Author: Jake Miller

Starting December 31, 2025, Virginia smoke and vape shops will be required to overhaul their inventory as a new state law takes effect. Under the legislation, only liquid and vapor nicotine products listed on a new state "directory" approved by the Attorney General will be legal for sale. Retailers must remove any unapproved items from their shelves within a 60-day window or face severe penalties. Violators of the new rule could be subject to fines of $1,000 per day for each unapproved product they continue to sell. To get on the directory, suppliers were required to apply for certification with…

British tourists and holidaymakers planning a trip to Spain should prepare for significant changes as the Spanish government moves to implement strict new regulations on smoking and vaping. Authorities have approved legislation proposing a comprehensive ban on the use of tobacco and nicotine products in a wide array of outdoor public spaces, including beaches, bar and restaurant terraces, and bus stops. While Spain already enforces a nationwide ban on indoor smoking and vaping, this new bill significantly expands restrictions to the outdoors. The proposed rules will cover not just traditional cigarettes but also e-cigarettes (vapes), nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha…

Strict enforcement of Mississippi's new vaping regulations has officially begun, leading to empty shelves and significant financial losses for local retailers. Following the passage of House Bill 916 in March, businesses were given until December 1st to remove all vaping products not listed in a newly created state directory. This directory only includes products that have received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or have a pending application. The impact is being felt acutely by small business owners. Esam Al Mugari, owner of Exotic Smokerz in Columbus, reported discarding at least $40,000 worth of inventory to…

Starting Thursday, December 11, vapers in Dallas face significant penalties as the city's ban on e-cigarettes in non-smoking areas officially goes into effect following a year-long grace period. The new ordinance expands the legal definition of "smoking" to include electronic cigarettes, meaning vaping is now prohibited in all locations where traditional smoking is banned. This comprehensive restriction covers all indoor and enclosed spaces, city parks, and areas within 15 feet of building entrances. Violators caught vaping in these designated smoke-free zones can be hit with a hefty fine of up to $500. The measure was unanimously approved by the city…

The Mexican Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill aimed at guaranteeing the right to health by prohibiting the commercialization of electronic cigarettes and vapes. The measure passed with 292 votes in favor, 163 against, and zero abstentions. During the session, a single reservation presented by Morena coordinator Ricardo Monreal was accepted to modify specific articles of the General Health Law. The amendments redefine electronic inhalation devices to clarify they operate with liquid substances, eliminating ambiguous terms like "other than tobacco" to prevent commercial loopholes. Crucially, the bill establishes a strict prohibition on the marketing of all e-cigarettes and vapes,…

The Morena parliamentary group in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies has clarified that proposed reforms to the General Health Law, aimed at a total ban on the manufacture, distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes and vapes, will not involve jail time for consumers. This statement comes ahead of a plenary discussion on the reforms, debunking recent rumors that young people or users caught vaping could face detention. Ricardo Monreal, Morena's coordinator, emphasized that the initiative strictly reserves severe sanctions for those who manufacture, market, or sell these electronic devices. He stated it is "false" that vape consumption implies prison. Instead, the…

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic has proposed a temporary, six-month ban on the importation of electronic cigarettes, nicotine delivery systems, and nicotine-containing liquids. Officials expressed deep concern that these products, actively spreading among youth, are fostering early addiction and posing a significant threat to public health. Official data indicates that in 2024 alone, over 80 tons of such products were imported into Kyrgyzstan, primarily from China, South Korea, the UK, and Germany. The government emphasized its commitment to international conventions on preventing tobacco and nicotine exposure, stating the ban aims to strengthen public health prevention systems. This…

The South Korean government is set to collect significantly more tax revenue after the National Assembly approved a revision to the Tobacco Business Act, legally classifying e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine as tobacco products. Previously, the law only covered products derived from tobacco leaves, creating a loophole for lab-produced synthetic nicotine commonly used in vapes. Under the new revision, the definition of tobacco now includes all parts of the tobacco plant and both natural and synthetic nicotine. This change allows the government to levy tobacco taxes on e-cigarettes, which officials estimate could generate approximately 1 trillion won ($680.9 million) annually. This…

Fines for vaping in the workplace in Russia could increase to 15,000 rubles by 2027, according to financial expert Dmitry Trepolsky. This forecast follows a proposal by Ekaterina Leshchinskaya, chair of the "Healthy Fatherland" movement, to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, urging a tenfold increase in penalties for violating anti-tobacco laws at work. Trepolsky views this initiative as a logical extension of policies equating electronic nicotine delivery systems with traditional cigarettes, aiming to close regulatory "gray zones" in offices. While the adoption of such amendments is considered highly likely in 2026, practical implementation is not expected until 2027. A key challenge…

Belgium's Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke is pushing for a comprehensive ban on all e-cigarette flavors except tobacco, aiming to present the proposal to the government swiftly. "We must protect our children and prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to smoking," Vandenbroucke declared, criticizing the industry for using attractive flavors like bubble gum and popcorn to entice youth. The minister's stance is supported by a recent Superior Health Council report and aligns with long-standing legislative efforts by MP Els Van Hoof. Recent data from Sciensano reveals a alarming trend: daily e-cigarette use among 15-24 year-olds has increased tenfold from…