Latvia Survey: 31% Use Nicotine as Bans Drive Illicit Trade

A survey conducted by the SKDS research center and released by the Smokeless Industry Association shows that 31% of Latvian residents aged 20 to 75 consume tobacco or nicotine products. Traditional combustible cigarettes remain the primary choice, used by 20% of the total population—representing 64.5% of all active nicotine consumers.

Alternative nicotine products account for a smaller share of the market:

  • E-cigarettes: 9% of respondents
  • Heated tobacco: 4% of respondents
  • Nicotine pouches: 2% of respondents
  • Other nicotine products: 2% of respondents

Public opinion leans heavily toward harm reduction rather than outright prohibition. The survey found that 69% of Latvians consider public education more effective than bans. Furthermore, 48% believe the state should actively support harm reduction by giving adult smokers who cannot quit the option to switch to smoke-free alternatives, compared to 29% who oppose this view.

The data highlights unintended consequences following last year’s restrictions on smoke-free products. Among acquaintances of respondents, 23% now purchase alternatives through illegal channels, 20% travel abroad to buy them, and 9% returned to smoking conventional cigarettes. Only 3% quit nicotine altogether.

Brazil: São Paulo Court Upholds Fines for Smoking on Apartment Balconies

The São Paulo Court of Justice (TJSP) has confirmed that condominium administrations can legally penalize residents who smoke on private balconies when smoke drifts into neighboring units. Ruling on Civil Appeal No. 1020836-89.2023.8.26.0577, the court established that individual property ownership does not grant unrestricted freedom to impair the living conditions of nearby residents.

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Senegal Smoking Rate Drops to 4.4% as Data Hub Launches

Senegal’s smoking prevalence dropped from over 6% to roughly 4.4%, driven by targeted tobacco tax policies and national control measures. Abdoulaye Diagne, Executive Director of the Consortium for Economic and Social Research (CRES), announced the findings during the official launch of the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI) platform in Dakar.

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Scottish Retailers Warn Vape Display Ban Will Fuel Black Market Trade

Convenience store owners across Scotland are warning that government proposals to force vaping products behind closed shutters will expand the illicit trade network. The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) voiced these concerns during the ongoing Tobacco and vapes packaging, appearance and display consultation, which runs until October 2.

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Nevada Tobacco Coalition Pushes First Tax Hike Since 2015

The Nevada Tobacco Control & Smoke-Free Coalition presented a plan to the Legislature’s Joint Interim Standing Committee on Revenue on July 8, seeking the state’s first tobacco tax increase since 2015. The initiative would raise cigarette taxes from $1.80 to $3.55 per pack and increase taxes on vapes and other tobacco products to generate an estimated $65 million annually.

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State Vape Directory Laws Fail to Reduce Sales, Study Shows

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Researchers from the CDC Foundation have determined that state e-cigarette directory laws in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Louisiana failed to achieve sustained reductions in flavored vape sales. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study shows that unapproved devices continued to reach consumers despite state-level registries designed to eliminate unauthorized products.

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Brazil Bill Proposes Full Ban on Vape Sales and Production

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies is evaluating Bill 2005/26, a proposal to ban the manufacture, import, sale, transport, storage, and advertising of electronic smoking devices (DEFs), including vapes and heated tobacco products. The text also outlaws device usage in enclosed public and private collective venues.

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German Tobacco Tax Hike Set to Push Cigarette Packs Past €11 by 2030

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The German coalition government has agreed on a series of tobacco tax increases aimed at generating state revenue and reducing smoking-related health risks. Under the upcoming framework, the price of a standard 20-cigarette pack will climb to nearly €8.80 next year before reaching €11.40 by 2030.

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Arizona Proposes 50% Vape Tax to Fund Early Child Care

Arizona early childhood agency First Things First has petitioned state lawmakers to enact a 50% retail tax on vaping devices. The initiative attempts to address a projected $100 million annual funding deficit resulting from falling tobacco tax revenues as adult consumers transition away from combustible cigarettes.

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Indonesia Health Group Urges Higher Vape Excise Taxes

The Indonesian Health Policy Forum (RUKKI) has formally proposed a hike in electronic cigarette excise taxes to tackle nicotine addiction across the country. Speaking at a media briefing in Jakarta on Monday, RUKKI Chairman Mouhamad Bigwanto warned that affordable vape prices undermine national public health goals.

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