Australia is grappling with a rapidly expanding illicit tobacco market, a crisis marked by stark price discrepancies, lost tax revenue, and escalating organized crime. While a legal pack of 20 cigarettes costs around AUD $40 due to massive tax hikes, black market alternatives flood the streets for as little as AUD $15. This underground economy isn’t just about cheap smokes; it’s increasingly linked to violent crime, including extortion rackets and arson attacks targeting retailers involved in the trade. This alarming situation raises critical questions: are Australia’s tobacco control policies inadvertently fueling the very problems they aim to solve?

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The landscape for vaping products in the United States is more dynamic and complex than ever. As of April 9, 2025, state legislatures across the country are actively debating and enacting laws that could fundamentally reshape the market. Two dominant, yet distinct, regulatory trends have emerged, creating uncertainty and high stakes for consumers, manufacturers, and retailers alike: the rapid proliferation of state-level Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) registry laws and the continued push for comprehensive flavor bans. Understanding these trends, the forces driving them, and their potential impacts is crucial for anyone involved in the vaping space. This post dives into the current state of play, examining key legislative battles and what they signify for the future of vaping in the U.S.1

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The current federal regulatory framework governing vaping products in the United States stands as a major impediment to innovation and consumer access, argue critics within the industry and harm reduction communities. At the heart of the issue lie the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) and the subsequent 2016 FDA “deeming rule,” which mandated the burdensome Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) process for all vaping products introduced after February 2007. This regulatory pathway requires extensive, costly scientific data submissions for agency review before a product can be legally marketed.

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Mexico’s recent ban on vapes and electronic cigarettes faces significant public disapproval. A study from El Colegio de México reveals that an overwhelming nine out of ten people believe the prohibition is failing. Data supports this sentiment, showing the ban correlates with increased illegal vape sales and rising nicotine consumption, particularly among young people.

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Vaping products are being increasingly pushed underground in both the United States and the United Kingdom, as a new research highlights the growing consequences of poor regulatory decisions. This shift not only sends a negative message about harm reduction tools but also compromises consumer safety, as these products enter the unregulated market.

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President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has announced plans to introduce a generation ban. The announcement came during the President’s podcast, “Rayyithunnaa Eku” [With Citizens], where he discussed existing measures and future plans to control tobacco use in the country.

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Sweden has become the first nation to formally adopt tobacco harm reduction as a key component of its public health policy. This decision comes after the country successfully reduced its smoking rate to just 4.5% among Swedish-born adults, dropping below the 5% threshold for a smoke-free society.

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In the first few months of 2025, several state legislatures have introduced bills to establish vapor product directories, signaling a growing interest in regulating the sale of these products. The states considering such legislation include Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia, with similar bills also introduced in Arizona, Hawaii, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Utah. Additionally, Oklahoma is looking to update its existing directory framework to align with these recent proposals.

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Mississippi, once a trailblazer in the fight against Big Tobacco, now finds itself in a peculiar position as a new law threatens to hand the vaping market to the very companies the state once sued. The recently passed HB 916, which quietly made its way to Governor Tate Reeves’ desk last week, is set to drastically change the landscape of the vaping industry in the state, leaving many small businesses fearing for their future.

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Spain is currently facing a significant public health challenge with a smoking prevalence of 24%, one of the highest rates in Western Europe. In an effort to address this issue, the Spanish Ministry of Health has recently proposed a draft decree that includes strict regulations on vaping products and nicotine pouches. However, many experts argue that this approach is misguided and may ultimately undermine public health objectives while protecting the cigarette market.

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