Author: James Anderson

Republican State Representative Alex Andrade has introduced House Bill 389, a sweeping proposal aimed at banning smoking and vaping in virtually all public spaces across Florida. The bill seeks to significantly reform the Florida Clean Air Act by prohibiting the use of tobacco and hemp-derived products on sidewalks, streets, highways, beaches, and public parks. If passed during the 2026 session, the legislation would redefine outdoor restrictions, making it illegal to light up or vape in pedestrian and vehicular traffic zones, as well as common areas of residential buildings, hotels, and schools. The measure targets secondhand smoke pollution and explicitly includes…

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a bipartisan coalition of 24 attorneys general and New York City in calling on e-commerce platform Shopify to crack down on merchants selling illegal tobacco products, specifically e-cigarettes. Despite Shopify’s policies against unlawful activities, the coalition identified numerous merchants using the platform to sell unauthorized vaping products. “I am calling on Shopify to clean up its act and stop selling illegal e-cigarettes on their platform,” Ellison stated, citing the harm caused to young people. The group identified 29 specific illegal e-cigarette websites hosted on Shopify and provided a list of over 200 others…

The German federal government has officially announced its intention to ban disposable e-cigarettes, bowing to mounting pressure from the Bundestag, federal states, and environmental associations. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, confirmed the move during a Bundesrat plenary session on Friday, though she noted that such a ban would likely require approval from the EU Commission. This commitment comes as the Bundesrat passed the latest amendment to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act. While the chamber of states had significant concerns and its environment committee initially pushed for immediate inclusion of a ban in…

The Irish government has approved proposals to ban the sale of disposable vapes and introduce stricter regulations for nicotine products, aiming to curb youth addiction. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill announced cabinet support for the Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill 2025, which will prohibit the retail sale of disposable e-cigarettes. This legislation also paves the way for new rules covering other nicotine products, including pouches. Measures will include banning sales to minors, restricting advertising, and removing displays at mixed retail points. “My priority is the protection of our children,” Carroll MacNeill stated, emphasizing that these steps will reduce the…

The U.S. Senate has included $200 million in funding to combat the influx of illicit Chinese-made vapes as part of a recent appropriations bill. The measure, titled the “Ensuring the Necessary Destruction (END) of Illicit Chinese Tobacco Act,” aims to disrupt the pipeline of unauthorized e-cigarettes that officials describe as both a national security and public health concern. Chad Wolf, former acting Homeland Security secretary, stated that the funding “sends a clear message to the China that the U.S. is serious about protecting our borders and our kids.” The bill, introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) with bipartisan support, passed…

Dallas is enhancing its public health measures by expanding its existing smoke-free regulations to explicitly include vaping and electronic cigarettes. The new city ordinance, effective December 10th, prohibits the use of these devices in all enclosed public places and workplaces where traditional smoking is already banned. This move aligns Dallas with a growing number of cities across Texas and the nation that are tightening controls on e-cigarettes to address concerns about youth vaping and secondhand aerosol exposure. The updated policy, approved by the Dallas City Council, amends the city’s 2003 public smoking ban. It now explicitly includes vaping devices and…

The outgoing Dutch government has proposed a significant hike in fines for the illegal sale of vapes and cigarettes in an effort to crack down on the widespread illicit market. The plan, which requires parliamentary approval, would see first-time offenders facing a substantial €2,040 penalty. Under the proposal, the fines would escalate for repeat violations. A second offense would result in a fine of €3,060. For larger organizations with more than 50 employees caught engaging in illegal sales, the penalty would increase to €4,040. The new fines are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, pending approval from both…

For the first time, the number of people who vape in Great Britain has surpassed the number of traditional cigarette smokers, according to the latest Opinions and Lifestyle Survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data shows that 10% of adults over the age of sixteen now use vapes (e-cigarettes), slightly edging out the 9.1% who report smoking cigarettes. This milestone reflects a significant shift in nicotine consumption habits, driven by a rising preference for vaping among adults and a continued decline in smoking rates. The survey indicates that approximately 5.4 million adults, particularly those aged 25 to…

Russia is advancing towards a complete prohibition of all electronic smoking devices, including vapes and heated tobacco products like IQOS, after President Vladimir Putin supported the idea, according to Nizhny Novgorod Governor Gleb Nikitin. Speaking at a Federation Council meeting on October 23rd, Nikitin confirmed the President’s backing for a full ban on all electronic nicotine delivery systems, stating, “No exceptions or lobbying loopholes are foreseen.” The initiative, which Putin reportedly agreed to test in a pilot program in the Nizhny Novgorod region, gained momentum after State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin signaled parliamentary support for such a government proposal. Nikitin…

Denver voters have decisively approved Referendum 310, upholding a city-wide ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including flavored nicotine vapes. The measure passed with an overwhelming 71.53% of the vote on Tuesday. The vote solidifies a decision made by the Denver City Council last year. Supporters argue the ban is a crucial step to make it harder for children and teens to purchase and use these products, citing statistics that 7% of Denver’s youth have admitted to vaping. The goal is to reduce the appeal of nicotine products to a younger generation. However, the ban has faced…