The Selangor state government will make a decision regarding a potential ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes (vapes) after the State Executive Council (MMKN) reviews a dedicated working paper on the matter. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari confirmed he has instructed Public Health and Environment Executive Councilor Jamaliah Jamaludin to prepare this paper.

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Industry groups in Malaysia argue vape bans fuel illicit trade and harm consumers, advocating for regulation over prohibition.

The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) has issued a strong caution to policymakers. The group warns that implementing outright bans on vape sales will likely drive consumers towards a dangerous black market. They advocate for a regulatory approach that prioritizes consumer safety, industry sustainability, and economic contributions.

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Analysis of Namibia’s surging N$1.4B vape & hookah imports, insights for industry, and upcoming regulatory changes impacting the market.

Namibia has experienced a dramatic surge in the importation of water pipe tobacco (hookah), vapes, and related mixtures. Between 2021 and 2024, the country imported over N$1.4 billion worth of these products. This figure marks a substantial increase from just N$108.2 million recorded in 2020, according to data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).

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An essential guide to Spain’s upcoming e-cigarette regulations, detailing public bans, product restrictions, fines, and what vapers must know.

Spain prepares to implement significant changes to its vaping laws. The government aims to tighten regulations on e-cigarettes. These new rules will reshape the vaping experience for residents and visitors alike. Minister Mónica García leads the Health Ministry’s comprehensive anti-vaping plan. Authorities expect to roll out this plan by late 2025.

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Texas lawmakers divided on whether to ease or strengthen mandatory DAEP placement for students caught vaping, amid concerns over effectiveness & fairness.

Texas lawmakers are currently debating the future of a controversial state law that mandates students caught with e-cigarettes on campus be removed to a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). The strict two-year-old rule has led to a significant spike in students being kicked out of their regular schools, prompting pushback from educators, some politicians, and public health officials who question its effectiveness and fairness.

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Proposed Russian law seeks to prohibit sales of tobacco, vapes & hookahs at public transport stops to limit youth access & passive smoking.

Russian lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the sale of cigarettes, vaping products, nicotine-containing items, and hookahs at all public transport stops across the country. The legislation, introduced to the State Duma by deputies from the Khabarovsk Territory, aims to reduce the accessibility of these products, particularly to students, and to combat passive smoking.

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Highlights Rising Underage Use, Drug Lacing Concerns, and Calls for Stronger Federal Action

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has issued an urgent call for both federal and state authorities in Malaysia to immediately ban the sale and use of all vape and e-cigarette products. Citing an escalating crisis of use among children and teenagers, some as young as eight, CAP emphasizes the need for decisive action to protect young lives.

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City Council Unanimously Votes to Expand Restrictions; Fines and Misdemeanor Charges Possible

Beachgoers in Jacksonville, Florida, will no longer be able to smoke or vape on the sand. The City Council voted unanimously on Monday, May 5, to ban all forms of smoking, explicitly including electronic cigarettes and vaping products, on its beaches. The ban took effect immediately.

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New Regulations Align E-cigarette Rules with Existing Smoking Bans to Protect Workers

Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, including heated tobacco products, are now officially banned in all enclosed workplaces across Western Australia (WA). The state government has extended existing Work Health and Safety Regulations, which already covered tobacco smoking, to explicitly include these newer nicotine delivery systems.

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New Law to Prohibit Import, Sale, and Circulation of Vapes, Citing Health Risks

Iraq’s Ministry of Health is moving to implement a nationwide ban on the import, sale, and circulation of all electronic cigarettes (vapes), driven by escalating health concerns and a “disturbing increase” in their use among young people, including children and young girls. The announcement signals a significant shift in the country’s approach to nicotine products.

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