The Texas Senate has once again approved a bill that would ban most hemp-derived THC products in the state, setting up a potential clash with Governor Greg Abbott and the House of Representatives. In a 22-8 vote, the Senate passed legislation from Senator Charles Perry (R) that would recriminalize the market for intoxicating cannabinoids.
Read moreBritish American Tobacco (BAT) France has acknowledged the European Commission’s proposed revision of the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED), welcoming the inclusion of tobacco-free nicotine pouches within the scope of European taxation for the first time. The company views this as a crucial institutional recognition of these products as alternatives for adult smokers seeking to move away from combustible tobacco.
Read moreIndonesia’s Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has officially expanded its supervisory authority to include addictive substances like vaping products or e-cigarettes, through the issuance of BPOM Regulation (PerBPOM) Number 19 of 2025. This new rule, which amends previous regulations, was promulgated by the Ministry of Law on July 3, 2025.
Read moreThe Gibraltar government is advancing with draft legislation that would prohibit anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, from ever legally purchasing tobacco products, including vapes. Following a public consultation period that drew around 30 responses, the proposal will now be taken to the Cabinet for a final decision on whether to proceed with the bill.
Read moreThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing authorization to 20 of Philip Morris International’s (PMI) ZYN brand nicotine pouch products, a landmark decision that solidifies the brand’s position as the leader in the rapidly growing smokeless nicotine market. The authorization, which covers various flavors including Wintergreen and the unflavored “Chill” in both 3 mg and 6 mg strengths, was met with a surge in PMI’s stock price as investors reacted to the regulatory green light.
Read moreNew excise tax regulations that took effect in Poland on August 1st have introduced what experts are calling an absurd “double taxation” on vaping products, a move they warn is already fueling a significant expansion of the illicit market. The legislation extends excise duty not only to e-liquids but also to reusable vaping devices and their replaceable cartridges – a policy unprecedented within the European Union.
Read moreA new law banning the sale of certain disposable vapes is set to take effect in Texas on September 1st, leaving many local business owners concerned about their future. Texas Senate Bill 2024 enacts a sweeping prohibition on a wide range of vape products, primarily targeting those manufactured in or marketed from China, as well as any e-cigarette containing intoxicating substances other than nicotine, such as hemp-derived cannabinoids.
Read moreThe Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines has ordered all e-commerce and other digital platforms to immediately remove postings of illegal and uncertified vape products. The DTI identified that certain online merchants were selling vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products that lack the required fiscal markings, tax stamps, and Philippine Standard License marks.
Read morePortugal has publicly challenged the European Commission’s proposed revision of the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED), joining a growing coalition of member states concerned about its far-reaching consequences. The Portuguese Ministry of Finance warns that the directive, which aims to harmonize taxes across the bloc, could fuel illicit trade, cause annual revenue losses of up to €1.5 billion, and undermine the fiscal autonomy of member states.
Read moreThe Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana), a civil society organization, has called on the Ghanaian government to strengthen the enforcement of laws regulating tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and to close existing regulatory loopholes. In a statement marking International Youth Day, the organization urged the implementation of higher, earmarked taxes on these products to protect the nation’s youth.
Read more