Author: moonswamp

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…

Spain's Council of Ministers has approved a draft for a new anti-tobacco law that introduces significant new measures, including holding parents financially responsible for their children's vaping and banning single-use e-cigarettes. The legislation aims to intensify health protection for minors. Under the proposed law, if a minor is caught consuming tobacco or related products, including vapes, the resulting fine must be paid by their parents or legal guardians. For an isolated, first-time offense, this is considered a minor infraction with a fine of up to €100, though the draft law establishes a range of €100 to €600 for minor infractions.…

A new Texas law, Senate Bill 2024, has taken effect as of Monday, September 1st, implementing a sweeping ban on specific vape products across the state. The legislation prohibits businesses from selling any vapes that contain THC or other hemp-derived psychoactive substances like Delta-8. Additionally, the law bans the sale of any vape product made in China or any other nation deemed "adversarial to the United States," which experts say constitutes the overwhelming majority of devices currently in stores. Businesses that continue to market or sell these banned products face a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year…

The canton of Geneva, Switzerland, has banned the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, with the new law taking immediate effect. The Grand Council (cantonal parliament) passed the legislation almost unanimously on Friday, citing concerns over public health and the environment. Lawmakers condemned the products, also known as "vapes" or "puff bars," as a "disgrace" intended to appeal to young people with their attractive flavors and designs. They also denounced the "catastrophic impact" of these single-use devices on the environment. Disposable e-cigarettes have been available in Switzerland for about five years and are particularly popular with youth. Geneva joins several other Swiss…

Russia is taking a decisive step towards a potential nationwide ban on vaping, with the Nizhny Novgorod region set to become the first "test site" for a complete prohibition on the sale and use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and similar products. The initiative, proposed by Nizhny Novgorod Governor Gleb Nikitin, has reportedly received the support of President Vladimir Putin. Governor Nikitin argued that the ban is necessary to protect the younger generation from the allure of vaping. He cited the appeal of bright flavors and the false perception of safety as reasons why adolescents who have never smoked traditional cigarettes are…

As thousands of tourists, including many from the UK, prepare to visit the Spanish coastline for the summer season, a crucial warning has been issued regarding the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) on beaches. While national law in Spain generally permits vaping in outdoor spaces, a growing number of local councils are independently expanding their "smoke-free" beach regulations to explicitly include vaping devices. Unsuspecting travelers who assume vaping is permitted everywhere could face significant fines, with some municipalities imposing penalties as high as €2,000 for violations. The key point of confusion for many visitors is the distinction between national law…