Seeking to curb illegal vaping, Singapore authorities will soon begin stop and search enforcement against arriving tourists found traveling with e-cigarettes or vape gear.
Operations launch at Changi Airport, subjecting deplaning visitors to checks for vapes or components. Anyone caught possessing electronic cigarettes faces heavy fines under existing law. Read more
Concerned over growing youth addiction, Lithuania recently passed legislation prohibiting the import of vape liquids containing added sweeteners or sugar starting November 2024.
On December 15th, 2023, the Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) overwhelmingly voted to amend existing tobacco control laws, banning future imports of sweetened nicotine e-liquids for electronic cigarettes.
Read moreAs the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2024, Belgium ushered in a new era for vapers with the introduction of a tax on e-liquids used in electronic cigarettes. The tax, set at 15 cents per milliliter, has sparked controversy among users and retailers who fear it may lead to higher costs and drive some back to traditional tobacco cigarettes.
Read moreMinistry of Health to Collaborate with Other Agencies in Crackdown on E-Cigarettes
Despite Singapore’s ban on the sale and use of e-cigarettes, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has noted that the public still has access to these products. In response, the MOH plans to intensify joint enforcement efforts and public education to combat the circulation of e-cigarettes, according to a report by Lianhe Zaobao on December 19.
Read moreA new public health law going into effect in Ireland prohibits retailers from selling vapes and e-cigarettes to anyone under age 18. First announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly earlier this year, the legislation aims to curb rising youth vaping rates. Read more
Experts Highlight Benefits of Higher Tobacco Taxes at Workshop in Phnom Penh
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Cambodia Movement for Health Organisation (CMH) jointly organized a workshop at the Royal Academy of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, where they called upon the Ministry of Economy and Finance to increase tobacco taxes. The organizations emphasized that Cambodia’s current tobacco tax rates of 25% on domestic cigarettes and 31% on imported cigarettes are relatively low, making cigarettes more affordable and encouraging young people to take up smoking.
Read moreThe Bulgarian government has proposed a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes with characteristic taste-aromatic qualities and flavorings in any of their constituent parts, such as filters, paper, packaging, capsules, or other technical elements. The Council of Ministers submitted the bill for amendments to the Law on Tobacco and Tobacco-Related Products to the Parliament’s Registry on October 2nd.
Read moreThe Portuguese Parliament’s working group on smoking has approved the transposition of the European directive on smoking into Portuguese law, aligning the country with European Union regulations. Portugal faced the urgency to adopt the directive to avoid breaching EU requirements. Read more
A sweeping statewide prohibition on vaping within indoor establishments takes effect January 1st in Illinois. Legislators recently expanded existing smoke-free air laws to finally encapsulate e-cigarette usage.
Chief bill sponsor, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) helped push the amendment’s approval through Springfield earlier this year. “We’ve made progress de-normalizing tobacco perceptions, and I’m proud e-cigarettes now join usage bans protecting public health,” she stated. Read more
With new vaping regulations set to take effect on December 21st, 2023 in New Zealand, millions of soon-to-be noncompliant disposable vape products face an uncertain fate. Retailers prepare to absorb significant losses either destroying stock or selling at steep discounts before the rules kick in. Read more