Entries by Matthew Ma

, ,

Nebraska Lawmakers Advance Bill to Impose 20% Wholesale Excise Tax on ‘Nicotine-Like’ Products, Including ‘Zyn’ Pouches

The Nebraska Legislature has taken a significant step towards regulating nicotine and “nicotine-like” products by advancing Legislative Bill 9, which proposes a 20% wholesale excise tax on alternative nicotine products. The bill, introduced by State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, aims to define “alternative nicotine products” and “nicotine analogues” in state law, creating an “umbrella” […]

Thailand Cracks Down on E-Cigarettes: Severe Penalties Announced

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has declared a resolute stance against electronic cigarettes, vowing to pursue a relentless crackdown on the prohibited products. In a Facebook post on March 19, 2025, the Prime Minister highlighted recent police raids on an e-cigarette warehouse and the arrest of a major operator, urging the Customs Department and Ministry […]

FDA Authorizations for Smoke-Free Alternatives Advance Tobacco Harm Reduction

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made significant strides in the fight against tobacco-related harm by authorizing the marketing of various smoke-free alternatives to conventional cigarettes. In January 2025, the FDA authorized 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products, recognizing their potential to present a lower risk of cancer and other health conditions compared […]

,

Smoking on Airplanes: A Look into the History and Current Regulations

The prevalence of smoking in public spaces, including airplanes, has undergone a significant transformation over the years. While younger generations may find it hard to imagine, there was a time when passengers could enjoy their meals alongside secondhand smoke on commercial flights. However, smoking on all U.S. flights, including domestic and international ones, was completely […]

World Vapers’ Alliance Study Reveals Vaping Flavors Crucial for Smoking Cessation

The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has released the findings of a study conducted by independent polling company Dynata, which highlights the critical role of vaping flavors in helping smokers quit or reduce their tobacco consumption in Spain. The study, based on a sample of 585 Spanish vapers, provides compelling evidence supporting vaping as an effective […]

Labor Party Seeks to Criminalize All Vaping Devices in Nuevo León, Mexico

The Labor Party in the Mexican state of Nuevo León has proposed amending the state’s Penal Code to ban all types of vaping devices, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or other harmful substances. The initiative, presented by party coordinator Guadalupe Rodríguez during a Tuesday session, aims to impose sanctions on anyone who promotes, supplies, […]

Brussels to Decide on Spain’s Proposed Tobacco Regulations on April 28

The European Commission is set to rule on the draft Royal Decree regulating certain aspects of tobacco products and their derivatives in Spain on April 28, 2025. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by the Spanish Ministry of Health, seeks to restrict the presence of flavors in electronic cigarettes and limit the nicotine concentration in nicotine pouches […]

Netherlands Sees Significant Decline in Vaping Following Flavor Ban, RIVM Reports

The ban on flavored e-cigarettes and vapes in the Netherlands appears to be making an impact, according to a preliminary evaluation by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The report reveals that vaping has significantly decreased among Dutch vapers, with one in five completely quitting since the ban was implemented last […]