Entries by Matthew Ma

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Is It Illegal to Vape/Smoke and Drive in California?

For motorists in the California, the answer to “Is it illegal to vape and drive?” is not a simple yes or no. The legality depends heavily on three key factors: the age of your passengers, the substance you are consuming, and whether your actions are distracting you from safely operating the vehicle. This guide provides […]

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Is It Illegal to Vape/Smoke and Drive in Arkansas?

Arkansas, a state known for its natural beauty and a strong sense of personal freedom, has a unique and often misunderstood set of laws when it comes to smoking and vaping while driving. For motorists in the Natural State, understanding the specific rules for smoking tobacco, vaping e-cigarettes, and consuming cannabis behind the wheel is […]

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New Zealand Lifts Removable Battery Rule for Vapes

The New Zealand government is revoking a regulation that would have required all vaping devices and heated tobacco products to have removable batteries. The decision, announced by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, is a direct response to a court challenge from Mason Corporation, the owner of the Shosha vape retail chain. The change will take […]

Russia Criminalizes Counterfeit Tobacco & Vape Stamps

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law introducing criminal liability for the creation, sale, or use of counterfeit excise and special stamps for tobacco and alcohol products. The amendments to the Criminal Code also expand existing laws against the illegal trafficking of unstamped goods to explicitly include nicotine-containing products, such as vapes, in addition […]

Malaysian Melaka Health Dept. Drafting Vape Ban Proposal

The Melaka state health department is preparing a proposal to ban the manufacturing and sale of e-cigarettes (vapes) within the state. According to State Health, Human Resources, and Unity Committee Chairman Ngwe Hee Sem, the proposal will be presented to the state executive council for a final decision later this year.

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Is Vaping and Driving Illegal in Alaska? (2025 Guide)

Alaska, a state renowned for its vast, rugged landscapes and a strong ethos of personal liberty, has a unique legal framework when it comes to smoking and vaping while driving. While there is no explicit state law banning the act of smoking or vaping in a private vehicle for adults, the state’s broader traffic safety, […]

FDA’s Failure on Vaping Fuels State-Level Confusion & Overreach

As state legislative sessions wind down for the year, adult vapers and users of other safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes are catching a brief respite from the relentless onslaught of new tax hikes and product restrictions. However, despite campaign-trail promises from figures like Donald Trump to protect flavored vapor products, the tools of tobacco harm […]

Israel Considers Vape Tax Overhaul to Fight Black Market

A special commission of the Israeli Tax Authority has presented recommendations to the Minister of Finance for a complete overhaul of how e-cigarettes are taxed and regulated, concluding that the current system has inadvertently created a massive black market. The report states that an exceptionally high tax rate, combined with ease of smuggling and a […]

Panama Implements New E-Cigarette Regulations on Aug 13

Panama’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) is set to enforce new regulations on the sale, use, and advertising of electronic cigarettes (vapes), heated tobacco products, and oral nicotine, effective Wednesday, August 13, 2025. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a previous, more restrictive law.