Greece’s conservative government is preparing a bill that would ban all flavored alternative tobacco products, with the exception of natural tobacco and mint flavors, as part of a broader effort to restrict minors’ access to alcohol and tobacco products. The move follows incidents of teenagers fainting in a nightclub after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, highlighting the need for stricter regulations to protect young people.
Read moreRussia has seen a significant decline in the number of smokers since 2009, with the smoking rate among adults aged 15 and above dropping from 39.5% to 18.6%, according to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. The minister credited the success to the implementation of anti-tobacco measures in the country. The announcement was made during the 2nd All-Russian Municipal Forum, “Small Homeland – the Strength of Russia,” which was held at the Russia National Center from April 21-23, bringing together representatives from various sectors to discuss issues related to the development and support of municipal entities.
News source: Russia’s smoking rate halved since 2009, says health ministry
The Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee has taken a split stance on tobacco taxation, approving a bill to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes while rejecting a proposal to raise the tax on traditional cigarettes. The vote against the cigarette tax hike was 7-4, while the legislation to increase the tax on vapes and e-cigarettes, sponsored by Vacherie Representative Ken Brass, passed with a 9-6 vote.
Read moreThe Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced a noteworthy decrease in the rate of underage tobacco and vape sales by retailers in 2024. According to the annual Synar Survey, a statewide assessment of retailer violation rates, the percentage of retailers selling to underage consumers dropped from 13.6% in 2023 to 11.8% in 2024. Despite this improvement, public health officials emphasize that the rate remains unacceptably high and that continued efforts are necessary to maintain the downward trend.
Read moreAcross the country, flashy and highly publicized conventions are showcasing an endless array of products that are not only illegal under federal law but also dangerous, addictive, and targeting America’s youth. At a recent expo in Miami, a dazzling display of e-cigarettes, or vapes, featured a wide range of enticing flavors, from Banana Taffy and Blueberry Milk to Gummy Rush and Tropical Gush.
Read moreR.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), has acquired twelve pending Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTAs) for synthetic nicotine disposable vaping devices from Charlie’s Holdings, Inc. The deal, finalized on April 16, 2025, was disclosed in an SEC Form 8-K filing the following day.
Read moreSouth Korea witnessed a dramatic rise in e-liquid imports last year, reaching $85.64 million – a 39.5% increase from 2023, according to customs data. This upward trend continues, with first-quarter 2025 imports already up 8.5% year-over-year. Critics argue this surge highlights a significant “regulatory blind spot” concerning synthetic nicotine.
Read moreA coalition representing 24 shopkeepers from major UK convenience groups like Premier, Londis, and Nisa has issued an urgent public appeal for talks with the government, warning the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill could force them to “close for good.” They argue the legislation risks “suffocating the backbone of the local community” if implemented without considering its real-world impact on small businesses.
Read moreThe Maldives Ministry of Health announced Sunday (April.19) that applications are now open for mandatory new Tobacco Sales Licenses. Under a recent amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, all wholesale and retail sellers of tobacco products must secure this specific license from the ministry, in addition to existing trade licenses.
Read moreArkansas has enacted a sweeping new law regulating vaping products, becoming the 12th U.S. state to adopt a PMTA registry model. However, Act 590 (formerly Senate Bill 252), signed into law by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on April 14, 2025, includes a highly controversial provision rarely seen in Western democracies: a ban on the personal possession of vaping products deemed non-compliant by the state.
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