Author: Nick Schager

A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order against the State of Utah, delaying the implementation of restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes that were set to take effect on January 1, 2025. The order, issued by Judge David Barlow on Monday, December 30, 2024, comes in response to a complaint filed by the Utah Vapor Business Association against the state and other entities. The restrictions, outlined in Senate Bill 61 "Electronic Cigarette Amendments," were introduced in the 2024 legislative session and signed by Governor Spencer Cox in March. The bill aimed to outlaw the sale of flavored vape products, including…

The Maldivian government has enforced a nationwide ban on the use and sale of vaping devices, effective December 15, 2022. The move follows amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, signed into law by President Mohamed Muizzu on November 13, which aim to reduce nicotine addiction among the youth and discourage the use of e-cigarettes. Under the new regulations, the sale, free distribution, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices have become illegal. Anyone or any organization importing vaping devices into the Maldives after the ban takes effect will face a fine of 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (approximately $3,250). Experts Laud the…

Belgium has become the first European Union (EU) country to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, effective January 1, 2024. This ban is part of Belgium's national anti-tobacco plan, which aims to protect young people's health and reduce the environmental impact of these devices. EU's Goal of a Tobacco-Free Generation The European Union has set a goal to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040, reducing the 27-country bloc's smoking population from around 25% currently to less than 5%. Some EU countries plan to bring that deadline forward, with France also obtaining EU acceptance for a similar ban on disposable e-cigarettes.…

Several Iowa vape companies have filed a lawsuit to halt the implementation of new state laws and regulations that they claim will restrict their product offerings and benefit tobacco companies. Susie Sharif, the owner of Central Iowa Vapors, which operates 15 locations across the state, founded the company over a decade ago after successfully quitting smoking cigarettes through vaping. New Law Limits Vape Product Sales The recently passed legislation, signed into law during the last legislative session, will create a state registry of approved vape products vetted by the FDA. To date, the FDA has authorized only 34 tobacco and…

Colombian lawmaker Cathy Juvinao, a member of the Green Alliance Party, sparked outrage after being filmed using a vape pen during a parliamentary discussion on December 17. The session focused on improving Colombia's healthcare system, making Juvinao's actions particularly controversial. Viral Video Leads to Widespread Criticism In the viral video, Juvinao can be seen vaping before noticing the camera focused on her, at which point she quickly conceals the device. The footage has led to widespread criticism and outrage across Colombia, with many questioning the lawmaker's commitment to public health. Juvinao Apologizes on Social Media Following the incident, Juvinao took…

The Denver City Council voted 11-1 on Monday night to ban the sale of flavored vapes, nicotine pouches, menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and smokeless tobacco within the city limits. The law, which will take effect 90 days after Mayor Mike Johnston signs it, allows for the continued sale of flavored hookah products and all unflavored combustible cigarettes. Mayor Johnston has expressed his full support for the ban, which is expected to impact approximately 550 Denver retail stores, according to Denverite. Opposition from Retailers and Denver Post Editorial Board Retailers led the opposition to the ban, arguing that it would hurt…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to eight online retailers and one manufacturer for selling and/or distributing unauthorized flavored, disposable e-cigarettes. The warning letters cite several popular disposable vape brands, including Geek Bar and Lost Mary, as well as products featuring the names and/or images of celebrities. The firms receiving these warning letters sold and/or distributed e-cigarettes in the United States without obtaining the required marketing authorization from the FDA, violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA has cautioned the firms to address any similar violations and take prompt action to comply…

New research conducted by Opinum on behalf of Material Focus, an environmental lobby group, has revealed that an alarming 8.2 million vape products are discarded every week in the UK. This figure, which includes single-use, pod, and "big puff" devices, equates to 13 vapes being thrown away or incorrectly recycled every second, marking a significant increase from the five million per week reported last year. With the UK government set to ban single-use vapes in the coming year, Material Focus has called for immediate action to address the growing sustainability issue surrounding these products. The organization has outlined several key…

Netherlands Leads Initiative to Address Challenges Faced by Member States Sixteen EU countries, led by the Netherlands, have asked the European Commission to propose a new law in the coming months on taxing tobacco in the bloc, including new products such as electronic cigarettes (vapes), which are not covered under the existing legislation. The initiative has the support of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Slovenia, and Portugal. In a joint letter seen by Reuters, finance ministers from these countries argue that an update to the bloc's 2011 EU tobacco taxation…

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Monday in a case that pits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against the vaping industry. The case centers on the agency's efforts to regulate e-cigarettes and curb the use of nicotine products among minors. Vaping, which involves inhaling an aerosol mist from an electronic cigarette or similar device, has become increasingly popular among middle- and high-school students. In 2023, over 2.1 million youth, including 10% of high schoolers, reported e-cigarette use, with 26.3% of those students using an e-cigarette product daily. FDA Charged with Preventing Nicotine Addiction in Minors…