Author: Emily Carter

For the first time on record, the number of people who vape in Great Britain has surpassed the number of those who smoke traditional cigarettes, according to new 2024 data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figures show that one in ten (10%) adults aged 16 and over now use e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally, equating to approximately 5.4 million people. This is compared to 9.1% who smoke cigarettes, representing about 4.9 million people. This milestone highlights a dramatic shift in nicotine consumption habits over the past decade. In 2014, nearly 19% of British adults were cigarette users,…

The Maldives has become the first country in the world to implement a "generational" tobacco ban, making it illegal for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, to purchase, use, or sell tobacco products. The new law, initiated by President Mohamed Muizzu, took effect on November 1, 2025, aiming to protect public health and create a "tobacco-free generation." The prohibition applies to all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco. Retailers are now required to verify the age of all purchasers and face a fine of 50,000 rufiyaa (approximately US$3,200) for violations. Crucially, the ban extends not only…

A new excise tax on vaping products in Ireland is set to take effect from midnight on Saturday, November 1st. The levy, first announced in the October budget, will apply a tax of 50 cents per milliliter on all e-liquids, impacting both reusable and disposable vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. This new tax will significantly increase the cost for consumers. It is expected to add €1 to the price of a standard 2ml disposable vape, bringing its cost to around €9. For users of reusable devices, the price of a typical 10ml bottle of e-liquid is projected to…

A German court has ruled that operating an e-cigarette (vape) with a touch display while driving is illegal and falls under the country's "Handy-Verbot" or "mobile phone ban." The Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Cologne upheld a lower court's decision, clarifying that modern vaping devices with interactive screens are considered electronic devices with a "touchscreen" as defined by Section 23 (1a) of the German Road Traffic Act (StVO). The case involved a man from Cologne who was observed by police making tapping motions on a device while driving his Audi A6 on the motorway. Initially suspecting mobile phone use, police…

The French government is planning to introduce a new tax on vaping products, a move that could see the price of e-liquid refills increase starting in the spring of 2026. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the measure during the presentation of the upcoming year's budget, framing it as a way to generate state revenue. Currently, e-liquids used to fill e-cigarettes are only subject to a standard 20% VAT. The new proposal would add a specific excise tax, resulting in an estimated price increase of 30 to 50 euro cents for a standard 10-milliliter bottle, which currently costs around 5 euros.…

The UK Government has announced a countdown to its new Vaping Products Duty (VPD) and Vaping Duty Stamps (VDS) scheme, set to take effect on October 1, 2026. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging all businesses involved in the vaping sector to prepare for the significant changes to avoid operational disruption. The VPD, a new excise duty, will apply to all vaping liquids (e-liquids) sold or supplied in the UK, including both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free liquids. The tax will be charged at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. Concurrently, Vaping Duty Stamps (VDS) must be…

The sale of tobacco products and vaping devices through vending machines or any self-service outlets is now illegal across Ireland, effective from Monday, September 29th. This nationwide ban is a key provision of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, designed to protect children from accessing harmful nicotine products. Vending machines, commonly found in pubs, clubs, and other venues, have been identified as a potential source for underage individuals to acquire cigarettes and vapes. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill emphasized the ban's importance, stating, "Sometimes children have been able to access these harmful products, this is…

A new excise tax on vaping products is set to come into effect in Ireland on November 1, 2025, a move that could see the price of some e-liquids double. As announced in Budget 2025, each milliliter of e-liquid, both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free, will be subject to a 50-cent tax. This means a standard 10ml bottle of e-liquid, which currently retails for around €5, could increase to €10 if businesses pass the full tax on to consumers. Disposable vapes, which typically contain 2ml of e-liquid, could see a price rise of €2. All suppliers of e-liquid are now required to…

If your ideal European holiday involves relaxing with a cigarette or vape on a sun-drenched café terrace or a sandy beach, you'll need to pay close attention to new and expanding regulations across the Mediterranean. Spain, a top destination for millions of tourists, is poised to enact a sweeping nationwide ban on smoking and vaping in most outdoor public spaces, a move that could significantly change the holiday experience for many. The Spanish government has introduced a draft law that, if passed, will prohibit smoking traditional cigarettes and using e-cigarettes (vapes) in a wide range of open-air areas. This isn't…

Belgium will implement a comprehensive ban on smoking and vaping on public terraces of hospitality venues, such as cafés and restaurants, starting January 1, 2027. The federal government approved the measure on September 12, also deciding to eliminate all designated public smoking rooms in venues like airports, bars, cigar clubs, and shisha lounges. The implementation, initially planned for 2026, was delayed by a year to allow businesses time to adapt. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke stated the goal is to protect citizens from secondhand smoke and reduce the temptation to smoke, especially for young people. "Protecting people’s health and creating a…