Switzerland Geneva Lawmakers Propose Bill to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes

Following in the footsteps of Jura and Valais, the canton of Geneva may soon ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, commonly known as “vapes”, “puffs.” Two members of the Grand Council, Louise Trottet (Green Party) and Raphaël Dunand (Libertés et Justice Sociale), have introduced a bill on Saturday to prohibit these products.

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Maine Governor Proposes 50% Tax Hike on Cigars and Tobacco Products

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On Friday(01/10/2025), Maine Governor Janet Mills unveiled her biennial budget proposal, which includes a significant increase in the state’s tobacco taxes to balance spending with revenue. The governor aims to raise the cigarette tax from its current rate of $2 per pack, which was last adjusted in 2005, to $3 per pack. Maine currently has the lowest cigarette tax, the highest adult smoking rate, and the second-highest youth smoking rate in New England, which Governor Mills cites as justification for the proposed tax hike.

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Kyrgyzstan Restricts Tobacco, E-Cigarettes, and Nicotine Products in Bishkek FEZ

President Sadyr Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic signed into law amendments to the “On Free Economic Zones” Law on November 20, 2024. The Zhogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, had previously adopted these changes to support entrepreneurs, ensure fair competition, and resolve legal contradictions arising from the Tax Code.

The amended law clarifies the permitted activities for entities operating within the Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It generally prohibits the production and sale of excisable goods, with the following exceptions:

  1. Tobacco products (TN VED 2402) manufactured by companies registered in the FEZ before 2000 are subject to excise tax and VAT when imported into the rest of Kyrgyzstan.
  2. Nicotine-containing products, such as disposable e-cigarettes and similar devices (HS 2404 and 8543 40 000 0), face restrictions on export to the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
  3. Certain waters, including mineral and carbonated waters containing added sugar, sweeteners, or flavorings (HS code 2202), are subject to excise tax and VAT when sold outside the SEZ.

The amendments aim to strike a balance between supporting businesses within the Bishkek FEZ and maintaining a level playing field for companies operating elsewhere in Kyrgyzstan. The law ensures that excisable goods produced in the FEZ do not gain an unfair advantage over those manufactured in other parts of the country.

Dominican Deputies Send E-Cigarette Regulation Bill Back to Committee

The Chamber of Deputies has sent the bill regulating the sale of non-combustible nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, back to committee during today’s session. The decision came after opposing views from deputies Selinée Méndez, Charly Mariotti Jr., Ignacio Aracena, and Soraya Suárez.

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Oklahoma Lawmakers Propose Bill to Restrict Vaping in Vehicles with Minors

Oklahoma State Senator Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, has introduced Senate Bill 23, which seeks to ban the use of vapor products in vehicles when minors are present. The proposed legislation is part of a broader range of bills filed by Oklahoma lawmakers ahead of the January 16th deadline, covering various topics such as minimum wage increases and the legalization of sports betting.

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Mexican Permanent Commission Declares E-Cigarette and Fentanyl Ban Constitutional

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Constitutional Reforms Prohibit E-Cigarettes, Vaping Devices, and Illicit Fentanyl Use

The Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Union, in its session on Wednesday, declared the addition of a fifth paragraph to Article 4 and a second paragraph to Article 5 of the Political Constitution, which prohibit electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and the illicit use of fentanyl.

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Belarus Considers Stricter Regulations on Smoking and Vaping

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Belarus plans to introduce tougher regulations for the smoking and vaping industry, as outlined in a new draft law on the regulation of the tobacco market and nicotine-containing products. The proposed legislation, currently open for public discussion, also seeks to ban smoking on the doorsteps of multi-story buildings and nearby areas.

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Uzbekistan’s E-Cigarette Ban to Cover Vapes, Not Heated Tobacco Products

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Uzbekistan’s impending ban on the circulation of electronic cigarettes will encompass vapes but not heated tobacco products, according to Health Minister Asilbek Khudayarov. The minister made this clarification during a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on January 7.

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Scottish Grocers’ Federation Releases Updated Guide on Vaping and Tobacco Regulations

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Comprehensive Resource Helps Retailers Navigate Changing Laws and Prepare for Single-Use Vape Ban

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has published an updated guide for retailers selling vaping and tobacco products. The comprehensive resource, available as a PDF file, aims to help retailers navigate the complex laws governing the sale of these products and prepare for the upcoming ban on single-use vapes.

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FDA Releases Final Guidance on Analytical Testing Methods for Tobacco Product Applications

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final guidance titled “Validation and Verification of Analytical Testing Methods Used for Tobacco Products.” This guidance provides tobacco manufacturers with information and recommendations to support their tobacco product application submissions, including premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs), substantial equivalence (SE) reports, and modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications.

The guidance outlines how manufacturers can provide the FDA with validated and verified data for the analytical procedures and test methods used in their application submissions. This information is crucial for companies seeking to legally market new tobacco products or modified risk tobacco products in the United States, as they must first submit an application to and receive authorization from the FDA.

Updating and Revising Draft Guidance

The FDA previously issued a draft version of this guidance in 2021, allowing the public to comment on its content. The agency considered these comments and made several changes in the final guidance, including:

  • Updating the definition of “tobacco product” to include non-tobacco nicotine
  • Revising the document to reflect provisions from the final PMTA and SE rules
  • Updating and adding definitions for several terms
  • Including updated examples for alternative validation approaches

The recommendations in the guidance are non-binding and do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. The FDA acknowledges that there may be alternative validation procedures that differ from those outlined in the guidance, such as different statistical tests.

Commitment to Providing Resources

For applicants seeking to market new tobacco products, the FDA remains committed to providing information and resources, including this latest guidance. The agency has issued final regulations, such as the PMTA final rule, and regularly posts additional resources, such as application tips and webinars, on its website and social media channels.

As the vaping industry continues to evolve and navigate the regulatory landscape, it is essential for manufacturers to stay informed about the latest guidance and requirements from the FDA. By following the recommendations outlined in this guidance, manufacturers can ensure that their tobacco product applications contain scientifically valid information, increasing the likelihood of a successful submission.