In the 2025 South African Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a series of proposed excise duty increases on tobacco products and electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems, commonly known as “vaping” devices. These hikes, which exceed the anticipated inflation rate for the 2025/26 financial year, are set to significantly impact smokers and vapers across the country.
Read moreIn recent years, a new trend has emerged among South African youth: the use of e-cigarettes, or vaping. What was once marketed as a tool to help adults quit smoking has now become a widespread phenomenon among teenagers, raising serious concerns about nicotine addiction and the long-term health effects on this vulnerable population.
Read moreThe North Dakota House has once again voted down a bill that aimed to increase taxes on cigarettes and vaping products. Senate Bill 2281, which proposed a 25-cent tax hike on cigarettes and additional taxes on vaping products, was rejected by House lawmakers.
Read moreAs of April 1, 2025, several Malaysian states will prohibit the open display of tobacco products in shops, in compliance with the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024 (Act 852). Retailers in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Selangor will be required to keep cigarettes and other smoking products hidden from view in closed cabinets.
Read moreThe Dutch government is taking decisive action to address the growing problem of youth smoking and vaping by proposing a series of stringent measures aimed at curbing nicotine addiction among young people. At the heart of the new proposal from the Ministry of Health is a plan to raise the legal age for purchasing cigarettes and vapes from 18 to 21.
Read moreA recent CDC study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report uncovers a significant shift in adult tobacco use trends from 2017 to 2023. The prevalence of exclusive cigarette smoking declined by 5.2% (from 10.8% to 7.9%), while exclusive e-cigarette use surged by 20.3% (from 1.2% to 4.1%) during this period. These changes translate to a decrease of approximately 6.8 million exclusive cigarette smokers and an increase of approximately 7.2 million exclusive e-cigarette users.
Read moreThe North Dakota Senate is currently considering a bill that would increase taxes on cigarettes and cigars by $0.25 and equalize the tax rate on vaping products to match other tobacco products. The additional revenue generated would be allocated to local health units and suicide prevention services.
Supporters of the bill, such as Sen. Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo), argue that raising tobacco taxes is an effective way to improve public health outcomes, particularly by deterring young people from vaping. However, opponents call the measure regressive and claim that it will drive responsible nicotine users to purchase products online, where there is less oversight on product quality and safety.
If passed, proponents note that North Dakota’s cigarette tax would still remain lower than those in neighboring states. The House previously voted down a similar proposal before the legislative crossover deadline.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated Import Alert 98-06 for the year 2025. This update emphasizes that all new tobacco products, particularly snus and nicotine pouches, that have not undergone the required premarket review process may be detained without physical examination upon entry into the United States.
Read moreRepresentative Edgar Robles has introduced a bill in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives that would prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes in establishments located within 500 meters of schools. The proposed legislation, House Bill 385, aims to address growing concerns about the increasing use of e-cigarettes among young people.
Read moreKentucky is on the verge of introducing new regulations for businesses selling tobacco, nicotine, and vape products, as Senate Bill 100 is expected to emerge from the House Committee this week. The proposed legislation aims to implement a licensing requirement for retailers and enforce harsher penalties for those caught selling these products to individuals under the age of 21.
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