Author: Emily Carter

The prevalence of smoking among adults in Russia has dropped by more than half over the past 16 years, according to the Ministry of Health. In 2009, approximately 40% of the adult population consumed tobacco, a figure that has fallen to 18.7% in 2024. Youth smoking rates have also seen a significant decline, dropping from 27.3% in 2004 to 12.1% in 2021 for the 13-15 age group. The Ministry attributes this success to robust state anti-tobacco policies. Despite these gains, experts warn against complacency. Elena Reznik from Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University noted that the decline has plateaued over…

The Irish Government has officially approved the publication and enactment of the Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill 2025, a significant legislative move aimed at prohibiting the retail sale of single-use or disposable vapes. Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D., secured the approval, prioritizing the protection of children from nicotine addiction. In addition to the ban on disposables, the Minister received authorization to develop laws prohibiting the sale of other nicotine products, such as pouches, to minors. This future legislation will also ban the advertising of these products in all retail outlets and restrict their display in mixed retail…

The Belgian government is moving to prohibit all e-cigarette flavors with the exception of tobacco, aiming to curb nicotine addiction among young people. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke stated that flavored vapes are deliberately designed to attract children and mask the potential harms of vaping. This decision aligns with an updated stance from the Superior Health Council, which now supports stricter limitations. While previously cautious about a total flavor ban, the Council argues that protecting youth outweighs the potential benefits of flavors for adult smokers seeking to quit. Recent national surveys reveal a sharp rise in vaping among Belgian schoolchildren, with…

Russian lawmakers are advancing a legislative initiative to introduce licensing for the sale of tobacco products, including cigarettes, vapes, and hookah products. The proposal, supported by the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, aims to legalize the market, reduce counterfeit goods, and increase tax revenues. According to committee chairman Maxim Tolilin, the licensing measures are expected to create conditions for market legalization and reduce the circulation of illicit products. He noted that the share of counterfeit cigarettes in sales is estimated at 9.5%, while for vapes, it is significantly higher, potentially exceeding 90% according to market players. The proposed licensing…

The Canton of Geneva is set to begin enforcing its ban on disposable e-cigarettes, known as "puffs," after the cantonal court rejected a request to suspend the law. The ban was initially passed by the Grand Council on August 29th, but enforcement was paused pending a judicial decision on several appeals that sought to suspend its effect. With the court's refusal to grant a suspensive effect, the law is now confirmed to be applicable throughout the entire judicial procedure. Geneva's Department of the Economy and Employment has stated it will now proceed with inspections, and the commerce police will sanction…

An astonishing 94% of all electronic cigarettes sold in Ukraine are part of an illegal "shadow" market, according to Nataliya Fesiun, CEO of the 'Ukrtyun' Association. She emphasized that implementing bans without effective control and enforcement is counterproductive, serving only to fuel the growth of this illicit trade. "The only thing the state should do is to seriously tackle the problem," Fesiun stated, urging the government to take decisive action. The situation is reportedly exacerbated by rising excise taxes on traditional tobacco products, which increases consumer demand for alternatives like e-cigarettes. However, this also incentivizes illegal manufacturers to evade taxes…

The Dutch government is significantly increasing financial penalties for the illegal sale of e-cigarettes in a move to deter illicit trade and protect children's health. Caretaker State Secretary for Health, Judith Tielen, announced that the fine for a first violation will be raised by €700 to €2,040. The new rules are scheduled to come into force on July 1st of next year. This measure strengthens existing regulations in the Netherlands, where flavored e-cigarettes are already banned, the legal purchase age is 18, and sales of all tobacco and vape products have been prohibited in supermarkets and hospitality venues since the…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the idea of introducing a complete ban on the sale of vapes across the Russian Federation. While endorsing the prohibition, Putin emphasized that any such decision must be accompanied by educational outreach to young people. The proposal for a full ban was presented by Ekaterina Leshchinskaya, head of the "Healthy Fatherland" national public movement, who cited the positive experience of similar restrictions in neighboring countries. Putin confirmed that the government supports the initiative, noting that Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko was also in favor. "It is important not only to make such a decision,…

A new petition, titled "Ne tuez pas la vape !" ("Don't kill vaping!"), has been launched in France to oppose a government finance bill that proposes to tax vaping products similarly to traditional tobacco. The bill suggests a tax of €30 to €50 per liter on vaping liquids, depending on nicotine content, in addition to the existing 20% VAT. It also includes a ban on online vape sales. The vaping industry federation FIVAPE, which launched the petition addressed to President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, argues that these measures wrongly equate vaping with smoking. They contend that vaping…

The Chamber of Deputies in Santa Fe, Argentina, has given initial approval ("media sanción") to a bill that aims to expand the province's existing anti-tobacco law to include electronic cigarettes, vaping, and heated tobacco products. The initiative seeks to strengthen prevention policies in response to the growing use of these devices, especially among adolescents. The bill's author, Deputy Sonia Martorano, explained the urgency: "We were worried that vapes are very much in vogue among adolescents and minors. They are colorful devices, with fruity aromas and designs that make them attractive." She stressed that "both e-cigarettes and vapes are toxic, not…