Scotland Launches New Platform for Tobacco, Vape Retailer Registration

ePass System Aims to Enhance Enforcement of Age-Restricted Product Regulations

Edinburgh-based software company Zudu has introduced a new nationwide platform called ePass to modernize the registration process for tobacco and vape retailers in Scotland. Developed as part of the Scottish Government’s CivTech innovation and technology accelerator program, the ePass system seeks to provide a more efficient and effective method for managing retailer compliance with tobacco and nicotine product regulations.

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South Carolina Lawmakers Propose Bill to Regulate Vaping Products

South Carolina lawmakers are once again pushing for stricter regulation of vaping products in the state. A new bill, similar to one that passed the Senate unanimously in 2023(H.3681) but stalled in the House, would introduce significant changes to how electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly known as vapes, are sold and marketed.

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Tobacco and Vapes Bill Raises Concerns Over “Big Puff” Disposable Vapes

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, set to be considered by MPs, has drawn criticism for potentially approving a new super-size disposable vape known as “Big Puff.” Amendments in the bill, proposed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), would allow these devices to hold up to six times more e-liquid than current disposable vapes, while still being discarded after use.

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Belarus Smoking Ban May Expand to More Public Spaces

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Belarus may soon see an increase in the number of places where smoking is prohibited, as a new bill seeking to regulate the production, circulation, and consumption of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, has recently completed its public discussion phase. If passed, the legislation would add areas such as the entrances and adjacent territories of multi-unit residential buildings to the list of smoke-free zones.

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Smoke-Free Products Drive Philip Morris to Exceed Q4 Forecasts

Philip Morris International (PMI) reported impressive fourth-quarter results, surpassing market expectations thanks to robust sales of smoke-free products like vapes and nicotine pouches. The tobacco giant posted a 7.3% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching $9.71 billion for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. This figure comfortably exceeded the consensus forecast of $9.44 billion.

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Bulgaria Proposes Full Ban on Vapes Amid Concerns Over Illegal Sales

Bulgaria’s GERB-SDS party, backed by the left-wing coalition BSP-Left Union and “Vazrazhdane,” is pushing for a complete ban on the sale of vaping products and energy drinks to minors. Social Minister Borislav Gutsanov supports the initiative, while DPS-New Beginning leader Delian Peevski suggests stricter import controls instead of an outright ban. The Ombudsman’s Office has also called for closing legal loopholes that allow minors to purchase vapes.

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Philippines House Approves Two Tobacco Bills to Combat Tax Losses and Smuggling

The Philippines House of Representatives has passed two critical bills aimed at addressing revenue losses and smuggling in the tobacco and vaping industries. House Bill 11360, which seeks to rationalize excise tax rates, and House Bill 11286, which mandates a track-and-trace system for tobacco products, both cleared their final readings with overwhelming support.

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Michigan Governor Proposes New Tax on Vapes and Nicotine Pouches

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a new 32% wholesale tax on nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches. The tax would align these products with existing levies on most tobacco items, closing what state officials call a “loophole” in current regulations. The move aims to reduce nicotine consumption, particularly among youth, while generating $57 million annually for public health initiatives.

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Nebraska Proposes 20% Tax on Vapes and Nicotine Alternatives

Nebraska State Senator Jana Hughes has introduced LB 125, a bill that seeks to impose a 20% sales tax on alternative nicotine products and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The legislation aims to bring these products under the same regulatory and taxation framework as traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products.

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Mexico’s Vape Ban: Congress and States Must Harmonize Laws by 2025

Mexico has recently amended its Constitution to include a ban on vaping devices and electronic cigarettes, igniting a heated debate between supporters and opponents. Both sides are urging the federal Congress and state legislatures to enact regulatory laws to align existing legal frameworks with the new constitutional provision.

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