Author: moonswamp

Illinois has tripled its state excise tax on a range of nicotine analog products, including vapes, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches like ZYN. The tax hike, which took effect on July 1st, raises the levy from 15% to **45% of the wholesale price**. This significant increase is a key component of the state's record $55.2 billion spending plan for the 2026 fiscal year, which boosts state spending by $2 billion. State leaders expect the tripled tax to generate an additional $30 million in short-term revenue. However, critics argue that this is an unstable, short-term fix to a long-term spending problem, and…

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has officially authorized Juul Labs to continue selling its e-cigarette device and refill cartridges in tobacco and menthol flavors. This decision concludes a multiyear review that began after the FDA ordered Juul to stop selling its products in 2022, a move that nearly led the company to bankruptcy. Juul stated the FDA has now determined its products are "appropriate for the protection of public health," the legal standard for marketing tobacco products in the U.S. An FDA spokesperson clarified that this authorization does not mean the products are "FDA-approved" as safe, but that…

A new Wisconsin law that took effect on July 1st, banning the sale of most popular vaping products that lack U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization, is facing criticism from local businesses and even some public health advocates. Supporters claim the law is designed to protect children from vaping, but opponents argue it is a flawed approach that will harm small businesses and fail to achieve its public health goals. Timothy Frey, a spokesperson for Ignite Dispensary in Superior, said the banned vape products account for about 25% of their sales. He expressed frustration that the law doesn't address…

A new law significantly altering the sale of disposable tobacco vapor products in North Carolina takes full effect on July 1, 2025. House Bill 900, which technically became law on May 1st, provided a 60-day grace period for vendors to adjust. Starting July 1st, retailers must only sell disposable vape products that are listed on the North Carolina Department of Revenue's newly created directory of approved items. This directory effectively bans the sale of certain highly popular disposable vape brands, including Elf Bar, Geek Bar, and Lost Mary, as they are not included on the approved list. However, the law…

The Bulgarian Parliament has voted to ban the marketing and sale of single-use disposable electronic cigarettes (vapes), regardless of whether they contain nicotine. The measure was adopted at its second reading with 133 votes in favor, 30 against, and 8 abstentions. In the same session, lawmakers also prohibited the sale of so-called "energy drinks" to minors. Furthermore, the updated law bans the offering and sale of all tobacco products, smokeless tobacco, new tobacco products, and heated tobacco products in and around nurseries, kindergartens, schools, student dormitories, and health institutions, as well as at sports and public events organized for children…

Polish President Andrzej Duda has signed into law an amendment prohibiting the sale of all electronic cigarettes (vapes) and nicotine pouches to individuals under the age of 18. The law, previously approved by the Sejm (lower house of parliament) with 417 votes in favor, will take effect two weeks after its official publication. The amendment to the Act on Health Protection against the Consequences of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products mandates that the sale of e-cigarettes (including nicotine-free versions) and nicotine pouches to those under 18 is forbidden. It also bans the sale of these products via the internet and…

Illinois residents will see an increase in the cost of vaping and traditional tobacco products starting July 1st, as new state tax hikes take effect. These increases are part of a broader set of tax adjustments aimed at balancing the state's budget for fiscal year 2026 and generating approximately $1 billion in new revenue. The state tax on all tobacco products, which explicitly includes vaping devices and e-cigarettes, is increasing from 36% to 45% of the wholesale price. This significant rise is projected to contribute an additional $50 million in revenue. The move is intended to not only bolster state…

France is set to enforce a significant expansion of its smoking ban in public outdoor spaces, effective July 1, 2025. The Ministry of Labour, Health, Solidarities, and Families announced these new nationwide restrictions on May 30th as part of a broader strategy to intensify the fight against tobacco use, particularly focusing on protecting children and preventing youth smoking initiation. From July 1st, smoking will be prohibited in the following public outdoor areas across the entire country: While many municipalities previously had local ordinances for such bans, these measures will now apply uniformly nationwide. Importantly, the announced prohibitions specifically target traditional…

Belarus has put forth a draft law aimed at significantly tightening the circulation of electronic smoking systems (vapes), including licensing requirements and new restrictions for users. The bill, "On Tobacco Raw Materials, Tobacco, Non-Tobacco Nicotine-Containing Products, Electronic Smoking Systems and Liquids for Them," is currently open for public discussion on Belarus's Legal Forum. The proposed measures follow earlier discussions this year about making vape sales more difficult. Authorities state that around 77% of disposable vapes (over 26,000 units) are imported illegally, according to data from official importer "Energo-Oil," leading to an estimated annual state budget loss of 130 million rubles…

A sweeping new law House BILL 8 (HB8) has taken effect in Alabama as of June 1st, significantly altering how retailers can sell vape and nicotine products. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) and signed by Governor Kay Ivey, introduces stricter permit requirements and notably bans the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes in convenience stores, a move aimed at curbing youth vaping but one that retailers warn will impact a key profit center. Under the new regulations, convenience stores across Alabama will now only be permitted to sell 34 specific tobacco- and mint-flavored e-cigarette products that have received…