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.
Read moreThe City of Vincent, an inner-city council located just 3km from Perth’s CBD, is contemplating the expansion of smoke-free zones as a response to the worrying increase in vape popularity. The council, which banned smoking in five town centres in late 2022, now considers vaping to be more prevalent than traditional cigarette smoking.
Read moreNew Regulations Aim to Reduce Pollution and Improve Public Health, Sparking Controversy
Milan, the capital of Lombardy, has become the first city in Italy to ban smoking outdoors, with the new regulations set to take effect on January 1, 2025. The ban prohibits smoking in open-air public spaces unless smokers maintain a minimum distance of 10 meters from other people. Violators face fines ranging from 40 to 240 euros, as reported by the Italian publication Fanpage.
Read moreThe UK government has proposed a groundbreaking law to create a “smoke-free generation.” Under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, anyone aged 15 or younger (born after 2009) will never legally be allowed to buy cigarettes. This move aims to address smoking, one of the leading causes of preventable death and illness in the UK. While smoking rates have declined, vaping has surged, particularly among younger demographics and non-smokers.
Read moreThe UK government is currently exploring the possibility of introducing more stringent rules on smoking in outdoor public spaces, with the aim of reducing tobacco-related deaths. Under consideration are potential bans on smoking in areas such as outside schools and hospitals. This initiative aligns with a broader global trend of countries implementing increasingly tough measures to curb smoking.
Read moreMassachusetts, known for its strict tobacco regulations, is set to make history once again as three state lawmakers plan to introduce a generational tobacco ban bill next year. Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, along with Rep. Tommy Vitolo, D-Brookline, and Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, D-Malden, aim to prohibit anyone born after a specific date from ever purchasing tobacco products in the state.
Read morePoland is gearing up to increase excise taxes on tobacco products and electronic smoking devices over the next three years, following President Andrzej Duda’s approval of a bill passed by both houses of parliament. The move, which was initiated by the government in late July 2024, is part of a broader effort to curb smoking rates across the nation.
Read moreThe National Health Service (NHS) in England is set to provide an improved stop smoking pill, varenicline, to tens of thousands of individuals seeking to quit cigarettes. According to NHS England, this daily tablet, administered over several months, is as effective as vapes and more effective than nicotine replacement options like gum or patches.
Read moreAs of October 1, 2015, new legislation in England and Wales makes it illegal to smoke in a vehicle carrying someone under the age of 18. The law also requires drivers to prevent smoking in these circumstances, with both offenses carrying a £50 fine. This landmark change aims to protect children and young people from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, which can lead to serious health conditions such as meningitis, cancer, bronchitis, pneumonia, and exacerbated asthma.
Read moreupdated April 23, 2024
Newton Follows Brookline’s Lead in Proposing Ban
Newton, a Boston suburb with a population of around 90,000, is considering implementing a generational tobacco ban that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2003. This proposal comes on the heels of a similar ban in Brookline, Massachusetts, which was upheld by the state’s Supreme Judicial Court in March 2024.
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