Kyrgyzstan Restricts Tobacco, E-Cigarettes, and Nicotine Products in Bishkek FEZ

President Sadyr Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic signed into law amendments to the “On Free Economic Zones” Law on November 20, 2024. The Zhogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, had previously adopted these changes to support entrepreneurs, ensure fair competition, and resolve legal contradictions arising from the Tax Code.

The amended law clarifies the permitted activities for entities operating within the Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It generally prohibits the production and sale of excisable goods, with the following exceptions:

  1. Tobacco products (TN VED 2402) manufactured by companies registered in the FEZ before 2000 are subject to excise tax and VAT when imported into the rest of Kyrgyzstan.
  2. Nicotine-containing products, such as disposable e-cigarettes and similar devices (HS 2404 and 8543 40 000 0), face restrictions on export to the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
  3. Certain waters, including mineral and carbonated waters containing added sugar, sweeteners, or flavorings (HS code 2202), are subject to excise tax and VAT when sold outside the SEZ.

The amendments aim to strike a balance between supporting businesses within the Bishkek FEZ and maintaining a level playing field for companies operating elsewhere in Kyrgyzstan. The law ensures that excisable goods produced in the FEZ do not gain an unfair advantage over those manufactured in other parts of the country.

Dominican Deputies Send E-Cigarette Regulation Bill Back to Committee

The Chamber of Deputies has sent the bill regulating the sale of non-combustible nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, back to committee during today’s session. The decision came after opposing views from deputies Selinée Méndez, Charly Mariotti Jr., Ignacio Aracena, and Soraya Suárez.

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Oklahoma Lawmakers Propose Bill to Restrict Vaping in Vehicles with Minors

Oklahoma State Senator Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, has introduced Senate Bill 23, which seeks to ban the use of vapor products in vehicles when minors are present. The proposed legislation is part of a broader range of bills filed by Oklahoma lawmakers ahead of the January 16th deadline, covering various topics such as minimum wage increases and the legalization of sports betting.

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Mexican Permanent Commission Declares E-Cigarette and Fentanyl Ban Constitutional

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Constitutional Reforms Prohibit E-Cigarettes, Vaping Devices, and Illicit Fentanyl Use

The Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Union, in its session on Wednesday, declared the addition of a fifth paragraph to Article 4 and a second paragraph to Article 5 of the Political Constitution, which prohibit electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and the illicit use of fentanyl.

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Belarus Considers Stricter Regulations on Smoking and Vaping

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Belarus plans to introduce tougher regulations for the smoking and vaping industry, as outlined in a new draft law on the regulation of the tobacco market and nicotine-containing products. The proposed legislation, currently open for public discussion, also seeks to ban smoking on the doorsteps of multi-story buildings and nearby areas.

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Uzbekistan’s E-Cigarette Ban to Cover Vapes, Not Heated Tobacco Products

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Uzbekistan’s impending ban on the circulation of electronic cigarettes will encompass vapes but not heated tobacco products, according to Health Minister Asilbek Khudayarov. The minister made this clarification during a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on January 7.

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Scottish Grocers’ Federation Releases Updated Guide on Vaping and Tobacco Regulations

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Comprehensive Resource Helps Retailers Navigate Changing Laws and Prepare for Single-Use Vape Ban

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has published an updated guide for retailers selling vaping and tobacco products. The comprehensive resource, available as a PDF file, aims to help retailers navigate the complex laws governing the sale of these products and prepare for the upcoming ban on single-use vapes.

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UW Launches Study to Test Long-Term Effects of Vaping on Heart and Lung Health

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) has launched a study to investigate the long-term effects of vaping on cardiovascular and pulmonary health: Vape Check. Funded by a five-year, $5.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Vape Check study aims to provide the most comprehensive evidence to date on how long-term vaping affects disease risk and overall well-being.

Vape Check is a collaborative effort between the UW Health Preventive Cardiology Program and the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI). The study will be co-led by Dr. James Stein, professor of medicine and director of both the UW Health Preventive Cardiology Program and the UW Atherosclerosis Imaging Research Program, and Tim Baker, associate director of UW-CTRI and a clinical psychology doctorate holder.

The study will recruit 400 participants aged 21 and older who have vaped regularly for a year or more and do not currently smoke, as well as 200 age- and gender-matched control participants who do not vape or smoke. Participants will undergo comprehensive biomarker assessments at UW-Madison periodically over a span of three years, including vital sign tests, non-fasting blood samples for inflammation and cardiometabolic health, and ultrasound checks for arterial injury or changes.

The research team will also monitor participants’ heart rate variability and use CT scans to evaluate lung function and evidence of harm. Real-time measures of nicotine product use, nicotine dependence, and other substances will be obtained to determine if and how biomarker changes are related to vaping patterns and frequency of use over time.

Importantly, the researchers emphasize that their goal is not to identify harm caused by vaping but to understand how vaping affects the human body. As Dr. Baker explains,

“If vaping is significantly harmful, we can tell the public so that they can make more informed choices about vaping. Such results would also provide valuable guidance to clinicians and policymakers. If vaping is found not to be seriously harmful, this may encourage individuals to quit smoking and switch to vaping, ideally to exclusive use, not dual use. Such findings might also encourage the development of clinical harm reduction treatments involving vaping.”

Vape Check is a follow-up to the original Cardiac and Lung E-cigarette Smoking Study (CLUES), with approximately 130 participants from the first study expressing interest in participating in the new study. The findings of Vape Check will be of great public health relevance, as millions of people in the United States, particularly young adults and students, report vaping nicotine.

As the vaping industry continues to evolve and more people turn to e-cigarettes as an alternative to traditional smoking, studies like Vape Check will play a crucial role in providing evidence-based information on the potential health effects of long-term vaping. By taking a neutral, comprehensive approach to understanding how vaping affects the human body, researchers at UW are paving the way for more informed choices, better clinical guidance, and potentially the development of harm reduction treatments involving vaping.

Vape Check Study

What You’ll Get

  • Your test results on the health of your heart and lungs.
  • Up to $675 for completing the study.
  • A good feeling you set the record straight on vaping.
  • I’m in!

FDA Releases Final Guidance on Analytical Testing Methods for Tobacco Product Applications

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final guidance titled “Validation and Verification of Analytical Testing Methods Used for Tobacco Products.” This guidance provides tobacco manufacturers with information and recommendations to support their tobacco product application submissions, including premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs), substantial equivalence (SE) reports, and modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications.

The guidance outlines how manufacturers can provide the FDA with validated and verified data for the analytical procedures and test methods used in their application submissions. This information is crucial for companies seeking to legally market new tobacco products or modified risk tobacco products in the United States, as they must first submit an application to and receive authorization from the FDA.

Updating and Revising Draft Guidance

The FDA previously issued a draft version of this guidance in 2021, allowing the public to comment on its content. The agency considered these comments and made several changes in the final guidance, including:

  • Updating the definition of “tobacco product” to include non-tobacco nicotine
  • Revising the document to reflect provisions from the final PMTA and SE rules
  • Updating and adding definitions for several terms
  • Including updated examples for alternative validation approaches

The recommendations in the guidance are non-binding and do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. The FDA acknowledges that there may be alternative validation procedures that differ from those outlined in the guidance, such as different statistical tests.

Commitment to Providing Resources

For applicants seeking to market new tobacco products, the FDA remains committed to providing information and resources, including this latest guidance. The agency has issued final regulations, such as the PMTA final rule, and regularly posts additional resources, such as application tips and webinars, on its website and social media channels.

As the vaping industry continues to evolve and navigate the regulatory landscape, it is essential for manufacturers to stay informed about the latest guidance and requirements from the FDA. By following the recommendations outlined in this guidance, manufacturers can ensure that their tobacco product applications contain scientifically valid information, increasing the likelihood of a successful submission.

Thai Cabinet Approves Ban on E-Cigarettes and E-Hookahs for Students

The Thai Cabinet has approved a draft ministerial regulation that prohibits students from possessing or using e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, and other psychoactive substances, as proposed by the Ministry of Education. The regulation aims to amend the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) to address the growing threat posed by these products.

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