Author: Nick Schager

E-cigarettes are more effective for smoking cessation than standard nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like gum and lozenges, according to a randomized controlled trial from the University of Sydney. The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, highlight the potential of vaping as a key substitution tool, particularly for disadvantaged populations who are disproportionately affected by tobacco-related harms. The trial involved 1,045 daily smokers from disadvantaged backgrounds who were willing to attempt quitting. Participants were randomly assigned to either a vaping group, which received an eight-week supply of nicotine e-liquid, or an NRT group, which received nicotine gum or lozenges for…

New Zealand has enacted significant new vaping regulations this month, including a nationwide ban on the manufacturing, sale, supply, and distribution of disposable vapes. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced that these changes, part of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill passed last December, are now in effect. The new rules also introduce strict retail visibility restrictions for all vaping products. Specialist vape stores must alter their appearance, while general retailers like dairies, supermarkets, and petrol stations are now required to keep all vaping products completely out of public sight. Online stores are prohibited from displaying images of…

The Spanish government is moving forward with a new anti-tobacco reform that will significantly expand its list of smoke-free public places, with the new rules applying equally to both traditional cigarettes and vapes. Health Minister Mónica García confirmed that the ban will extend to numerous outdoor areas to protect public health. The expanded list of prohibited locations will include bar and restaurant terraces, university campuses, school courtyards, public swimming pools, sports facilities, bus stops, outdoor parties, and company cars. García stated that by equating e-cigarettes with regular cigarettes, authorities are closing a legal loophole that tobacco companies have used to…

A legislative package proposing a complete ban on the sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes in Russia, along with hefty administrative fines for violations, is being submitted to the State Duma today. The initiative aims to amend Article 14.53 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Proposed fines for the illegal sale of nicotine consumption devices range from 20,000-50,000 rubles for individuals to as much as 1 million rubles for legal entities. Penalties for selling these products to minors would be even more severe, potentially reaching up to 2 million rubles for companies. This move comes as an estimated 4 million…

A bipartisan bill aimed at regulating the vape industry and protecting children in Tennessee has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers and vape retailers. The proposed legislation, which includes a universal carding requirement, a 10% tax on "open system" vape products, and a ban on products without FDA approval, has been met with opposition from some retailers who claim it would force them out of business. Lawmakers Cite Youth Vaping Concerns Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston), the bill's Senate sponsor, expressed concern about the youth vaping rate and the safety of products being sold. "A lot of these products being sold…

Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would make the state one of a handful in the nation to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. Senate Bill 702 and its companion, House Bill 3437, have drawn both passionate support and personal objections during a recent public hearing. Proponents Argue Flavors Hook Kids as Young as Elementary School Supporters of the bill argue that flavored tobacco products, which often smell like candy, are addicting children as young as elementary school age and setting them on a path toward early death. They say that despite Oregon's age restrictions on tobacco sales,…

The Utah Legislature finds itself split on the issue of banning the sale of flavored vapes, a law they passed in 2024 with comfortable margins in both the Senate and the House. Despite the ban, a legal challenge has allowed vape shops across the state to continue selling cotton candy and fruity pens without restriction. After heated debates on whether to eliminate the ban altogether, it appears that nothing may change this legislative session. Competing Bills and Amendments Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, introduced HB432 in early February, which included a provision to repeal the prohibition on sweet vape…

Arkansas lawmakers are intensifying their efforts to reduce tobacco use by proposing additional restrictions on consumers and manufacturers. On Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Aaron Pilkington's House Bill 1192 took center stage, marking a strong start to these proposed initiatives. Two Main Points of the Bill According to Rep. Pilkington, the bill focuses on two main points: While it is already illegal in Arkansas to have tobacco products on school property, the bill seeks to impose stronger penalties by adding the word "possession" and holding parents accountable for their children's actions. Proposed Fines for Repeat Offenders Under the proposed legislation, parents who…

The Iowa Senate is set to consider a bill that would impose a new state tax on vapor cartridges for electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The proposed legislation, authored by Senator Mike Klemish (R-Spillville), recently underwent a Senate subcommittee hearing, during which various stakeholders presented their arguments for and against the bill. Michael Triplett, a lobbyist representing Iowans for Alternatives to Smoking and Tobacco, a group of vapor product retailers, contended that it is the smoke, not the nicotine, that makes cigarettes deadly. This argument suggests that e-cigarettes and vaping products should not be subject to the same level of…

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against 13 e-cigarette manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, including convenience stores, for their role in creating a "youth vaping epidemic." The legal action seeks hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, including financial penalties for wide-ranging violations of local, state, and federal laws. The companies named in the lawsuit include Puff Bar, MYLE Vape, Pod Juice, Mi-One Brands, Happy Distro, Demand Vape, EVO Brands, PVG2, Magellan Technology, Midwest Goods, Safa Goods, and Price Point Distributors, as well as Price Point principals Weis Khwaja, Hamza Jalili, and Mohammad Jalili. These companies are…