Author: Nathan Ford
Nathan Ford
Nathan Ford is a leading authority on the CBD industry with a robust background in policy analysis and industry trends. With over a decade of experience, Nathan has deep insights into the regulatory frameworks and market dynamics of the CBD sector. His expertise extends to tracking legislative changes and providing in-depth commentary on their implications for businesses and consumers alike.
The Malaysian Health Ministry has launched “Ops Selamat PaPa,” a major national enforcement operation targeting the manufacturing, distribution, and online promotion of vaping and smoking products. This decisive action, announced on June 1, comes in response to rising public complaints regarding illegal online vape advertisements that violate the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). To curb the digital spread of e-cigarette marketing, the ministry has actively monitored social media and web platforms. Following recent investigations into ten suspicious websites, health authorities partnered with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block four platforms under…
The Alaska Legislature has passed Senate Bill 24, a public health measure that imposes a new 25% retail sales tax on vaping products starting in 2028. This legislative move, which also raises the legal purchasing age to 21, represents a growing trend of government intervention in personal consumer choices. The newly enacted legislation represents a major regulatory push to curb nicotine use through financial penalties. By delaying the implementation of the 25% retail tax until 2028, lawmakers have given local businesses a grace period, though the long-term economic impact on the state’s vape industry remains a major concern. Beyond taxation,…
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2480 into law on Tuesday at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, securing a dedicated funding stream for pediatric cancer research through a new tax on nicotine products. The legislation, heavily championed by families affected by childhood leukemia, aims to channel millions of dollars into life-saving medical research. Starting January 1, 2027, a 5-cent tax will be applied to products such as vapes and nicotine pouches, which is projected to raise $3 million annually. While the bill has garnered widespread public support, it has drawn sharp criticism from local business owners…
President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing out FDA Commissioner Marty Makary over frustrations that the agency is not approving flavored vapes quickly enough. This leadership shakeup occurs amid heavy financial backing from the vape industry, sparking severe criticism from public health advocates regarding youth nicotine addiction. According to Politico, Trump recently reprimanded Makary for delaying the approval of flavored nicotine products, which the administration reportedly views as crucial for appealing to young voters. Makary is set to be replaced by Kyle Diamantas, a lawyer whom critics have characterized primarily as a personal associate of Donald Trump Jr. The advocacy group…
Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has confirmed it will tighten supervision over electronic cigarettes starting July 26, 2026. This dynamic occurs under the implementation of new national health laws, directly resulting in a targeted crackdown on illegal vapes and their use as a medium for narcotics abuse in collaboration with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, stated that the agency requires clear regulatory space to distinguish legal products from prohibited ones. This framework will provide a strong foundation for taking action and penalizing violators. Addressing the BNN’s previous proposal for a total vape ban, BPOM…
Local health boards in Massachusetts are increasingly adopting generational bans on all non-medical nicotine products, prohibiting sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2004. This grassroots movement leverages unique local-control laws to bypass broader industry lobbying. Led by a group of dedicated volunteers, several Massachusetts towns have successfully banned the sale of nicotine products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2004. This localized regulatory wave capitalizes on the state’s unique public health framework, directly challenging the tobacco industry’s influence and sparking fierce pushback from retailers. Former corporate finance professional Maureen Buzby leads an eight-person volunteer team…
The Alabama House of Representatives has unanimously approved Senate Bill 9, officially moving to restrict vaping in enclosed public spaces across the state. This development occurs amidst the growing prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems, directly resulting in a necessary modernization of Alabama’s clean air regulations to protect residents from secondhand aerosol exposure. Modernizing the Clean Indoor Air Act Sponsored by Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa), SB9 updates the original Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act passed in 2003. The legislation explicitly adds vapes to the list of prohibited smoking methods in public areas. Senator Allen emphasized that as new nicotine delivery…
Pennsylvania has officially activated Act 57 of 2025, requiring all e-cigarette manufacturers to certify their products with the state Attorney General. The law establishes a public directory, imposes strict compliance fees, and grants authorities the power to seize unregulated devices. The regulatory net is tightening in Pennsylvania. Under the newly effective Act 57 of 2025, the state Attorney General’s office is now the ultimate gatekeeper for the local vaping market. Manufacturers must formally submit their products to the newly created Pennsylvania Vape Directory. What is the primary goal here? State officials want an ironclad guarantee that every nicotine-containing e-cigarette on retail shelves…
The Bangladesh government is preparing to lift its ban on the production and sale of e-cigarettes. Following recommendations from a parliamentary committee, the health ministry is drafting amendments to reverse strict anti-tobacco ordinances enacted last year, sparking intense pushback from public health advocates. A massive regulatory shift is unfolding in South Asia. The Bangladesh government is actively moving to amend its anti-tobacco ordinance, effectively withdrawing the existing ban on e-cigarettes. This isn’t just about legalizing vaping, either. The impending amendment will also scrap rules that currently prohibit the open display of tobacco products at retail points of sale. For the…
Following Ukraine’s 2024 ban on flavored vapes and e-liquids, 95% of the electronic cigarette market has shifted to the shadow economy. Experts from Philip Morris Ukraine report this illicit trade costs the state budget 7.5 billion UAH annually while creating uncontrolled youth access across major retail networks. The Economic Reality of Prohibition The prohibition strategy has inadvertently spawned organized illegal retail chains. Mykhailo Poliakov, Co-Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, notes that 9 out of 10 shopping centers in Kyiv now host illicit vape kiosks. These unregulated “islands” bypass age verification, directly exposing teenagers to nicotine products. Industry stakeholders argue that the ban failed its…