In a significant move to curb youth vaping, the French Parliament has reached a consensus on banning single-use electronic cigarettes , commonly known as “disposable vapes.” The ban is expected to come into effect by the end of September 2024, as stated by Green Party deputy Francesca Pasquini.

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A recent study by the not-for-profit organization Material Focus has revealed that a staggering quarter of a billion disposable vapes could end up in landfills before the UK’s upcoming ban on single-use e-cigarettes in 2025. The research exposes a shocking lack of compliance among vape producers and retailers in fulfilling their legal obligation to facilitate the return and recycling of these devices. Read more

A recent study from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business has shed light on the potential impact of e-cigarette taxes on underage vaping. The study, titled “Smoke and Mirrors: Impact of E-cigarette Taxes on Underage Social Media Posting,” was conducted by Vrinda Kadiyali, professor at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, and Piyush Anand, assistant professor at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Read more

In a significant move to combat the rising trend of youth vaping, the New Zealand government has announced a complete ban on single-use e-cigarettes, also known as disposable vapes. The decision comes months after the country abandoned a controversial plan to prohibit the sale of tobacco cigarettes to people born after 2008. Read more

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s ambitious plan to ban anyone born after 2009 from purchasing cigarettes has officially begun its journey into law. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which has now been published and formally introduced in Parliament, aims to give the UK some of the world’s most stringent anti-tobacco legislation. Read more

The city of Dallas is moving closer to implementing a ban on vaping in public spaces, following recommendations from the Dallas Environmental Commission, a citizen-led advisory group. The proposed policy change aims to protect vulnerable populations from the potential harm caused by secondhand exposure to e-cigarette aerosols and vapors.

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The Vermont House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards addressing public health concerns by passing a comprehensive bill that would ban the sale of flavored vaping products and tobacco items, as well as prohibit online sales of all nicotine-containing products. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 18 (S 18), had previously been approved by the state Senate. Read more

In a significant move to protect public health, particularly among youth, Colombia has successfully passed a law regulating the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. The new legislation, which comes 15 years after the country’s first anti-smoking law, aims to establish strict controls over an industry that has been linked to potential health risks.

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Oklahoma House Bill Proposes Shifting Vaping Regulation Enforcement to Attorney General’s Office

In a recent development, House Bill 3971 has been introduced in the Oklahoma legislature, proposing to transfer the enforcement of regulations related to the purchase and sale of vapor products from the Oklahoma Able Commission to the Attorney General’s Office. Read more

The Finnish government is taking steps to regulate the use of nicotine pouches, a smokeless tobacco alternative, by bringing these products under the purview of existing tobacco laws. The move comes as concerns mount over the potential health risks associated with nicotine pouches, particularly among young people.

Nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free bags that users place in their mouth, typically between the gum and lip. While they do not contain tobacco leaf, they do contain nicotine, an addictive stimulant derived from tobacco. Users consume nicotine pouches in a manner similar to snus, another smokeless tobacco product.

Read more: NICOTINE POUCH INGREDIENTS EXPLAINED

The government’s proposed regulations aim to curb nicotine levels in these pouches to 20 milligrams per gram of product, while also prohibiting online sales and limiting the range of available flavors. These measures are designed to make nicotine pouches less appealing to young people and to prevent the development of nicotine addiction.

Under the proposed legislation, retailers selling nicotine pouches would be required to obtain a license, while importers would face additional restrictions. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is leading the charge on this legislative package, which is expected to be presented to parliament this spring.

The government’s stance on nicotine pouches is informed by the Finnish health agency THL, which classifies nicotine as an addictive stimulant that can constrict blood vessels, increase blood pressure, and make users more susceptible to arrhythmia. By regulating these products, the government hopes to mitigate the potential health risks associated with oral nicotine use, particularly among youth.

Interestingly, the widespread availability of strong nicotine pouches in Finland has had an unexpected impact on the smuggling of oral tobacco products from neighboring Sweden. As nicotine pouches have become more accessible, the demand for smuggled snus has decreased dramatically, underscoring the need for effective regulation of these products.

News source: https://yle.fi/a/74-20078963