In the annals of American enterprise, few industries have risen as quickly or faced such a precipitous, policy-driven fall as the independent vape shop. For a brief, vibrant period, these storefronts were beacons of a modern American dream—started by former smokers turned evangelists, hobbyists turned innovators, and entrepreneurs who saw a genuine opportunity to offer a less harmful alternative to combustible tobacco. They were the heart of a grassroots harm reduction movement that helped millions of adults quit smoking. But today, that movement is being systematically dismantled. Through a combination of crushing regulatory overreach, corporate favoritism, and a pervasive moral panic disguised as public health, the American vape shop is dying. This is not just the story of a failing business model; it’s the story of how a promising public health revolution was stifled, leaving behind a trail of shuttered small businesses and a market increasingly consolidated in the hands of the very industry it sought to disrupt.
Read moreThe regulatory landscape for tobacco and vaping products across the United States remains in a constant state of flux, with local, state, and federal bodies continually reviewing and updating legislation. July 2025 has been a particularly active month, with significant developments in states from Maine to Wisconsin. These changes reflect an ongoing effort to address public health concerns, particularly youth access to nicotine, while also navigating complex legal and economic considerations. This roundup highlights the latest proposals and approved changes impacting the tobacco and vape industry.
Read moreThe landscape of nicotine consumption in Russia has been dramatically reshaped by the explosive growth of electronic cigarettes. According to data from VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center) and Rosstat, the number of e-cigarette users in Russia has surged to 10.5 million people, a staggering 46-fold increase over just five years. This rapid rise, particularly among young people, has prompted Russian authorities to pursue a series of legislative measures aimed at controlling the so-called “elektronki” and vapes. However, despite these efforts, the number of vape shops continues to grow, and the market, both legal and illicit, thrives. This has led to an intense debate among lawmakers, public health officials, and industry stakeholders about the most effective path forward: stricter regulation or a complete ban?
Read moreKenyan lobby group the Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA) has strongly condemned the new Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill 2024 as it undergoes its second reading in Parliament, labeling the proposals “regressive” and a “potential death sentence” for millions of Kenyan smokers. CASA Chairman Joseph Magero argued that the bill ignores scientific evidence and would force smokers to continue using deadly combustible cigarettes by penalizing safer nicotine alternatives like vapes and oral pouches.
Read moreA ban on flavored e-cigarettes and vape liquids, which took effect on January 1, 2025 in Latvia, has reportedly led to unintended negative consequences, including a surge in the illicit market and a significant state budget deficit. The law, which prohibited all vape flavors except tobacco, was intended to protect public health and limit youth access to these products.
Read moreA recent survey has revealed a surprising leader in workplace satisfaction: cannabis dispensary and vape shop employees. According to the Shift Pulse Report from workforce management platform Deputy, an impressive 91.87% of these workers reported being “happy” at the end of their shifts, ranking them higher than any other industry sector surveyed. The findings are based on over 1.5 million anonymized end-of-shift surveys submitted between April 2024 and April 2025.
Read moreThe Bangladesh Ministry of Health is advancing a new bill to completely ban all safer nicotine products (SNPs), including vaping devices and oral alternatives. The move has drawn sharp criticism from regional public health advocates, who allege the policy is being driven by foreign-funded organizations and pushed through without public consultation under an interim government.
Read moreAs state legislative sessions wind down for the year, adult vapers and users of other safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes are catching a brief respite from the relentless onslaught of new tax hikes and product restrictions. However, despite campaign-trail promises from figures like Donald Trump to protect flavored vapor products, the tools of tobacco harm reduction remain under increasing threat. This time, the primary driver is not just state-level action, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) persistent failure to regulate and authorize these products in a timely, transparent, and effective manner. This federal inaction has created a vacuum, leading to a chaotic patchwork of state laws that often undermine public health goals. What is urgently needed is a straightforward, science-based, top-down regulatory approach – starting with the FDA – to help the nearly 30 million American adults still using deadly combustible cigarettes transition to safer alternatives.
Read moreRoundup of June 2025 state actions on tobacco & vaping: Tax hikes in Delaware & Indiana, flavor ban considered in CA, new laws in CT, OR & RI.
Read moreThe United Kingdom has taken a decisive and widely publicized step to address the “nasty” issue of single-use e-cigarettes. As of June 1, 2025, a nationwide ban on the sale and supply of disposable vapes is officially in force. The government’s stated aims are clear: to tackle the “alarming rise in youth vaping” and to curb the significant environmental damage caused by millions of these devices being discarded weekly. When the ban was announced in October 2024, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh described disposables as “extremely wasteful” and a “blight on our towns and cities.” But as the ban takes effect, a critical question emerges: will it actually work? Early indications from retailers, consumers, and public health experts suggest the reality is complex, with a market already adapting in ways that may undermine the ban’s core objectives.
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