Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is seeking public feedback on a draft amendment to the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention that would significantly tighten regulations and close gaps in the current legal framework, according to Vietnam News. The proposed amendments prioritize public health over economic interests, align with Party and Politburo resolutions on health protection, and aim to fully meet Vietnam’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Key measures include banning the holding, transport, storage, advertising, promotion and use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products; prohibiting the display of tobacco products at retail outlets; expanding smoke-free venues; and increasing health warning requirements on packaging. The draft also introduces clear legal definitions for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, strengthens responsibilities of government agencies and local authorities, and adds new prohibitions on producing or trading components used to assemble such products, with a focus on protecting women, children and public health overall.
Category: Global Regulation
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Indonesia Considers Special Tax for Illegal Cigarettes
Indonesia’s government proposed introducing a special excise tariff for illegal cigarettes as a way to curb illicit trade and boost state revenue, but the plan has sparked concern among industry players over potential market distortions and policy uncertainty. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said details are still being finalized, explaining the measure would mainly target small-scale local cigarette producers, while foreign illicit products would continue to face strict enforcement. He estimated that formalizing illegal production could generate trillions of rupiah in additional revenue, though discussions on fiscal impacts are ongoing and will require approval from the House of Representatives, a process that could take time, according to The Jakarta Post.
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Aussie Tobacco Retailers Warned to File for Licenses
Less than two weeks ahead of mandatory enforcement under Victoria, Australia’s new tobacco licensing scheme, the state’s Premier and Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation is urging all tobacco retailers and wholesalers to apply for a license before the February 1 deadline. The program, part of a broader crackdown on illicit tobacco and organized crime, allows businesses that apply before the deadline to continue trading while applications are assessed, while anyone applying on or after February 1 would have to wait for approval.
Tobacco Licensing Victoria, supported by Victoria Police, will enforce compliance with penalties of up to A$170,948 ($114535) and five years’ jail for individuals selling without a license, with businesses facing fines exceeding A$854,000 ($572,000). The initiative, backed by A$46 million ($30.8 million) in the 2025/26 budget, also grants inspectors powers to suspend or cancel licenses, seize illegal products, and pursue court action, with strict eligibility criteria ensuring licenses are granted only to “fit and proper” applicants.
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TCA: Alternative Products Jeopardize Georgia’s Smoke-Free Ambitions
The Tobacco Control Alliance (TCA) said Georgia’s goal of becoming tobacco-free by 2040 is under threat due to the rapid rise in e-cigarette and heated tobacco use, particularly among young people. The 2025 Global Adult Tobacco Survey said smoking prevalence in the country fell from 33% to 24% over the past decade, but the TCA says alternative nicotine products are undermining progress. The TCA is urging stronger “tobacco endgame” measures, including equal taxation of all tobacco and nicotine products, tighter controls on e-cigarettes, flavor bans, higher age limits, and stricter enforcement, noting that tobacco-related economic damage far exceeds tax revenues and that public support for tougher policies is strong.
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Hong Kong Cracking Down on Smoking at Construction Sites
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun said contractors and subcontractors could face legal action if workers are caught smoking at construction or building-maintenance sites, as the government moves toward a blanket smoking ban across all such locations. Sun said legal liability would apply unless employers can demonstrate they have fulfilled their responsibilities to prevent smoking on site.
The proposed ban follows the deadly Tai To fire in November and would be implemented through amendments to subsidiary legislation expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council early next month. If approved, employers could face fines of up to HK$400,000 ($52,000) for violations. Sun said exemptions may apply where employers can show adequate preventive measures, such as clear no-smoking signage, designated cigarette disposal points, and CCTV monitoring, warning that failure to take such steps could form grounds for prosecution.
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FDA Releases Meeting Materials for Zyn’s MRTP Application
Today (January 20), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released meeting materials ahead of a virtual meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) to review modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications submitted by Swedish Match USA, Inc. for 20 Zyn nicotine pouch products. The materials include a draft agenda, background documents from both the applicant and the FDA, and draft questions for committee consideration, and are available on the FDA’s 2026 TPSAC Meeting Materials and Information page.
The virtual TPSAC meeting is scheduled for January 22. FDA opened Docket No. FDA-2025-N-0835-0020 for public comments related to the meeting, with submissions due by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 21. Comments specific to the ZYN MRTP applications may also be submitted under a separate docket, Docket No. FDA-2025-N-0835-0001, which was established on June 18, 2025.
Visit the event webpage to learn more about attending the meeting online
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Taiwan Allows Travelers HTPs Only if Bought Locally
Taiwan announced revised customs rules that will allow visitors to possess up to 200 heated tobacco product sticks from February 1, but only if the products are purchased in duty-free shops at Taiwan’s airports or outlying islands. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said the change reflects the fact that the only heated tobacco products currently approved for sale in Taiwan are not available overseas, meaning travelers cannot legally import foreign products even within the new allowance.
Lo Su-ying, head of the Tobacco Control Division at the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), said only two companies have approved heated tobacco products and component combinations in Taiwan. Health authorities warned that travelers attempting to bring in unapproved heated tobacco sticks bought abroad will still be in violation of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act and face fines ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$5 million ($1,600 to $ 160,000). The HPA said it will step up public communication to ensure travelers understand the rules and avoid penalties.
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Mexico Implements Vape Ban
Beginning today (January 16), Mexico has implemented a sweeping ban on the marketing, importation, and sale of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices following a reform to the General Health Law published in the Official Gazette of the Federation. The measure establishes an absolute prohibition covering all electronic smoking devices, including disposable, rechargeable, and nicotine-free products, as well as their accessories and substances, and bars any form of advertising or promotion in all media.
While personal possession and consumption will remain legal as long as there is no commercial intent, violations of the new rules may result in prison sentences of one to eight years and fines of up to 2,000 times the daily value of the Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA). Health authorities are also empowered to seize products and shut down noncompliant establishments.
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Guam Police Required for School Smoking Incidents
Police in Guam will now respond to incidents involving students vaping or using tobacco products on public school campuses following a policy update by the Guam Department of Education (GDOE). Under revised Student Discipline SOP 1200-018, nicotine violations are now classified as behaviors requiring mandatory contact with the Guam Police Department (GPD).
Under the new procedure, GPD officers will confiscate tobacco or vaping devices, document the incident, issue a notice to appear before the Juvenile Section, and forward cases to the Office of the Attorney General. The policy takes effect immediately after school administrators confirm a violation and notify a student’s parent or guardian, at which point GDOE will initiate a call for police service.
GDOE said the change follows a rise in vaping and nicotine violations on campuses and guidance from GPD leadership, citing the need to enforce the Youth Protection Act of 2017.
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FDA Extending Info Collection for Smokeless Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has submitted a proposed extension of an existing information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act, covering warning plans for certain smokeless tobacco products. The collection, assigned OMB Control Number 0910-0671, relates to statutory requirements that smokeless tobacco packaging and advertising carry one of four mandated health warnings, randomly displayed and rotated quarterly in accordance with FDA-approved warning plans. FDA said manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers must submit these plans for review, either electronically via the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) Portal or in paper form.
Public comments on the proposal must be submitted through reginfo.gov within 30 days of Federal Register publication, and FDA noted that two comments received during an earlier 60-day notice period were not related to paperwork burden issues.