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Category: Global Regulation

  • NZ Retailers Want Action as Illicits Climb

    NZ Retailers Want Action as Illicits Climb

    A retail industry report by FTI Consulting estimates illicit tobacco accounts for 33.5% of total consumption in New Zealand, up from 27.2% a year earlier, though anti-smoking advocates dispute the methodology and argue it does not align with tax revenue trends. Official data from Stats NZ shows no dedicated national study of illicit tobacco consumption, while Treasury figures indicate tobacco excise revenue fell to $1.47 billion ($852 million) in 2024–25, down about $2 million ($1.2 million) from the previous year.

    Customs and government agencies have formed an interagency action group with police and health authorities to target illicit tobacco supply chains, while enforcement penalties include up to six months’ imprisonment or a $20,000 ($11,600) fine for illegal sales. Australia is cited in comparison, where the Bureau of Statistics estimated 80% of nicotine products consumed in 2025 were illicit, up from 12% in 2017.

  • Kazakhstan Loosening Hookah Regs

    Kazakhstan Loosening Hookah Regs

    The government of Kazakhstan is backing a shift from stricter restrictions on hookah businesses toward a regulated licensing framework, with the Ministry of Finance estimating the move could generate about 50 billion tenge ($100 million) in additional budget revenue. Finance Minister Madi Takiyev said existing restrictions have proven ineffective and argued that licensing hookah operators would improve oversight while bringing the sector into the formal economy. The proposal would allow businesses to continue operating under government supervision and would remain under legislative consideration.

  • Health Canada Issues Recall for Zyn, Siberia Pouches

    Health Canada Issues Recall for Zyn, Siberia Pouches

    Health Canada issued a nationwide recall for Siberia and ZYN nicotine pouches last week, saying the products are being sold without market authorization. The recall covers Siberia 35 mg pouches and Zyn 6 mg varieties across multiple flavors and all lots, with officials classifying it as a Type II risk, meaning potential temporary health effects but low likelihood of serious harm.

    Consumers are advised to check whether their products are affected, contact their healthcare provider before stopping use, and report any adverse effects or safety concerns to Health Canada, which is also directing users to the recalling firm for further information.

  • Kenya Looking to Crack Down on Shisha Offenders

    Kenya Looking to Crack Down on Shisha Offenders

    The Kenyan government proposed tougher regulations targeting shisha, including fines of up to Sh1 million ($7,700) and prison terms of up to six months for offenders, arguing that the country’s 2017 ban has failed to eliminate the product from nightclubs and other venues. The proposed Public Health (Control of Waterpipe Tobacco Products) Rules, 2026 would maintain the ban on the importation, manufacture, sale, distribution, promotion, and use of shisha while expanding enforcement powers across the supply chain.

    Health authorities cited continued use among young people, concerns over addiction and disease risks, and evidence of ongoing non-compliance with the existing ban. If approved, the rules would replace the 2017 regulations and establish a stricter legal framework aimed at fully eliminating waterpipe tobacco products in Kenya.

  • Netherlands Rules Out Disposable Vape, Filter Bans

    Netherlands Rules Out Disposable Vape, Filter Bans

    The Dutch cabinet ruled out introducing a national ban on disposable vapes and cigarette filters, saying legal constraints make such measures unworkable domestically and that regulation should instead be handled at the EU level in the Netherlands.

    In a letter to parliament, ministers cited research showing a filter ban could reduce microplastic pollution without increasing health risks, but argued enforcement would be weak because consumers could easily switch to imports or illicit markets. They also said a national ban on disposable vapes would conflict with EU tobacco rules, despite concerns about environmental damage and fire risks linked to waste processing incidents.

    The cabinet said it will instead push for a Europe-wide ban in Brussels and continue enforcement against illegal vape trade, while flavored vapes are already prohibited in the country.

  • West Virginia Begins Implementing Vape Safety Act

    West Virginia Begins Implementing Vape Safety Act

    West Virginia will begin implementing its Vape Safety Act today (June 11), introducing new labeling requirements for vapor products sold by vape and smoke shops statewide. Under the law, products must display health warnings, age restrictions, manufacturer information, and ingredient disclosures. The legislation also establishes a licensing framework for retailers, with businesses required to obtain a state license before July 1 for the 2026–27 licensing period. Unlicensed operators face penalties of up to $10,000 and one year in prison.

    The measure is the first phase of a broader regulatory regime aimed at reducing youth vaping and increasing oversight of nicotine products. Additional restrictions taking effect in 2027 will prohibit packaging and marketing that references candy, uses cartoons or mimics consumer products, while new advertising rules will sharply limit retailer promotions and storefront signage. State officials said the law responds to concerns over youth-oriented vape marketing, noting that 27.5% of West Virginia high school students report current e-cigarette use, well above the national average.

  • Mass. Officials Drummed Up ‘Fake Support’ for Generational Bans: Report

    Mass. Officials Drummed Up ‘Fake Support’ for Generational Bans: Report

    Based on public-records emails reviewed in a recent report, the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP) has been accused of using “fake support” in coordinating a statewide effort to manipulate “Nicotine-Free Generation” (NFG) policies through local boards of health, according to an article from Reason. According to the report, MTCP-funded tobacco program managers identified municipalities as targets for generational tobacco bans, tracked policy adoption as a program goal, and connected local officials with advocates, volunteers, and supportive organizations to help push proposed regulations. Emails cited in the report show tobacco program staff encouraging testimony at hearings and monitoring the passage of new tobacco policies across Massachusetts.

    The report further alleges that the strategy relied on securing local NFG ordinances to build momentum for broader statewide legislation. It claims that public health officials, municipal health boards, and advocacy groups — such as The Public Health Advocacy Institute — worked closely to coordinate messaging, recruit supporters, and share model regulations, with some local officials expressing confidence that bans would pass before public hearings were held.

    “The Public Health Advocacy Institute is the leading pressure group pushing generational tobacco bans,” Reason wrote. “The institute reported total revenue of $741,000 in fiscal year 2022; the following year, that figure soared to $21.2 million. Whatever the source of that sudden increase, public or private, it’s an eye-popping amount of money for a small policy shop offering free legal defense to municipalities that adopt NFG.”

    Supporters view the approach as a public-health initiative aimed at preventing future nicotine use, while critics characterize it as a state-funded campaign to restrict future adult access to tobacco and nicotine products through local policymaking channels.

  • Indonesia Health Pushing for Plain Packaging

    Indonesia Health Pushing for Plain Packaging

    Indonesia’s Health Ministry is drafting a new regulation that would require plain packaging for tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in an effort to reduce their appeal to young people and curb smoking rates, The Jakarta Post reported. The proposed rule would standardize pack colors and design while retaining brand names and mandatory pictorial health warnings, and is intended to prevent cigarette packaging from serving as a marketing tool.

    Health officials say the measure is designed to shift consumer attention toward warning labels and align Indonesia with countries such as Australia, Canada, and Singapore, which have implemented similar policies. The proposal has been welcomed by public health advocates as a tobacco control measure, while drawing criticism from business and consumer groups who argue it could affect branding and market competition.

  • UK Could Shut Down Stores Selling Illicit Products for a Year

    The UK government announced plans today (June 10) to extend closure orders for businesses linked to criminal activity, including retailers selling illegal tobacco and vaping products, following a series of BBC investigations into organized crime on British high streets. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that under the proposed changes, authorities in England and Wales would be able to shut offending premises for up to 12 months, double the current maximum closure period of six months. The Home Office said the longer closures would give enforcement agencies more time to gather evidence, pursue prosecutions and prevent rogue operators from quickly reopening.

    The move has been welcomed by Trading Standards officials and industry observers who have argued that existing powers are insufficient to tackle persistent illegal tobacco and vape sales.

    “This is a welcome step from the government,” said Dr Marina Murphy, senior director of scientific affairs at Haypp. “Too often, we hear of corner shops or mini-marts caught by the authorities selling illicit products simply carrying on with their illegal activities immediately afterwards. The penalty for the illegal activity was simply not a deterrent. This has been a source of frustration for both enforcement authorities and responsible retailers. The potential to issue a 12-month closure order on a business is a much more significant penalty and will make those engaged in illegal behavior think twice.”

    The announcement follows reports linking some convenience stores, vape shops and barbers to illicit cigarette sales, drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal working. The government said the extended closure powers will form part of a broader crackdown on organized crime in retail settings, alongside a newly announced £30 million High Street Crime Unit. The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year and come into force in early 2027.

  • Calif. Town Criticized for Ending Hookah Exemption

    Calif. Town Criticized for Ending Hookah Exemption

    Redwood City, Calif., voted 4-2 to adopt San Mateo County’s tobacco retailer ordinance, eliminating the city’s longstanding exemption for hookah-serving businesses and effectively banning the sale and on-site use of flavored tobacco shisha. The move primarily affects three downtown establishments that built their business models around traditional hookah service. Under the ordinance, retailers must comply with county restrictions on flavored tobacco products and obtain county tobacco retail permits, while future provisions will further restrict tobacco marketing and sales practices.

    Business owners and industry supporters criticized the decision as a disproportionate response to concerns over youth access to flavored tobacco products. “I have never seen a kid walking on the street with a hookah and two charcoals on top,” said David Kassouf, owner of The Sandwich Spot, arguing that regulators were conflating adult-only hookah lounges with vape shops accused of selling youth-oriented products. Opponents described the ordinance as a blunt policy tool that targets established hospitality businesses and cultural gathering spaces in order to address enforcement issues involving a relatively small number of alleged bad actors, while supporters maintained the county framework was the most practical way to strengthen tobacco enforcement and reduce youth access.