Author: moonswamp
Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported an initiative to grant regions the authority to implement a complete ban on vapes. The proposal was put forward by Gleb Nikitin, the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, who cited the widespread use of e-cigarettes among minors as a major concern. During a meeting in Sarov, Nikitin proposed that regions be given the right to fully prohibit these products and announced that his region is ready to become the pilot territory for this initiative, introducing a ban on the wholesale, retail, and circulation of vapes. Putin responded positively to the idea, stating, "Consider…
Australia's aggressive policies on tobacco and vaping, including some of the world's highest cigarette taxes and most restrictive vape laws, are facing intense scrutiny amid claims they are failing to achieve their public health goals and are instead fueling a violent, multi-billion-dollar black market. Critics argue that these policies, while well-intentioned, are creating unintended negative consequences reminiscent of past prohibitions, and are urging the government to consider a more realistic, harm-reduction-focused approach similar to New Zealand's. Australia's cigarette excise has been increased cumulatively by over 340% in the past 20 years, with another 5% hike scheduled for September 1, 2025.…
Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security has issued a notice to major digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and e-commerce sites like Mercado Livre, ordering them to remove all content and offers related to electronic cigarettes (vapes). The platforms were given a 48-hour deadline to comply with the measure. The order aims to enforce Brazil's long-standing ban on the sale and promotion of vapes. Wadih Damous, head of the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), stated the government's commitment is to "ensure that Brazilian legislation is complied with in the online environment." In addition to removing existing content, the notified companies…
The Singaporean government is set to significantly toughen its stance on vaping, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announcing that it will now be treated as a drug issue, warranting much stiffer penalties including potential jail time for sellers. This move comes amid a dramatic spike in seized illegal vapes and a growing concern over e-vaporizer pods being laced with harmful substances like the anesthetic agent etomidate. "So far we’ve treated vaping like tobacco — at most we impose a fine. But that’s no longer enough," PM Wong stated during his National Day Rally speech. "We will treat this as a…
New, comprehensive regulations governing a wide range of vaping and alternative nicotine products are now in effect in Panama as of Wednesday, August 13th. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) announced the implementation of Resolution 146 of January 31, 2025, which establishes strict rules for the use, sale, and promotion of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs), and oral nicotine products (ONPs). The regulation aims to protect public health, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding children and adolescents from the documented risks of these devices. Under the new rules, vaping is now **prohibited in all places where traditional…
An Alabama state senator is making a renewed push to ban vaping in public places by bringing e-cigarettes under the same law that currently prohibits smoking. Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) has filed Senate Bill 9, which aims to amend the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act of 2003. The bill proposes adding "the use of an electronic nicotine delivery system" to the legal definition of smoking. If passed, this would prohibit vaping in most enclosed public spaces across the state, including retail stores, restaurants, government buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, and other workplaces. Violators could face a $25 fine, the same penalty…
A new bill has been introduced in the Argentine Senate aiming to impose stricter restrictions on vaping products, specifically targeting sales to minors and all forms of advertising and promotion. The proposal seeks to expressly prohibit the sale and free distribution of these products to anyone under 18, with penalties including fines, business closures, and product seizures for non-compliance. It also calls for a total ban on the display, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of all vaping products. The bill's author argues that the measures are necessary to protect adolescents from products that "generate addiction and health damage," citing an increase…
A group of eight U.S. Democratic senators, led by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), has sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Martin Makary questioning the agency's recent decision to grant marketing granted orders (MGOs) for the JUUL System. The MGOs, issued in mid-July, allow Juul Labs Inc. to keep its tobacco and menthol-flavored nicotine vapor products on the market in both 5% and 3% nicotine concentrations. In their letter, the senators argue that JUUL is the brand that "ignited the youth vaping 'epidemic' and is responsible for addicting millions of children to nicotine." They contend that the FDA's decision…
A group of Ukrainian Members of Parliament, including Mykhailo Bondar, Yana Zinkevych, and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, has registered a new draft law, No. 13548, in the Verkhovna Rada (parliament). The bill proposes a complete ban on the production, importation, wholesale and retail trade, and circulation of all electronic cigarettes, refill containers, and their liquids within Ukraine. The primary goal of the legislation is to protect the health of the Ukrainian population, particularly its youth. The authors cite alarming statistics, noting that 40% of adolescents aged 13-15 have tried e-cigarettes, and about 20% are current users. Among 15-16 year olds, half have…
Cancer Council NSW has congratulated the New South Wales (NSW) government on its announcement of new, tougher laws designed to combat the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products. The measures include significantly stronger penalties, on-the-spot shop closure orders, and powers to terminate leases of non-compliant retailers. Anita Dessaix, Director of Cancer Prevention and Advocacy at Cancer Council NSW, welcomed the efforts, stating, "Tobacco still remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in NSW. We support tough regulation on tobacco sales and welcome all efforts to stamp out those retailers doing the wrong thing." The new measures, which…