Author: Charles Bennett
Charles Bennett
Charles Bennett is a prominent analyst and commentator with extensive expertise in the smoking and tobacco industry. With over a decade of experience, Charles has garnered a deep understanding of the regulatory, economic, and cultural aspects of tobacco products. His insights into market trends, legislative changes, and public health impacts make him a respected voice in discussions about the future of smoking and tobacco use.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has proposed raising the state cigarette tax to match the national average and introducing a new 15% tax on vaping and consumable hemp products. This initiative aims to combat Iowa’s high lung cancer rates by targeting tobacco use, which is linked to 80% of lung cancer cases. Governor Kim Reynolds has confirmed a proposal to increase taxes on cigarettes and introduce new levies on vaping products. This development occurs amidst alarming data regarding Iowa’s high lung cancer rates, directly resulting in a push for legislative action to curb tobacco use and improve public health. Targeting the…
Mexico’s recent constitutional ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes has inadvertently handed control of the lucrative vape market to organized crime syndicates. By criminalizing the legal trade, the government has created a void that cartels are rapidly filling, using intimidation, violence, and their existing illicit networks to monopolize distribution and sales. In early 2022, the owner of a vape store in northern Mexico faced a terrifying reality: the arrival of a drug cartel. Employees were abducted, blindfolded, and the owners were told their business was being seized. This incident was a harbinger of a darker future for Mexico’s $1.5…
Vietnam has escalated its war on youth vaping by holding school leaders directly liable for student behavior. Effective December 31, 2025, school principals and institutional heads face fines ranging from 5 to 10 million VND if they fail to prevent students from using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products on campus. This marks the first time Vietnamese law has assigned direct legal responsibility to facility heads for “lax management” regarding vaping. Shifting Liability to School Heads Decree 371 represents a fundamental shift in enforcement strategy. Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Health, confirmed…
Travelers heading to Southeast Asia must exercise extreme caution as several countries have implemented strict bans on electronic cigarettes, with penalties ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment. Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam are leading the crackdown, enforcing zero-tolerance policies that apply equally to locals and tourists. Violators in Singapore can face fines up to SGD 2,000 (approx. $1,500 USD), while Thailand imposes fines up to 30,000 Baht (approx. $850 USD) or even jail time. Strict Enforcement in Thailand and Singapore Examining the legal landscape reveals that these are not idle threats. In Thailand, the ban encompasses import, sale, and possession. Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized…
Sourcing from China remains the backbone of the global vaping industry, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. Selecting a Chinese vape manufacturer is no longer just about finding the lowest price per unit; it is a complex risk management exercise involving regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, and supply chain resilience. With market competition at an all-time high, partnering with the wrong factory can lead to seized shipments, legal liabilities, or brand-damaging quality failures. This guide breaks down the critical factors for vetting partners in Shenzhen and beyond. The Compliance Filter: Regulatory Standards Examining the global regulatory landscape reveals that compliance…
Singapore’s anti-vaping policy refers to a comprehensive ban on the importation, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes, a stance maintained since 2018. Despite these long-standing prohibitions, a worrying rise in the number of young offenders caught in the act and the detection of dangerous drugs in vaping liquids have compelled the Singaporean government to reinforce its arsenal against the practice. A History of Prohibition and Recent Trends Singapore first banned the importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes in 2010. In 2018, this was expanded to criminalize purchase, possession, and use. However, after a brief lull, vaping has…
Oral nicotine pouches refer to small, pre-portioned bags containing nicotine powder, flavorings, and other ingredients that are placed between the gum and lip. As brands like Zyn, On!, and Velo surge in popularity, a critical question has emerged: can these products serve as a viable off-ramp for vapers, or do they merely trade one addiction for another? The Rise of Nicotine Pouches: A Market Explosion The popularity of oral nicotine pouches has skyrocketed, driven by aggressive marketing often mirroring the tactics of the e-cigarette industry. Between 2019 and 2022, unit sales increased six-fold. More recently, the growth has been even more…
A new Texas law is set to take effect on September 1st, banning the manufacture and sale of all disposable vaporizers containing any amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. This significant change, enacted through Senate Bill 2024, will remove a popular category of products from the shelves of thousands of smoke shops and gas stations across the state. The ban comes amidst a larger, more contentious legislative battle over the future of Texas’s entire $8 billion retail consumable-hemp industry. Here are five key things to know about the new law and the ongoing situation: 1. What…
The Singaporean government will escalate its fight against vaping by treating it as a drug issue and imposing much stiffer penalties, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech. This toughened stance aims to combat what he described as a “serious concern,” particularly the proliferation of vapes laced with harmful and addictive substances. While vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, with current laws imposing a maximum fine of $2,000 for possession, PM Wong stated that fines are “no longer enough.” The new approach will include jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell…
A bipartisan group of 32 representatives in the North Carolina House is pushing to raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vape products from 18 to 21 years old. The proposed bill aims to bring North Carolina into compliance with a federal law passed in 2019 that established 21 as the national minimum age for tobacco sales. Despite the federal mandate, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) has continued to enforce the current state law, which sets the purchase age at 18. The new House bill explicitly states its reasoning is to “protect the youth from the harmful effects…