The Bulgarian National Assembly’s Economic Policy Committee unanimously approved amendments to the Tobacco, Tobacco Products, and Related Products Act that would introduce a complete ban on the sale, distribution, and advertising of single-use and reusable electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes, and similar devices, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. The proposed changes were introduced by Dr. Kostadin Angelov, chair of the parliament’s Health Committee, on February 7, 2025.

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Indonesia now imposes fines of up to IDR 750,000 (≈$50) and three months’ jail time for smoking or vaping while operating motorcycles or cars. The regulation, rooted in Traffic Law No. 22/2009, aims to reduce road accidents caused by impaired driver concentration.

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S.B. 1182 Aims to Ban Flavored Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Other Tobacco Items

Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has once again introduced legislation that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products throughout the state. On Friday, February 5, 2025, Sen. Alvarado filed S.B. 1182, which closely resembles a similar bill she proposed in 2023.

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Hong Kong is set to enforce a ban on the possession and use of e-cigarettes in public spaces as early as mid-2026. This move comes as part of the government’s broader strategy to protect youth and further reduce smoking rates across the city.

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ePass System Aims to Enhance Enforcement of Age-Restricted Product Regulations

Edinburgh-based software company Zudu has introduced a new nationwide platform called ePass to modernize the registration process for tobacco and vape retailers in Scotland. Developed as part of the Scottish Government’s CivTech innovation and technology accelerator program, the ePass system seeks to provide a more efficient and effective method for managing retailer compliance with tobacco and nicotine product regulations.

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South Carolina lawmakers are once again pushing for stricter regulation of vaping products in the state. A new bill, similar to one that passed the Senate unanimously in 2023(H.3681) but stalled in the House, would introduce significant changes to how electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly known as vapes, are sold and marketed.

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The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, set to be considered by MPs, has drawn criticism for potentially approving a new super-size disposable vape known as “Big Puff.” Amendments in the bill, proposed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), would allow these devices to hold up to six times more e-liquid than current disposable vapes, while still being discarded after use.

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Belarus may soon see an increase in the number of places where smoking is prohibited, as a new bill seeking to regulate the production, circulation, and consumption of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, has recently completed its public discussion phase. If passed, the legislation would add areas such as the entrances and adjacent territories of multi-unit residential buildings to the list of smoke-free zones.

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Philip Morris International (PMI) reported impressive fourth-quarter results, surpassing market expectations thanks to robust sales of smoke-free products like vapes and nicotine pouches. The tobacco giant posted a 7.3% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching $9.71 billion for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. This figure comfortably exceeded the consensus forecast of $9.44 billion.

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Bulgaria’s GERB-SDS party, backed by the left-wing coalition BSP-Left Union and “Vazrazhdane,” is pushing for a complete ban on the sale of vaping products and energy drinks to minors. Social Minister Borislav Gutsanov supports the initiative, while DPS-New Beginning leader Delian Peevski suggests stricter import controls instead of an outright ban. The Ombudsman’s Office has also called for closing legal loopholes that allow minors to purchase vapes.

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