Author: moonswamp

The Paraguayan Senate has approved a new law to regulate the use, sale, and disposal of electronic devices, including vapes, pods, and mods. The legislation, which now awaits President Santiago Peña's signature, introduces a comprehensive framework aimed at protecting public health, with a strong focus on preventing youth access. A key provision of the new law is a complete ban on the sale of these devices to individuals under 18 years of age. Sales will also be restricted to exclusive, licensed stores rather than being available "on any corner," and the products will be subject to a new tax of…

The Spanish Ministry of Health has drafted a new anti-tobacco law that proposes to ban single-use disposable vapes and significantly expand smoke-free zones to more outdoor public areas. The legislation aims to equate the regulation of electronic cigarettes with that of conventional tobacco, with the goal of reducing tobacco consumption prevalence by 1-2%. A key provision of the new draft law is the prohibition of single-use (disposable) vapes. The primary argument for this measure is "the right of the non-smoking population to breathe uncontaminated air." Under the new rules, these emerging forms of consumption will face the same restrictions as…

Russian lawmakers are set to introduce a bill to the State Duma on June 23rd proposing a complete ban on both the wholesale and retail sale of all vapes and electronic cigarettes. The initiative, spearheaded by deputies Sergey Mironov and Yana Lantratova, aims to establish significant administrative fines for any violations. Under the proposed legislation, fines for illegal sales would range from 25,000 to 50,000 rubles for individuals and from 500,000 to 1 million rubles for legal entities. The penalties for selling to minors would be even more severe, with fines of 300,000 to 500,000 rubles for individuals and 1.5…

A significant increase in tobacco taxes in the Netherlands has led to a surge in smokers purchasing cheaper products abroad, raising questions about the effectiveness of national tax policies in small, wealthy countries with open borders. After the Netherlands raised cigarette prices by 24% and rolling tobacco by 45% in 2024, an estimated 60% of Dutch smokers bought tobacco products in other countries, up from 40% in 2023 and 30% in 2020. According to analysis by the Dutch Public Health Agency, while the tax hike did lead 7% of smokers to quit and 22% to reduce their consumption, the rise…

The world of vaping offers a vast spectrum of experiences, from discreet, flavor-focused puffs to voluminous, dense clouds. At the heart of this diversity lies the e-liquid, the very essence that, when vaporized, creates the sensation and satisfaction vapers seek. While flavors and nicotine strength often take center stage in a user's selection process, a more fundamental yet equally crucial aspect is the ratio of its base ingredients: Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). Understanding the distinct properties of PG and VG, and how their balance in an e-liquid (the PG/VG ratio) impacts everything from throat hit and flavor…

As summer approaches, tourists heading to popular European destinations should be aware of increasingly strict regulations regarding smoking and vaping in public outdoor spaces. Several countries are expanding their smoke-free zones to include beaches, parks, and other areas frequented by the public, particularly where children may be present. These measures aim to protect public health and reduce environmental nuisance from tobacco and vape-related litter. France  France is set to implement a significant expansion of its outdoor smoking ban starting July 1st. The new law will prohibit smoking traditional tobacco in open-air public areas regularly visited by children. This includes beaches,…

Belarus is once again contemplating measures to regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes, with a new draft law titled "On Tobacco Raw Materials, Tobacco, Non-Tobacco Nicotine-Containing Products, Electronic Smoking Systems and Liquids for Them, Systems for Tobacco Consumption" being put forward for public discussion. The discussion was organized by the state food industry concern "Belgospischeprom." Illegal Imports and Lost Revenue Drive Regulatory Push A key driver for the proposed changes is the significant volume of illegally imported vaping products. It's estimated that around 77% of disposable e-cigarettes (over 26,000 units) enter Belarus illegally, sold without undergoing conformity assessments or paying…

New Zealand is set to implement a significant package of new vaping laws, effective June 17, 2025. These reforms, driven by escalating concerns over high youth vaping rates and the environmental impact of certain products, aim to reshape the country's approach to e-cigarettes. Key measures include a ban on disposable vapes, tighter marketing restrictions, and new rules for product visibility at retail. This comprehensive overhaul seeks to reduce vaping uptake among young people and support those trying to quit, but it also raises questions about potential unintended consequences and the ongoing challenge of industry compliance. This guide delves into the…

The European Union is contemplating substantial increases in taxes on tobacco products and the introduction of new excise duties for electronic cigarettes (vapes) and nicotine pouches, according to reports from Euractiv and Politico citing an internal European Commission document. This move aims to update the bloc's 2011 Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) and address concerns over new nicotine products popular with youth. The Commission's preferred scenario reportedly includes raising the minimum excise duty on cigarettes by 139%, from €90 to €215 per 1,000 units. The tax on roll-your-own tobacco could see an even larger increase of 258%, from €60 to €215…

The Croatian Government has announced an increase in excise duties on various tobacco products and will introduce a new tax on e-cigarette liquids, effective July 1, 2025, following a year-long pause on such hikes. A draft regulation detailing these changes is currently in public consultation. Under the proposal, the specific excise duty on traditional cigarettes will rise from €53.10 to €56.10 per 1,000 units, with the minimum excise increasing to €124.20 per 1,000 cigarettes; the 34% proportional excise remains unchanged. Taxes on fine-cut tobacco, cigars, and cigarillos will increase to €120.50 per kilogram (or per 1,000 units). Heated tobacco products…