Author: Jake Miller

Russia’s Ministry of Finance has prepared draft amendments to the national Tax Code, proposing higher excise rates on tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and alcohol starting in 2027. Proposed 2027 Nicotine Excise Rates The draft legislation outlines specific rate adjustments across several product categories for 2027: Product CategoryProposed 2027 Excise RateCigarettes & Papirosy3,491 RUB / 1,000 pcs + 18% (min. 4,741 RUB)E-Liquids (ENDS)52 RUB / mlHeated Tobacco11,624 RUB / kgPipe & Smoking Tobacco5,520 RUB / kg (up from 5,182 RUB)Cigars & Cigarillos374 RUB / piece (cigars) | 5,316 RUB / 1,000 pcs (cigarillos) Alcohol taxes will also rise…

Alabama will prohibit vaping in enclosed public spaces beginning October 1, following Governor Kay Ivey's approval of legislation adding electronic nicotine delivery systems to the state's existing public smoking ban. The measure updates the 2003 Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act. Under the updated law, using an e-cigarette is barred in most indoor public venues, including retail stores, restaurants, government buildings, shopping malls, elevators, airports, and healthcare facilities. Individuals who violate the ban face a $25 fine. Sponsored by Senator Gerald Allen, SB9 passed following years of legislative work. The bill formally renames the statute as the Vivian Davis Figures and…

Eleven Senate Republicans, led by Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), have formally requested that President Donald Trump press Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop the flow of unauthorized Chinese-manufactured e-cigarettes into the United States during their Wednesday meeting in Washington. In the letter sent ahead of the bilateral summit, Budd stated that Beijing already maintains the legal authority to end the trade, given its tight domestic vaping regulations and existing prohibitions on exporting items to markets where they are not authorized. “China has the power to shut this trade down,” Budd wrote. He urged Trump to press Xi to direct China’s…

Draft legislation introduces hidden retail displays, public space bans, and a target to end tobacco sales by 2040.

Thai authorities treat electronic cigarettes as prohibited goods rather than personal leisure devices. International visitors arriving at international airports face immediate confiscation, formal police questioning, steep financial fines, and potential criminal detention before clearing customs inspections. The regulatory framework governing e-cigarettes covers importation, local possession, personal consumption, commercial sale, and unlicensed distribution. Foreign travelers receive no special exemptions for personal use, making pre-travel compliance essential for anyone visiting the country. Understanding Thailand's E-Cigarette Ban at Border Checkpoints Thailand maintains an absolute prohibition on electronic cigarettes, e-liquids, vaporizers, and traditional baraku (shisha) equipment. Official policy dictates that these restrictions apply at…

A review of 80 studies by the Cochrane network has confirmed that e-cigarettes assist a measurable group of smokers in kicking their habit, recording an 8% to 10% abstinence rate after six months. Evaluating nearly 30,000 participants primarily across the United States and the United Kingdom, the findings present vaping as a viable harm-reduction step for individuals who have repeatedly failed to stop smoking through conventional means. Lübeck-based addiction specialist Gallus Bischof considers e-cigarettes a practical tool for entrenched smokers. Bischof highlights that evidence-based medical consensus guidelines endorse switching from combustible tobacco to e-cigarettes when smokers cannot stop otherwise: "The…

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued marketing decisions for alternative nicotine products, authorizing devices from JUUL Labs and ZYN ULTRA nicotine pouches. These decisions reshape the competitive landscape for smoke-free alternatives in the United States. Following the regulatory announcements, Philip Morris International (PMI) shares rose by 1.15 percent to 165.32 euros on the Lang & Schwarz Exchange on August 28, 2026. Because these decisions affect different companies and product categories, market analysts caution against drawing direct conclusions regarding short-term stock performance. FDA Grants Marketing Authorization for JUUL Devices and Pods The FDA authorized the marketing of specific…

Youth advocates demand a total ban as syndicates target teens with drug-laced vape liquids.

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has announced a draft tax reform package for 2027 that targets nicotine consumption through tax increases. Under the proposed policy, excise taxes on vaping products will rise by 50%, while traditional cigarettes will see a 20% increase. The government expects these measures to reduce smoking and vaping rates while boosting state revenue. This fiscal shift also aims to align Moldova's national tax policies closer to European Union standards. Product CategoryProposed Excise Tax Increase (2027)Electronic Cigarettes / Vapes+50%Traditional Cigarettes+20% Beyond tobacco, the 2027 reform package proposes a 6% turnover tax on gambling companies and a 25%…

The UK government has announced a vape tax scheduled to take effect in October 2026. The policy aims to reduce the affordability and appeal of vaping products, particularly to young people and non-smokers. However, independent vape shop owners and consumers warn the measure will trigger unintended consequences, including a surge in illicit, toxic counterfeit products. Under the new plans, a duty of £2.20 will be added to every 10ml bottle of e-liquid. While a 10ml bottle currently costs between £3 and £4, larger 100ml bottles sold in retail shops will face a £22 tax increase. Business owners state this sudden…