Category: Featured

Scotland Targets Disposable Vapes

Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
The first minister of Scotland has announced a consultation on a government plan to curb the sale of single-use vapes, reports the BBC.
“In the next year, we will take action to reduce vaping—particularly among children,” said Humza Yousaf, adding that one of the options under consideration was a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes.
A recent Scottish government report found that 22 percent of all under-18s—around 78,000 people—are believed to have used a vape last year, with more young people using them than smoking cigarettes.
It found that most e-cigarette users under 18 prefer single-use vapes.
The review by Zero Waste Scotland estimated that up to 2.7 million single-use vapes were littered in Scotland last year. The study estimated that there were 543,000 users of e-cigarettes in Scotland and predicted that without intervention, that will rise to 900,000 by 2027.
Scotland joins several countries such as France that are considering a ban on disposables.
September 7, 2023
FCTC 2030 Countries Meet in Montenegro

Image: Tarik GOK
FCTC 2030 project countries are meeting this week (Sept. 4–6, 2023) in Montenegro to share experiences and challenges and to plan future action on tobacco control.
“We are proud that Montenegro, as the host of this year’s meeting of the FCTC 2030 project, is at the center of global tobacco control this week,” said Montenegro’s health minister, Dragoslav Scekic, at the meeting. “I believe that we will also use this meeting to establish the best practices in this area, all with the aim of protecting the health of the population.”
The FCTC 2030 project is the convention Secretariat’s development assistance initiative that helps to strengthen tobacco control in eligible parties through promoting and supporting governments to accelerate the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
The project is run by the World Health Organization FCTC Secretariat in partnership with the WHO and the United Nations Development Program.
One of its core elements is the provision of direct support to selected parties that have demonstrated considerable motivation to advance tobacco control as guided by the Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control: Advancing sustainable development through the implementation of the WHO FCTC 2019–2025.
The FCTC 2030 is funded by the United Kingdom, Norway and Australia.
September 7, 2023
Esco Bar Challenges FDA Rejection

Credit: Waldemarus
Pastel Cartel, manufacturer for Esco Bar, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s refuse-to-accept (RTA) decision for over 100 products included in multiple premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) filed by the company, according to Vaping360.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. It alleges that the FDA acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it issued an RTA for the PMTAs.
Esco Bar is seeking: a preliminary injunction staying the RTA orders until the case is decided; a judgment finding that the RTAs violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution (due process and the Fifth Amendment); and a final judgment setting aside the RTA orders and remanding the company’s PMTAs back to the FDA for further review.
September 7, 2023
Sweden to Slash Snus Tax

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
The Swedish government intends to reduce the tax on snus by 20 percent and increase the tax on combustible tobacco products by 9 percent.
In a note on its website, the government said the move would lower the price of a snus can by approximately SEK3 and reduce the price of a cigarette pack by about SEK4.
Parliament had previously decided to increase tobacco taxes in 2023 and 2024. However, recent inflation has been higher than the forecasts upon which the increases were based.
Sweden already taxes smokeless tobacco at lower rates than smoked tobacco because it believes combustible products present a greater health risk.
The changes are expected to take effect on Nov. 1, 2024.
Tobacco harm reduction advocates applauded the decision. “Sweden’s new taxation policy is an exemplary move in fast-tracking the country even further towards its smoke-free target,” said Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, in a statement.
“By making less harmful alternatives like snus more accessible through tax reductions, Sweden is not just theorizing harm reduction; it’s effectively implementing it. It’s time for the EU to take a leaf out of Sweden’s book.”
September 7, 2023
Indonesia Legalizes E-Cigarettes

Image: Reezky
The Indonesian Parliament recently passed Health Law No. 17 of 2023, which categorizes e-cigarettes as addictive substances, according to 2Firsts.
Teguh Basuki A Wibowo, chairman of the Indonesian Electronic Nicotine Industry Alliance, stated that including e-cigarettes in the legal framework for solid and liquid tobacco products legalizes industry participants and allows smokers to find alternative products.
The law puts Indonesia on equal footing with countries like the Philippines and the U.K., which have similar legislative frameworks for e-cigarettes, he said.
September 6, 2023
Bangladesh Set to Ban Vapes

Image: luzitanija
Bangladesh is set to ban vapes and nicotine pouches, according to Filter.
The government has been considering a vape ban since 2019 when the U.S. e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury outbreak occurred—later determined to be caused by adulterated illicit products.
The health ministry has now drafted an amendment to Bangladesh’s Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act, which has been reviewed by the cabinet and must now be approved by parliament.
If the proposed ban is approved, anyone caught vaping, regardless of nicotine content, will be subject to a fine of BDT5,000 ($46). Sales, production, import, export, storage and transportation of vapes would also be banned, with penalties starting at a higher fine, three months’ incarceration or both. Larger scale activity or repeat offenses would face longer sentences.
The amendment would also ban flavors in tobacco products, increase the fine for smoking in public places and include further penalties for unlicensed tobacco sales.
Organizations like the Bangladesh Medical Association support the proposed ban, equating vaping with smoking cigarettes.
“A ban on vaping devices will have disastrous consequences for people trying to quit smoking cigarettes,” said Nafis Farhan, a member of Voice of Vapers Bangladesh. He attributed continued high smoking rates in the country to “limited availability of cessation tools, such as vapes.”
The proposed ban represents “a missed opportunity for harm reduction and a setback for public health,” according to Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers’ Alliance.
September 6, 2023
TIMB Raises Red Flag On ‘Bogus Association’

Image: yganko
Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has called out the Golden Leaf Advisory (GLA) as a suspected “bogus association” that is not mandated to represent farmers or the tobacco regulatory board, according to The Herald.
According to the TIMB chief executive, Emmanuel Matsvaire, “there is no relationship whatsoever” between his organization and the GLA. He urged farmers to avoid the entity.
“We have so many complaints from farmers who have been fleeced of their money by this organization purporting to represent tobacco growers,” said Matsvaire. “The organization has no mandate either from our Ministry (of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development) or from the TIMB to represent the farmers.
“It is a bogus institution that has been extorting money from farmers and other stakeholders.”
In April, the TIMB rejected a request from GLA to meet with farmer associations and contractors before loan disbursements. “We take note of your proposal and would like to inform you that it is regrettably rejected,” the TIMB informed the GLA. “GLA is not properly registered by either TIMB of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.”
September 6, 2023
22nd Evaluates Alternatives for Tobacco Assets

Photo: 22nd Century
22nd Century Group has initiated a process to evaluate strategic alternatives with respect to the company’s tobacco assets. The process will include consideration of a range of strategic, operational and financial transactions and alternatives, such as business combinations, asset sales, licensing agreements, alternate financing strategies and other options.
“We believe the current market capitalization of the company does not appropriately reflect the value of our assets or their long-term potential. After extensive discussion, our board has determined that the best way to maximize value for shareholders is to comprehensively evaluate the company’s strategic alternatives,” said Nora Sullivan, chair of the board of 22nd Century, in a statement.
“Through the strategic alternatives process, we hope to identify ways to monetize the value or more effectively expand the market reach of our tobacco portfolio, including our innovative VLN tobacco harm reduction products, the first and only combustible tobacco product to receive a modified-risk tobacco product designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”
The company has engaged TD Cowen as advisors in its review of strategic alternatives. There is no assurance that the strategic alternatives process will result in the approval or completion of any specific transaction or outcome.
The company has not established a timeline for completion of the review process and does not intend to disclose developments unless and until its board of directors approves a specific transaction, concludes the review or determines that further disclosure is appropriate or is required.
September 5, 2023
CAPHRA Calls for Dismantling Regulator

Photo: Tonis Pan
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is calling for the disbanding of the Ministry of Health’s Vaping Regulatory Authority (VRA) in light of the recent court case involving VAPO. The Ministry of Health admitted to incorrectly threatening vape retailers, resulting in a legal victory for VAPO.
“CAPHRA believes that the VRA’s incorrect interpretation of regulations and subsequent actions against vape retailers demonstrate a lack of competence and effectiveness in fulfilling its role and responsibilities,” said Nancy Loucas, a prominent New Zealand public health consumer advocate and executive coordinator of the CAPHRA.
The organization emphasizes the potential negative impacts of the Ministry of Health’s actions on public health and the vaping industry as well as the need for a more effective regulatory body.
Loucas states, “The recent court case involving VAPO highlights the VRA’s inability to effectively regulate the vaping industry. It is time for the Ministry of Health to disband the VRA and establish a more competent and effective regulatory body that can protect public health and support the growth of a responsible vaping industry and includes consumer stakeholders.”
“Hiding behind Article 5.3 of the WHO’s [World Health Organization] Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and not engaging with those affected is a blatant cop-out and seeks to cover up their own incompetence,” said Loucas.
The court case involving VAPO revealed that the Ministry of Health had incorrectly interpreted regulations, leading to the court’s declaration in favor of VAPO. This outcome raises concerns about the VRA’s ability to effectively regulate the vaping industry and protect public health.
“CAPHRA urges the Ministry of Health to take immediate action to disband the VRA and establish a more effective regulatory body that can better serve the interests of public health by being inclusive of all stakeholders, including the vaping industry and consumer stakeholders,” Loucas said.
September 5, 2023
France to Ban Disposables

Photo: YarikL
France will ban disposable electronic cigarettes, according to a Reuters report citing comments by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.
“It’s an important public health issue,” Borne said, noting that the government is putting together plans for a national program to fight tobacco usage.
Borne said “puff” devices create habits among youth that can lead to tobacco addiction.
Following a tobacco tax increase this year, the government does not plan to raise taxes next year.
Source:
September 5, 2023