The New Mexico Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee has advanced a bill (Senate Bill 20) that aims to increase the tax rate on e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other synthetic nicotine products. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Martin Hickey, D-Albuquerque, passed the committee with a 4-3 vote on Feb 18.
Read moreThe UK government has announced a comprehensive, £62 million study to investigate the long-term health effects of vaping on children and adolescents. The decade-long research project will track 100,000 individuals aged 8-18, collecting data on their behavior, biology, and health records.
Read moreKey Takeaways
- The Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday regarding the FDA’s power to prohibit the sale of new candy-colored vaping products targeting teenagers.
- Most justices, both conservative and liberal, indicated that Congress granted the FDA authority in 2009 to prevent the sale of new tobacco products, which the agency has recently used to reject new vaping flavors appealing to youth.
- The vaping industry argued that the FDA overregulated and surprised companies by demanding new studies proving their products would persuade adult smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. However, several justices questioned this claim.
Biyesultan Khamzaev, a member of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, has called for a complete ban on hookahs in Russia. In an interview with Duma TV, Khamzaev expressed grave concerns about the potential health risks associated with these popular smoking devices.
Read moreThe State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, may consider a bill banning vapes during its spring session, according to Artem Metelev, head of the Duma Committee on Youth Policy. Metelev shared this information in a statement to TASS, a Russian news agency.
Read moreOn February 17, 2025, the Idaho House of Representatives introduced House Bill 244, a measure aimed at regulating electronic smoking devices in the state. Proposed by the Health and Welfare Committee, the bill seeks to identify and prohibit the sale of certain e-cigarette brands deemed illegal due to safety and compliance issues.
Read moreSouth Korea is on the cusp of passing legislation that will classify synthetic nicotine, the key ingredient in e-liquid vaping products, as “tobacco,” subject to stricter regulations. The National Assembly’s ruling and opposition parties have reached an agreement on the framework, which includes a partial grace period for existing e-liquid businesses regarding school proximity restrictions and taxation.
Read moreNew Resolution Prohibits Vaping in Public Spaces and Restricts Advertising
The Panamanian Ministry of Health (Minsa) has introduced new regulations on the sale, use, and advertising of electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes, as well as heated tobacco and oral nicotine products in Panama. The measures, outlined in Resolution No. 146 of January 31, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette on Thursday, February 13, aim to protect public health and minimize exposure to harmful vapors.
Read moreA growing coalition of vaping advocates has launched a formal petition to the European Parliament opposing Bulgaria’s sweeping prohibition on e-cigarettes. The group, operating under the Discord Vape banner, argues the ban unlawfully restricts adult access to harm-reduction tools while failing to address youth access issues effectively. With 8,000 members linked to Discord’s global 150-million-user platform, the coalition has already gathered 300 signatures within 24 hours of launching its campaign.
Read moreThe French parliament has voted to ban single-use electronic cigarettes, also known as disposable vapes or “puffs,” making France the second European Union country after Belgium to introduce such a ban. The bill, which received final approval in the Senate upper house on Thursday, is part of a broader government campaign to reduce smoking and protect public health, particularly among young people.
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