Maldives Implements Generational Tobacco Ban

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The Maldives cabinet has decided to implement a generational tobacco ban for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007. Under this ban, the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco will be prohibited for those falling under this age category. The ban is set to come into effect on November 1, 2025, following a six-month period allocated for enforcement authorities to revise existing regulations in line with the amended law.

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Nevada Considers Generational Ban on Cigarette Sales

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Nevada lawmakers are considering a groundbreaking proposal that would permanently ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after December 31, 2004, with the exception of certain casinos. The bill, Assembly Bill 279, is a sweeping effort to cut down on future combustible tobacco use and phase out the sale of the most harmful nicotine products.

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Australia Bans Menthol Cigarettes, Introduces Sweeping Tobacco Reforms

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As of April 1, 2025, Australia has introduced a comprehensive set of new laws that significantly change the appearance, ingredients, and packaging of tobacco products. The Australian government passed this package of tobacco laws in late 2023, which includes several key measures:

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Russia Sees Record Low Number of Heavy Smokers, Survey Reveals

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According to a comprehensive survey of living conditions conducted by Rosstat, the number of heavy smokers who consume a pack of cigarettes a day in Russia fell to a record low of 40% in 2024, down from 46.7% two years earlier.

The survey, which covers 60,000 households from various groups and strata of the population across all regions of Russia, found that one in four residents over the age of 15 smokes (25.5%), a slight decrease from 26.1% in 2022. Of these, 17.8% smoke daily, while 7.7% smoke occasionally. The majority of the population (64.9%) have never smoked, and 9.5% have successfully quit the habit.

Among smokers, 4.4% consume more than one pack of cigarettes a day, while 35.6% smoke up to one pack. These figures have decreased from 4.6% and 42.1% respectively, compared to two years ago. The proportion of those who smoke five to ten cigarettes a day has remained relatively stable, at 35.2% in 2024 and 35.9% in 2022. One in four smokers (24.8%) consumes one to five cigarettes a day, up from 18.1% two years ago.

The survey also revealed that the majority of people (65.3%) start smoking between the ages of 15 and 20, while 22.8% take up the habit between 21 and 30 years old. Only 2.5% of smokers begin after the age of 30.

There is a significant gender disparity in smoking prevalence, with 44.3% of men smoking daily or occasionally, compared to just 10.1% of women. Among daily smokers, 32.7% are men, while only 5.6% are women.

The Rosstat survey, conducted every two years, provides valuable insights into the smoking habits of the Russian population and the progress made in reducing the prevalence of heavy smoking in the country.

Australia Introduces Health Warnings on Individual Cigarettes

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Australia has implemented mandatory changes to cigarettes as part of the government’s efforts to ramp up health messaging over tobacco products. As of April 01/2025, Australia has become the second country in the world, after Canada, to introduce health warnings on individual cigarettes.

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Armenia Increases Fines for Non-Compliant Tobacco Products

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The Armenian government has approved amendments to the “Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Armenia” to increase fines for selling tobacco products that do not meet the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) standards. The decision comes as the transitional period for compliance with EAEU technical regulations, which began in 2016, is set to end on January 1, 2024.

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Philippines Raises Tobacco Excise Taxes for 2025

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The Philippines has been steadily increasing excise taxes on tobacco products in recent years, with the latest adjustments taking effect on March 22, 2025. These tax hikes are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to discourage smoking and raise revenue for the country’s universal healthcare program.

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UK‘s Smoke-Free Generation Bill Faces Big Tobacco Pushback

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As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill moves closer to becoming law, major tobacco firms are ramping up their opposition, employing familiar lobbying tactics to resist stricter regulations. The bill, set to return to Parliament this week, aims to ban cigarette sales to anyone born after 2009, gradually phasing out tobacco products nationwide.

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Study Reveals Smoking Rates ‘Increasing’ in Some Areas of England

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Researchers have warned that the progress in reducing smoking rates across England has “stalled” in recent years, with some areas even experiencing apparent increases. The findings come from a study conducted by academics from University College London (UCL), who analyzed data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, which included 368,057 adults in England between 2006 and 2024.

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

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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 banned in 2000.

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