Author: moonswamp

France has announced plans to ban nicotine pouches, a product that has gained popularity among teenagers in recent years. Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq, in an interview with Le Parisien, stated that these pouches are "dangerous products because they contain high doses of nicotine." She confirmed that the ban will be officially announced in the coming weeks. Marketing Targeted at Young People Raises Concerns Darrieussecq expressed her concern over the marketing strategies employed by companies selling nicotine pouches, which she believes directly target young people. "I hope that we can protect our young people," she said, emphasizing the government's commitment to…

The UK government has confirmed that the sale of single-use disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales from June 2025. The decision, initially announced in January by the previous government but not implemented before the general election, aims to safeguard children's health and mitigate environmental damage caused by these products. Vape Usage Surges, Driving Concerns Over Youth Addiction and Environmental Impact According to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), vape usage in England has skyrocketed by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023, with 9% of the British public now purchasing and using these products.…

As debates over the 2025 budget intensify in the French Assembly, a group of deputies from the Liot and EPR groups has put forward a controversial proposal to introduce a new tax targeting vapers. The amendment, which suggests implementing a 15-cent per milliliter tax on e-liquids used in electronic cigarettes starting March 2025, has already raised concerns among industry professionals and advocates. Potential Revenue and Impact on Vapers The deputies estimate that this new tax could generate between 150 and 200 million euros in additional revenue annually for the state. However, the Federation of Vaping Professionals (Fivape) warns that such…

A new international study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, indicates that vaping does not produce clinically important respiratory symptoms. Significantly, the study stands out as one of the first large-scale efforts to examine people who vape but do not have histories of smoking, which have previously led to smoking-related harms being attributed to vaping. The study, part of the VERITAS project led by researchers from the Center of Excellence for Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) at the University of Catania, Italy, has been praised by tobacco harm reduction advocates, although its interpretation has also faced some criticism. Studying Vapers…

French consumer vaping organization SOVAPE, known for organizing three Vape Summits in France between 2016 and 2019 and co-founding the European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (ETHRA) umbrella group, announced this week that it will dissolve after being active since 2016. The decision comes in the wake of several recent challenges faced by the organization. Market Research Firm Cancels Annual Survey Due to Client Conflict One of the major blows to SOVAPE came when market research firm BVA, which had conducted annual surveys of French public opinion on vaping and nicotine for the group since 2019, abruptly notified SOVAPE that it…

The European Commission has given the green light to France's proposed law that aims to ban the sale of vapes, or disposable e-cigarettes containing nicotine, in the country. The law, which was adopted by the French National Assembly in December 2023 and later by the Senate, only required the European Union's approval. With this final hurdle cleared, France is expected to implement the ban in the coming months. Puffs Gain Popularity Among French Teenagers A study commissioned by the Alliance Against Tobacco (ACT) in 2023 revealed that among young people aged 13 to 16, 73% had already heard of puffs,…

The Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) has expressed deep concern over a proposed Polish law that would dramatically increase taxes on vaping products. In a strongly worded statement, the alliance argues that these proposed changes would not only harm the vaping industry but also undermine public health efforts. At the heart of the IEVA's concerns is the proposed 75% increase in excise duty on e-liquids in 2025. The alliance argues that such a steep hike would make vaping prohibitively expensive for many consumers, driving them back to traditional cigarettes, which are far more harmful. "This is a short-sighted approach that…

Poland is taking steps to protect its youth from the risks of vaping. The government has announced plans to introduce legislation that will prohibit the sale of nicotine-free e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 18. Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna revealed that the new regulations will cover both disposable and reusable e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine. Previously, only nicotine-containing e-cigarettes were off-limits to minors. "We want to protect our children and young people from developing harmful habits," said Leszczyna. "This legislation is a crucial step in preventing them from starting to vape." To further discourage the use of tobacco…

Polish e-cigarette manufacturers are bracing for a storm as the government prepares to slap a hefty 75% excise tax on e-liquids. This dramatic increase, set to take effect next year, could push the cost of e-liquids above traditional cigarettes, prompting fears of a surge in the black market and severe consequences for the domestic industry. Price Impact Analysis The Ministry projects these changes will affect retail prices significantly: "When we're shutting down our businesses, the black market will be popping champagne," warns Przemysław Jaskóła, a board member of Fusion Labs. Manufacturers argue that the sudden and substantial tax hike will…

Health ministers from all 27 European Union countries gathered on June 21 to discuss a potential bloc-wide ban on flavors in vapes and other safer nicotine products. The meeting, which considered submissions from Denmark and Latvia, also included recommendations for cracking down on cross-border sales. The proposals would need to go through multiple further steps before being enacted, but the development has worried tobacco harm reduction advocates, given the EU's failure to meet its smoking-cessation goals and the hundreds of thousands of annual smoking-related deaths. Flavors Crucial for Adult Smokers Switching to Vapes Most adults who switch from cigarettes to…