Author: James Anderson

The Thai government is intensifying its crackdown on vaping, reinforcing that possession or sale of e-cigarettes can lead to severe legal consequences, including up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines. The move follows Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s decisive stance against vaping, despite her earlier support for its legalization during the election campaign. In response to the growing use of e-cigarettes among Thai teenagers, authorities have launched nationwide operations targeting vape vendors and importers. This comes after MP Chorayuth “Tonkla” Chaturapornprasit was caught vaping inside Parliament, drawing public attention to the issue. Digital Surveillance and Online Bans As part…

As Muslims worldwide prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, a common question arises: Can you vape while fasting? The answer is no. Vaping, like smoking, is considered to break the fast due to the ingestion of harmful substances. However, beyond the religious implications, medical experts warn that vaping during Ramadan can pose significant health risks. Dr. Mutaz Labib, a lung specialist at Clemenceau Medical Center Hospital, explains that the sudden exposure to large amounts of vapor after hours of fasting can be particularly dangerous. “Many people tend to vape aggressively after breaking their fast, inhaling a large amount of…

North Carolina lawmakers have introduced House Bill 430, also known as “Solly’s Law,” in a bipartisan effort to address the growing concern of vaping and tobacco use among teenagers. The bill, introduced on Wednesday, aims to raise the legal sales age of tobacco products to 21 and require a tobacco retail sales permit. Rep. Donnie Loftis, R-Gaston, emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, “North Carolina is one of only seven remaining states that has not raised the age to 21. This is important because 95% of tobacco users start before the age of 21, risking a lifetime of addiction…

Oregon lawmakers are currently weighing a proposal to prohibit the sale of flavored vaping products in an effort to curb nicotine addiction among young people. Senate Bill 702, backed by many health professionals, public health experts, and tobacco control groups, aims to address the growing concern of e-cigarette use among children and adolescents. Proponents of the bill argue that flavored vaping products, which often have candy-like scents, serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction for youth. Senator Janeen Sollman, a strong supporter of the bill, also advocates for installing vaping smoke detectors in high school bathrooms to combat the increasing…

Florida has reached a $79 million settlement with e-cigarette giant Juul Labs. The lawsuit, filed by the state, alleged that Juul deliberately targeted children with its advertising and marketing practices, contributing to the widespread use of vaping products among minors. Attorney General James Uthmeier, announcing the settlement, emphasized the importance of protecting children’s well-being. “As a father, the safety and wellbeing of children is top of mind, all the time. Florida has been a leader in the fight to end teen vaping, and I’m proud to announce this monumental settlement with Juul,” he stated. The settlement includes several key provisions…

A new bill aimed at combating youth vaping in South Carolina is gaining traction in the state legislature. Bill 287, which seeks to regulate electronic nicotine devices and their origins, has moved forward in the legislative process. Age Discrepancy Between State and Federal Law While the legal age to purchase nicotine in South Carolina is currently 18, federal law still mandates a minimum age of 21. This discrepancy has raised concerns among lawmakers who believe that the state should be doing more to discourage vaping, particularly among minors. Bringing in the Attorney General’s Office If passed, Bill 287 would require…

A bill aimed at creating a registry for vape products in Arkansas failed to advance out of the Senate’s City, County and Local Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Senate Bill 252, introduced by State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, was one vote short of moving forward. Regulating Unregulated Vapes Sen. Dismang explained that the bill was intended to give state tobacco enforcement more authority to police unregulated vapes, especially disposable ones from China. The proposed registry would mirror the list of registered vape products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while also including products pending approval or appeal. “This registry…

The Tennessee Legislature has taken the first step toward imposing a 10% tax on certain vapor products, such as vape pens, vape molds, cig-a-likes, and pod mods, and requiring FDA approval before vape products can be sold in the state. The Republican-led measure, Senate Bill 763, was approved by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee in a 7-1 vote, despite strong opposition from the vape industry. Sponsored by Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston) and Senate Finance Chairman Bo Watson (R-Hixson), the bill aims to address the influx of illegal Chinese vape products that are allegedly addicting and harming children. “It is…

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against several major electronic cigarette distributors, accusing them of violating state laws that prohibit the sale of vaping flavors and designs that appeal to children. The legal action targets middlemen who distribute fruit- and candy-flavored e-cigarettes like Puff Bar and Elf Bar to hundreds of convenience stores and gas stations across the state. Companies List: This approach differs from past litigation by New York and other states, which focused on vaping manufacturers such as Juul Labs. Juul, widely blamed for sparking the teen vaping trend, has paid more than $1…

The Russian State Duma is currently reviewing a bill that would impose a complete ban on vapes, as well as nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-liquids. The proposal, initiated by representatives of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), has been sent to the relevant Health Protection Committee. Deputies plan to include the bill in the agenda for the spring session of 2025. According to State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, the initiative has garnered support from all political factions. He emphasized the need to hold consultations with the government to expedite the adoption of the law. This broad political backing suggests…