The Polish government approved a draft amendment in January to expand excise taxes on nicotine alternatives, including reusable e-cigarettes, heated tobacco devices, and nicotine pouches. The proposal introduces a 40 PLN per-unit tax on vaping hardware and parts, while increasing taxes on disposable e-liquid content by 40 PLN. Industry groups warn this could raise retail prices by 50 PLN per device, potentially driving consumers back to combustible cigarettes or unregulated markets.
Read moreThe U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled that Njoy Ace vaping products, owned by Altria, violate four patents held by Juul Labs. The decision, announced on Wednesday, prohibits the importation and sale of these devices in the U.S. until the patents expire in 2034 and 2037. The ruling is now under final review by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and could take effect as early as March 31, 2025.
Read moreTwo bills currently under consideration by Indiana lawmakers could drastically change the landscape of the vaping industry in the state. H.B. 1218 proposes a complete ban on the sale and distribution of all e-liquids and vapor products starting July 1, 2025, while H.B. 1650 would establish a stringent regulatory framework, including a PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Product Application) registry.
The potential impact of these bills on consumer choice, small businesses, and efforts to provide smoke-free nicotine alternatives has raised concerns among industry stakeholders and advocates. If passed, Indiana would effectively eliminate access to products that many consider to be superior alternatives to traditional cigarettes, potentially forcing consumers back to combustible tobacco or driving them to unregulated markets.
Moreover, the proposed ban would likely lead to the closure of numerous vape shops, distributors, and manufacturers, resulting in significant job losses and economic damage across the state.
The regulatory framework proposed in H.B. 1650, while less severe than an outright ban, has also drawn criticism for its potential to favor large, well-established tobacco companies over smaller, independent brands. The bill’s requirement for a state-run PMTA registry could limit consumer access to products from small and medium-sized vapor manufacturers who are still navigating the complex and costly FDA regulatory process.
As Indiana lawmakers consider these bills, it is crucial for all stakeholders – including consumers, business owners, and public health advocates – to engage in an open and informed dialogue about the potential consequences of such legislation. By carefully weighing the risks and benefits of these proposed measures, policymakers can work towards a regulatory approach that prioritizes public health, supports local businesses, and ensures that adult consumers have access to a diverse range of reduced-risk alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
Arizona’s Senate Bill 1272, introduced on January 27, 2025, is set to strengthen regulations for businesses dealing in spirituous liquor and vapor products. The bill aims to improve compliance and enforce harsher penalties for violations, reflecting the state’s growing concern for public health and safety.
Read moreThe Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case involving tobacco and vape manufacturers battling the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the agency’s denial of marketing authorization for flavored e-cigarette products. While these companies have found little success in most appeals courts, they have enjoyed modest victories in the Fifth Circuit, which covers Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and is widely regarded as the most conservative court in the country.
Read moreThe Newton City Council in Connecticut has voted 19-4 to approve a generational ban on tobacco and e-cigarette sales. The measure prohibits purchases by anyone born after March 1, 2004, joining a growing number of Massachusetts communities that have passed similar ordinances to reduce tobacco use among young people.
Read moreWashington state legislators are set to consider House Bill 1203, which would prohibit the sale and advertising of flavored tobacco and nicotine products starting in 2026. The bill, sponsored by Representative Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), aims to address the issue of youth addiction to these products.
Read moreThe Trump administration has withdrawn a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, dealing a blow to public health advocates who say the additive is responsible for thousands of premature deaths each year, particularly among Black Americans. The decision was revealed earlier this week when the draft rule to ban menthol was listed as “withdrawn” in a regulatory docket.
Read moreBritish American Tobacco (BAT) Mexico has announced the suspension of its vaping product sales throughout the country, in compliance with a recent constitutional reform that prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and similar electronic devices. Despite employing over 2,300 people in Mexico and expressing disagreement with the ban, the company has decided to abide by the new law.
Read moreThe Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued infringement notices totaling $396,000 to 20 retail businesses in Melbourne for the alleged unlawful supply of vaping products. The fines, which amount to $19,800 per business, were the result of a joint operation conducted in December 2024 by the TGA and the Victorian Department of Health to enforce compliance with recent vaping reforms.
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