Author: moonswamp
Vape shops across Wisconsin are facing potential closures following the implementation of a new state law that bans the sale of all vaping products not pre-approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The law, which took full effect on September 1st, has left retailers with what one manager described as a "gaping hole" in their inventory. Under the new rules (State Statute 995.15), shops are prohibited from selling any vape products that lack FDA authorization. This effectively limits legal sales to a handful of products, such as certain Juul and Vuse items, which are described by retailers as…
A federal judge has denied a request for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of Wisconsin's new vape law, allowing the state to proceed with its ban on vaping products that have not been pre-approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The law, which took effect on September 1st, restricts retailers to selling only the 39 vape products currently authorized by the FDA. The lawsuit was filed by "Wisconsinites for Alternatives to Smoking and Tobacco" (WiscoFAST) against the state Department of Revenue. The trade organization argued that only the federal government has the authority to enforce FDA policy…
A new law, Act 590, has taken effect in Arkansas, significantly restricting the sale of vaping products across the state. The legislation prohibits the sale of any vapor or e-liquid product unless the manufacturer has certified it with the state and it appears on a new official registry. This registry will primarily include products that have been authorized by or are currently under formal review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The law, which began to take effect on September 1, 2025, aims to protect Arkansans from a flood of unregulated products. "There are products from across the…
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…