Concerns Over Business Impact Sideline Proposed E-cigarette Restrictions
The North Dakota House of Representatives approved the Attorney General’s Office budget on April 29, but notably without a contentious provision that would have created a state registry for electronic smoking devices. Critics, including smoke shop and gas station owners, had argued the registry posed a significant threat to small businesses.
Read moreTax Authority Clarifies Rules Based on Liquid Content
The Main Directorate of the State Tax Service in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region has clarified that disposable electronic cigarettes are subject to mandatory excise tax stamping. This requirement stems from the classification of the liquids used within these devices as excisable goods.
Read moreMajilis Passes Reforms Aimed at Simplification and Differentiated Rates
Deputies in Kazakhstan’s Majilis (lower house of parliament) have approved a new Tax Code in its second reading, introducing significant changes aimed at simplifying the system and adjusting tax rates across various sectors. The reforms include setting the standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and outlining phased increases for excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Read moreAdvocates Criticize WHO, Cite Risks of Illicit Markets
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is urging Malaysian authorities to reject calls for vape bans and instead implement risk-proportionate regulations under the new Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). CAPHRA argues that outright bans are counterproductive and risk fueling illicit markets, similar to experiences in Bhutan and South Africa.
Read moreResponse Acknowledges Flavours’ Role for Adult Smokers Amid Youth Protection Goals
A petition urging the UK government to reconsider proposed restrictions on vape flavours under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill has surpassed the 10,000-signature threshold, triggering a formal government response. While reaffirming its intention to regulate flavours to protect children, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has pledged further public consultation before implementing specific restrictions and acknowledged the importance of flavours for adult smokers seeking to quit.
Read moreYouth Smoking Reduction Goals Drive New Measures Including Plain Packaging
The Indonesian government aims to finalize maximum nicotine and tar level standards for cigarettes by June 2025, with implementation slated for June 2026. This initiative, coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, is part of a broader strategy under the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029 to significantly reduce smoking prevalence among young people aged 10-21.
Read moreThe Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis (Parliament) has approved significant legal amendments aimed at prohibiting the circulation of electronic cigarettes, liquids, and potentially heated tobacco systems within the country. The new law tightens requirements and establishes both administrative and criminal liability for handling these products illegally.
Read moreRumors Persist, But Official Prices Unchanged Since Late 2024
Despite ongoing speculation and a recent increase in the value of tax stamps (“banderoles”) affixed to packs, official cigarette prices in Egypt remain unchanged, with no new price hikes announced by manufacturers or the Ministry of Finance. Rumors frequently circulate regarding cigarette costs, prompting close consumer attention.
Read moreDomestic Production Rises as Costs Increase Across Regions
Smokers in Kazakhstan are facing increasingly expensive cigarettes, with prices rising consistently month after month. According to analysis by Energyprom, the average cost of cigarettes surged by 16.5% year-on-year by the end of March 2025, with a 1% increase recorded in March alone.
Read moreOfficials Claim Provincial Government Ignores 2019 Law
Council members in Tucumán, Argentina, have strongly criticized the provincial government for failing to enforce an existing law that prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) in enclosed public spaces. Councilors José María Canelada and Gustavo Cobos argue the issue isn’t a lack of regulation, but a lack of action from the Executive Branch.
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