Author: Emily Carter

France is set to enforce a comprehensive smoking ban in many outdoor public spaces starting July 1, 2025, as part of its national strategy to create a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032. This significant public health initiative aims to reduce tobacco use and protect citizens, especially children, from secondhand smoke exposure. The new regulations will prohibit smoking traditional tobacco products in a wide range of open public areas. These include public parks, beaches, areas near school entrances, public transport stops, and sports venues. The French government hopes this move will foster healthier habits among both residents and the numerous tourists who…

Switzerland's Federal Councils have moved to prohibit disposable electronic cigarettes, widely known as "Puff Bars," due to their detrimental environmental and health impacts. Following the National Council's clear approval of a motion by Green Party member Christophe Clivaz in June 2024, the Council of States (Ständerat) has now also voted in favor, with 19 to 11 votes and 3 abstentions. Importantly, rechargeable and refillable e-cigarettes will be exempt from this ban. The primary justifications for the ban are concerns over youth appeal and environmental waste. The responsible parliamentary committee highlighted that these products, with their relatively low prices, attractive flavors,…

Uruguay has reimposed a ban on the importation and sale of heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes (vapes), effectively repealing a 2021 decree from the previous government that had allowed their commercialization. Laura Llambí, director of Uruguay's National Tobacco Control Program, announced the decision at a press conference on Tuesday. In addition to the sales and import ban, the reinstated measures prohibit the promotion, advertising, and indoor use of these products. President Yamandú Orsi supported the move, stating it strengthens Uruguay's position as a vanguard nation in tobacco control, reinforcing its commitment to public health.

The Russian State Duma is prepared to support a legislative bill for a complete ban on the sale of vapes (electronic cigarettes), according to its chairman, Vyacheslav Volodin. He stated that the call to prohibit electronic nicotine vaporizers originates from citizens and voters, and aligns with similar proposals from Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov. "Following the statement by the Minister of Industry and Trade... Anton Alikhanov in support of a complete ban on the sale of vapes, we expect a corresponding legislative initiative from the Russian government," Volodin said, as quoted by the…

As the UK prepares for the ban on disposable vapes, effective June 1st, new research from life insurance experts Confused indicates a concerning potential outcome: nearly one in five (19%) current vapers say they will return to smoking traditional cigarettes. The study, based on 500 UK adults who vape, sheds light on how consumers plan to adapt to the upcoming legislative change, revealing a mix of intentions including quitting, switching to alternatives, and unfortunately, relapsing to smoking. While a significant portion of vapers (37%) plan to quit vaping altogether when the ban comes into force, with 18% of those intending…

New Survey Highlights Alarming E-Cigarette Trend Among Teens; Stricter Tobacco Laws Anticipated Public backing for the expansion of smoking bans into more public spaces is gaining momentum across Spain, a new survey reveals. This growing sentiment coincides with an alarming surge in e-cigarette use among teenagers, nearly doubling in just one year, according to data released by the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) for its 26th "Smoke-Free Week." These trends are prompting calls for and movements towards stricter national tobacco and vaping regulations. The survey highlights strong public desire for more smoke-free environments. When asked about extending…

Chile has implemented a significant new piece of legislation, Law No. 21.642, which establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for electronic cigarettes (vapes), including both nicotine-containing (ENDS) and nicotine-free (ENNDS) devices and their liquids. Published in the Official Gazette on January 4th, 2024, with key provisions like public use bans taking effect around May 20th, 2025, the law aims to assimilate these products with traditional tobacco regulations to protect public health, especially minors. A cornerstone of the new law is the prohibition of selling, distributing, or giving any vaping products, accessories, or e-liquids to individuals under 18 years of age. Sales…

Great Britain is set to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes (vapes) starting on 01/Jun, a significant move aimed at tackling both environmental pollution and the alarming rise in youth vaping. The government states that by 2024, an estimated five million single-use vapes were being improperly discarded or thrown away weekly, contributing to a growing waste problem due to their plastic components and lithium-ion batteries. The ban on these often colorful and sweet-flavored devices, popular for their convenience and low initial cost (around 600 puffs before disposal), is part of a broader anti-smoking strategy. The UK government's long-term goal is…

A coalition of fifteen European Union member states, including major economies like Spain, Germany, and France, has formally urged the European Commission to modernize and strengthen the bloc's directive on tobacco taxation. In a joint letter addressed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the finance and economy ministers from these nations declared the current legislative framework, last updated in 2011, "completely outdated" and "no longer fit for purpose." The ministers, including Spain's First Vice President María Jesús Montero and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, argue that the existing directive is insufficient to address the "significant challenges posed by ongoing developments…

Legislation Bans Sales to Minors, Restricts Advertising, and Mandates Warnings Poland has taken a significant step in public health policy by adopting new legislation to regulate nicotine products, including the increasingly popular nicotine pouches and all types of e-cigarettes. The Polish Sejm (lower house of parliament) passed the amendment to the Act on Health Protection against the Consequences of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products on May 21st. This move makes Poland one of the first EU countries to establish clear rules for these emerging nicotine products. A primary focus of the new law is the protection of minors. It introduces…