Author: James Anderson

Material Focus Research Suggests Government’s Disposable Vape Ban May Not Adequately Address Environmental Concerns A recent study conducted by Material Focus, a UK-based organization focused on sustainable materials management, has revealed that 8.2 million out of the 13.5 million vapes purchased weekly in the UK are either improperly disposed of or incorrectly recycled. This alarming statistic underscores the growing environmental challenges posed by the vaping industry, despite the government’s upcoming ban on disposable vapes set to take effect in June 2025. Lack of Clear Recycling Information and Infrastructure The Material Focus research highlights a significant knowledge gap among consumers, with…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to eight online retailers and one manufacturer for allegedly selling unauthorized flavored, disposable e-cigarettes. The warning letters cite several brands popular among youth, as well as products featuring the names or images of celebrities. Violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act The firms receiving these warning letters sold and/or distributed e-cigarettes in the United States without obtaining the required marketing authorization from the FDA, violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA has cautioned the firms to address any similar violations and take prompt action…

The UK vaping industry is bracing for a major upheaval as the impending ban on disposable vapes, set to take effect in April 2025, draws closer. According to recent data, the category has already experienced a £43.6 million decline in sales and a 2.7 million unit decrease. ElfBar, known for its popular 600 Disposable device, has been hit the hardest, with a staggering £284 million loss – the biggest absolute loss in this year’s Top Products. Vaping Uptake Slows, Disposables Dominate Market The rise in vaping appears to have reached its peak, with growth slowing down in recent years. The…

As the UK prepares to implement a ban on single-use vapes in June, campaigners have raised concerns that the influx of new, cheaper “big puff” vapes and other styles will exacerbate the waste crisis the ban aims to address. These new models, which last longer but can be cheaper per puff than traditional single-use vapes, are causing alarm among environmental advocates who fear they may circumvent the upcoming regulations. Research Reveals Surge in Vape Waste and Big Puff Vape Popularity A study conducted by Opinium on behalf of campaign group Material Focus has shed light on the growing problem. According…

Finance Ministries Call for Harmonized Taxation on E-Cigarettes to Address Market Distortions Germany, France, and 14 other European Union countries have called on the European Commission to widen the bloc’s tobacco taxation laws to include new products like electric cigarettes, also known as vapes. In a letter seen by dpa on Tuesday, the finance ministries of 16 EU member states urged the Commission to harmonize taxation on vapes across the EU. The letter highlighted that most of these products “cannot be taxed like traditional tobacco products” under the current regulations. The 16 EU countries argued that the EU directive on…

New Regulations to Prohibit Supply of Disposable Vapes from June 1, 2025 The Senedd has taken decisive action against single-use vapes, approving a comprehensive ban set to begin next June. This landmark decision aligns Wales with similar initiatives across the UK, marking a unified approach to combat the growing environmental and health concerns surrounding disposable vaping devices. National Implementation and Business Impact Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies champions this initiative as a crucial step toward reducing throwaway culture and environmental damage. The ban prohibits both sales and free distribution of single-use vapes after June 1, 2025. Welsh businesses must now…

Iconic British Tea Brand Faces Challenges Amid Changing Consumer Preferences Vape maker Supreme has rescued the 120-year-old tea brand Typhoo Tea in a £10m deal, aiming to keep the iconic British brand “in British hands.” The Manchester-based company, which makes the e-cigarette brand 88Vape and distributes nicotine and home products to supermarkets, stepped in after Typhoo fell into administration in November due to slumping sales and rising debts. Supreme chief executive Sandy Chadha expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “Typhoo is such an iconic brand.” The company cited a mix of “sound business rationale and personal affinity” as the driving…

Largest Seizure of E-Cigarettes in Germany to Date, Tax Damage Estimated in Millions On November 27, 2024, German customs authorities seized approximately 650,000 illegal e-cigarettes, known as vapes, in the Rhineland region. This marks the largest seizure of its kind in Germany to date. Customs officers from the Krefeld Main Customs Office conducted a tax inspection at a warehouse of a Neuss-based company and discovered around 200 pallets of allegedly illegal vapes stored throughout the facility. The Krefeld customs officers promptly informed the responsible Essen Customs Investigation Office, which took over the investigation and arrested the suspects on site. Additional…

Health Ministers Adopt Recommendation to Protect Against Second-Hand Smoke and Vapour Health ministers from the European Union’s 27 member states agreed Tuesday to push for stricter anti-smoking rules, backing bans on smoking and vaping in many outdoor areas, including playgrounds and cafe patios. The ministers, meeting in Brussels, adopted a non-binding recommendation that invites member states to crack down on second-hand smoke and vapour. EU Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi hailed the agreement as a crucial step towards achieving a tobacco-free generation in Europe, emphasizing its critical role in protecting children and young people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.…

Senior Tories have branded Labour’s controversial Tobacco and Vapes Bill as “madness” due to a clause suggesting that people who knowingly market smoking or vaping-related products could face up to two years in prison. The legislation, which passed its second reading last week with an overwhelming majority, aims to create a smoke-free generation by imposing a UK-wide ban on the advertising, brand sharing, and sponsorship of herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping, and nicotine products. Shadow Business Minister Greg Smith criticized the potential two-year prison sentence for advertising nicotine products to adults seeking to quit cigarettes as “wholly inappropriate.” Tory…