Author: James Anderson

The French Senate has rejected Article 23 of the finance bill, which proposed taxing e-cigarettes equivalently to tobacco and banning their online sale. This decision comes as a relief to the vaping industry, particularly the Normandy-based company Le Petit Vapoteur, whose 350 employees had protested the measure. Although the bill initially passed the National Assembly, senators adopted amendments on Monday, December 1st, to scrap the controversial provisions. Senators David Margueritte and Sébastien Fagnen from the Manche department championed the rejection. Margueritte argued the measure risked creating an “uncontrolled parallel market,” while Fagnen criticized the legislative provisions as “counterproductive” and neglectful…

Landlords in Australia leasing commercial premises to tobacco or vaping retailers are navigating a rapidly evolving legal landscape, with significant changes in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland increasing their responsibilities and powers. The regulatory environment is shifting to combat the illicit trade of black-market cigarettes and vapes, placing new scrutiny on property owners. In New South Wales, the enforcement of new tobacco retailing laws began on November 3, 2025, marked by the closure of two Sydney stores for alleged illicit sales. Crucially for landlords, the Tobacco Legislation (Closure Orders) Amendment Act 2025 grants them new powers to terminate leases if a tenant…

A new initiative in Russia proposes increasing fines for vaping in the workplace by tenfold, potentially reaching up to 15,000 rubles. Ekaterina Leshchinskaya, chair of the “Healthy Fatherland” movement, submitted the proposal to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, aiming to close a legal loophole where office vaping was often only regulated by internal company rules. Expert Trepolsky notes this measure would legally equate e-cigarettes with traditional ones. While adoption in 2026 is considered likely, full enforcement might not begin until 2027, giving businesses time to adapt. The proposed fines range from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles. Beyond police fines, companies would gain…

A comprehensive survey of over 30,000 Year 10 students in New Zealand reveals a dramatic shift in teenage vaping habits. According to the latest data from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the number of teenagers vaping regularly (once a month or more) has halved since its peak of 20.2% in 2021. Daily vaping rates have also fallen to 7.1%, down from a high of 10.1% in 2022. ASH chairperson Emeritus Professor Robert Beaglehole noted that “vaping is not as cool as it used to be,” attributing part of the decline to regulations banning sales to under-18s implemented in 2020.…

Uzbekistan has officially banned electronic cigarettes nationwide, following a law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The legislation, initially adopted by the lower house in January and approved by the Senate in April, amends the law “On Restricting the Distribution and Consumption of Alcohol and Tobacco Products” to prohibit the circulation of e-cigarettes and their liquids. Violating this ban carries severe penalties, including criminal liability. For large-scale offenses or repeat violations after administrative penalties, individuals face fines ranging from 300 to 500 basic calculation units (approximately $10,300 to $17,200 USD), corrective labor for two to three years, or restriction of freedom/imprisonment…

The Prosecutor’s Office of Perm Krai (Prikamye) has stated that introducing a regional ban on vape sales is currently premature, citing a lack of federal authorization. While the bill has already received unanimous support from the Legislative Assembly deputies, the prosecutor’s office emphasized that current federal law does not grant regions the power to independently impose such restrictions. The office noted that two bills are currently under consideration in the State Duma, one of which might grant these necessary powers to federal subjects. If this authority is transferred by March 1, 2026—the planned effective date for the regional ban—the law…

Smokers in the UK are facing an increase in the cost of cigarettes following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget announcement. Addressing the Commons, the Chancellor confirmed that tobacco duty will rise above inflation, a move designed to boost government revenue but one that directly impacts consumers at the till. Historically, cigarette prices increase annually in line with inflation unless a freeze is implemented. Last year, a similar hike based on an RPI rate of 3.65% saw the cost of a 20-pack jump by 5.65%, adding 90p and bringing the average price to £16.78. Hand-rolling tobacco faced an even steeper increase…

A new report by the organization Defensorxs warns that the prohibition of vapes and the rise of illegal tobacco in Mexico have created a lucrative multi-billion peso business for organized crime. The illicit market for these products is now valued at an estimated 20 billion pesos (approx. $1 billion USD). If taxed, this sector could potentially generate up to 60 billion pesos in state revenue. The report, titled “Smoke, Vaping and Power: The New Business of Organized Crime,” identifies seven major criminal groups controlling this supply chain: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, United Cartels,…

The vaping landscape is in a constant state of flux, innovating rapidly to meet the diverse needs of consumers. Among these innovations, one product category has seen explosive growth: the disposable pod. These compact, all-in-one devices have revolutionized the industry with a singular focus on convenience and accessibility. For smokers looking to transition away from combustible cigarettes, or for newcomers curious about vaping without the commitment of complex hardware, disposable pods offer an unparalleled entry point. Unlike their refillable counterparts—which demand a degree of technical know-how regarding battery safety, coil resistance, and e-liquid handling—disposable pods are the epitome of “grab-and-go.”…

A significant shakeup is imminent for Mississippi’s vaping industry as a statewide ban on unauthorized disposable vapes and e-liquids approaches. Following a 60-day grace period that began in October, strict enforcement is set to commence on December 1st. The new law mandates a state registry, effectively banning products not manufactured by current FDA-authorized entities, which includes popular disposable brands like Lost Mary and Raz. The legislation essentially prohibits all flavored juices and products not on the registry. Vape shop owners have mixed reactions. Bill Wikstrom of Vaporized supports the move to curb youth access, noting his products are largely compliant.…