Author: James Anderson

The Maldives has enacted a “historic” generational tobacco ban, making it illegal for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, to purchase, use, or sell tobacco products within the country. The new law, ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu and effective this Saturday, makes the Maldives the first country in the world to implement such a nationwide generational prohibition on tobacco. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the ban applies to “all forms of tobacco,” and retailers are now required to verify the age of customers before making a sale. Violating the rules for selling tobacco products…

A new excise tax on vaping products is set to come into force in Ireland tomorrow, a move designed to curb rising usage, particularly among young people. The levy will add 50 cents per milliliter of e-liquid to both disposable and reusable vapes, a change that retailers anticipate will cause sharp price increases. Some products are expected to roughly double in cost. An employee at E-Cig Co on Dublin’s Anne Street, Ciarán, noted that customers have been bulk-buying vape juice in anticipation of the price hike. He observed that while the increased cost is prompting some people to consider quitting…

Singapore has significantly toughened its stance on vaping, introducing a new suite of harsh penalties for the use and even simple possession of electronic cigarettes. Effective from September 1st, the new rules apply to everyone in the country, including tourists, and can lead to substantial fines, revocation of long-term passes, and even expulsion and re-entry bans for repeat offenders. Under the new framework, anyone caught using or merely possessing an e-cigarette is now subject to a fine of S$700 (approximately €330 or US$370). This represents a significant increase and a clear signal of the government’s zero-tolerance approach. The French Ministry…

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed a comprehensive tobacco control bill that will phase in a ban on flavored cigarettes and prohibit the public possession and use of e-cigarettes. The new law aims to further reduce the city’s smoking rate, which stood at 9.1% in 2023. Starting in the second quarter of 2027, the sale of non-menthol flavored cigarettes and flavored shisha (water pipe tobacco) will be banned, with a ban on menthol flavors planned for a later stage. Violators face penalties of up to HK$50,000 (approx. US$6,400) and six months’ imprisonment. From January 2026, smoking while queuing in public…

In the largest single operation of its kind to date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have seized 4.7 million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products, with an estimated value of $86.5 million. The joint federal operation, focused on shipments entering through Chicago, marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s strategy to combat the flood of illegal vaping products and protect American youth from unregulated nicotine devices. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), nearly all of the confiscated shipments originated in China. Authorities reported that many importers used…

A Wisconsin trade organization, “WiscoFAST,” has lost its federal lawsuit against the Department of Revenue over a new state law that bans the sale of most vaping products. The law, which took effect this week, prohibits the sale of any vape products not authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retailers have until September 1st to clear their shelves of non-compliant items or face steep fines of $1,000 per day per item. Vape shop owners across the state report that the ban has forced them to remove a significant portion of their inventory. M of N Vapors in…

New regulations for vaping products have taken effect in Arkansas, with further restrictions scheduled for November. As of September 1st, vape sellers are now prohibited from marketing their products in ways that may appeal to minors. This includes banning flavors that imitate food brands and the use of fictional characters from TV, movies, or comic books in promotional materials. Additionally, vaping is now officially banned in all schools, healthcare facilities, and childcare facilities across the state. A more significant change will occur on November 1st, when it will become illegal to sell or possess (for sale) any vape devices that…

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…