Author: moonswamp

Authorities in Singapore have apprehended more than 17,900 individuals for the possession and use of e-vaporisers (vapes) between January 2024 and March 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced in a joint statement. This crackdown also saw the seizure of over S$41 million worth of e-vaporisers and components. During this period, HSA conducted 50 successful operations against large-scale e-vaporiser syndicates. Sixty individuals, aged 17 to 43, were prosecuted for selling these illicit products. Notably, Ivan Sin Poh Meng and Toh Wee Leong, part of a syndicate involving over S$5 million in vapes, received the highest…

Information circulating on some Telegram channels about a complete ban on smoking cigarettes and vapes within private apartments in Russia has been identified as false. According to the "War on Fakes. Voronezh Region" channel, these claims emerged following media publications that were merely reminding citizens of existing legislation, not introducing new prohibitions. Existing Laws Clarified: No New Ban on In-Apartment Smoking Currently, smoking within one's own apartment in Russia remains permissible. The crucial condition is that the act of smoking must not infringe upon the rights of neighbors. This means smoke should not penetrate into other dwellings or common areas…

The Malaysian state of Perlis will ban the sale of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vapes starting August 1st, Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli announced. The decision aligns with a 2022 ruling by the Perlis State Fatwa Committee, which declared vape use haram (forbidden). Youth Protection and Religious Ruling Drive Prohibition Mohd Shukri stated that vape traders in Perlis must prepare to find alternative businesses as their licenses and operations will be halted from the effective date. While acknowledging that completely curbing vape use might not be possible, he expressed optimism that prohibiting sales will help protect young people from taking…

The Malaysian state of Kedah will phase out the sale of electronic cigarettes (vapes) by not renewing existing business licenses, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced. The decision stems from concerns that vape devices are being misused for consuming synthetic drugs. Gradual Ban Planned to Avoid Legal Issues, Full Prohibition by Next Year Muhammad Sanusi stated that discussions at the state-level Drug Eradication Action Council highlighted the exploitation of vapes for inhaling liquid synthetic drugs. "Preventing vape sales is one way to curb drug abuse," he said. However, he noted that an immediate, complete ban is not…

National Prevalence Projected Below 5% by 2035, But Older Adults Lag Cigarette smoking in the United States is declining at a historically rapid pace, largely thanks to young adults abandoning the habit, according to new research from the University of California San Diego. The study projects that if current trends continue, the national smoking rate could fall below 5% by 2035, potentially signaling the end of the smoking epidemic within a generation. Analyzing data from 1.77 million respondents to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (Tobacco Use Supplements), researchers documented a dramatic drop from nearly 57% of U.S. adults…

Measures Restrict Sales Locations, Target Youth Access, Await Governor's Signature The Alabama Legislature passed two significant bills on Tuesday aimed at regulating the sale of vaping products and consumable hemp/THC items. Both bills now head to Governor Kay Ivey for her signature. One bill, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), grants the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board authority over consumable hemp products (like Delta-8). It removes these items from convenience and grocery stores, limiting their sale to adult-only (21+) establishments like liquor stores or dedicated CBD/hemp shops. Rep. Whitt cited easy access, like THC slushies at gas stations, as…

Health Advocates Launch "Denver Kids vs. Big Tobacco" Campaign to Defend Ordinance Against Repeal Effort The battle over flavored tobacco and nicotine products in Denver is heating up, destined for a direct decision by voters this November. A coalition led by Children’s Hospital Colorado and public health advocates has launched a campaign committee, dubbed "Denver Kids vs Big Tobacco," urging residents to vote "yes" to uphold a city ordinance banning the sale of most flavored products, including those used in vapes. This campaign directly counters an initiative successfully placed on the ballot by local vape shop owners and allied groups…

City Law Complements National Sales Ban, Targets Vaping in Collective Spaces & by Minors The city of Limeira, in São Paulo state, has become the first municipality in Brazil to enact a specific law prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) in public spaces and places of collective use. This pioneering local legislation, recently sanctioned and set to take effect within 30 days, marks a significant step in Brazil's efforts to regulate vaping, particularly amid rising concerns about youth uptake and public health risks. Authored by councilman Nilton César dos Santos, the law introduces strict limitations on where vaping is…

Researchers Urge Awareness and Regulation Amid Surging Popularity Fueled by Social Media A concerning new trend is emerging among American youth: the use of oral nicotine pouches has nearly doubled among high school students between 2023 and 2024. This sharp increase, revealed in a significant new study by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC), published in JAMA Network Open, raises alarms among public health officials about a rapidly growing trend among adolescents. Analyzing survey data from over 10,000 10th and 12th graders participating in the nationally representative Monitoring the Future survey, the researchers found that the percentage of teens reporting ever having used…

Proposed Bill Includes Public Vape Ban, Phased Flavor Restrictions Hong Kong is moving forward with stricter tobacco control measures, including a ban on public vaping and restrictions on flavored cigarettes, with officials expressing confidence that the new rules will not negatively impact the city's tourism sector. Dr. David Lam, a legislator and doctor, emphasized that similar public health measures are common in major global cities. "If we want to be known globally, is it better to be called a smoking city or a health-conscious city? I think being a healthy city is much better," Lam stated, dismissing concerns about tourism…