Tag Archive for: Vape Ban

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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Mexico has recently amended its Constitution to include a ban on vaping devices and electronic cigarettes, igniting a heated debate between supporters and opponents. Both sides are urging the federal Congress and state legislatures to enact regulatory laws to align existing legal frameworks with the new constitutional provision.

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Taiwan has officially enforced a vaping ban following amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. The National Police Agency confirmed that individuals caught vaping can now face on-the-spot fines of up to TWD 10,000 (approximately $330). This move aims to curb the use of e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products across the country.

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Osaka, Japan, has announced a new policy prohibiting smoking on all city streets, effective January 27, 2025. The ban covers all forms of smoking, including conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices, which were previously less regulated in certain areas. With a population of approximately 2.75 million, Osaka is now one of Japan’s largest cities to implement such a rule, aiming to improve air quality and public comfort in outdoor spaces.

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On February 4th, French deputies unanimously voted in favor of a bill aimed at banning disposable e-cigarettes, commonly known as “puffs.” The legislation, sponsored by several elected officials including Francesca Paquini and Michel Lauzzana, seeks to combat the proliferation of these single-use devices.

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Two bills currently under consideration by Indiana lawmakers could drastically change the landscape of the vaping industry in the state. H.B. 1218 proposes a complete ban on the sale and distribution of all e-liquids and vapor products starting July 1, 2025, while H.B. 1650 would establish a stringent regulatory framework, including a PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Product Application) registry.

The potential impact of these bills on consumer choice, small businesses, and efforts to provide smoke-free nicotine alternatives has raised concerns among industry stakeholders and advocates. If passed, Indiana would effectively eliminate access to products that many consider to be superior alternatives to traditional cigarettes, potentially forcing consumers back to combustible tobacco or driving them to unregulated markets.

Moreover, the proposed ban would likely lead to the closure of numerous vape shops, distributors, and manufacturers, resulting in significant job losses and economic damage across the state.

The regulatory framework proposed in H.B. 1650, while less severe than an outright ban, has also drawn criticism for its potential to favor large, well-established tobacco companies over smaller, independent brands. The bill’s requirement for a state-run PMTA registry could limit consumer access to products from small and medium-sized vapor manufacturers who are still navigating the complex and costly FDA regulatory process.

As Indiana lawmakers consider these bills, it is crucial for all stakeholders – including consumers, business owners, and public health advocates – to engage in an open and informed dialogue about the potential consequences of such legislation. By carefully weighing the risks and benefits of these proposed measures, policymakers can work towards a regulatory approach that prioritizes public health, supports local businesses, and ensures that adult consumers have access to a diverse range of reduced-risk alternatives to traditional cigarettes.

The UK government has released official guidance detailing its plan to prohibit the sale of single-use, disposable vaping devices starting from June 1, 2025. This comprehensive ban will make it illegal for businesses to sell, offer for sale, or possess for the purpose of selling any vaping products designed for single use only. The new regulations apply to all such devices, whether or not they contain nicotine, and cover both online and physical retail sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Mexico has officially prohibited the production, marketing, and distribution of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices nationwide. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the comprehensive ban as a critical measure to protect public health, marking a significant shift in the country’s health policies.

The new law, which took effect on January 18, 2025, criminalizes all activities related to e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and similar systems. This includes the manufacturing, distribution, and disposal of harmful substances, as well as the unauthorized use of synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The legislation supersedes any conflicting administrative or regulatory provisions, ensuring consistent enforcement throughout the country.

President Sheinbaum emphasized that the ban guarantees the constitutional right to health for all citizens. The legislation aligns with amendments made to Articles 4 and 5 of Mexico’s Political Constitution, which the Chamber of Deputies passed with an overwhelming majority in December 2024.

The decree requires Congress and federal legislative bodies to align their legal frameworks with the new regulations within specific timelines. Congress has 180 days to update relevant laws, while federal entities must make necessary adjustments within a year to ensure uniform enforcement nationwide.

While many support the ban as a crucial public health measure, critics have raised concerns about potential unintended consequences. Salomón Chertorivski, former Health Minister and head of the Public Health Advisory Council in Jalisco, suggested that regulating the industry could have been a more effective approach. He argued that requiring manufacturers to disclose harmful chemicals in their products might have better informed consumers and limited risks. Chertorivski warned that an outright ban could fuel a black market for vaping devices, potentially exacerbating public health dangers by increasing access to unregulated products.

As Mexico navigates this new era of e-cigarette prohibition, the long-term impact of the ban on public health and the vaping industry remains to be seen.

The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, is considering the inclusion of a bill that would ban the retail sale of vapes and related eliquids in Russia in its approximate work plan for March 2025. The proposed legislation, developed by deputies from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), aims to prohibit the wholesale and retail trade of “nicotine or its derivatives, including nicotine salts, as well as nicotine-containing and nicotine-free liquids and devices for their consumption,” according to a TASS report citing a draft resolution from the Duma’s health protection committee.

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The press service of the Astana prosecutor’s office has reported that a local resident has been sentenced to a restriction of freedom for selling vaping liquids worth 64 million tenge ($120,000 USD). The man had organized a workshop to produce nicotine-containing liquids, which he then sold in several stores.

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