Entries by Matthew Ma

Denver’s Flavored Tobacco Ban Debate: Personal Stories and Business Concerns

The Denver City Council has advanced a proposal to ban the sale of most flavored vape and tobacco products within the city, with a public hearing and potential final vote scheduled for Monday, December 16. The measure, which aims to curb nicotine addiction and improve public health, has sparked a heated debate between supporters and […]

Denver City Council Bans Sale of Flavored Vapes and Tobacco Products

The Denver City Council voted 11 to 1 on Monday night to ban the sale of flavored vapes and other tobacco products within the city limits. The ordinance, which includes e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, vapes, and other flavored nicotine and tobacco products, aims to reduce nicotine use among teenagers and young adults.

Russia Tightens Penalties for Selling Vapes to Minors

On December 17, deputies of the State Duma adopted amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in the second and third readings, tightening responsibility for selling vapes to minors. The new law establishes criminal liability for the repeated retail sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, as well as devices for their consumption, to […]

Maldives Implements Comprehensive Vaping Ban, Doubles Cigarette Prices

Tourists Prohibited from Bringing Vaping Devices as Government Takes Strong Stance Against Smoking The Maldives has implemented a sweeping ban on vaping, making it illegal to import, use, possess, manufacture, sell, advertise, or distribute e-cigarettes and related products. The import ban took effect on November 15, while the prohibition on all other aspects of vaping […]

Northern Ireland Postpones Single-Use Vape Ban by Two Months

New Effective Date Set for June 1, Aligning with UK-Wide Regulations Environment Minister Andrew Muir has announced that the ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Northern Ireland will be delayed by two months. Originally slated to take effect in April 2025, the ban will now come into force on June 1, […]

Southeast Asia Vape Taxation: A Diverse Regulatory Landscape

Overview of Vape Tax Structures and Regulations in Southeast Asian Countries Southeast Asia presents a diverse and complex landscape when it comes to the regulation and taxation of e-cigarettes. Countries in the region have adopted a wide range of policies, from implementing comprehensive tax structures to outright banning vaping products. The regulatory environment in each […]

European Union Vape Taxation: A Diverse Landscape Across Member States

The European Union (EU) currently does not enforce a uniform vape tax across its 27 member states, leading to a varied landscape of taxation policies for e-cigarettes and related products. More than half of the EU countries have introduced taxes on e-liquids based on volume, categorizing them under consumption taxes. However, the tax rates and […]

Brazilian Tax Authority Intensifies Enforcement, Suspends CNPJs of Stores Selling E-Cigarettes

New Measures Target Clandestine Sale of Products Prohibited by Anvisa Since 2009 The Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal) has intensified its enforcement efforts against the sale of electronic cigarettes, which have been prohibited in Brazil since 2009 by determination of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The clandestine sale of these products, openly displayed […]

Philippine DTI Revises Technical Regulations for Vape Products

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is in the process of revising the regulations for vape products, according to Perpetua Werlina Lim, the assistant director for the DTI’s consumer policy and advocacy bureau. The revisions, which are expected to bring significant changes to the auditing process for companies selling these consumer goods, will […]