As the year 2024 draws to a close, South Korea finds itself at a crossroads in the battle against the unregulated sale and distribution of synthetic nicotine cigarettes. On December 27, a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Business Act was held at the National Assembly, highlighting the growing concerns over the “regulatory blind spot” that has led to massive tax deficits and an alarming increase in youth smoking.
Read moreAs the European Union aims to significantly reduce tobacco consumption by 2040, Austrian tobacco retailers, known as Trafikanten, fear losing their primary source of income. In response, they are calling for a new law that would restrict the sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches exclusively to their shops.
Read moreOn December 26, a group of deputies from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) faction introduced a bill in the State Duma that would prohibit the wholesale and retail sale of vapes and e-liquids. The proposed legislation, authored by Evgeny Bessonov, Nikolay Kolomeytsev, and Alexey Kurinny, seeks to amend Article 19 of the law “On protecting the health of citizens from exposure to ambient tobacco smoke, consequences of tobacco consumption, or consumption of nicotine-containing products.”
The bill would ban the wholesale and retail trade of nicotine, including synthetically derived nicotine or its derivatives such as nicotine salts, as well as nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-liquids and devices for their consumption. In the explanatory note, the lawmakers cited the rapid spread of vapes, particularly among teenagers, and weak oversight by regulatory authorities due to a moratorium on unscheduled inspections introduced by the government, despite existing restrictive norms.
The parliamentarians also emphasized the significant health risks posed by devices for consuming nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-liquids. They highlighted the potential for addiction development, serious respiratory diseases, and increased risks of cardiovascular and oncological illnesses as consequences of vape use.
The proposed legislation aims to tackle growing concerns over the prevalence of vaping and its potential long-term health effects, especially among youth. If passed, the law would effectively eliminate the legal market for vapes and e-liquids in Russia, making them unavailable through official channels. However, implementing such a comprehensive ban may present challenges in terms of enforcement and could potentially lead to the emergence of unregulated black markets.
As the bill begins its journey through the legislative process, it will likely spark further discussions among lawmakers, public health experts, and industry stakeholders regarding the best approach to address the challenges posed by the rapid rise of e-cigarettes while protecting public health.
The chairman of the Thai parliamentary committee on e-cigarettes announced that the committee has completed its study on amending the country’s vaping laws. The committee will submit its report to parliament, proposing to elevate the legal controls on e-cigarette imports and possession.
Read moreOn December 21, 2024, the Spanish government published Law 7/2024, which introduces a new tax on liquids for electronic cigarettes and other products related to tobacco (the “new Tax”). This law is part of a broader package of measures that also includes a Complementary Tax to comply with the EU’s Pillar Two directive on minimum corporate taxation and a Tax on the interest and commission margin of certain financial entities.
Read moreA recent global report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revealed that 15-year-olds in Ireland have the lowest smoking rates in the European Union (EU) at just 7%. However, the same report also found that Ireland ranks fourth highest in the EU for regular vaping among young people.
Read moreSecretary Ma. Cristina Roque of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that approximately 10 companies involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of vape products have registered with the department in 2024. These accredited vape firms have met the standards established by the Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV).
Read moreJust one week after the Maldives implemented a ban on using vapes, the Police have already fined nine individuals for violating the new law. According to a Police media official, these fines, issued by Sunday, amount to a total of MVR 50,000 (approximately USD 3,240).
Read moreThe New Zealand government has implemented significant changes to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products 1990 Act, aiming to better protect children and young people from the potential harms of vaping. These amendments introduce stricter regulations on advertising, retail display, penalties for selling to minors, and a ban on disposable vaping devices. The new measures come into force in two stages, with some taking effect immediately and others after a six-month grace period to allow retailers to adapt to the new requirements.
Read moreIllinois will enforce new laws placing additional restrictions on electronic cigarettes beginning January 1. The legislation aims to address concerns about the accessibility and appeal of e-cigarettes to minors.
One law prohibits the advertising, marketing, or promotion of e-cigarettes in a manner that may cause confusion with non-tobacco products. State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, noted that some e-cigarettes are designed to resemble school supplies like highlighters, erasers, and pencil sharpeners. “This law will prohibit tobacco companies from pulling the wool over the eyes of educators and guardians whose job it is to keep kids safe,” Morrison stated.
Elizabeth Hicks from the Consumer Choice Center warned that the crackdown on vaping might push some Illinoisans back to regular combustible cigarettes, burdening taxpayers with the cost of smoking-related illnesses. “Taxpayers unfortunately also suffer in addition to consumers,” Hicks said. “The annual Medicaid costs for smoking-related illnesses in Illinois is over $2 billion, which is one of the highest throughout the country.”
Another law prohibits e-cigarettes purchased by mail, online, or through other remote sale methods from being shipped to anyone in Illinois other than distributors or retailers. State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, emphasized the need for these measures, stating, “The internet has made it very easy for kids to get vapes. After hearing from local elected officials who were seeing an uptick in the usage of vapes in schools, it was clear we had to put guardrails in place to protect kids from the dangers of smoking.”