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Category: Global Regulation

  • Tobacco Import Allowances Expanded for Returning Maldivians

    Tobacco Import Allowances Expanded for Returning Maldivians

    Maldivians aged 21 and older returning from overseas can now bring limited quantities of tobacco products for personal use without paying import duties. An amendment issued Aug. 24 allows up to 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, or 100 grams of tobacco, along with limited quantities of cigarette-rolling materials.

    The exemption does not apply to anyone born in 2007 or later. Sheesha, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and flavored cigarettes also remain ineligible for duty-free importation.

    The change comes despite the Maldives’ broader restrictions on tobacco use, including a ban on smoking for people born after a specified year and restrictions on vaping products.

  • FDA authorizes 11 additional ZYN nicotine pouches

    FDA authorizes 11 additional ZYN nicotine pouches

    Today (Aug. 21), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized 11 new nicotine pouch products from Swedish Match USA under the Zyn Ultra brand through the premarket tobacco product application pathway. The products include 10 9-milligram varieties and one 11-milligram variety, covering flavors such as Chill, Citrus, Cool Mint, Deep Freeze, Menthol, Peppermint, Smooth, Spearmint, and Wintergreen.

    The FDA said its review found the products contain lower levels of most harmful and potentially harmful constituents than other oral and smokeless tobacco products. The agency also said product-specific data indicated the pouches appeal primarily to adults who currently smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco and could provide sufficient nicotine to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, potentially supporting switching among adult tobacco users.

    “We are delighted with the FDA’s decision to authorize a range of ZYN ULTRA products, which will build on ZYN’s position as America’s leading smoke-free product brand,” said Stacey Kennedy, PMI U.S. CEO. “We look forward to expanding our portfolio of better choices for the 45 million Americans who consume nicotine products.” 

    The authorizations bring the number of FDA-authorized nicotine pouch products to 43, including 23 approved through the agency’s nicotine pouch pilot program. The FDA said the pilot has streamlined PMTA reviews and reduced the time needed to resolve deficiencies, with efficiencies now being applied to other tobacco-product applications.

  • Russia Expands Criminal Penalties for Illicit Vape Imports

    Russia Expands Criminal Penalties for Illicit Vape Imports

    Russia added e-cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, vape liquids, and nicotine salts, along with wine, beer, and alcoholic cider, to a list of goods subject to tougher criminal penalties for illegal cross-border movement, effective today (Aug. 20).

    People found illegally moving the newly listed products across Russia’s customs border or its state borders with other Eurasian Economic Union members could face up to five years in prison when shipments are valued at more than 100,000 rubles ($1,200), provided all elements of the offense are met. Previously, some such violations were generally handled administratively through fines or compulsory labor.

    The measure expands a 2022 crackdown that designated hard liquor and tobacco products as strategic goods.

  • Sri Lanka Cigarette Production Falls 32% as Tobacco Taxes Rise

    Sri Lanka Cigarette Production Falls 32% as Tobacco Taxes Rise

    Cigarette production in Sri Lanka fell 32% from 2.8 billion sticks in 2022 to 1.9 billion in 2025 following successive increases in tobacco taxes, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera told Parliament today (Aug. 20), according to The Morning.

    Excise duties on cigarettes have increased four times since 2023, including increases of 20% in January and July 2023, 14% in January 2024 and 5.9% in January 2025. The government also raised VAT from 15% to 18% in January 2024 and corporate income tax from 40% to 45% in April 2025. Current cigarette excise duties range from 26.59 to 109.95 Sri Lankan rupees ($0.08 to $0.33) per cigarette, based on cigarette length.

    Jayaweera said the tax policy is intended to increase government revenue while reducing healthcare costs and other socioeconomic impacts associated with tobacco use. He said higher tobacco taxes have contributed to gradual increases in direct and indirect tax revenue while supporting public-health objectives.

  • UAE Vape Tax to Raise Prices in September

    UAE Vape Tax to Raise Prices in September

    The UAE will introduce a minimum excise price of Dh1 ($0.27) per milliliter for e-cigarette and vape liquids on Sept. 1, with the existing 100% excise rate applied to the higher taxable value. A 60ml bottle retailing for Dh40 ($10.80), for example, will be taxed as if it were priced at Dh60 ($16.20).

    Doctors and vapers told The National the higher prices could discourage vaping among young people and prompt some existing users to cut consumption or quit. Retailers, however, warned that a wider price gap between legal and unofficial products could encourage consumers to turn to unregulated sellers.

    The UAE already applies a 100% excise tax to vaping and e-cigarette liquids. The new minimum-price mechanism comes as other countries introduce or tighten vape taxes, including the U.K., which will implement a dedicated levy in October.

  • Kuwait Tightens Tobacco and Nicotine Regs

    Kuwait Tightens Tobacco and Nicotine Regs

    Kuwait’s Health Ministry issued new regulations covering tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, nicotine liquids, cartridges, and pouches. Ministerial Decision No. 237 of 2026 bans sales in educational and health facilities, government institutions, sports clubs, youth centers, and venues serving children and young people. Sales are also prohibited through websites, apps, social media, delivery services, vending machines, and outlets within 200 meters of educational institutions.

    All covered products must be registered and approved by the Health Ministry, with manufacturers and suppliers required to disclose ingredients, nicotine concentration, country of origin, and batch information. Products of unknown origin, those exceeding approved limits or those designed or marketed to appeal to young people are prohibited. Health warnings, including text and images, must cover at least 50% of the main packaging area.

    Sales to people under 21 are prohibited, along with advertising, promotion, sponsorship, free samples, gifts, and discounts. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products will face the same restrictions as smoking in public and enclosed places where smoking is prohibited. The regulations take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

  • UK Sets New Vape, Nicotine Rules for October

    UK Sets New Vape, Nicotine Rules for October

    From Oct. 29, the UK’s minimum retail age of 18 will apply to all vaping and consumer nicotine products, including zero-nicotine vapes, nicotine pouches, strips, and pearls. The rules, under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, will apply to retailers and online sellers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Adults will also be prohibited from buying or attempting to buy covered products on behalf of anyone under 18.

    The new requirements will also restrict promotional practices. Businesses will be prohibited from giving vaping or nicotine products, or related coupons, away for promotional purposes and from offering substantial discounts where the purpose or effect is promotional. Normal clearance sales, bulk discounts, and trade discounts will remain permitted. Medical and medicinal products are excluded, while free products may still be provided through certain publicly supported smoking-cessation programs.

    Relevant offences will carry a £200 fixed penalty in England, Wales and Scotland, while Northern Ireland plans a £250 penalty subject to Assembly approval. Repeat violations can result in temporary restrictions on a retailer’s ability to sell specified regulated products. The government is expected to provide further details on statutory age-verification requirements for England, Wales and Northern Ireland following parliamentary consideration.

  • Ireland Reviews Tobacco Affordability

    Ireland Reviews Tobacco Affordability

    Ireland’s Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is reviewing tobacco affordability at the request of the chief medical officer, amid little change in smoking prevalence in recent years. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland reported that smoking among people aged 15 and older remained at about 17–18% between 2019 and 2025.

    HIQA said cigarette taxation has increased the price of a 20-pack by 24% since 2020, while average weekly earnings have risen 28%, potentially making tobacco more affordable despite higher taxes. Its analysis will compare tobacco affordability in Ireland with other EU countries and the UK and assess measures including household disposable income, wage growth, and household expenditure alongside GDP.

    The review will be submitted to the Chief Medical Officer and Department of Health to inform future policy. Ireland has already raised the legal purchase age to 21, banned disposable vapes and bright flavor descriptors, and restricted self-service vending machines. The government is also considering a generational ban on tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products.

  • Mixed Reactions as UK Wants Planning Controls on Vape Shops

    Mixed Reactions as UK Wants Planning Controls on Vape Shops

    Today (August 11), the UK government announced plans to give councils greater control over high-street businesses, including requiring planning permission for new specialist vape shops and adult gaming centers. The government said the measures are intended to help communities manage the mix of businesses in town centers, address concerns about the concentration of vape and gambling outlets, and give local authorities greater powers to close premises linked to organized crime.

    The proposal has received qualified support from parts of the vaping industry, although concerns have been raised over its scope. Dr Marina Murphy, Head of External Affairs at Haypp UK, said specialist, compliant vape retailers should retain a place on high streets, arguing that a planning framework recognizing vape retail as a distinct category could support responsible businesses while giving councils more control over poorly run or non-compliant outlets. Riot Labs CEO Ben Johnson similarly backed the objective but criticized the mechanism, describing planning permission as “a location test applied to a conduct problem.”

    Riot Labs and Action on Smoking and Health both noted that the proposed planning requirement would apply to new premises, meaning it would not directly address existing shops that breach regulations. Johnson is calling instead for the government to implement the retail licensing provisions contained in the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which would apply to both existing and new retailers.

  • Nigerian Health Groups Oppose Tobacco Control Bill

    Nigerian Health Groups Oppose Tobacco Control Bill

    A coalition of Nigerian tobacco control and public health organizations has called for the immediate recall of the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, arguing that it would weaken the country’s existing tobacco regulations by creating a more permissive framework for e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other non-combustible nicotine products. The groups urged the National Assembly to withdraw the legislation and called on President Bola Tinubu to reject it if passed.

    The coalition said the bill would allow broader advertising, online sales, retail displays and product sampling for non-combustible products while weakening packaging, health warning and disclosure requirements. It also argued that the proposal conflicts with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by treating heated tobacco products differently from conventional tobacco products. The organizations called for all tobacco and nicotine products to remain subject to a single regulatory framework and urged lawmakers to publish legislative records related to the bill’s development.