On February 4th, French deputies unanimously voted in favor of a bill aimed at banning disposable e-cigarettes, commonly known as “puffs.” The legislation, sponsored by several elected officials including Francesca Paquini and Michel Lauzzana, seeks to combat the proliferation of these single-use devices.
Read moreStarting April 1/2025, Spain will implement a new tax on e-cigarette liquids and nicotine pouches, as outlined in the Royal Decree-Law of December 23, commonly known as the Omnibus Decree. The tax aims to generate revenue while addressing public health concerns, but critics argue it could undermine harm reduction efforts for smokers.
Read moreHawaii health advocates and lawmakers are once again pushing for legislation to ban the sale of flavored nicotine and vape products in an effort to protect the state’s youth from the harmful effects of these substances. The Keiki Caucus is backing House Bill 756, which would prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine-free. Additionally, the Hawaii State Association of Counties supports House Bill 380, which would restore the authority of counties to adopt their own laws regulating the sales of tobacco products and vapes.
Read moreRussian President Vladimir Putin enacted legislation on February 3 significantly increasing fines for selling tobacco, vapes, and hookahs to minors. The updated penalties now reach 2 million rubles for businesses, with stricter enforcement targeting nicotine product accessibility among youth. Published on Russia’s official legal portal, the law revises Article 14.53 of the Administrative Offenses Code to address rising teen vaping rates.
Revised Penalty Structure for Nicotine Sales
The law introduces tiered fines based on offender categories:
- Individuals: 200,000–300,000 rubles
- Officials: 500,000–700,000 rubles
- Businesses: 1.5–2 million rubles
Additional penalties apply for violating retail rules:
- Individuals: 10,000–20,000 rubles
- Officials: 30,000–50,000 rubles
- Businesses: 90,000–120,000 rubles
Repeat offenses incur extra fines of 10,000–30,000 rubles. The regulations cover all nicotine-containing products, including e-cigarettes, hookahs, and related consumables.
Health Ministry Backs Crackdown Amid Teen Vaping Surge
The Russian Ministry of Health endorsed the stricter measures, citing a 30% increase in adolescent vaping since 2021. Deputy Health Minister Alexey Kuznetsov stated: “Vapes have become a gateway to nicotine addiction for minors. This law aligns with our broader anti-smoking strategy.”
The legislation follows a January 21 State Duma vote approving the bill in its final reading. Health advocates argue lax enforcement previously allowed retailers to bypass age verification protocols, enabling widespread underage access.
Industry Reactions and Enforcement Challenges
Small business associations express concerns over compliance costs. Ivan Petrov, head of the Moscow Retail Alliance, notes: “Many shops lack automated ID scanners. Fines this steep could bankrupt smaller vendors.”
Meanwhile, public health experts emphasize enforcement consistency. Dr. Elena Smirnova, a pediatric pulmonologist, warns: “Without nationwide inspections and vendor training, the law risks becoming symbolic.”
The Polish government approved a draft amendment in January to expand excise taxes on nicotine alternatives, including reusable e-cigarettes, heated tobacco devices, and nicotine pouches. The proposal introduces a 40 PLN per-unit tax on vaping hardware and parts, while increasing taxes on disposable e-liquid content by 40 PLN. Industry groups warn this could raise retail prices by 50 PLN per device, potentially driving consumers back to combustible cigarettes or unregulated markets.
Read moreThe U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled that Njoy Ace vaping products, owned by Altria, violate four patents held by Juul Labs. The decision, announced on Wednesday, prohibits the importation and sale of these devices in the U.S. until the patents expire in 2034 and 2037. The ruling is now under final review by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and could take effect as early as March 31, 2025.
Read moreTwo bills currently under consideration by Indiana lawmakers could drastically change the landscape of the vaping industry in the state. H.B. 1218 proposes a complete ban on the sale and distribution of all e-liquids and vapor products starting July 1, 2025, while H.B. 1650 would establish a stringent regulatory framework, including a PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Product Application) registry.
The potential impact of these bills on consumer choice, small businesses, and efforts to provide smoke-free nicotine alternatives has raised concerns among industry stakeholders and advocates. If passed, Indiana would effectively eliminate access to products that many consider to be superior alternatives to traditional cigarettes, potentially forcing consumers back to combustible tobacco or driving them to unregulated markets.
Moreover, the proposed ban would likely lead to the closure of numerous vape shops, distributors, and manufacturers, resulting in significant job losses and economic damage across the state.
The regulatory framework proposed in H.B. 1650, while less severe than an outright ban, has also drawn criticism for its potential to favor large, well-established tobacco companies over smaller, independent brands. The bill’s requirement for a state-run PMTA registry could limit consumer access to products from small and medium-sized vapor manufacturers who are still navigating the complex and costly FDA regulatory process.
As Indiana lawmakers consider these bills, it is crucial for all stakeholders – including consumers, business owners, and public health advocates – to engage in an open and informed dialogue about the potential consequences of such legislation. By carefully weighing the risks and benefits of these proposed measures, policymakers can work towards a regulatory approach that prioritizes public health, supports local businesses, and ensures that adult consumers have access to a diverse range of reduced-risk alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
Arizona’s Senate Bill 1272, introduced on January 27, 2025, is set to strengthen regulations for businesses dealing in spirituous liquor and vapor products. The bill aims to improve compliance and enforce harsher penalties for violations, reflecting the state’s growing concern for public health and safety.
Read moreThe Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case involving tobacco and vape manufacturers battling the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the agency’s denial of marketing authorization for flavored e-cigarette products. While these companies have found little success in most appeals courts, they have enjoyed modest victories in the Fifth Circuit, which covers Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and is widely regarded as the most conservative court in the country.
Read moreThe FDA recently released a downloadable one-page list of vaping products authorized for legal sale in the United States. Intended as a resource for retailers, the list purportedly includes “34 tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes and devices” granted marketing orders as of January 2025.
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