In Louisiana, a tobacco retailer successfully challenged plans to impose higher excise duties on the sale of cigar wrappers. The state had proposed raising the tax rate applied to wrappers to close a perceived loophole, classifying them alongside tobacco products rather than accessories. The seller argued that wrappers should remain exempt based on standard accessory definitions, and prevailing case law supported their position. Louisiana’s Department of Revenue ultimately withdrew enforcement plans, leading to a reversal of the proposed rate hike.
Category: Global Regulation
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Kenya Bans All Tobacco and Nicotine Imports
Kenya’s government has instituted an immediate ban on the importation of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, citing alarming increases in youth addiction rates. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the ban before parliament on July 30, 2025, pointing to the need to stem cheap, widely available imported products that undermine local regulations and facilitate underage consumption.
The ban applies to all tobacco categories, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and vaping products, representing an aggressive step compared to previous regulatory measures. The Secretary also said that the government is in the process of designing more sophisticated graphic health warnings.
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Malaysia to Extend “Pro‑Health” Tax to Tobacco, Vape
Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan introduces an expanded “pro‑health” tax framework, initially targeting sugary beverages and now proposed to encompass tobacco, vaping, and alcohol products. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim endorsed the expansion on July 31, 2025, signaling a broader fiscal strategy to fund public health initiatives through targeted sin taxes.
Consumer advocates have dubbed this initiative a potential “cancer tax,” calling for clear labeling of the tax’s health-driven intent. Critics argue that while the tax may raise additional revenue, policymakers must ensure it does not disproportionately burden low-income segments without accompanying cessation support and health education programs.
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FDA Schedules IQOS TPSAC Review
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has slated a meeting of its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) for October 7, 2025, to evaluate the renewal applications for Philip Morris Products S.A.’s modified-risk status on several IQOS products. The review will cover five products: Marlboro Amber HeatSticks, Marlboro Green Menthol HeatSticks, Marlboro Blue Menthol HeatSticks, the IQOS 2.4 system holder and charger, and the IQOS 3.0 system holder and charger. These products were originally authorized under modified-risk orders in 2020 and 2022, using claims of reduced exposure to harmful chemicals, not reduced risk of disease. The upcoming meeting will assess whether the scientific standards continue to be met under the provisions of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
The original approvals allowed claims that switching completely from cigarettes to IQOS significantly reduces exposure to harmful and potentially harmful chemicals without asserting reduced risk of disease or safety. The FDA required postmarket surveillance, annual reporting, and a limited lifecycle for each MRTP order. Renewal applications have now been submitted to ensure compliance continues beyond the original expiry periods.
The TPSAC review will take place at FDA’s White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, MD, and is open to the public both in-person and via webcast. Stakeholders, from industry participants to public health advocates, may provide oral testimony between 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET, with written comments accepted through September 25, 2025. Requests to speak must be submitted by September 11, 2025, along with a summary of the intended presentation. The federal register notice confirms that meeting materials will be posted ahead of time and background documents may appear online up to two business days before.
TPSAC’s recommendations to FDA will focus on whether the products continue to meet statutory criteria: significant reduction in exposure, potential impact on tobacco initiation and cessation, youth uptake, and overall population health considerations. While TPSAC’s opinion is non-binding, its analysis is a key input for FDA’s final determination. New data from postmarket studies and annual reports, which were updated and posted online as of July 29, 2025, will inform the scientific discourse.
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Pakistan: Punjab Government Bans Smoking in Public Parks
The Punjab government has banned smoking in all public parks. The use, sale, and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products are banned under the federal anti-tobacco law.
Under the law, all Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHAs) in Punjab have to install “no smoking” signs within 10 days and begin strict enforcement. Park staff may “eject violators,” according to the Express Tribune, and designated enforcement officers may pursue legal action.
Offenders may face fines of up to PKR1,000 ($3.52) for a first violation. Repeat offenses face harsher penalties.
Kiosks, food outlets, and vending stalls within parks are banned from selling cigarettes, vapes, or other tobacco-related products.
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Many Belgium Shops Violate Tobacco Display Ban
In April, a new tobacco law went into effect in Belgium, banning food stores larger than 400 square meters from selling tobacco products and prohibiting smaller stores from storing products within customers’ sight.
Out of the 623 shops that were inspected for display ban compliance, 161 were in violation. Specialized stores like vape shops and cigar stores showed a 39% noncompliance rate.
Those in violation could face imprisonment ranging from a month to a year and fines ranging from €2,000 ($2,293.83) to €800,000.
“The shopkeepers who were not compliant have not yet been find,” said Annelies Wynant, Federal Public Health Service spokesperson. “But this is changing. Shops inspected that have made no effort to comply with the display ban will now immediately receive a report and face fines. Large food shops over 400 square meters that continue selling tobacco will also receive an immediate report.
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FDA Seeks Nominations for the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requesting nominations by Aug. 25, 2025, for voting members to serve on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by any interested person or organization.
Specifically, TPSAC is seeking to fill five vacancies with physicians, dentists, scientists, or healthcare professionals practicing in oncology, pulmonology, cardiology, toxicology, pharmacology, addiction, engineering, or any other relevant specialty. Included in the five vacancies is one vacancy for a representative of the general public and one vacancy for an employee of federal, state, or local government. Selected members will be invited to serve for terms of up to four years, which will begin on Feb. 1, 2026, after the current members’ terms expire.
All nominations for membership should be sent electronically to the FDA Advisory Nomination Portal or by mail to Advisory Committee Oversight and Management Staff. Please see the Federal Register notice for further information. Nominations received after Aug. 25, 2025, will be considered for nomination to the committee as later vacancies occur.
TPSAC advises the FDA in its responsibilities related to the regulation of tobacco products, such as any application submitted by a manufacturer for a modified-risk tobacco product. The committee reviews and evaluates safety, dependence, and health issues concerning tobacco products and provides appropriate advice, information, and recommendations to the FDA commissioner.
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Malaysian Study Proposes 80% Retail Price Increase
A collaborative study led by health organizations including Johns Hopkins and the American Cancer Society proposes raising Malaysia’s average retail cigarette price from MYR 17.40 ($4.11) to MYR 31.74 ($7.50) per pack—an over 80% increase—by implementing a 159% excise tax hike. The goal is to reduce adult smoking prevalence from ~18.2% to the national target of 15%.
The proposal is estimated to generate roughly MYR 2.6 billion ($615mn) in annual tax revenue, while also addressing stagnating affordability since 2014 despite already high tax levels (~75% of retail price). The study builds on WHO recommendations for structured adjustments tied to GDP and inflation.
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Tobacco Companies Using Online Gaming, Metaverse for Marketing
Tobacco companies are now using online gaming communities, virtual reality platforms, NFTs, and avatars to promote and market smoking and vaping to young people, according to a recent World Conference on Tobacco Control report, notes the Times of India.
Using these metaverse platforms bypasses traditional advertising restrictions and raising the possibility of increasing youth tobacco use, according to the research from the Canary Project.
The digital promotions often include things like branded virtual lounges, influencer avatars, and immersive events featuring tobacco products.
Experts are concerned that the tactic will normalize tobacco use among youth; over half of the metaverse’s active users are ages 13 and below. “The combination of immersive technology and addictive marketing is deeply concerning,” said Melina Magsumbol of Vital Strategies India, part of the global health organization that runs the Canary Project.
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South Korea’s NHIS Submits Petition in Tobacco Damages Lawsuit
South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) formally submitted a petition bearing 1.5 million signatures to support its appeal currently before the Seoul High Court. The NHIS is seeking KRW 53.3 billion (≈ USD 38–40 million) in compensation from KT&G, Philip Morris Korea, and BAT Korea for smoking-related healthcare costs dating back to April 2014.
The petition was delivered on July 25, 2025, and accompanied by a statement from NHIS President Jung Ki-suck, a pulmonologist, highlighting the addictive nature of tobacco and accusing tobacco firms of downplaying smoking risks. Public statements in the petition allege the companies have never taken responsibility despite evidence linking tobacco use to cancer. The case is in appeals following a 2020 decision that deferred damages, citing the need to exclude other contributing risk factors.