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Category: Global Regulation

  • Kenyan Retailers Push Back Against Tobacco Control Bill

    Kenyan Retailers Push Back Against Tobacco Control Bill

    Bar owners and retailers in Kenya held a protest today (September 24) and urged the Senate to halt the progress of the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, citing a lack of public consultation. The Bars, Hotels and Liquor Traders Association of Kenya (BAHLITA) and the Retail Traders Association of Kenya (Retrak) also submitted a joint petition, arguing that consumers, retailers, and manufacturers—those most affected by the proposed law—have been excluded from the legislative process. They contend that the bill, sponsored by ODM Senator Catherine Mumma, has been rushed forward without meaningful stakeholder input.

    The petitioners warn that the bill’s stricter regulations on nicotine products, including synthetic nicotine and e-cigarettes, could harm small and medium-sized businesses, increase compliance costs, and inadvertently drive legal trade into the illicit market. With half of Kenya’s cigarette market already illegal, they argue that the legislation could exacerbate black-market activity, threaten livelihoods, and reduce employment in retail. The groups are calling for inclusive, transparent consultations before the bill proceeds to the Committee of the Whole House stage.

  • Bangladesh Pushes for Tobacco-Free Generation

    Bangladesh Pushes for Tobacco-Free Generation

    Tobacco industry stakeholders are closely monitoring calls from Bangladeshi experts and advocacy groups to amend the country’s tobacco control law with the stated goal of creating a “tobacco-free generation.” While public health advocates link tobacco use to rising rates of non-communicable diseases and urge stricter restrictions, the industry cautions that sweeping amendments could have wide-ranging economic and social impacts. Bangladesh’s tobacco sector supports millions of livelihoods, from farmers to small retailers, and contributes significantly to government revenue through taxes and export earnings. Industry representatives stress that any legal reforms must balance health objectives with the realities of employment, trade, and fiscal stability.

    From the industry’s perspective, an outright tightening of laws—such as bans on e-cigarettes and vaping—risks pushing consumers toward illicit markets, undermining both health and tax collection goals. The sector emphasizes the importance of pragmatic regulation, transparency, and meaningful dialogue between policymakers, public health groups, and industry stakeholders.

  • Belgium Smoking/Vaping Ban Starts in 2027, Smoking Rooms Closed

    Belgium Smoking/Vaping Ban Starts in 2027, Smoking Rooms Closed

    Belgium’s federal government confirmed that smoking and vaping will be banned on and near terraces, as well as in all public smoking rooms, starting January 1, 2027. The move, approved by the Council of Ministers on September 12, extends existing smoking restrictions to outdoor hospitality spaces such as café and restaurant terraces, while also eliminating smoking rooms in bars, airports, cigar clubs, and shisha bars. The government delayed the rollout by one year from the original 2026 target to give businesses time to adapt.

    The hospitality sector, which had resisted the measure, will now be responsible for enforcing the ban with clear signage and by actively intervening if customers smoke or vape. Establishments risk penalties for insufficient signage, ignoring violations, or even placing items that could encourage smoking, such as ashtrays.

  • Mexico Proposes 200% Tobacco Tax Hike in Sweeping Health Push

    Mexico Proposes 200% Tobacco Tax Hike in Sweeping Health Push

    Today (September 11), Mexico’s Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit proposed steep new levies on products considered to be unhealthy as part of a broad “healthy tax” initiative aimed at curbing harmful consumption and boosting revenue. The plan would raise the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) on junk food, processed food, and fast food. It would also gradually increase tobacco taxes “by 200% through the year 2030,” alongside new per-cigarette quotas, VAT, and higher duties on hand-rolled cigars. The proposal also introduces taxes on nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, tied to nicotine content.

    Mexico is also considering increasing the taxes on online gambling, and taxing digital services and video games with violent content. Officials say the measures could generate 140 billion pesos ($757 million) annually while advancing President Claudia Sheinbaum’s goal of promoting healthier lifestyles.

  • Midwest Goods Responds to FDA Seizure, Says Actions are ‘Troubling’

    Midwest Goods Responds to FDA Seizure, Says Actions are ‘Troubling’

    Following yesterday’s (September 10) news that federal officials seized $86.5 million worth of illicit vapes in Chicago, Midwest Goods confirmed that agents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Marshals executed a civil seizure warrant at its facilities, targeting more than 75 brands of bottled e-liquids used in refillable vaping devices. The company said it is fully cooperating with authorities.

    In a statement, Midwest emphasized that the products cited in the warrant are manufactured in the U.S. by companies employing “hundreds, if not thousands,” of American workers. Many of the e-liquids, the company said, are tied to premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) that have been pending with the FDA since as far back as September 2020, despite a statutory requirement for review within 180 days. Midwest noted that the FDA has previously allowed these products to remain on the market during the prolonged review process.

    “Midwest has always attempted to work cooperatively with FDA,” the company said in its statement. “After a recent FDA inspection in August, we advised FDA that we had removed from our product catalog and inventory several ENDS products about which FDA inspectors had inquired. We also offered to remove other ENDS products from our product catalog if FDA was concerned about our continuing to offer them for sale. FDA acknowledged receipt of our correspondence, but did not request that we stop selling any other products.”

    The company called the enforcement action “troubling,” particularly in light of reports that FDA is preparing to expedite reviews of products tied to larger companies with more recent applications, while seizing long-pending independent products. It pledged to continue cooperating with federal authorities while reserving the right to challenge the seizure in court.

    Read the full statement here.

  • NSW’s New Laws Aimed at Curbing Illegal Tobacco Trade

    NSW’s New Laws Aimed at Curbing Illegal Tobacco Trade

    The New South Wales (NSW) Parliament passed sweeping new laws to crack down on the illegal tobacco trade, with offenders now facing some of the harshest penalties in Australia. Under the legislation, those convicted of selling illicit tobacco could face fines of up to A$1.5 million ($1 million), prison sentences of up to seven years, and the closure of their businesses. The measures will work alongside the state’s new tobacco licensing scheme, designed to make it easier to identify and remove rogue operators, and will be enforced by NSW Health’s newly established Centre for Regulation and Enforcement.

    The government said the reforms are aimed at protecting public health and safeguarding legitimate retailers, while disrupting the operations of criminal syndicates profiting from tax evasion, addiction, and youth exposure to tobacco.

  • Hong Kong Bill Bans Vapes, Heated Products, Flavored Cigarettes

    Hong Kong Bill Bans Vapes, Heated Products, Flavored Cigarettes

    Hong Kong’s Legislative Council approved sweeping new tobacco control measures aimed at further cutting smoking rates in the city. The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025, passed today (September 11) with 74 votes in favor (versus one against and seven abstentions) bans possession of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, extends non-smoking areas, prohibits sales to minors, and outlaws flavored cigarettes except menthol.

    Lawmakers largely supported the bill, with several highlighting the need to shield young people from targeted marketing of flavored products. Hong Kong’s smoking rate currently stands at 9.1%, as officials hope to eventually bring it below 5%.

  • HHS and CBP Seize $86.5 Million in Illegal E-Cigarettes in Largest U.S. Operation

    HHS and CBP Seize $86.5 Million in Illegal E-Cigarettes in Largest U.S. Operation

    Today (September 10), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the seizure of 4.7 million unauthorized e-cigarette units in Chicago with an estimated retail value of $86.5 million. Working with the FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), HHS said it was the largest operation of its kind.

    The shipments, mostly originating from China, were found to contain misleading product descriptions and undervalued entries, apparently aimed at evading duties and FDA safety review.

    “We will never allow foreign actors to threaten the health of America’s children,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today we took decisive action to protect kids from illegal vape products.”

    So far this year, the FDA and CBP have stopped more than 6 million unauthorized e-cigarettes valued at over $120 million. All seized products lacked the required pre-market authorization from the FDA. In addition, the FDA contacted 37 importers responsible for these shipments, reminding them of their legal obligations and requesting full compliance within 30 days.

    “The FDA and our federal partners are taking strong actions to shore up America’s borders and stop the flow of illegal vaping products into our country,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “If a product has not been authorized by the FDA, CBP will seize, detain or destroy it.”

  • Dutch Watchdog Puts Snapchat in Crosshairs for Online Vape Sales

    Dutch Watchdog Puts Snapchat in Crosshairs for Online Vape Sales

    The Dutch consumer watchdog ACM launched an investigation into Snapchat over the alleged large-scale illegal sale of vapes to minors following requests from anti-smoking group Stichting Rookpreventie and the national product safety authority NVWA. The probe will assess whether Snapchat has breached the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires platforms to curb illegal content and protect users, particularly children.

    ACM official Manon Leijten said there was sufficient evidence to warrant the investigation, as many of the vapes advertised on the app are illegal in the Netherlands because they contain child-appealing flavorings. Parent company Snap Inc. said the sale of vapes is banned on Snapchat and that it has taken “reasonable, proportional and effective measures” to prevent such activity. If found in violation, Snapchat could face fines.

  • South Australia Punishes 95 Stores for Vape Violations

    South Australia Punishes 95 Stores for Vape Violations

    The Malinauskas Labor Government issued 95 closure orders to stores caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes in South Australia since June, as part of its recent crackdown. Health Minister Chris Picton said 43 stores face three-day closures, 50 stores face 28-day shutdowns, and two are facing long-term shutdowns. He said the government is considering 12-month closure orders for repeat offenders through the Magistrates Court.

    Since June, more than A$40 million ($26.4 million) worth of illicit products have been seized under the new regulations. South Australia has imposed the nation’s harshest penalties, with fines of up to A$6.6 million ($4.4 million) for large-scale offenders. The Australian Council on Smoking and Health recently awarded the state an A+ score for its enforcement efforts.