Alaska has filed a lawsuit against e-cigarette giant JUUL Labs, Inc. and tobacco company Altria Group, Inc., accusing the companies of fueling the state’s youth vaping epidemic. The legal action, initiated by former Acting Attorney General Ed Sniffen on November 24, 2020, alleges that JUUL’s marketing tactics deliberately targeted high school students, contributing significantly to the growing use of e-cigarettes among young Alaskans.
Read moreThe Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) has urged the Ministry of Health to reconsider the vape display ban introduced under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which is set to take effect on April 1, 2025. MVA argues that the ban not only limits consumers’ right to make informed decisions but also places unnecessary restrictions on access to crucial product information.
Read moreHealth Secretary Wes Streeting will announce a new smoking ban outside playgrounds, schools, and hospitals today as part of the government’s efforts to create the first smoke-free generation. However, pub-goers will still be allowed to smoke in beer gardens, marking a victory for pub owners who have campaigned against the clampdown since plans were first revealed earlier this year.
Read moreNew Zealand is set to introduce significant changes to its Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 through the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2). The primary goal of these amendments is to make vaping products less appealing and less accessible to individuals under the age of 18. While the Bill is still going through the legislative process and may undergo further modifications, it is expected to come into force in November 2024, with changes taking effect gradually over time.
Read moreBusan City Councilor Kim Hyo-jung has called for urgent measures to protect minors from synthetic nicotine e-liquid vaping devices. During a recent city council meeting, Kim highlighted the regulatory gap that allows these products to evade taxation and oversight typically applied to conventional tobacco products.
Read morePresident Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 19th Amendment to the Export-Import Act of the Maldives on Thursday, introducing significant changes to the import duties on tobacco and electronic devices. The amendment comes after the People’s Majlis recently approved a bill to increase cigarette prices starting from Friday.
Read moreChancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that the UK will introduce a tax on vapes for the first time starting in 2026. The move aims to discourage non-cigarette smokers, especially young people, from taking up vaping, which has soared in popularity in recent years. The announcement comes a week after the government’s decision to ban single-use vapes in England and Wales from June.
Read moreThe six-month extension period for selling e-cigarette liquids and flavors without a tax stamp has come to an end in Italy. As of Friday, November 1, all liquid products sold by authorized e-cigarette retailers must bear a tax stamp on the packaging. This regulation also applies to websites with a tax warehouse, which, according to a second rule, will no longer be allowed to sell nicotine-containing products starting from January 1, 2025.
Read moreOn October 30, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has issued warning letters to nine online retailers and one manufacturer for selling and distributing unauthorized disposable e-cigarettes that resemble smart technology devices such as phones and gaming consoles. The products cited in the warning letters feature designs and functionalities that may appeal to youth, including the ability to play games, connect to smartphones, receive notifications, play music, or customize the device with personalized wallpapers.
Read moreThe Spanish government has unveiled plans to tax nicotine in e-cigarettes, also known as vape products, as part of its search for new tax revenue. This measure forms part of a broader fiscal reform currently under discussion in Congress.
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