According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, state governments in Malaysia have the authority to ban the sale of vape or e-cigarettes through local councils. He explained that states are empowered by local regulations to control the sale of such devices within their jurisdictions.

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A year has passed since Kazakhstan enacted a sweeping ban on the sale, manufacture, and distribution of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices on April 19, 2024. The legislation, which carries penalties ranging from fines and arrests to imprisonment and property confiscation for large-scale trafficking, aimed to curb the growing popularity of vaping, particularly among minors. However, as a “Kursiv” correspondent discovered, the ban has given rise to a thriving black market that operates under principles akin to drug trafficking, making it relatively easy to purchase these prohibited products.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has given the green light to the sale of synthetic nicotine pouches, subject to sellers adhering to government-set safety standards. The decision was made with the hope that introducing smoke-free nicotine alternatives to the market would help individuals quit smoking. Smoking rates in the UAE and the Middle East remain relatively high, at 12% and 20%, respectively.

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Belgium’s ban on the online sale of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), has not deterred some sellers from continuing to offer these products through social media platforms and e-commerce marketplaces. In response, the Federal Public Service (FPS) Public Health is implementing strict enforcement measures to combat this illegal activity. The number of cases processed by the FPS Public Health regarding illegal online sales of vapor products has skyrocketed from 824 in 2023 to 6,286 in 2024. The increase in resources and expanded enforcement teams has enabled more targeted inspections and rapid interventions.

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The Russian government has approved plans by the Finance Ministry to raise the retail prices of cigarettes, vapes, and hookahs, as reported by the Kommersant newspaper. Starting from September 1, 2026, each tobacco retail facility in Russia will require a special license, which will cost up to 60,000 rubles per year, while a wholesale trade license will cost 800,000 rubles and will be valid for five years.

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Indiana lawmakers are grappling with a significant budget challenge as they face a $2.4 billion shortfall. To address this issue, a controversial proposal has emerged: doubling the state’s cigarette tax to $2 per pack.

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The Balearic Islands have expanded their network of smoke-free beaches, with Muro near Alcudia in northeast Mallorca and Port de Sant Miquel in Ibiza joining the “Smoke-free beaches, healthy beaches” campaign. This brings the total number of smoke-free beaches in the Balearics to 50, as part of a growing trend across Spain to promote healthy habits and protect the environment.

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Bryansk Regional Duma Deputy Mikhail Ivanov has called for a comprehensive ban on vaping-related content across social media platforms in Russia. In an appeal to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko, Ivanov highlighted concerns over the uncontrolled promotion of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) online and its impact on youth.

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New York’s efforts to ban flavored nicotine pouches, such as Zyn, have hit a roadblock due to intense lobbying from the tobacco industry and its allies. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Democratic Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, aimed to prohibit most flavored pouches, except for menthol, in an effort to prevent marketing to children. Flavorless pouches would have remained legal under the bill.

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Consumer advocates and vaping organizations from Greece and across Europe are raising concerns over the Greek Ministry of Health’s proposed ban on all vape flavors except tobacco and menthol. The Greek Vapers’ Alliance and the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) warn that this measure could undermine the country’s significant progress in reducing smoking rates and jeopardize public health.

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