Calls for Dialogue Amid Claims of Targeting Legal Businesses
Representatives of Poland’s vaping industry have issued a formal appeal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, urging an end to what they describe as excessive administrative pressure from recent nationwide inspections conducted by tax and customs services. The industry is calling for a halt to the current wave of controls and the initiation of constructive dialogue.
Read moreAcross England, a hidden battle is being waged in corner shops, warehouses, and even behind cleverly disguised walls. Trading Standards officers are on the front lines, tackling a surge in the illicit vape trade. New analysis by the BBC reveals the staggering scale of the problem: over six million illegal vaping products have been confiscated in just the past three years. As the UK prepares for a nationwide ban on single-use disposable vapes, authorities are intensifying efforts to curb this dangerous black market.
Read moreFrench Polynesia’s Minister of Health, Cédric Mercadal, has presented a draft law aimed at significantly modernizing and strengthening regulations governing tobacco and vaping products across Tahiti and its islands. The proposed legislation focuses on reducing product accessibility and appeal, particularly among minors.
Read moreBelgium’s ban on the online sale of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), has not deterred some sellers from continuing to offer these products through social media platforms and e-commerce marketplaces. In response, the Federal Public Service (FPS) Public Health is implementing strict enforcement measures to combat this illegal activity. The number of cases processed by the FPS Public Health regarding illegal online sales of vapor products has skyrocketed from 824 in 2023 to 6,286 in 2024. The increase in resources and expanded enforcement teams has enabled more targeted inspections and rapid interventions.
Read moreUK retailers are on the cusp of significant legislative changes impacting tobacco and vape sales. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, having cleared the House of Commons and now undergoing scrutiny in the House of Lords, introduces two landmark measures: a ‘generational smoking ban’ (GSB) and a complete ban on disposable (single-use) vapes.
Read moreThe UK government’s plan to ban disposable vapes, set to take effect on June 1, may not be as effective in reducing overall vaping rates as hoped, according to a recent study by researchers at University College London (UCL). The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, suggests that there has been a “shift away” from disposable vapes since the ban was announced, with more people opting for refillable and reusable devices instead.
Read moreThe Basel Grand Council has submitted a proposal to the government to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes in Basel-Stadt. The government expressed its willingness to accept the order, but only in a less binding form, arguing that a cantonal ban would violate higher-ranking federal law.
Read moreSwitzerland is on the brink of a nationwide ban on disposable electronic cigarettes as the Council of States prepares to consider a motion already approved by the National Council in summer 2024. The growing concerns over health risks and environmental pollution associated with these devices have led to sales bans in several Swiss cantons, including Bern, Jura, and Valais, with others discussing similar measures.
Read moreThe countdown to the ban on single-use vapes in the UK has begun, with high street shops and convenience stores being encouraged to sell their remaining stock before the June 1, 2025 deadline. The legislation, which was laid in parliament last year following a government consultation that showed overwhelming support for restricting the sale and supply of these products, aims to address the growing environmental and public health concerns associated with single-use vapes.
Read moreGibraltar’s Minister for Health, Gemma Arias-Vasquez, has published a Command Paper outlining draft legislation that aims to create a smoke-free generation and regulate the sale of nicotine products. The proposed law would prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively coming into force in 2027 when this group reaches the age of 18.
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