Entries by Matthew Ma

Tobacco Industry Pushes Ireland for Vape Tax & Regulation

The tobacco industry is actively pushing the Irish government to increase regulation and implement an excise tax on its “new golden goose”: smoking-alternative products like vapes. British American Tobacco (BAT), a major player in the global vape market with its Vuse brand, is warning that Ireland’s illicit vape trade will thrive unless a planned excise […]

Colombia: New Bill Filed to Impose Taxes on Vaping Products

A new bill has been filed in Colombia’s House of Representatives by Representative Wadith Manzur to regulate and impose taxes on vaping products. The primary objective of the proposal is to discourage the use of these devices, especially among young people, due to growing public health concerns.

UK Study Finds Teen Vapers Smoking at 1970s Levels

A new study has delivered a stark warning to public health officials and parents: teenagers in the UK who vape are now as likely to smoke traditional cigarettes as their peers were in the 1970s, a period often seen as the peak of smoking culture. The research, led by the University of Michigan and published […]

Kazakhstan Seizes 150k Illegal Vapes in Almaty Raid

Authorities in Almaty, Kazakhstan, have dismantled a group engaged in the illegal trafficking of electronic cigarettes (vapes), flavors, and their liquids. The operation, conducted by the Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM), targeted a network that sold the prohibited products through a Telegram channel named “Escobar Optom,” utilizing courier services for delivery.

Brazil Police Crack Down on E-Cigarette Smuggling

The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) launched “Operation Vapor Malus” this Tuesday (29th), executing seven search and seizure warrants against individuals suspected of smuggling electronic cigarettes. The operation, spanning the cities of Palmas, Araguaína, and Brasília, aims to dismantle a criminal network involved in the importation and sale of these prohibited products in Brazil.

Experts Urge South Africa to Adopt Science-Based Vape Policies

A leading Italian physician and tobacco harm reduction expert, Professor Riccardo Polosa, has called on the South African parliament to adopt science-based policies as it considers the new Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill. Speaking to the parliamentary portfolio committee on health, Polosa, who leads the Centre of Excellence for Harm Reduction […]

,

Pakistan Punjab Bans Smoking and Vaping in All Parks and Gardens

The government of Punjab, Pakistan, has banned smoking and vaping in all parks and gardens across the province, declaring them “no-smoking zones” to provide a healthier environment for citizens. According to a new notification, the sale and use of all cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products are now completely prohibited within these public spaces.

Ukraine Proposes Full Ban on E-Cigarettes with New Law

A new draft law, No. 13548, has been registered in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament), proposing a complete ban on the production, importation, circulation, and sale of all electronic cigarettes, refill containers, and their liquids within the country. The bill’s authors describe the initiative as a necessary response to alarming trends in youth vaping and the […]

Russia’s Legal Vape Liquid Producers Drop 23-Fold in a Year

The number of legal manufacturers of vape liquids in Russia has plummeted by 23 times in just one year, dropping from 117 companies to only five, according to Vladislav Zaslavsky, a director at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This dramatic decline follows a doubling of excise taxes on nicotine-containing liquids in 2024, a move […]