Author: James Anderson

The Congress of Mexico City has officially approved modifications to local laws, aligning the capital with federal legislation that prohibits electronic cigarettes and vapes. The reform, passed by the full assembly, amends the local constitution and the Health Law of Mexico City to sanction all activities related to these devices. Morena party deputy Valeria Cruz Flores, presenting the bill on behalf of the Health Commission, stated the move strengthens the human right to health by prohibiting activities related to e-cigarettes and synthetic drugs. She highlighted that in Mexico, adolescent consumption of these products is nearly double that of adults, emphasizing…

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has barred New York-based distributor Demand Vape from using its business shipping services after receiving evidence that the company distributed unregulated e-cigarettes. This action, revealed in letters reviewed by Reuters, is a significant blow to the multi-billion dollar illicit vape industry and could benefit major tobacco companies like Altria and British American Tobacco. The USPS revoked Demand Vape’s “mailing exception” for shipping vapes after the New York City Law Department provided proof of violations, including shipments of products lacking required U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization and those breaking a local flavor ban. Demand…

Colombia has strengthened its regulations against the use of e-cigarettes and vapes in public spaces with the signing of Resolution 00000624 of 2025 by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection on April 8, 2025. This new regulation adopts a technical manual for the mandatory signage in environments designated as “100% free of tobacco smoke and aerosols” from its substitutes and imitators, such as electronic cigarettes and vaporizers. The rule reinforces existing prohibitions under Law 1335 of 2009, providing clear guidelines for a wide range of public and private spaces to ensure smoke-free and aerosol-free environments. The primary implication of…

Mexico City may soon implement a ban on the use and sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes, as local Morena party deputy Alberto Vanegas announced his initiative is advancing and expected to be approved shortly in the capital’s Congress. The primary goal is to align local legislation with a federal law passed last December and to combat the rapidly growing consumption of these products, especially among adolescents. Speaking at a press conference, Vanegas detailed that his proposal seeks to reform Article 9 of the local constitution and modify Mexico City’s Health Law to sanction all activities related to e-cigarettes and…

Malaysia will expand its “pro-health” tax to include tobacco products, vapes, and alcohol, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced while tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) in Parliament. This move aims to encourage healthier lifestyles and curb the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. The tax expansion is a key component of broader healthcare reforms designed to ensure sustainable funding and wider access to quality, affordable healthcare. Anwar highlighted that the public health system is increasingly burdened by medical inflation, an aging population, and the rise in both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The…

A new draft law, No. 13548, has been registered in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament), proposing a complete ban on the production, importation, circulation, and sale of all electronic cigarettes, refill containers, and their liquids within the country. The bill’s authors state its primary goal is to protect public health and reduce the spread of nicotine addiction, particularly among the nation’s youth. The push for a total prohibition is fueled by alarming statistics on youth vaping. According to the Ministry of Health, nearly one in five Ukrainians aged 13-15 (19.6% in 2023, up from 18.4% in 2017) regularly use e-cigarettes. The…

The Malaysian government is actively considering a complete ban on the sale and use of all electronic cigarettes and vape products, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed in the Dewan Rakyat. He stressed that while a ban is being explored, its implementation would require careful and comprehensive study of the legal, enforcement, and public health implications. This consideration comes in response to concerns from MPs about varying state-level actions against vape sales. A special committee on e-cigarettes met on July 22, 2025, to review control strategies and recommended further assessment of the industrial, economic, and licensing impacts should…

Montana has enacted Senate Bill 390 (SB 390), a significant piece of public health legislation that expands the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act to include e-cigarettes (vapes). Signed by Governor Greg Gianforte on May 8, 2025, and effective immediately, the new law closes a long-standing gap in the 20-year-old act, ensuring Montanans are protected from exposure to e-cigarette aerosol in all indoor public places and workplaces where traditional smoking is already prohibited. SB 390 amends the Montana Code Annotated by explicitly revising the definition of “smoking” or “to smoke” to include the use of an “electronic smoking device.” This is…

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a groundbreaking bill that would create a “nicotine-free generation” by permanently banning the sale of all tobacco and vaping products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2006. The proposal, filed by Rep. Tommy Vitolo of Brookline and Sen. Jason Lewis of Winchester, took center stage at a heated hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Health, drawing passionate testimony from youth advocates, health professionals, and concerned business owners. This legislative push follows the successful implementation of similar local ordinances in 17 Massachusetts communities, including Brookline, which was the first in the nation to enact…

A coalition of Wisconsin e-cigarette retailers, Wisconsinites for Alternatives to Smoking and Tobacco, Inc. (WiscoFAST), has filed a federal lawsuit to block a new state law that bans the sale of most vaping products. The law, which took effect July 1st, prohibits the sale of any vaping devices that have not received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Starting September 1st, retailers could face fines of $1,000 per day for each unauthorized vape they sell. The lawsuit argues that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is overstepping its authority and usurping the FDA’s power to regulate these…