“We do not use social media influencers, and we refuse requests for such partnerships,” a company spokesman told Quartz. “Manufacturers, regulators, retailers and social media platforms must work together to ensure these products are only used by people 21+ , and we believe that we’re doing our part to achieve that objective.”

But the regulators’ war on flavored tobacco products, under the guise of ensuring kids don’t get addicted, shows no signs of abating and frequently ends up harming adult nicotine users who are looking for healthier alternatives than cigarettes.

It’s also the government telling users that they know best, and that non-state-approved vices are wrong and bad, worth making more dangerous—not a job I elected anyone to do.

Joining forces: Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emerged from a series of meetings touting a new defense pledge—a vow to assist each other in the event of “aggression” from any other nation.

It’s not shocking that this Cold War–era agreement (first signed in 1961, then scrapped circa 2000) is being revived right now. North Korea has played a significant role in aiding and abetting Putin’s war in Ukraine, supplying ballistic missiles and munitions for much of the past two years. The two leaders have been getting even cozier with each other than they already were.

“This is a truly breakthrough document, reflecting the desire of the two countries not to rest on their laurels, but to raise our relations to a new qualitative level,” said Putin. Kim called Putin “the dearest friend of the Korean people.”

Russia and North Korea “consistently defend the idea of forming a more just and democratic, multipolar world order,” reports Russian state-owned media Tass, seemingly citing a section of the agreement that is not yet available for public consumption.