Author: moonswamp

A nationwide crackdown targeting illicit tobacco and vape sales has resulted in the seizure of millions of illegal products and significant financial proceeds across the UK. Operation Machinize 2, a month-long initiative led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in collaboration with police forces, HMRC, and Trading Standards, focused on dismantling criminal networks exploiting high street businesses for money laundering and the sale of counterfeit goods. The operation saw authorities raid 2,734 premises, leading to 924 arrests and the confiscation of approximately £10.7 million in suspected criminal proceeds. Among the seized items were over 4.5 million illegal cigarettes, 600kg of illicit tobacco,…

Dallas is implementing a strict ban on vaping in most public and enclosed spaces, effective December 10th. The new regulations, which update the city's 2003 smoking ban, will prohibit the use of e-cigarettes, vapes, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in a wide range of locations. This includes bars, restaurants, workplaces, public transport, shopping centers, parks, schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The city council's decision to include vaping in the ban stems from growing concerns about the health risks associated with secondhand exposure to vape aerosols and the significant environmental pollution caused by disposable vapes. Officials highlighted the addictive…

Fouzi Lekjaa, Morocco's Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, has rejected proposals from the parliamentary opposition to increase internal consumption taxes on e-cigarettes and their refill liquids as part of the 2026 Finance Bill. Lekjaa argued that raising these taxes does not guarantee a reduction in consumption. During a meeting of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, Lekjaa stated that while the government supports combating these products, taxation is not the sole solution, a principle he also applied to traditional cigarettes. He warned that imposing new taxes on regular cigarette imports could even lead to increased smuggling,…

The Russian government is planning to ban e-cigarette liquids that contain flavorings, food additives, and dietary supplements, according to a draft regulation developed by the Ministry of Health. The primary goal of this initiative is to reduce the consumption and spread of nicotine-containing products among the population, with a specific emphasis on "reducing the popularity of vapes among youth." The draft order, as reported by Russian newspaper *Kommersant*, prohibits the "release into circulation" of substances "aimed at increasing the attractiveness of nicotine-containing liquid, nicotine-free liquid, and nicotine solutions." If the new rules are adopted, only liquids containing nicotine, distilled glycerin…

For the first time on record, the number of adults in Great Britain who vape has overtaken those who smoke traditional cigarettes, marking a significant shift in the nation's nicotine habits. New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on November 4th show that 10% of adults (approximately 5.4 million people) reported daily or occasional e-cigarette use in 2024. In comparison, the rate of current cigarette smoking fell to 9.1% (around 4.9 million people), its lowest level since records began in 2011. This decline is particularly steep among young adults aged 18-24, where smoking rates have plummeted from…

Travelers heading to the Maldives should be aware of a strict new anti-tobacco law that creates a "smoke-free generation," a measure that applies universally to both citizens and tourists. The Maldivian government announced the generational smoking ban in November 2025, which prohibits the sale, use, and possession of all tobacco products for anyone born on or after **January 1, 2007**. This is in addition to the country's existing outright ban on the importation and use of all vaping products. This means that any tourist born after this date, regardless of the legal smoking age in their home country, cannot legally…

A new excise tax on all vaping products in Ireland will take effect tomorrow, November 1st, increasing the cost for consumers. The levy, originally announced in Budget 2025 but subject to a series of delays, imposes a new fee of 50 cents per milliliter of e-liquid, exclusive of VAT. The tax is comprehensive, applying to e-liquids for both reusable and disposable vapes. Crucially, it also covers both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free products, ensuring all vape liquids are subject to the new duty. When signing the order last month, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, stated the measure is intended to address public…

In a landmark decision with significant implications for vapers who drive, the Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Cologne, Germany, has ruled that using an e-cigarette with a display can be considered an illegal use of an electronic device while driving. The ruling, dated September 25, 2025, clarifies a previously unresolved legal question and confirms that even seemingly harmless actions, like adjusting a vape's settings, can result in a fine if performed behind the wheel. The case involved a driver on the A59 motorway who was observed holding an e-cigarette with a display at chest height and making tapping motions on…

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…