Author: James Anderson

Vapes have been found to be almost three times more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like lozenges or gum for helping people quit smoking, according to a new clinical trial from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, focused on smokers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, a priority group with disproportionately high smoking rates. Researchers recruited 1,045 adults from Sydney who were daily smokers receiving a government pension or allowance and were willing to attempt quitting. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a free eight-week supply of vapes or standard…

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed civil complaints against two Valley vape shop businesses, New York Smoke Shop LLC and Pro Source Supply LLC, for allegedly consistently and knowingly selling nicotine products to minors. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is seeking penalties of $10,000 per violation and the dissolution of the companies in Arizona. According to the AGO, the businesses demonstrated a reckless disregard for the law during undercover inspections conducted as part of the youth tobacco “Counter Strike” program. New York Smoke Shop reportedly had an 83% failure rate over the last three years, passing only one of…

A new law in North Carolina, House Bill 900, has taken effect, prohibiting the sale of most popular disposable vaping products across the state as of Tuesday, July 1st. Signed into law last year by former Governor Roy Cooper, the legislation restricts retailers to selling only those vape products that have received a form of approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The law, which technically went into effect on May 1st but included a 60-day grace period, mandates that for a vape product to be legally sold, it must either have full FDA marketing authorization or have…

Spain’s upcoming anti-tobacco law will prohibit the use of vapes (e-cigarettes) in all the same public spaces where traditional smoking is banned, according to Health Minister Mónica García. This move aims to equate the regulation of electronic cigarettes with that of conventional tobacco. The expanded ban will cover areas such as bar and restaurant terraces, bus stops, company vehicles, school and university facilities, and public swimming pools. Minister García stated that the goal is to close a regulatory loophole that the industry has “exploited to attract new consumers,” emphasizing that there is no scientific evidence that alternative devices reduce tobacco…

Starting July 1st, consumers of vapes, nicotine pouches, and other tobacco products in Illinois will face higher prices as a new tax hike takes effect. The state tax on vaping products will triple, increasing from 15% to 45% of the wholesale price. Most other tobacco products, including cigars and chewing tobacco, will also see their wholesale tax rate rise to 45%, up from 36%. Additionally, the tax on a pack of cigarettes will increase by $1. This tax increase also applies to popular non-tobacco nicotine products like Zyn nicotine pouches. The price of a can of Zyn, currently around $8…

The Indonesian Vape Consumers Association (Akvindo) has criticized the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Smoke-Free Areas (KTR) for treating e-cigarettes (vapes) as equivalent to combustible tobacco. Akvindo Chairman, Paido Siahaan, stated that while they appreciate efforts to protect public health, equating the two products is an incorrect and flawed policy. “Equating e-cigarettes with cigarettes in this regulation is inappropriate,” Paido said. He argued that vapes have different characteristics and risk profiles and should not be treated the same as burnt tobacco under policies like Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024. “E-cigarettes are alternative tobacco products that…

Bulgaria’s National Assembly has passed legislation to implement a nationwide ban on the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes (vapes), a measure that applies to products both with and without nicotine. The bill was approved at its second reading with strong parliamentary support, receiving 133 votes in favor, 30 against, and 8 abstentions. This comprehensive ban targets the sale of single-use vapes, which have become increasingly popular, particularly among young people. The move is part of a broader effort to tighten regulations on tobacco and nicotine products. The updated law also prohibits the sale of all tobacco products, including smokeless, novel,…

International travelers who use e-cigarettes (vapes) must be aware of widely varying global regulations, as at least 35 countries have implemented total bans on these devices, while many others impose strict restrictions on their use, sale, and importation. Legislation changes frequently, making it crucial to research the specific laws of your destination before traveling to avoid severe penalties. Countries like Thailand, India, Brunei, Taiwan, Seychelles, Nepal, Singapore, and Mexico are among those with stringent prohibitions where even possession can lead to airport confiscation, heavy fines, and, in some cases, imprisonment. In these destinations, it is safest to avoid bringing any…

Belarus is preparing a significant reform of its regulatory framework for nicotine-containing products, including a wide range of new rules for electronic cigarettes (vapes), nicotine pouches, and e-liquids. A draft law titled “On Tobacco Raw Materials, Tobacco, Non-Tobacco Nicotine-Containing Products, Electronic Smoking Systems and Liquids for Them, Systems for Tobacco Consumption” has been put forward for public discussion. The new legislation aims to bring comprehensive oversight to a market currently plagued by illicit trade and growing youth consumption, though it stops short of a complete ban on vapes or cigarettes. The impetus for this reform stems from alarming statistics. According…

North Carolina lawmakers are debating a bill to raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vape products from 18 to 21, aligning state law with federal regulations enacted in 2019. The proposed legislation is named in memory of 15-year-old Solomon Wynn, who doctors say died from vaping complications. Solomon’s stepmother, Charlene Zorn, is urging state leaders to pass the bill, stating, “Had Solomon’s friends not been able to get vapes, Solomon would have never started vaping. My stepson’s death was completely preventable.” North Carolina is currently one of only seven states that has not yet raised its tobacco purchase…