Entries by Matthew Ma

Vaping Laws in Washington State: A Comprehensive Guide (2025 updated)

Washington State has established itself as a jurisdiction with a robust and evolving framework for regulating vaping products, including e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Driven by a strong commitment to public health, particularly the prevention of youth access to and use of nicotine, the Evergreen State combines strict age restrictions, […]

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German Push for Stricter Outdoor Smoking & Vape Bans

Following France’s move to expand its outdoor smoking ban effective July 1, 2025, German politicians, particularly from the SPD and Green parties, are renewing calls for stricter prohibitions on smoking and vaping in public outdoor spaces in Germany. The French law will ban smoking in areas frequented by children, such as beaches, parks, playgrounds, near […]

EU Commission Considers 258% Tobacco and Vape Tax

The European Commission is contemplating substantial increases in excise duties on tobacco products, including a potential 258% hike on rolling tobacco and a 139% rise for cigarettes, according to an internal impact assessment. The document, obtained by POLITICO, also reveals plans to introduce EU-wide taxation on currently untaxed or inconsistently taxed items like vapes (e-cigarettes) […]

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Georgia Lawmakers Push for increase in Cigarette Tax

A coalition of Georgia lawmakers and prominent public health organizations is intensifying efforts to raise the state’s cigarette tax, which currently stands as the second-lowest in the nation. Advocates argue that an increase would not only discourage smoking and improve public health outcomes but also generate significant revenue to help offset the substantial healthcare costs […]

Nicotine’s Overlooked Benefits: Mental & Cognitive Health

For decades, nicotine has been public health enemy number one, inextricably linked to the devastating consequences of combustible tobacco. In the understandable and vital quest to discourage smoking, nicotine itself has often been demonized. However, the advent and proliferation of tobacco harm reduction (THR) products – including vapes, heated tobacco, and oral nicotine pouches – […]

Argentina Salta City Bans Vaping in Enclosed Public and Work Spaces

The City Council of Salta, Argentina, has approved a new ordinance declaring the city “Free of Tobacco Smoke and Electronic Device Emissions.” This measure, passed on Wednesday, prohibits both traditional smoking and the use of vaping devices (e-cigarettes) in numerous enclosed public and private access spaces.

Dutch Doctors Threaten Snapchat Over Illegal Vape Sales

Doctors in the Netherlands are threatening legal action against social media platform Snapchat, holding it responsible for facilitating the illegal sale of vapes, particularly to young people. This move comes after a ban on disposable vapes with sweet flavors took effect in the Netherlands on January 1, 2024, permitting only tobacco-flavored products in an effort […]

Slovakia Proposes Ban on Flavored and Disposable Vapes by 2026

Slovakia’s Ministry of Health has announced plans to ban the sale of most flavored nicotine products and all disposable electronic cigarettes. The proposed prohibition targets tobacco products with distinct flavors considered attractive to youth, aiming to curb underage vaping.

Croatia Imposes New E-Liquid Tax, Hikes Tobacco Duties from July 1st

Croatia is set to introduce a new excise duty on e-liquids used in electronic cigarettes (vapes) and increase existing taxes on other tobacco products, effective July 1st. The move, part of a government decree amending excise regulations, has caused significant concern among vape retailers, who warn it could lead to drastic price hikes and potentially […]

South Korea Calls Stricter E-Cig Laws, Synthetic Nicotine Ban

South Korea is grappling with increasing e-cigarette use, especially among young people, prompting calls from bodies like the National Assembly Research Service for urgent regulatory action. A key concern is the current legal loophole for synthetic nicotine, which is not classified as a tobacco product under existing laws, thereby evading tobacco taxes and stricter sales […]