Entries by Matthew Ma

Vaping Around Your Cat: Is It Safe or Putting Your Pet at Risk?

As vaping continues to be a popular alternative to traditional smoking for many people, a common question arises for pet parents: Is it actually safe to vape around our furry companions, especially cats? We know the dangers of secondhand cigarette smoke for pets are well-documented, but the picture with vape aerosol can seem a bit… […]

Iowa Vape Directory Law Blocked by Federal Judge

Court Rules State Law Unlawfully Infringes on Federal Authority A federal judge has blocked nearly all provisions of a new Iowa law (House File 2677) that aimed to restrict the sale of e-cigarette products based on their U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval status. Chief U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose ruled the law likely […]

Buryatia (Russia) Tightens Youth Vape Sale Ban

Russian Republic Aligns Local Law with Federal Ban on Selling Smoking Mixtures to Minors The Republic of Buryatia in Russia has strengthened its regulations against youth vaping, aligning local laws with federal standards to prohibit the retail sale of all types of smoking products – including tobacco-free and nicotine-free mixtures – to minors. This legislative […]

Iraqi Parliament to Vote on Stricter Anti-Smoking Law Next Week

Bill Includes Higher Taxes, Public Bans, Youth Protections, and Vape Ad Ban The Iraqi parliament is scheduled to vote on May 6 on a comprehensive anti-smoking bill designed to significantly curb tobacco use through increased taxes, expanded bans, stricter penalties, and incentives for industry transition. The legislation, having passed its first two readings, places a […]

Spain’s Proposed Vape & Nicotine Pouch Rules Face Strong EU Opposition

Six Nations Issue Formal Objections, Forcing Review Over Internal Market Concerns Spain’s plan to tighten regulations on alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, has encountered significant opposition within the European Union. Six member states – Italy, Sweden, Greece, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania – have issued formal “reasoned opinions” against the proposed […]

Austrian Waste Management Group Demands Disposable Vape Ban

VOEB Points to Lithium Battery Dangers and International Precedents The Association of Austrian Waste Management Companies (VOEB) is urgently calling for a nationwide ban on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes (vapes), citing significant fire hazards posed by improperly discarded lithium batteries.

Denver Flavored Tobacco Ban Faces Voter Showdown in November

Health Advocates Launch Campaign to Uphold Ban Amid Retailer Repeal Effort Denver voters will decide the fate of the city’s ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products this fall, as a campaign led by Children’s Hospital Colorado and health advocates launches to defend the ordinance against a repeal initiative.

Vaping Industry Sues North Carolina Over New E-cigarette Sales Law

Lawsuit Claims State Law Requiring FDA Authorization is Preempted by Federal Authority The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) and several North Carolina vape businesses have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s recently enacted law regulating e-cigarette sales (Session Law 2024-31). The plaintiffs argue the law improperly usurps federal authority and discriminates against certain products.

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Teen Nicotine Pouch Use Nearly Doubled in One Year, USC Study Finds

Researchers Urge Awareness and Regulation Amid Surging Popularity Fueled by Social Media The use of oral nicotine pouches – small, discreet packets placed between the gum and lip – has seen a dramatic and concerning surge among U.S. high school students, nearly doubling between 2023 and 2024. This finding comes from a significant new study […]

E-cigarettes, HTPs, Pouches Effective for Quitting Smoking, Advocates Argue

World Vapers Alliance Urges WHO and Policymakers to Embrace Harm Reduction As global efforts continue to combat the health crisis caused by smoking, advocates are increasingly highlighting the role of tobacco harm reduction (THR) tools. Organizations like the World Vapers Alliance (WVA) argue that products such as e-cigarettes (vapes), heated tobacco products (HTPs), and nicotine […]