It’s a common observation for many air travelers, whether seasoned flyers or occasional vacationers: nestled somewhere onboard, often in or near the lavatory, sits an ashtray. This small feature might seem like a curious relic from a bygone era, especially given the strict, universally enforced bans on smoking during flights that have been in place for decades. The lingering presence of these ashtrays sparks a natural question: if lighting up mid-flight is strictly forbidden and carries hefty penalties, why do even brand-new airplanes still come equipped with them? The answer lies not in condoning smoking, but firmly in the realm of passenger safety and regulatory foresight.
Read moreRussia has seen a significant decline in the number of smokers since 2009, with the smoking rate among adults aged 15 and above dropping from 39.5% to 18.6%, according to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. The minister credited the success to the implementation of anti-tobacco measures in the country. The announcement was made during the 2nd All-Russian Municipal Forum, “Small Homeland – the Strength of Russia,” which was held at the Russia National Center from April 21-23, bringing together representatives from various sectors to discuss issues related to the development and support of municipal entities.
News source: Russia’s smoking rate halved since 2009, says health ministry
The Maldives Ministry of Health announced Sunday (April.19) that applications are now open for mandatory new Tobacco Sales Licenses. Under a recent amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, all wholesale and retail sellers of tobacco products must secure this specific license from the ministry, in addition to existing trade licenses.
Read moreThe Russian government has approved plans by the Finance Ministry to raise the retail prices of cigarettes, vapes, and hookahs, as reported by the Kommersant newspaper. Starting from September 1, 2026, each tobacco retail facility in Russia will require a special license, which will cost up to 60,000 rubles per year, while a wholesale trade license will cost 800,000 rubles and will be valid for five years.
Read moreThe Balearic Islands have expanded their network of smoke-free beaches, with Muro near Alcudia in northeast Mallorca and Port de Sant Miquel in Ibiza joining the “Smoke-free beaches, healthy beaches” campaign. This brings the total number of smoke-free beaches in the Balearics to 50, as part of a growing trend across Spain to promote healthy habits and protect the environment.
Read moreThe Maldives cabinet has decided to implement a generational tobacco ban for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007. Under this ban, the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco will be prohibited for those falling under this age category. The ban is set to come into effect on November 1, 2025, following a six-month period allocated for enforcement authorities to revise existing regulations in line with the amended law.
Read moreNevada lawmakers are considering a groundbreaking proposal that would permanently ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after December 31, 2004, with the exception of certain casinos. The bill, Assembly Bill 279, is a sweeping effort to cut down on future combustible tobacco use and phase out the sale of the most harmful nicotine products.
Read moreAs of April 1, 2025, Australia has introduced a comprehensive set of new laws that significantly change the appearance, ingredients, and packaging of tobacco products. The Australian government passed this package of tobacco laws in late 2023, which includes several key measures:
Read moreAccording to a comprehensive survey of living conditions conducted by Rosstat, the number of heavy smokers who consume a pack of cigarettes a day in Russia fell to a record low of 40% in 2024, down from 46.7% two years earlier.
The survey, which covers 60,000 households from various groups and strata of the population across all regions of Russia, found that one in four residents over the age of 15 smokes (25.5%), a slight decrease from 26.1% in 2022. Of these, 17.8% smoke daily, while 7.7% smoke occasionally. The majority of the population (64.9%) have never smoked, and 9.5% have successfully quit the habit.
Among smokers, 4.4% consume more than one pack of cigarettes a day, while 35.6% smoke up to one pack. These figures have decreased from 4.6% and 42.1% respectively, compared to two years ago. The proportion of those who smoke five to ten cigarettes a day has remained relatively stable, at 35.2% in 2024 and 35.9% in 2022. One in four smokers (24.8%) consumes one to five cigarettes a day, up from 18.1% two years ago.
The survey also revealed that the majority of people (65.3%) start smoking between the ages of 15 and 20, while 22.8% take up the habit between 21 and 30 years old. Only 2.5% of smokers begin after the age of 30.
There is a significant gender disparity in smoking prevalence, with 44.3% of men smoking daily or occasionally, compared to just 10.1% of women. Among daily smokers, 32.7% are men, while only 5.6% are women.
The Rosstat survey, conducted every two years, provides valuable insights into the smoking habits of the Russian population and the progress made in reducing the prevalence of heavy smoking in the country.
- News source: В России стало рекордно мало заядлых курильщиков
Australia has implemented mandatory changes to cigarettes as part of the government’s efforts to ramp up health messaging over tobacco products. As of April 01/2025, Australia has become the second country in the world, after Canada, to introduce health warnings on individual cigarettes.
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