Author: Emily Carter

Tobacco taxation refers to the specific levies imposed by governments on tobacco and nicotine products to generate revenue and discourage consumption. In Colombia, the national government has launched a new tax package for 2026, established under Legislative Decree 1474, which will have a direct impact on the cost of smoking and vaping. Significant Increases for Tobacco and Vaping Products As part of the government's strategy to close the General Budget deficit, taxes on tobacco products are set to rise sharply. The new decree specifies that each pack of cigarettes will now carry a specific tariff of 11,200 pesos, in addition to…

Vape enforcement refers to the regulatory actions taken to ensure compliance with laws governing the sale of nicotine products, a critical issue in Kentucky as new legislation aims to tighten control over the market. A new bill mandates that by January 1, 2026, all retailers must acquire an annual license through the Alcohol Beverage Control Board. New Licensing Requirements and Penalties The legislation is designed to strengthen oversight, ensuring retailers do not sell to minors or stock illegal products. It introduces: Retailer Skepticism: Enforcement vs. Legislation Despite the law's potential, vape retailers like Tyler Duke, owner of Up in Smoke,…

Starting December 31, 2025, individuals in Vietnam caught using electronic cigarettes will face fines ranging from VND 3 million to VND 5 million (approximately $118 to $197 USD). This new penalty is stipulated in the Government's Decree No. 371/2025/ND-CP, marking a significant step in the country's crackdown on vaping. This measure precedes a broader prohibition adopted by the National Assembly in November 2024, which revised the Investment Law to ban all investment and business activities related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products effective from 2026. These legislative moves are aimed at safeguarding public health, with a particular focus on protecting…

A significant shift in nicotine consumption habits is underway in the United Kingdom, with a new study revealing a sharp rise in the use of nicotine pouches, particularly among young men. The research, published in The Lancet Public Health and funded by Cancer Research UK, indicates that the prevalence of nicotine pouch use in the general population has jumped from a negligible 0.1% in 2020 to an estimated 1% in 2025. This translates to over half a million users nationwide, a rapid expansion driven largely by Generation Z. The study, which analyzed data from 127,793 people aged 16 and over via the…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law. This significant move eases longstanding restrictions but explicitly stops short of full legalization. Trump emphasized that the order "doesn't legalize marijuana in any way, shape or form and in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug," framing the decision as a recognition of the drug's potential medical benefits while maintaining safeguards against recreational abuse. The reclassification shifts cannabis from the most restrictive category, Schedule I—reserved for substances with no accepted medical use and a high…

The Welsh Senedd has voted to support the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a crucial step towards creating Wales' first smoke-free generation. This UK-wide legislation will make it illegal for anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, to ever purchase tobacco products. The Bill, having passed the House of Commons, is currently under review by the House of Lords. Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy hailed the vote as a "historic day for public health in Wales," emphasizing the Bill's role in protecting young people from lifelong nicotine addiction. Wales has been a pioneer in smoke-free measures, already…

Mexico's Chamber of Deputies has approved constitutional reforms implementing a total ban on the use, sale, and distribution of vapes and electronic cigarettes nationwide. The measure, backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum's initiative, passed with 324 votes in favor and 129 against. The new legislation imposes severe penalties, including prison sentences of one to eight years for selling these devices. The reform amends the General Health Law to prohibit the acquisition, production, manufacturing, commercial transport, storage, import, export, distribution, sale, and supply of e-cigarettes and similar devices across Mexico. It also bans all advertising and promotion. Financial penalties for violations range…

Electronic cigarettes featuring candy-like flavors such as cotton candy, marshmallow, and donut are set to disappear from Czech shelves following a new amendment that took effect on December 1st. The regulation, aimed at tightening sales and labeling rules, grants retailers a seven-month grace period to clear existing stock before a complete ban on these sweet flavors and cannabinoid-containing e-cigarettes is enforced. This move addresses alarming trends in youth vaping. A National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) survey reveals that e-cigarette usage in the general population nearly tripled over the last five years to almost 14%. Crucially, over a quarter of…

The European Union is set to discuss a stringent new proposal for revising the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) on December 4th. Championed by the Danish EU Council Presidency, this plan outlines drastic tax increases across all smoking and nicotine products, potentially raising cigarette prices by nearly €2 per pack. The proposal is even more severe than the European Commission's initial draft from July 2025, which already faced significant backlash. Under the Danish plan, heated tobacco products could see tax hikes of 132% compared to the initial proposal, while nicotine sachets face a staggering 1000% increase. Innovative smokeless products would be…

A Costa Rican lawmaker from the ruling Partido Progreso Social Democrático has introduced a bill seeking a total ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems (vapes) and heated tobacco products. Ada Acuña filed the proposal (file number 25.309) on November 18, aiming to prohibit the import, sale, distribution, manufacturing, and advertising of these devices and their components across the country. Acuña argues that the current 2021 law has failed to curb the spread of vaping, particularly among youth. She highlights alarming incidents, including 25 reported intoxications this year involving minors aged 10 to 17, and a severe 2023 case where a…