 1st 2024, we discovered that Sophie and Perry's European romantic destination was Capri, Italy.

They were seen leaving a bar/restaurant and walking through the streets of Capri, while she was was carrying a shopping bag and smoking a cigarette, and he was holding a glass of white wine and carrying a deck of Monopoly playing cards.

As you can see, Sophie was wearing Perry's navy blue jumper, the same he wore the day they flew to Italy.

She just likes borrowing her boyfriend's clothes ❤️

~~~

THE PENINSULA LONDON GRAND OPENING CELEBRATIONS

On Tuesday, June 18th 2024, Sophie attended the Peninsula London Grand Opening Celebrations, where she was seen with Eleanor Wellesley and Camilla Blandford, who are two of the first friends that Perry introduced to Sophie last year.

~~~

TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT

Sophie and Perry are now *Taylorfficial*

On Sunday, June 23th 2024, Sophie with Perry and friends Tabby Doherty and Rupert Gorst, attended Taylor Swift's third concert of her Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in London:

~~~

The four of them enjoyed the concert from the Vip Tent. Here are some pics, gifs and videos:

Sophie and friend Tabby Doherty:

Sophie shared this one on IG. This picture was probably taken by Perry.

~~~

Sophie and singer Gracie Abrams:

~~~

Sophie, Tabby Doherty and Danielle Haim:

~~~

Sophie and friend Tabby Doherty singing Cardigan next to Fleabag's actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge, while Perry was talking with an old gentleman in the back (I think one of Taylor's uncles):

~~~

Sophie singing and dancing Look What You Made Me Do:

~~~

Sophie and Danielle Haim effusively singing and dancing All Too Well (Ten Minutes Version), while Tabby Doherty and Perry shared a hug in the back. In the end of the second gif you can see Sophie hugging singer Gracie Abrams:

So, Tabby Doherty is the Sophie's friend that hangs the most with the couple and seeing Tabby and Perry being this friendly makes me think that, maybe, the anons that messaged me with their suspicions that it was Tabby the common friend that introduced Perry to Sophie were right! 🤔

~~~

Sophie next to Fleabag's Hot Priest actor Andrew Scott:

~~~

Applause for Travis Kelce in the Vip Tent following his stage performance:

In the middle of the video you can see Perry fistpumping Travis in the back 🤜🤛

~~~

Sophie getting friendship bracelets from fans:

She's adorable 😍

~~~

Sophie going and coming (to the bathroom I presume) during the concert:

~~~

Perry holding Sophie and Sophie's bag 🤭:

(After watching this video someone asked me if they were a throuple 🤨)

~~~

In summary, Sophie had the time of her life at Taylor's concert:

~~~

CHILTERN FIREHOUSE

After the concert, Sophie and Perry joined Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce for an after party at Chiltern Firehouse:

Last night, an exclusive eyewitness source reported to Deuxmoi that they were seated next to none other than America's prom king and queen Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at London's Chiltern Firehouse. Taylor celebrated the end of her Wembley shows with a bang, and who better to join the party than the Kansas City Chiefs tight end himself? According to the source, the two were "kissing and looking like they're having so much fun!" The source continued, "Sophie Turner  joined their table, too!" In addition to Turner, Gracie Abrams, the rising singer-songwriter, was seated with the group along with Hayley Williams from Paramore, and English actress-screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge. What a turn out! [Source]

The after party lasted until 4:00 a.m., and when they were leaving Chiltern Firehouse the paparazzi were ready to take the most unflattering pictures of the tired couple. They basically shot their flashes directly at their faces inside their car . . . .

~~~

ROMANTIC PICNIC IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

On Monday, July 1st 2024, Sophie posted a carousel on IG with a couple of pics from a romantic picnic date with Perry somewhere in the countryside 😍:

Perry took the second picture and is tagged on it ❤️

The caption of the carousel is: "🌞 sun, sex and suspicious parents 🌞." That particular caption is a reference to an old BBC Show precisely called Sun, Sex and Suspicious Perents, a documentary -reality television series, where people in their late teens and early twenties go on their first girls'/lads' holiday abroad under the belief that they are getting away from their parents. However, their parents are also sent to the holiday destination and secretly watch footage of their children on video screens and also spy in their hotel rooms and at nightclub locations. The parents then reveal themselves on the last night of the holiday, to the dismay of the children, and tell them what they've seen and learned.

What were you guys doing??? 👀 🤭 🙈

~~~

And this is all for now.

I was hoping that Sophie and Perry's next Summer activity would be Glastonbury, but sadly that didn't happen, as far as I know 😔. But the picnic date pictures were truly an unexpected and lovely gift from the lovebirds ❤️

~~~

You can read the previous editions here: Vol. V - Vol. IV (Appendix) - Vol. IV - Vol. III - Vol. II - Vol. I

Until the next report 👋

[suffercerebral]

today is a fucking abysmal day i've already smoked half a pack of cigarettes, i accidentally washed down my meds with a swig of nasty tequila that was in a water bottle, and yesterdays makeup is strewn down my face and i don't give enough of a fuck to wipe it off im just sitting in class like this. but i need to just put it out there into the universe that good people exist. a guy from my class (who i spoke to Once on the first day) came up to me after class and gave me a copy of a book about northern european bog bodies, saying that he remembered me mentioning being interested in pursuing forensic pathology/anthropology on the first day of class. he was cleaning up a club room library, saw the book, and thought of me- random person from class. i'm gonna not think that there were any intentions behind that other than just being a nice dude who was like oh bog bodies? maybe weird person from 9:30 class would dig this. need to remind myself that humans aren't all evil and ultimately we are good. as much as "community" has become a meaningless buzzword in the context of online leftist pseudointellectual slacktivism, and using it makes me cringe, it is what we need to survive the next few years. and it's literally built off moments like this. thank you bog body dude from anthropology class because i walked away from that interaction wanting to off myself much less

[danieldeepwebs]

Faggot, often shortened to fag, is a derogatory slur used to refer to gay men but expanded to other members of the queer community.[1][2] In American youth culture around the turn of the 21st century, its meaning extended as a broader reaching insult more related to masculinity and group power structure.[3]

The usage of fag and faggot has spread from the United States to varying extents elsewhere in the English-speaking world (especially the UK) through mass culture, including film, music, and the internet.

Etymology

The first recorded use of faggot as a pejorative term for gay men was in the 1914 A Vocabulary of Criminal Slang, while the shortened form fag first appeared in 1923 in The Hobo by Nels Anderson.[4]: 301  Its immediate origin is unclear, but it is based on the word for "bundle of sticks", ultimately derived, via Old French, Italian and Vulgar Latin, from Latin fascis.[5][6] During the European Inquisitions, the term faggot specifically referred to the bundles of sticks used to burn heretics who are people that opposed Catholic teachings. Heretics were often required to gather these sticks themselves. Those who renounced their beliefs to escape execution had to wear a faggot symbol on their sleeve as a mark of shame. The term faggot came to symbolize any burden or stigma, and then evolved into a derogatory term directed at women who are hard to get rid of in a manner similar to the term “ball and chain.” [7]

The term faggot originated in late 16th-century English as an insult directed at women, particularly older women.[6] Its association with homosexuality likely stems from linguistic patterns that use feminizing terms( cf. nancy, sissy, queen) [5][8] to demean homosexual or effeminate men. The application of the term to old women is possibly a shortening of the term "faggot-gatherer", applied in the 19th century to people, especially older widows, who made a meager living by gathering and selling firewood.[8] It may also derive from the sense of "something awkward to be carried" (compare the use of the word baggage as a pejorative term for old people in general).[5]

An alternative possibility is that the word is connected with the practice of fagging in British public schools, in which younger boys performed (potentially sexual) duties for older boys, although the word faggot was never used in this context, only fag. There is a reference to the word faggot being used in 17th-century Britain to refer to a "man hired into military service simply to fill out the ranks at muster", but there is no known connection with the word's modern usage.[5]

The Yiddish word faygele (lit. 'little bird'), itself a pejorative term for a gay man, has been claimed by some to be related to the American usage. Faygele (pronounced [feɪɡələ]) is the nickname for a young girl named Faigie ('bird') after Moses' wife Zipporah (Hebrew for 'bird'). The similarity between the two words makes it possible that it might at least have had a reinforcing effect.[5][8]

There is an urban legend, called an "oft-reprinted assertion" by Douglas R. Harper, creator of the Online Etymology Dictionary, that the modern slang meaning developed from the standard meaning of faggot as "bundle of sticks for burning" with regard to burning at the stake. Homosexuals were burned at the stake during the late Middle Ages as sexual intercourse between same-sex people was considered to be sodom and therefore punished. [9] There is speculation that the term fag derived from the British-English slang for cigarettes, which has been current in British English since at least 1888[10]. The emergence of the slang term in 20th-century American English is unrelated to any historical death penalties for homosexuality; moreover, homosexuality in England and its colonies was never punished by immolation but instead by the accused being hanged and their property taken.[5][11]

Use

Early printed use

The word faggot with regard to homosexuality was used as early as 1914, in Jackson and Hellyer's A Vocabulary of Criminal Slang, with Some Examples of Common Usages which listed the following example under the word "drag": "All the fagots (sissies) will be dressed in drag at the ball tonight."[12]

The word fag is used in 1923 in The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man by Nels Anderson: "Fairies or Fags are men or boys who exploit sex for profit."[13]

The word was also used together with another homophobic slur, bulldyke, by a character in Claude McKay's 1928 novel Home to Harlem, indicating that it was used during the Harlem Renaissance. Specifically, one character says that he cannot understand: "a bulldyking woman and a faggoty man".[citation needed]

Use in the United Kingdom

Originally confined to the United States,[5] the use of the words fag and faggot as slurs for gay men has spread elsewhere in the English-speaking world, but the extent to which they are used in this sense has varied outside the context of imported US popular culture. In the UK and some other countries, the words queer, homo, and poof are much more common as pejorative terms for gay men. The word faggot in the UK also refers to a kind of meatball. In British English, 'fag' is common slang for a cigarette, sometimes also used to describe a tedious task.[14]

Use of fag and faggot as the term for an effeminate man has become understood as an Americanism in British English, primarily due to entertainment media use in films and television series imported from the United States. When Labour MP Bob Marshall-Andrews was overheard supposedly using the word in a bad-tempered informal exchange with a straight colleague in the House of Commons lobby in November 2005, it was considered to be homophobic abuse.[15][16]

Usage by youth

Faggot, used as a discriminatory term, has expanded beyond gay men. It is often used by the youth in online communities to describe any queer person or someone who differs from the norm. In some cases, the term is completely unrelated to homosexuality and simply used as an insult due to its negative connotation similar to gay.

Through ethnographic research in a high school setting, CJ Pascoe examined how American high school boys used the term fag during the early 2000s. Pascoe's work, culminating in a 2007 book titled Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School, suggested that these boys used the fag slur as a way to assert their own masculinity, by claiming that another boy is less masculine; this, in their eyes, makes him a fag, and its usage suggests that it is less about sexual orientation and more about gender. One-third of the boys in Pascoe's study claimed that they would not call a homosexual peer a fag, leading Pascoe to argue that fag is used in this setting as a form of gender policing, in which boys ridicule others who fail at masculinity, heterosexual prowess, or strength. Because boys do not want to be labeled a fag, they hurl the insult at another person. Pascoe felt the fag identity does not constitute a static identity attached to the boy receiving the insult. Rather, fag is a fluid identity that boys strive to avoid, often by naming another as the fag. As Pascoe asserts, "[the fag identity] is fluid enough that boys police their behaviors out of fear of having the fag identity permanently adhere and definitive enough so that boys recognize fag behavior and strive to avoid it."[3]

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the faggot slur lost its original meaning when used by youth. Kids no longer associate the word itself with homosexuality rather it is commonly used as a synonym for the word stupid. [7] In a 2018 study completed by the Anti-Defamation League surveying Generation Z from Grade 6 and up, youth perspectives on the phrase "that's so gay" and homophobic slurs highlight concerns over its use as a synonym for "stupid," which respondents viewed as offensive and insensitive. Some believe it reflects a lack of awareness rather than intent to harm, yet it still evokes frustration and discomfort, pointing to a need for more thoughtful language.

Use in popular culture

Benjamin Phelps, Fred Phelps' grandson and creator of the first "GodHatesFags" webpage, is also from the Westboro Baptist Church, which regularly employs picket signs such as these using fag as slur.[17]

There is a long history of using both fag and faggot in popular culture, usually in reference to gay and bisexual men. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's 1995 documentary The Celluloid Closet, based on Vito Russo's book of the same name, notes the use of fag and faggot throughout Hollywood film history.[18] The Think Before You Speak campaign has sought to stop fag and gay being used as generic insults.[19]

Theater

In 1973, a Broadway musical called The Faggot was praised by critics but condemned by gay liberation proponents.[20]

Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta's 1977 cult book The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions inspired a musical by composer Philip Venables and director Ted Huffman reinterprets world history from a queer perspective. [21] The term is used in a sense of reclamation.

Books and magazines

Larry Kramer's 1978 novel Faggots discusses the gay community including the use of the word within and towards the community.[22] A description of Pamela Moore's 1956 novel Chocolates for Breakfast in the Warner Books 1982 culture guide The Catalog of Cool reads: "Her fifteen-year-old heroine first balls a fag actor in H'wood, then makes it with some hermetic, filthy rich, hotel-bound Italian count."[23][24]

In its November 2002 issue, the New Oxford Review, a Catholic magazine, caused controversy by its use and defense of the word in an editorial. During the correspondence between the editors and a gay reader, the editors clarified that they would only use the word to describe a "practicing homosexual". They defended the use of the word, saying that it was important to preserve the social stigma of gays and lesbians.[25]

Music

1960s

Arlo Guthrie uses the slur in his 1967 signature song "Alice's Restaurant", noting it as a potential way to avoid military induction at the time (Guthrie had removed the word from live performances of the song in the 21st century).[26]

Phil Ochs uses the slur in his 1969 song "I Kill Therefore I Am". In the song, which is written from the point of view of a hateful police officer, he uses the slur to describe the student activists who protested the Vietnam War.

1980s

The Dire Straits 1985 song "Money for Nothing" makes notable use of the slur faggot,[27] although the lines containing it are often excised for radio play, and in live performances by singer/songwriter Mark Knopfler. The song was banned from airplay by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council in 2011 but the ban was reversed later the same year.[28] Ironically, the song in context makes it clear he is actually mocking the jealous and homophobic nature of the antagonist in the song by adopting a third-person point of view to show the irony, bigotry, and ignorance of the character.[29][30]

In 1989, Sebastian Bach, lead singer of the band Skid Row, created a controversy when he wore a T-shirt with the parody slogan "AIDS: Kills Fags Dead".[31]

2000s

The 2001 song "American Triangle" by Elton John and Bernie Taupin uses the phrase, "God hates fags where we come from." The song is about Matthew Shepard, a gay man from Wyoming whose 1998 murder brought national and international attention to hate crime legislation at both the state and federal level.

In December 2007, BBC Radio 1 caused controversy by editing the word faggot from their broadcasts of the Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues song "Fairytale of New York", deeming it potentially homophobic; however, the edit did not extend to other BBC stations, such as BBC Radio 2. Following widespread criticism and pressure from listeners, the decision was reversed and the original unedited version of the song was reinstated, with clarification from Andy Parfitt, the station controller, that in the context of the song the lyrics had no "negative intent".[32][33]

2010s–2020s

Eminem used the word in numerous works, such as "Rap God" (2013), along with an inflammatory lyric containing the term being removed from "Fall".[34][35][36]

A number of rappers have also used the slur in songs supporting the LGBT community. In 2012, Macklemore used the word faggot in the song "Same Love" in reference to the use of the homophobic slur in cyberbullying.[37] Kendrick Lamar's 2022 song "Auntie Diaries" is also supportive of the LGBT community; however, it sparked controversy for its repeated use of the slur, as well as for deadnaming his transgender uncle.[38][39]

Television

In November 2009, the South Park episode "The F Word" dealt with the overuse of the word fag. The boys use the word to insult a group of bikers, saying that their loud motorcycles ruined everyone else's nice time. Officials from the dictionary, including Emmanuel Lewis, visit the town and agree that the meaning of the word should no longer insult homosexuals but instead be used to describe loud motorcycle riders who ruin others' nice times.[40] The episode is a satire on the taboo of using the term, as it goes against political correctness.[41][42]

i feel educated

[d00mbunnie]

0, 3, 4 , 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 21, 31, 39, 42, 44

Wow that’s a lot. You just asked more questions than I’ve ever been ask on my whole time on tumblr

0 5’6” 167cm

3 I do smoke cigarettes

4 I don’t drink because I’m on a lot of meds. Honestly I never enjoyed it

5 years only my prescriptions. I have tried stuff in high school but pot makes me sick.

7 no

8 I always wanted one but could never decide. Also my disabled ass has no money for that

9 I do have my ears and my lip in the center but that closed up

10 I want to get my lip redone

11 I don’t have a best friend anymore because she shunned me when I told her I was sexually assaulted and like it broke my heart and made my ptsd worse and for most of my 20s i had like no friends at all. I have friends now though

12 I’m single. Have been a n relationship since high school. I did go on some shitty online dates 10 years ago then just gave up

15 Shaun of the dead and kamikaze girls

19 I have way to dry a sense of humor for an American

21 uh…. Kinda hard to answer that this my bad time of year but I’ll muster some positive thoughts my ability to retain mass amounts of information just by listening.

31 I complain a lot to a friend

39 mint chocolate chip

42 pistachio muffin

44 they discovered in the late ‘s early 00’s that Buddhist made it all the way to Britain in the Iron Age and that’s how the idea of reincarnation came to Europe and especially affected the celts. I also think this proved that Nepali was the non indo-European language that made the great vowel change that was a great mystery because dumb westerns couldn’t believe people from Nepal could make it that far

[limetameta]

For the author ask: 4, 22, 24, 46, 73 ☕✨

Where do you find inspiration for new ideas?

I go to plays! I interact with new art and the ideas just keep on flooding :)

Are there certain types of writing you won’t do? (style, pov, genre, tropes, etc)

I would SUCK ASS at mystery novels I think. So I tend to stay away from that genre. 1st POV is my NUMBER 1 ENEMY. WE FIGHT. I WROTE AN ENTIRE BOOK IN 1ST POV AND I WANT IT TO DIE

Worst writing advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't publish anything before thirty lmao.

You won't like your writing in ten years, but if you don't try to put your voice out there how will you ever strengthen it?

How would you describe your style? (Character/emotion/action-driven, etc)

Character driven is what bestie said. I trust bestie more than I trust myself on this because I don't actually have the self-awareness to characterize my style. Many people online have come out to me in reviews when I'd be doing those secret santa gift things on ao3 and my work would be hidden that to them this FELT like a limeta story, only to be proven correct at the unveiling. I ask what makes something a limeta story and they just say that my way of words is very distinct, so I guess it's because I'm Balkan and life has been unkind to me *smokes cigarette* *drinks coffee as breakfast* *puts grey filter over any image of me to truly give that eastern European feel*

What do you think makes your writing stand out from other works?

I got a fresh take on everything. Lmao, I doubt that tbh. But I just don't like most of the things I read online so I set out to satisfy my own needs and I wind up making a lot of other people happy and intrigued. It's a tale as old as time. Write what you love - not what you know - and then you'll wind up learning so much about it on the way while researching that it will transform into 'writing what you know'.

But again, I think that my sense of humour is very strange. It also helps that I grew up in the theater not as an actor, but a goer, a seat-sitter, a child meant to enjoy. So I LOVE writing the kind of stuff that feels like you can just reach out and GRAB IT. But you don't do that, though, because the characters on the scene are to be seen. And you're doomed to watch them go through with the scene, unable to stop them, unable to shout to them - or if you do shout they can't hear you :D but the worst part is knowing that they might even hear you, but they're unable to go against the script.

[baijian188]

Quilt and quilt cover testing

Testing items Quality testing, filling testing, fluorescence testing, component content testing, unknown substance analysis, filling oil content testing, compression rebound performance testing, fiber content testing, fabric breaking strength testing, fabric pilling performance testing, washing size change rate testing, color fastness testing (light resistance, soap resistance, sweat resistance, friction resistance), etc.

Testing range Kindergarten quilts, cotton quilts, children's quilts, hospital quilts and quilt covers, goose down quilts, school quilts, hotel quilts and quilt covers, baby quilts and quilt covers, bamboo fiber quilts, home textile quilts and quilt covers, wool quilts, etc. Testing standards (partial) GB/T 20390.1-2006 Textiles. Combustion performance of bedding. Part 1: Test method for ignitability with cigarette as ignition source GB/T 20390.2-2006 Textiles. Combustion performance of bedding. Part 2: Test method for ignitability with small flame as ignition source JY 0341-1993 Slide specimens of reproductive organs and embryonic development of angiosperms JY 0342-1993 Slices of seeds of angiosperms< GB/T 22796-2009 Quilts and quilt covers BS 5335-2-2006 European continental quilts. Part 2: Specification for quilt fillings (feathers and/or down)

Function of testing report:

1. Project bidding: Issue authoritative third-party CMA/CNAS qualification report 2. Online e-commerce platform entry: Quality inspection report recognized by major e-commerce platforms 3. Used as a sales report: issuing legally effective testing reports to make consumers more confident 4. Papers and research: Provide professional personalized testing needs 5. Judicial services: providing scientific, fair, and accurate testing data 6. Industrial problem diagnosis: Verify the troubleshooting and correction of industrial production problems

100% inspection and testing process:

1. Telephone communication and confirmation of requirements 2. Recommend solutions and confirm quotations 3. Mail samples and arrange testing 4. Progress tracking and result feedback 5. Provide reports and after-sales service 6. If urgent or priority processing is required

Testing and testing characteristics:

1.The testing industry is fully covered, meeting different testing needs 2. Fully cover the laboratory and allocate localized testing nearby 3. Engineers provide one-on-one services to make testing more accurate 4. Free initial testing, with no testing fees charged 5. Self service order delivery for free on-site sampling 6. Short cycle, low cost, and attentive service 7. Possess authoritative qualifications such as CMA, CNAS, CAL, etc 8. The testing report is authoritative and effective, and is generally used in China

[vapehk1]

In November 2024, German customs authorities conducted a high-profile operation targeting the illicit trade of vaping products. The operation involved over 500 law enforcement officers and spanned 35 locations across Berlin. The raids uncovered a staggering 400,000 untaxed e-cigarettes, 600 kilograms of waterpipe tobacco, and more than €200,000 in cash. The tax loss from the untaxed e-cigarettes alone was estimated at €500,000. This crackdown also highlighted a disturbing trend: many of the smuggled products were marketed to minors. Eight suspects, aged between 24 and 41, were identified as part of a criminal group responsible for importing and selling the contraband since January 2024. This operation underscores Germany’s growing struggle against illicit vaping products, an issue mirrored across Europe. To understand the significance of this event, it’s crucial to delve into the history and current state of the vaping industry, not only in Germany but across Europe, including a look at similar challenges faced by other nations, such as Spain. A Brief History of the Vaping Industry in Germany Germany has traditionally been a significant market for both tobacco and vaping products in Europe. The introduction of e-cigarettes in the early 2000s marked a turning point in consumer habits, with many smokers transitioning to vaping as a perceived healthier alternative. Over the years, Germany emerged as a leading market for vaping products, driven by a combination of consumer demand, technological innovation, and public health campaigns emphasizing harm reduction. Regulatory Evolution Initially, the vaping market in Germany was lightly regulated. However, as the industry grew, so did concerns about the safety and marketing of e-cigarettes. The EU's Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), introduced in 2014 and implemented in 2016, imposed strict regulations on vaping products across member states, including Germany. Key provisions included: - Nicotine Concentration Limits: E-liquids were restricted to a maximum nicotine concentration of 20 mg/ml. - Packaging Standards: Childproof and tamper-proof packaging became mandatory. - Health Warnings: All products had to display warnings about nicotine's addictive nature. - Product Notifications: Manufacturers were required to notify authorities about new products six months before they hit the market. In 2022, Germany went a step further by introducing a tobacco tax on disposable e-cigarettes, with rates gradually increasing to €0.20 per milliliter of e-liquid by 2024. This move aimed to deter underage use and ensure fair competition with traditional cigarettes. Speaking of which, ALD is TPD compliant vaping brand. The Rise of the Illicit Vape Market Despite stringent regulations, Germany has witnessed a surge in the illicit vape market. Several factors contribute to this trend: - High Taxation: The rising cost of legal vaping products due to taxes has pushed some consumers toward cheaper, untaxed alternatives. - Youth Appeal: Flavored e-liquids and attractive marketing have made vapes popular among young people, creating a lucrative market for smugglers. - Online Sales: The anonymity of online platforms has facilitated the distribution of illegal vaping products. Spain: A Parallel Challenge Germany is not alone in its struggle. Spain, another major European market for vaping products, has faced similar issues. In July 2024, Spanish authorities conducted "Operation Humeros" in Seville, seizing over 170,000 illegal e-cigarettes worth €1.5 million. These products failed to meet Spanish health and safety standards, and investigations revealed they were imported from outside the EU by unauthorized entities. Spanish regulations, like Germany’s, are aligned with the EU's TPD. However, enforcement challenges persist due to the sheer scale of the market and the adaptability of smugglers. Similar to Germany, Spain has implemented penalties for non-compliance and continues to crack down on unauthorized sales, particularly to minors. Vaping Across Europe: A Patchwork of Regulations and Challenges The vaping industry in Europe is marked by diversity, with each country adopting its approach to regulation, enforcement, and public perception. Growth of the Vaping Market The European vaping market has experienced exponential growth over the past decade. A 2023 report estimated the market value at over €10 billion, driven by a combination of innovation, increased consumer awareness, and a shift toward harm reduction strategies. The UK, France, Germany, and Italy are among the largest markets. Regulatory Landscape While the EU's TPD provides a common regulatory framework, individual member states have the autonomy to impose additional restrictions. For instance: - The UK has embraced vaping as a harm reduction tool, actively promoting it as a safer alternative to smoking. - France has focused on consumer safety and youth protection, imposing advertising restrictions and conducting public awareness campaigns. - Scandinavian countries, like Norway and Sweden, have taken a more restrictive stance, with outright bans on certain vaping products. Challenges in Enforcement Despite regulations, illicit trade remains a pervasive issue. Smugglers exploit regulatory loopholes, cross-border disparities in taxation, and the anonymity of online marketplaces. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the problem by disrupting traditional supply chains, prompting organized crime groups to establish illegal manufacturing facilities within the EU. Health Implications The proliferation of unregulated vaping products poses significant health risks. Many illicit vapes contain untested and potentially harmful substances, undermining the harm reduction narrative that has driven the industry’s growth. Final Thoughts: Addressing the Challenges The seizure of 400,000 illegal vapes in Germany is a clear wake-up call about the challenges facing regulators, law enforcement, and public health officials across Europe. Addressing this issue requires action on several fronts. For starters, border controls need to be tightened. Smugglers are taking advantage of weak spots, and better cooperation between EU countries could make a big difference. Sharing intelligence and investing in advanced technology to detect illegal shipments would disrupt these operations early. At the same time, public awareness needs to be a priority. Many people don’t realize the risks associated with using unregulated vaping products, and educating them about these dangers could help steer them toward safer, legal options. Beyond that, it’s about creating consequences that deter smuggling. Stricter penalties, such as higher fines and longer jail sentences, could make potential offenders think twice before getting involved in the illegal trade. Another critical step is ensuring regulations are consistent across Europe. Right now, the differences between countries create loopholes that smugglers exploit. Harmonizing these rules would make enforcement more straightforward and close the gaps they’re using to their advantage. Solving this problem isn’t going to happen overnight, but with the right focus and teamwork, it’s definitely something that can be tackled. It’s a challenge, but one worth taking on for the sake of public health and safety. Don’t you think? Wrapping up The vaping industry in Europe is at a crossroads. While it offers a promising alternative to traditional smoking, its rapid growth has created challenges that cannot be ignored. The recent crackdown in Germany highlights the urgency of addressing these issues through comprehensive regulation, enforcement, and education. By adopting a unified approach, Europe can protect public health, safeguard tax revenues, and ensure the industry’s sustainable growth. Read the full article

[mariacallous]

Meduza's The Beet: Moldova’s knife-edge election and 96 hours in Tbilisi

Hello, and welcome back to The Beet! 

Eilish Hart here, the editor of this weekly newsletter from Meduza that brings you underreported stories from Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. To begin, a big thank you to everyone who wrote in to say they enjoyed last week’s dispatch about the nationalization of Kyrgyzstan’s largest gold mine. My inbox is always open for fan mail and feedback, so feel free to hit reply and share your thoughts! And don’t forget to subscribe to the Beet if you haven’t already. 

This week, we’re straying from our usual format to bring you a double feature about the recent elections in Georgia and Moldova. First up, journalist Will Neal captures the tense atmosphere in Tbilisi in the days since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in the country’s crucial parliamentary vote. Then, I share key excerpts from my conversations with Moldovan journalist and writer Paula Erizanu and Ecaterina Locoman, a senior lecturer in international studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute, about Moldova’s constitutional referendum and presidential election. These interviews were for tomorrow’s episode of The Naked Pravda podcast, which you’ll be able to listen to here or on your podcast platform of choice ahead of the runoff vote scheduled for this Sunday, November 3. Enjoy! 

96 hours in Tbilisi

By Will Neal

In the crush and heat of what seemed a hundred bodies or more, the walls of a tiny sixth-floor office off Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue shook as a cry of joy went up on Saturday night. Only seconds before, opposition officials, aides, consultants, and journalists had been packed around a monitor in febrile silence, steeling themselves against the countdown to exit polls in an election set to define a generation. 

The day had been brutal. Scenes of violence, bribery, intimidation, and surveillance broke out from almost the moment polling stations opened throughout Georgia at ten that morning, and continued throughout the day until the polls closed at 8:00 p.m. Videos circulated online of government officials frantically stuffing ballot boxes in Marneuli, thugs brawling in Zugdidi, open-air vote buying in Samegrelo, and an attack on a TV crew in Telavi. 

When the exit polls came, it appeared the ruling Georgian Dream party’s confidences had been for nothing. The elation at the Coalition For Change headquarters off Rustaveli was matched across town at those of Unity-UNM, Strong Georgia, and For Georgia — a loose opposition coalition pledged to safeguarding their country from the deepening authoritarianism of a populist government under the control of Russian-made billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.

But within the hour, joy gave way to confusion and then, to a terrorized quiet. Cigarette smoke drifted pale under the halogen ribbons of the office’s hallways as the official tally crept in, reporting not an opposition win but an almighty loss — the count inching up in line with the numbers released by the pro-government channel Imedi TV. 

Tbilisi held its breath. Streets devoid of the usual Saturday night revelry were silent enough in places to hear the soft pad of stray dogs’ paws and the wind rustling the branches of autumn-pared trees. After convening behind closed doors, opposition leaders announced well into the small hours that with the vote stolen, as they claimed, a longer and far less certain fight would now lie ahead. 

By Sunday afternoon, the battle lines had been drawn. Though couched in diplomatic language, assessments from international observers, appointed by NATO, the European Parliament, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe, also deemed the election neither free nor fair. Georgian Dream, meanwhile, took victory laps under fawning praise from Hungary’s “illiberal” prime minister, Azerbaijan’s dictator, Moscow’s propagandists, and Venezuela’s despot.  

President Salome Zourabichvili — born in France to the children of exiled officials from Georgia’s first democratically elected government — took the podium at 9:00 p.m. Backed by opposition representatives standing in a somber line behind her, she spoke clearly and determinedly. “We were witnesses and victims of a Russian special operation, a new type of hybrid warfare waged against our people,” she said. Calling for a rally outside parliament the following night, she urged Georgians to proclaim “to each other and the world that we don’t recognize these elections, we defend our constitutional right, and every vote, and our future.”

Georgia’s capital is not unaccustomed to protests, scenes of unrest, and massive state violence. All in all, Monday’s demonstration proved a measured and orderly affair. Crowds gathered from 7:00 p.m. along Rustaveli under the flutter of Georgian, E.U., Ukrainian, and U.S. flags. Having promised to reject parliamentary mandates, the opposition told the tens of thousands not to despair, urging peace and patience as they gather evidence of electoral fraud and abuse in hopes of securing an independent, international inquiry. The numbers thinned around 10:00 p.m., and the avenue reopened to traffic by midnight. 

Minor rallies followed on Tuesday evening. The next morning, the prosecutor’s office summoned the president and heads of local watchdog organizations to answer for their claims that the election had been rigged. But by then, the normal circuitry of life appeared to have otherwise largely resumed throughout Tbilisi. The weather has been bright and cold, the market stalls up at Dezerter Bazaar are bustling, and in the winding alleys of old town Sololaki, bars and restaurants serve food and wine to music playing under warm light. At the time of writing, it’s 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30 — exactly 96 hours since the polls closed on Saturday; since elation and relief gave way to horrified uncertainty and, in turn, an eerie calm set in across the city, with the fate of a nation still hanging in the balance.

Moldova’s knife-edge election 

By Eilish Hart 

On October 20, Moldovans cast their ballots in both a presidential election and a constitutional referendum — and the results came as a shock to many. In the referendum, which asked whether the country should change its constitution to include the goal of joining the European Union, the “yes” vote won by just over 50 percent. Meanwhile, in the presidential election, pro-E.U. incumbent Maia Sandu came in first but failed to win an outright majority. 

The day after the vote, Sandu accused “criminal groups” of attempting to undermine the democratic process by working with foreign forces to try and buy as many as 300,000 votes. Now, she’ll face pro-Russian candidate and former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo in a high-stakes run-off scheduled for November 3. 

What does all of this say about Moldova’s political landscape in 2024? To find out, I spoke to Moldovan journalist and writer Paula Erizanu and Ecaterina Locoman, a senior lecturer in international studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute. The following excerpts have been lightly edited and abridged; be sure to check out the full episode of The Naked Pravda podcast here, when it comes out tomorrow.

Eilish Hart: Moldovan elections are usually framed as a stand-off between pro-E.U. and pro-Russian political forces, so I wanted to set aside the geopolitics for a second and ask, what domestic issues were top of mind heading into the presidential election? 

Paula Erizanu: Geopolitics have been very linked to internal political issues. Of course, what Moldovans have been concerned about is inflation. We’ve had around 40 percent inflation since 2022, if you add it up. And although salaries and pensions have increased, they haven’t caught up with the inflation rate. So, people have been really affected by the rising prices, which of course is a global phenomenon due to the pandemic and also the war in Ukraine. But Russian narratives and some opposition parties have tried to put the blame on the government for this rise in prices. 

Before the war in Ukraine broke out, one of the top issues that Moldovans were worried about was big-scale corruption. Moldova was a captured state by an oligarchic regime between 2016 and 2019, and the reform of the judiciary was one of the top priorities for Sandu when she was campaigning in 2020. The fact that the government knew about this vote buying fraud for a while and that they had tried to address it, but at the same time haven’t addressed it in time to secure the election process also reflects on how the judiciary reform ultimately failed. This is something Sandu has kind of taken responsibility for, in the sense that she says if she wins again, she’s going to “drop her white gloves” and consult the population on a more radical approach to reforming the judiciary. It’s not exactly clear what she means by this. It’s also not exactly clear how the November 3 vote is going to go, and whether the fraud is going to basically prevent Moldova from continuing its reform of the judiciary. 

On the other side, the presidential candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo, who was a prosecutor general, also blames the government for the failed reform of the judiciary. But at the same time, he hasn’t really condemned the vote buying practices, and he’s accused of having votes bought for him, even if perhaps he didn't know about it. Also, some of the vocal supporters that Stoianoglo has are former oligarchs, like Vlad Filat, Veaceslav Platon (who is now in London), Igor Dodon (the former president of Moldova, who is close to the Kremlin), and Ilan Shor (who is now in Moscow). So while Stoianoglo has been broadly talking about reforming the judiciary, the question that arises is: How is he going to fight these oligarchs who openly support him? 

What was the logic behind holding a simultaneous referendum on changing the constitution to include E.U. accession? How did Maia Sandu and her government communicate this to the public? Was it an attempt to separate the presidential vote from geopolitical issues or did they frame it as something else? 

Erizanu: When Sandu announced the referendum, she said it was needed in order to show that it wasn’t just her government that wanted to join the E.U. — as Russian narratives were portraying it — but that the integration process reflected the will of the majority of Moldovans. And it’s within the same logic that she organized a pro-E.U. demonstration where tens of thousands of people came to show their support. That was at a time when Shor kept organizing these protests where he paid people to go and demonstrate on the streets, and those [protests] were making international headlines that seemed to portray Moldovan society as against E.U. integration. 

Because presidential elections normally attract the biggest number of voters, Sandu suggested having it on the same day as the presidential vote. But then critics would say that she came up with this initiative to hold the referendum in order to hide her failures in reforming the judiciary, for instance. It’s ironic that it’s precisely this failure to reform the judiciary that has compromised, to some extent, the E.U. referendum.

Other critics would say that Sandu has been trying to kind of monopolize the E.U. integration process and capitalize on it politically. And it’s interesting to actually see that a lot of the forces that are linked to pro-Russian parties, including Stoianoglo, claim that they are pro-European. That shows that, yes, actually, Moldovan society has become pro-European and perhaps the referendum outcome indeed does not reflect the real geopolitical landscape in the country. Moldovans do support E.U. integration, and that’s why even Russia’s candidates have to say that they support it, too. 

The referendum results were very, very close with just over 50 percent voting “yes” and just over 49 percent voting “no” to amending the constitution. What do these results tell us about the political landscape in Moldova? 

Ecaterina Locoman: The results show that the political landscape is very divided, in a sense. It’s been like that since Moldova got its independence back in 1991. For the last 30 something years, we’ve had this polarized society in which foreign policy orientation is usually the main thing that determines elections. So, unfortunately, to the detriment of a lot of domestic politics and reforms, oftentimes, the question of foreign policy orientation trumps all the other questions that are important to voters. But because of Moldova’s geopolitical location, again, foreign policy orientation matters. 

The numbers show that the [political landscape] is divided. The “yes” camp won the referendum by some 10,000 votes. However, there were a lot of reports showing that unfortunately, a lot of the voters were corrupted into selling their votes. So I think the election results basically say that there’s political instability. Unfortunately, after so many years of building [Moldovan] democracy, it’s a fragile democracy. We’re still very much prone to external influence, to propaganda and disinformation, and some people voted a certain way because they paid. But many other people voted because they truly are afraid.

In both camps, actually, but especially in the pro-Russia camp, I see a lot of politicians using narratives very much based on fears about what is going to happen if Maia Sandu remains president and if the “yes” [vote] wins. Moldovans are usually socially conservative so they are very prone to messages about religion and [LGBTQ+ issues], so a lot of pro-Russian candidates were playing on these fears. Another one was this idea that war will come and what’s happening in Ukraine will happen to Moldova, as well. So a lot of people are afraid because they truly think that if we continue on the Western path, then it’s more likely that Russia might attack Moldova. 

There are also narratives based on fear in the pro-E.U. camp. I hear from some of my relatives and friends back home that if a pro-Russia president comes to power, then Moldova will be completely isolated; we won’t be able to travel abroad. So again, it’s amplifying these fears and this memory from the Soviet past when you needed the visa to go out of the country. Some people who have more liberal views, who are more pro-Western, they’re afraid that this will happen. But some of the [narratives] from the pro-Western camp are true. I tend to think that if a pro-Russia candidate wins the elections then any efforts to reform Moldova and to fight corruption will stop completely, and Moldova will basically stop being a sovereign state, in a sense.  

Round two

In terms of the scale of the vote buying, the Moldovan authorities said it targeted as many as 300,000 people, which is a very big number in the context of Moldova’s population but doesn’t account for everyone who voted “no” in the referendum. Do you think it’s an oversimplification to interpret this result as purely driven by anti-E.U. or pro-Russia sentiment? I feel like there’s probably some nuances here in terms of public opinion. 

Erizanu: The referendum was to some extent poorly communicated, in the sense that while in the public space it was phrased as a kind of pro- or anti-E.U. referendum, on the actual ballot, you had a clunky sentence saying: Do you agree with changing the constitution with the vision of integrating Moldova into the E.U.? (Or something like that.) I think some people got scared of what this change to the constitution means. For instance, when I came out of the polling station, I saw an older woman asking a younger woman, “What’s the referendum question? What, does she want to change the constitution the way she pleases?” (referring to President Sandu). Even pro-European opposition parties portrayed the referendum as a kind of electoral exercise for Sandu, so that definitely influenced the vote, as well. 

Another narrative that was circulating was that it’s not really necessary to have this referendum for Moldova to integrate into the E.U. — and it’s true that other countries have only organized referenda quite late in the accession process. At the same time, as you could see in international media and the reactions of political leaders across Europe, this referendum was seen as a kind of exercise in getting the political pulse of Moldovan society and actually witnessing whether Moldovans support E.U. integration.

Locoman: One of the paradoxes in terms of public opinion in Moldova is that some of the people who work and live in the European Union countries are more conservative and don’t think that Moldova should join the E.U. I would call some of them the “pragmatists.” Some of them are afraid that joining the European Union would mean Moldova losing sovereignty. Even Alexandr Stoianoglo, who promotes a pro-Russia foreign policy, holds a Romanian passport. And there are many more people like this who are very pragmatic — they see the benefit of holding an E.U. passport to go and work abroad, live in a free country, feel the security, while at the same time, they don’t want Moldova to be part of the E.U., which, again, I think is paradoxical. 

To be frank, I don’t think this is a significant number of people. I still think that a lot was based on fear; even if people voted “no,” they didn’t really understand how much they were voting against their own interests. Because in the end, E.U. membership is the best Moldova can get. In the last four years, I’ve been going to Moldova regularly and I’ve seen how much change there’s been in society, in infrastructure, in the economy. Yes, Maia Sandu has only been in power for four years, but I remember how unstable and corrupt the country was, and how much it’s changed for the better. I can see the efforts Sandu has made in reforming Moldova, and how much good enshrining E.U. membership in the constitution could do for Moldova going forward. 

Maia Sandu didn’t secure enough votes to win the presidential election in the first round. There’s going to be a second round of voting on November 3, where she’s running against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a political newcomer. What is his platform? 

Erizanu: We had a presidential debate on Sunday, and it seemed like Stoianoglo was trying to appeal to everyone. He said he was pro-European and he wanted good relations with our most important neighbor, Romania. But at the same time, he also accused Romania of doing too little in Moldova and for failing to have enough investment projects here, which is false in the sense that Romania has truly helped Moldova, for instance, in repairing the majority of kindergartens in the country, in building bridges, in providing gas, and in providing vaccines. Stoianoglo also tried to present Russia as a force that had invested in Moldova. But when Sandu asked him to name at least three ways in which Russia has invested in Moldova’s development, he wasn’t able to answer the question. So you can see how his speech has been quite ambiguous. 

I think the target [audience] was the disappointed pro-European electorate that is frustrated with the slow pace of Sandu’s reforms or who don’t really like her personality-wise. At the same time, he was also trying to push Russian narratives in a manner that, to me, looks a bit like the Georgian Dream scenario in Georgia, where you also have a kind of pro-European population and a government that claims that it’s pro-European but actually follows a Kremlin line in terms of its actions. 

Moldova is a parliamentary republic, so the role of the parliament is more important than that of the president. But what would it mean for Moldova if Maia Sandu loses? 

Locoman: It would basically be a very big warning sign for the 2025 parliamentary elections, because whoever is in the parliament forms the government and rules the country. The president has more of a diplomatic role, but Sandu has been so much the face of pro-E.U. reform in Moldova; I’m not exaggerating when I say she’s the best president Moldova has had. So I think it would be a very big blow to Moldova’s dream of finally becoming anchored in the democratic world. It’s very risky and so there are very big efforts in Moldova right now to coalesce the vote around Maia Sandu. 

There’s also one other candidate who was very strong, his name is Renato Usatîi [Editor’s note: Usatîi came in third in the first round, with 13.79 percent of the vote]. Everybody was saying that Sandu needs his electorate for her to win in the second round, but in his post-election speech he told his supporters to vote for whoever they want. He didn’t endorse Sandu or Stoianoglo. So I think it’s a very close election. It’s very tense and I wouldn’t be as worried about people’s decision making so much as about the capacity of these criminal groups to bribe voters. If we take this out of the equation, then I have much more confidence in people’s capacity to choose what orientation is best for the country, but because of these allegations of bribing voters and buying votes, I’m more concerned and uncertain about the election results. 

If Maia Sandu wins, there’s hope that the pro-E.U. camp has a big chance of winning. I’m still worried about the parliamentary elections in 2025, but the goal of Moldova actually joining the European Union by 2030 is much more credible if Maia Sandu continues to be the president and Moldova can rest assured that it will stay on the agendas of Western governments. Unfortunately, my research shows that for most of the independence period, it was difficult for Moldova to really be on the radar of Western governments. The biggest success of Maia Sandu’s presidency on the international stage was to really bring Moldova to the forefront of Western politicians’ attention. And so another mandate for her would mean that Moldova would stay [there] and even become more prominent in the region.

[ci12]

Exploring the History of Cigar Culture

Cigars have long been associated with luxury, power, and tradition. Their rich history spans centuries, evolving from a simple pastime of indigenous people in the Americas to a symbol of status among global elites. The story of cigar culture is one of craft, community, and passion, transcending borders and becoming an integral part of many societies. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating journey of cigars, tracing their roots and how they have shaped a distinct culture that continues to thrive today.

1. The Origins of Cigar Culture

The history of cigars dates back to the ancient civilizations of the Americas, particularly among the indigenous people of the Caribbean and Central America. Tobacco was initially used in religious ceremonies and as a form of currency. When European explorers, including Christopher Columbus, arrived in the New World, they encountered the native practice of rolling and smoking tobacco leaves, which would later become the foundation for the modern cigar.

It wasn’t long before tobacco became a highly sought-after commodity in Europe. By the 16th century, cigar smoking had spread throughout Spain and Portugal and soon reached other parts of Europe, becoming a popular indulgence among the aristocracy. The rich flavor of tobacco, combined with its calming effects, made it a beloved item in royal courts and among the wealthy.

2. The Golden Age of Cigars

The 19th century marked the golden age of cigars, particularly in countries like Cuba, where ideal growing conditions helped produce some of the finest tobacco in the world. Cuban cigars, still considered the epitome of quality and craftsmanship, became the gold standard during this period. Factories in Havana were known for their meticulous production processes, and cigar rolling became an art form.

During this era, cigar smoking was also embraced by prominent figures, including Winston Churchill and Sigmund Freud, who helped cement its image as a symbol of sophistication. The growing popularity of cigars gave rise to dedicated lounges and clubs where connoisseurs gathered to share their passion.

3. Cigars in Popular Culture

In the 20th century, cigars became a part of the fabric of popular culture. Celebrities, business moguls, and politicians alike were often seen with cigars in hand. Figures like John F. Kennedy, who famously bought a large number of Cuban cigars just before signing the Cuban trade embargo, further fueled their allure. Cigar smoking became more than a habit; it was a statement, a reflection of one’s personality and status.

The post-war boom saw the expansion of cigar production across the globe, with new markets emerging in the United States and Europe. Today, while Cuban cigars still hold a special place in cigar culture, premium cigars are crafted in various regions, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras, contributing to a diverse range of flavors and experiences for smokers.

4. Cigar Culture in the Modern World

In recent years, cigars have experienced a resurgence, particularly among younger generations. While cigarettes faced declining popularity due to health concerns, cigars have maintained a niche following, celebrated for their artisanal craftsmanship and slow, intentional smoking experience. Cigar lounges and clubs have adapted to modern tastes, offering a refined setting where enthusiasts can enjoy cigars while socializing with like-minded individuals.

The cigarette online store in UAE has also made premium cigars more accessible than ever. Enthusiasts no longer need to travel to cigar-producing regions to obtain high-quality cigars; they can simply browse a wide selection online and have them delivered to their doorstep. This convenience has helped cigar culture thrive in markets like the UAE, where cigar smoking is appreciated for both its history and craftsmanship.

[ezeeecigarettes]

The Environmental Impact of Disposable Vapes: Concerns and Solutions

As the popularity of vaping continues to soar, concerns about the environmental impact of throwaway vapes have emerged. This article delves into the ecological issues surroundingﾠdisposable vapeﾠproducts and explores potential solutions to minimize their environmental footprint.

Heading 1: The Rise of Disposable Vapes

Throwaway vapes gained traction for their convenience and ease of use, offering a hassle-free option for those new to vaping. These single-use devices come pre-filled with e-liquid and are discarded after use, catering to users who prefer not to deal with the complexities of refilling or recharging.

Heading 2: Environmental Concerns

Despite their popularity, expendable vapes pose significant environmental challenges. The main issue stems from the improper disposal of these devices, leading to e-waste accumulation. The batteries, electronic components, and plastic casings contribute to environmental degradation when not recycled responsibly.

Heading 3: The Challenge of Recycling

One of the primary hurdles in addressing the environmental impact of disposable vapes lies in the difficulty of recycling these devices. The intricate combination of materials makes it challenging to extract and repurpose components effectively. As a result, many disposable vapes end up in landfills, further exacerbating environmental concerns.

Heading 4: Potential Solutions

1.) Promoting Responsible Disposal

Encouraging users to responsibly dispose of disposable vapes is a crucial first step. Providing clear instructions on proper disposal methods and establishing designated collection points can help minimize the negative impact on the environment.

2.) Advancing Technology for Recycling

Innovations in recycling technology are essential for effectively managing e-waste. Research and development efforts should focus on creating vaping systems capable of disassembling and recycling the intricate components of disposable vapes.

3.) Developing Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Manufacturers can play a pivotal role by investing in the development of eco-friendly alternatives to disposable vapes. These may include exploring biodegradable materials, easily recyclable components, or refillable options that reduce overall waste.

4.) Education and Awareness Campaigns

It is crucial to raise awareness around the environmental impact of disposable vapes. Educational campaigns can inform users about the consequences of improper disposal and empower them to make environmentally conscious choices when it comes to vaping.

5.) Industry Regulations

Implementing and enforcing regulations within the vaping industry can help standardize environmentally friendly practices. Setting guidelines for recyclability, eco-friendly materials, and responsible manufacturing can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of disposable vapes.

Heading 5: The Role of Vapers in Sustainability

Vapers themselves can actively contribute to sustainability by adopting more environmentally friendly vaping practices. Choosing refillable devices, participating in e-waste recycling programs, and advocating for responsible disposal within the vaping community are small yet impactful steps.

While disposable vapes offer a convenient option for many users, it is essential to address the environmental concerns associated with their usage. As the industry continues to evolve, a commitment to sustainability will be integral in ensuring that vaping remains a choice that is both enjoyable for users and respectful of our planet.

Ezee, a renowned Danish e-cigarette and vaping specialist, is dedicated to assisting both beginners and experienced users in their transition to e-cigarettes. The online store offers a diverse range of self-produced electronic cigarettes, ensuring compliance with European regulations. With a commitment to high-quality in-house products, personalized guidance, and swift, complimentary shipping, the platform has solidified its position as a recognized name in the industry. Whether customers are seeking aﾠdisposable vape, rechargeable e-cigarettes with cartridges, or advanced vaping systems, the online store stands out for its expertise, convenience, and commitment to providing a safer alternative to traditional smoking.

[legalupanishad]

Laws governing E-Cigarettes in India: Is it Legal?

This article on 'Laws governing E-Cigarettes in India' was written by Ishika Agarwal, an intern at Legal Upanishad.

Introduction

The consumption of electronic cigarettes has increased a lot in the past few years. These cigarettes come in two different types: an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and an electronic non-nicotine delivery system (ENNDS). These systems (ENDS) produce a liquid with the help of a heating element, which is then vaporised and, in turn, inhaled by the users in the form of an aerosol consisting of varying amounts of nicotine, flavouring agents, propylene glycol, and other additives and toxic substances. ENNDS are almost similar to ENDS, with a slight difference in that the e-liquids present in these systems are marketed as nicotine-free; however, in practice, the products, claiming to be nicotine-free, are found to contain nicotine. ENDS are the subject of a public health debate among tobacco control advocates that has created more conflict as their use has increased in recent years. This article relates to the laws that govern the use of e-cigarettes in India.

WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021

The World Health Organisation (WHO) keeps a constant check on the usage of e-cigarettes by regularly monitoring and reviewing the evidence on ENDS and health and providing guidance to governments. The WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) is an international agreement aiming to reduce the consumption of tobacco products, reduce tobacco advertising, reduce exposure to second-hand smoking, and regulate tobacco packaging. WHO, in its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, published in 2021, stated that as of 2020, there were only two countries in the WHO European Regions that banned ENDS/ENNDS. Turkey has banned the import of ENDS (except for personal consumption), and Turkmenistan bans the sale of ENDS and ENNDS. Most European countries still permit the trade of ENDS and ENNDS. They have, however, implemented one or more measures to regulate them, either in full or in part. They consist of the following: - a prohibition on using e-cigarettes in public indoor places; - a prohibition on advertising, marketing, and sponsorship; and - The use of graphic health warnings on packaging; taxing; sales age limitations; flavouring prohibitions or restrictions

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Regulation of E-cigarettes in India

Earlier in India, there was neither any research or studies conducted nor any regulatory framework enacted to check on the usage of e-cigarettes. In May 2019, the India Council for Medical Research suggested an absolute ban on e-cigarettes, stating that such devices become a means of smoking and have the ability to make a nonsmoker addicted to nicotine. The first Indian state to impose a complete ban on vaping was Punjab in 2014. Since then, 12 other states have also imposed a ban on vaping products. On May 31, 2019, Maharashtra and Rajasthan also enacted a ban on vaping products. Because of the absence of clear rules, regulations, and guidelines, different states took different approaches to implementing such bans. They did so with the help of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, or the Poisons Act. The health ministry issued an advisory in August 2018 asking all states and union territories to entirely ban ENDS and any similar nicotine delivery products in their jurisdiction. Following this advice, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) suggested a change to the Information (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2018 to prohibit the advertisement of e-cigarettes. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs noted in its circular that the drug controller would be the sole person who would clear e-cigarette import consignments. At the time India outlawed e-cigarettes in 2019, there were 106 million adult smokers. In order to protect people from harm and any issues related to or incidental to it, the government enacted the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertisement) Act, 2019 to outlaw the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes. Section 4(i) of the Act prohibits a person from producing, manufacturing, importing, exporting, transporting, selling, and distributing electronic cigarettes, either directly or indirectly, whether as a finished product or as a semi-finished product. The second clause of this section prohibits the advertisement of e-cigarettes, either directly or indirectly, so as to promote their use. Section 5 of the Act prohibits the storage of electronic cigarettes. Section 6(1) of the Act gives the authorised officer the authority to go into and look into any area where e-cigarette business is in operation, or where such items are produced, supplied, distributed, stored, or transported, or where any advertisement is carried on. As per Section 6(2), the authorised officer can seize any record or property that may be used for any purposes mentioned in sub-section 1, and if he believes this to be true, he may capture any person under his charge and present him before the Court of Judicial Magistrate. As per Section 6(4) of the Act, all searches, seizures, and attachments shall be made according to the provisions of CrPC, 1973. According to Section 7 of the Act, violators of Section 4 are subject to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding one lakh rupees, or both; for a subsequent offence, the sentence may be up to three years in prison and a penalty up to 500000 rupees. According to Section 8 of the Act, violators of Section 5 are subject to a period of imprisonment that may not exceed six months, a penalty that may not exceed 50,000 rupees, or both. The jurisdiction and trial of crimes are outlined in Section 9 of the Act. Any person who violates Sections 4 or 5 will be tried for the offence in any court where he is eligible to be tried under any law currently in effect, according to Subsection 1 of this Section. All offences against this act are to be tried by the Court of Judicial Magistrate of the First Class according to the trial method outlined in CrPC, 1973, according to subsection 2 of this section. According to Section 10, e-cigarette stocks must be eliminated according to the rules in Chapter XXXIV of the CrPC if it is demonstrated that the stocks confiscated by the authorised officer under this act are stocks of e-cigarettes. A crime under Section 4 shall be cognizable in accordance with Section 13, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the CrPC, 1973. No litigation, prosecution, or other legal action shall be brought against the Union Government, any State Government, or any officer of the Union Government or any State Government for anything done or expected to be done under this Act in good faith, according to Section 16.

Regulation of E-cigarettes around the Globe

Recently, Australia has become the 47th country to impose a ban on the sale of vapes after India, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Argentina, and other countries that had imposed a ban earlier. At present, there are a total of 30 countries around the world where ENDS are banned, while there are some countries in which they are regulated in the form of consumer products, pharmaceutical products, or other categories.

Conclusion

The analysis of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertisement) Act, 2019 shows that the Indian Government has enacted a strict law in order to monitor and regulate e-cigarettes. However, it has been seen that buyers, especially youngsters, are still buying and consuming e-cigarettes via different websites, tobacco vendors, and general stores. Even in many cafes and clubs, hookahs are provided. A study shows that despite having a ban on e-cigarettes to protect the young generation from the harmful effects of vaping, e-cigarettes still remain one of the major challenges in India.

References

- The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019 - Neetu Chandra Sharma, 'Back Back 12 states ban e-cigarettes, health ministry urges all to follow', LiveMint, 13 March 2019, available at: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/12-states-ban-e-cigarettes-health-ministry-urges-all-to-follow-1552447122172.html - 'Global Tobacco Epidemic', Clear IAS, 13 September 2023, available at: https://www.clearias.com/global-tobacco-epidemic/#:~:text=ProhibitionofElectronicCigarettesAct,publichealthespeciallyamongyouth. Read the full article

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Understanding the Difference: Native Tobacco vs. Commercial Tobacco

In the heartland of Canada, the whispering winds carry a tale of an age-old tradition, where the use of a sacred plant binds the native peoples together in a tapestry of rich history and ritualistic significance. That plant is tobacco. In this blog post, we’re going to explore the world of “Native Smokes Canada” and “Native Cigarettes Canada,” and help you understand the stark differences between Native and commercial tobacco.

Before we delve deeper, it’s essential to appreciate the historical context that surrounds Native tobacco in Canada. The Native peoples, including the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, have been cultivating tobacco long before European settlers set foot on the North American continent. For centuries, they have used this plant in their ceremonial rituals and daily life, considering it a gift from the Great Spirit. Native Cigarettes

On the other hand, commercial tobacco, as we know it today, has only been prevalent since the late 19th century. After the industrial revolution, the commercial production of tobacco products skyrocketed, with Canada being a major player in the market. However, with this growth came an array of challenges and changes that make commercial tobacco vastly different from its Native counterpart.

Differences in Chemical Additives

Let’s now delve into the heart of the matter: the chemical additives present in commercial tobacco. Most commercial cigarette manufacturers add a cocktail of over 600 chemicals to tobacco, many of which are harmful. These additives include arsenic, benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde, and even lead, which, when combusted, create over 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these are known to cause cancer. These additives are designed to improve the shelf life, control the rate of burn, and enhance the addictive effect of the cigarettes, leading to a public health crisis on a global scale.

In stark contrast, Native smokes, made by the Indigenous peoples of Canada, are generally additive-free. These smokes contain pure, unprocessed tobacco, embracing an organic approach. The tobacco used in Native smokes is often air-cured and naturally fermented, resulting in a product that is free from harmful chemical additives. However, it’s essential to understand that even though Native tobacco is more organic, smoking any form of tobacco still poses health risks, primarily when used regularly or in large quantities. Buy Cigarettes Online

Why Buy Native Smokes?

This brings us to the key question: why should you consider native smokes over commercial ones? First and foremost, Native tobacco is steeped in history, tradition, and respect for the land and the plant. When you buy Native smokes, you become a part of that tradition, connecting with a history that predates modern commercial tobacco.

Moreover, by choosing Native smokes, you’re opting for a more organic product that’s free from the plethora of harmful additives typically found in commercial cigarettes. It’s a step towards respecting your body by limiting the intake of these hazardous chemicals.

Lastly, when you buy Native tobacco, you’re supporting the Indigenous communities that cultivate it. You’re aiding in the preservation of their cultural traditions and contributing to their economic sustainability.

We hope this post has shed light on the significant differences between Native and commercial tobacco in Canada. Remember, your choice matters. Your decision to buy Native cigarettes supports the preservation of ancient traditions, contributes to healthier smoking options, and promotes economic growth in Indigenous communities.

It’s about making informed decisions, and understanding the products you consume, and their impact on your health and the wider community. Choose wisely, respect the sacred plant, and enjoy a piece of Canadian history with every Native smoke.

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Week 3: Pompeii, the Mafia, & Lemons

Hi everyone! While these three things seem to have nothing in common, they are all topics I enjoyed learning about this week in class and on tours.

I had my first field trip in my History of the Mafia class to Naples. We took the train and met our professor at the Napoli Garibaldi Square. There he told us about how in the past the mafia used this square to sell counterfeit items and the benefits from doing so. From there, we walked along a district in Naples that was dominated by the Camorra mafia clan in the past. We got to see some historical sites including the churches were some of the mafiosos (men in the mafia) would hide their smuggled goods such as cigarettes.

The next day, my friends and I participated in a gelato making class through Sant'Anna. It was at a family owned gelato showed called Gelateria David. Their staff walked us through the step by step process of making gelato and the differences between cream and sorbet gelato. We made a lemon sorbet gelato and it was delicious!

The next day we finally made the trip to see Pompeii! I was pretty excited to see Pompeii as it is famous for its ruins and rich history. I bought the entrance tickets online, but you can also buy them on site. Also for all my dual citizens out there, there is a discount for those with a European Union passport. To get to Pompeii we took the commuter train which stopped a short distance away from the ruins. While it is possible to get a guided tour, my friends and I decided to use the Rick Steves Audio Guide App that you can download on your phone. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cheaper option that still gives a lot of information!

It was fascinating to see how well preserved some of the frescos were and to get a glimpse of what life was like in those ancient times. Also if you walk 10 minutes away from the center of the ruins, you can see the large amphitheater that once stood in Pompeii. It was so cool to see how large the building is and wonder how they were able to build it during those times.

And of course we had to take a picture repping UofM! GO BLUE!

As Sorrento is famous for its lemons, we took the opportunity during the weekend to go on a Lemon Tour in a villa called Villa Beatrice. This is a family owned lemon four located outside the city of Sorrento. It costs around 36 euro per person and included the tour, limoncello tastings, and some apertif snacks.

The villa is a bit far away from where San'Anna is located, but the staff offered to pick us up at a plaza in the city. Our tour guide was so nice and was very knowledgable about the process of making Limoncello and the history of Sorrento. We got to hear about what Sorrento was like in the past, as he grew up in a farm just a few blocks up the mountain. We even learned about the process of grafting the branch of lemon trees to the trunk of orange trees (the picture with a branch covered in plastic depicts this!).

Overall, it was a lovely experience and by far one of my favorite things that I have done since I have been here. We also met a Michigan Alumni who just graduated in our tour group!

Next weekend I will be going to Venice, so I can't wait to share with you my experiences! Ciao!

Josefia Frydenborg

Environmental Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento

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Despite its many advantages, hosting locally or in-house is not without its share of dangers. For instance, local laws could limit what you can say about your company or even require you to reveal your name if you run a business. Offshore NO DMCA hosting, on the other hand, lets you store data online without being subject to regulations that would otherwise hinder your site.

You should thoroughly understand offshoring before you outsource your procedures, yet it can help your company enhance production and expand.

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Offshore hosting bitcoin is ideal if you plan on hosting anything that may be deemed illegal in your country, such as gambling, cigarettes, alcohol, or adult material. People who run websites or create information online and prefer to maintain their anonymity can also benefit from this setup.

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Using a cheap offshore hosting service is the ideal way to cut costs and maximize efficiency. As a result, you won't have to spend as much on the traditional four phases of human resource management, recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of service staff.

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179 of 2023

Created by carwii

you are a female. you are not a virgin. you have had a threesome. you are terrible at drawing. you are talented with languages. you have an iphone. you like puzzle games. you live with a roommate. you are in college. you have dropped out of a college before. you have tried hard drugs. you take anti-depressants. you watch top gear uk. you love harry potter. you love pokemon. you like hiking. you work in a cubicle. you have worked at starbucks. your best friend is of the opposite sex. you watch ufc. you have trained in martial arts. your hair is not it's natural color. you don't like dark meat. your favorite food is spaghetti. you prefer to sleep in. you stay up past 3am almost every night. you are over 21. you spend many nights at bars. you have blacked out from drinking. you love hookah. you have only had 1 boyfriend. you are in love with your best friend. (and we’re married lol) your room is full of stuffed animals. you are a studio ghibli fan. you live in california. you are from the east coast. you are a japantic. you are obsessed with tumblr. you are constantly trying to lose weight. you are trying to quit cigarettes. you trust people too easily. you are not a raver. you are not a hipster. you have a family member who is an artist. you were b'nei mitzvahed. you are agnostic. you are pro-choice. you support gay marriage. you have shot a gun. you love laser tag. you prefer cheese pizza. you like folding laundry. you love sparkling water. you never eat breakfast. you eat bagels daily. your favorite jamba juice is acai super antioxidant. you don't like tap water. you are always broke. you hate twilight. you used to collect pokemon cards. you used to be obsessed with nintendo 64. you type fast. you play on omgpop. you hate the word "swag". you hate those marilyn monroe quotes that annoying girls always post. you shower in the afternoon. you are only taking online classes. you have failed an entire quarter of classes. your eyes change color. you like to get gel tips. you spend way too much money on makeup. you only wear eye makeup. your lips are chapped. you are a moderate nymphomaniac. you are lonely. you watch porn. you wouldn't mind being a nude model. all of your facebook photos are too similar. you always wear jeans. you sleep with just your underwear on. you drive a honda civic. you want a nissan gt-r. you don't like tomatoes. you love cheese. you know how to bake. you don't know how to cook. you love ramen. you don't like where america is going. you voted for obama. (European here) you love public transportation. you want to live in southern california. you don't do well in cold weather. you don't get sick very often. you are a bad runner. you have had braces.