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Tag: tobacco control

  • Tasmanian Retailers Demand Tobacco Tax Overhaul

    Tasmanian Retailers Demand Tobacco Tax Overhaul

    Tasmania’s independent retailers are calling on the Australian government to overhaul its tobacco excise strategy, warning that the black market has spiraled “beyond control.” Tasmania Independent Retailers (TIR), representing 80 IGA and IGA-branded stores, said illicit cigarettes are being sold for as little as A$10 per pack ($7), compared with A$40–50 ($28–35) for legal products, fueling organized crime and undercutting legitimate retailers.

    TIR chair Michael Baxter criticized the government for persisting with high excise rates and heavy enforcement spending while failing to curb illegal sales, citing unregulated menthol products and weak age checks as risks to youth. Federal excise revenue has dropped from over A$16 billion ($11.2 billion) in 2019 to about A$7.4 billion ($5.2 billion) currently, and 2025 research by FTI Consulting estimates that illicit tobacco now accounts for roughly half of all cigarettes consumed in Australia. Baxter called for recalibrated excise settings and more targeted enforcement, labeling current policy “a disaster” that has left the government effectively losing control of the market.

  • Macau Pushes Ahead with Smoke-Free Plans

    Macau Pushes Ahead with Smoke-Free Plans

    Macau authorities are advancing plans to strengthen tobacco control through proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Law, despite acknowledging enforcement challenges and a slowdown in the decline in smoking rates. Measures under consultation include expanding no-smoking zones in high-traffic areas, banning emerging products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and hookahs, and introducing standardized packaging with larger health warnings. Pilot initiatives — such as smoke-free areas near schools and public spaces, and trial smoking booths — may be expanded if successful, alongside the use of body-worn cameras by inspectors to support enforcement.

    Officials cautioned that stricter rules must be balanced with practical enforcement and market dynamics. While public support for tougher controls is strong, concerns remain around compliance and personal freedoms. Authorities also warned that significant increases in tobacco taxes could drive cross-border purchases and illicit trade, noting that current tax levels are below global benchmarks. The government signaled a phased approach combining regulation, enforcement, and education to progress toward its long-term smoke-free objective.

  • Ugandan CSOs Want Higher Taxes to Push Already Declining Smoking Rate

    Ugandan CSOs Want Higher Taxes to Push Already Declining Smoking Rate

    Several civil society organizations (CSO) in Uganda have asked the Ministry of Finance to increase the tax on imported tobacco products to 75%, according to New Vision. Mengo Talibita, a representative of the Tobacco Control Committee, said current excise taxes are often in the 31% to 35% range, “leaving cigarettes relatively affordable.”  

    Uganda’s Tobacco Control Act of 2015 introduced 100% smoke-free public spaces, banned shisha and e-cigarettes, prohibited tobacco advertising, required 65% graphic warnings on packaging, raised the smoking age to 21, and added restrictions to where tobacco products could be sold. Since then, the country’s modest smoking rate decreased from 7.9% to 6.7%.

    Talibita said the tobacco industry tries to manipulate government policy during the tax cycle, and Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi said the department is under heavy pressure from the CSOs to increase the tax rates. In an interview with New Vision, one smoker who declined to be named said, “Much as the law was put in place, there were no gazette places for smokers. Apparently, when one wants to smoke, it is hell one gets [with] insults from the public.

    “We need to be given freedom as smokers. Let the government put in place what was agreed for us.”

  • EU Approves Bulgaria’s Vape Ban

    EU Approves Bulgaria’s Vape Ban

    The European Commission approved Bulgaria’s legislation banning the marketing, sale, and distribution of disposable e-cigarettes, triggering a three-month phase-out period for existing products on the market. The decision, issued under the EU Tobacco Products Directive framework, concludes that the measure is justified, necessary, and proportionate to protect public health, particularly in response to rising youth vaping rates. Bulgarian authorities cited data showing that one in four students aged 13–15 use vapes, alongside concerns over youth-targeted product design, nicotine-related health risks, and environmental harm from disposable devices.

    With the approval in place, Bulgaria will proceed with implementation, requiring retailers to clear inventory within the transition period or remove products from sale, with the option to export remaining stock. The move follows similar actions by other EU countries and reflects growing regional momentum toward stricter regulation of disposable e-cigarettes as policymakers seek to curb underage use and limit nicotine addiction among younger populations.

  • Philippine Farmers Hail Illicit Tobacco Crackdown

    Philippine Farmers Hail Illicit Tobacco Crackdown

    Farmers in the Philippines and local business groups welcomed the government’s intensified crackdown on illicit tobacco manufacturing and smuggling, following a series of enforcement operations. Organizations, including the Federation of Free Farmers, Federation of Philippine Industries, and the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said recent raids and factory shutdowns send a strong signal that authorities are serious about protecting legitimate businesses, government revenues, and farmers’ livelihoods. The comments followed law enforcement actions that uncovered several abandoned illegal cigarette factories in Pampanga and seized equipment and materials valued at about ₱400 million ($6.8 million).

    Officials said the illegal facilities were capable of producing cigarettes worth up to ₱160 million per day. Authorities estimate that illegal cigarette production and smuggling cost the Philippine government around ₱30 billion ($510 million) in lost excise taxes in 2025 alone. Department of the Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned that some illicit operations may have political or institutional backers, while enforcement agencies continue investigations to identify financiers and operators behind the networks.

  • Azerbaijan Sets Fines for E-cigarette Violations

    Azerbaijan Sets Fines for E-cigarette Violations

    Azerbaijan introduced fines targeting e-cigarette use and commerce under amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code signed by President Ilham Aliyev, AzerNEWS reported. Individuals using e-cigarettes in prohibited public areas, including streets, face a 30 manat ($17.60) fine, while violations involving import, export, production, wholesale, retail sale, or storage of e-cigarettes and components carry steeper penalties. Fines range from 350–500 manat ($205–$294) for individuals, 1,650–2,200 manat ($970–$1,294) for officials, and 4,000–5,000 manat ($2,352–$2,941) for legal entities, with any contraband products subject to confiscation.

  • PHANZ and CAPHRA Clash Over Oral Products

    PHANZ and CAPHRA Clash Over Oral Products

    The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) recently urged the government to reject oral nicotine and tobacco products, citing limited evidence and concerns over youth uptake, addiction, and unintended harms. PHANZ argued that introducing these products could pose risks to public health and recommended a cautious approach.

    In response, the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates called for strict, adult-only regulation rather than outright prohibition, emphasizing that adults who smoke deserve access to lower-risk alternatives. CAPHRA Executive Coordinator Nancy Loucas stressed that safeguards such as R18 sales, ingredient disclosure, marketing restrictions, and strong enforcement should accompany access, noting that blanket bans ignore evidence from Sweden and Norway where low-combustion oral products have coincided with major declines in cigarette use.

    CAPHRA also criticized New Zealand’s current patchwork of import restrictions, advocating for a clear legal category and risk-proportionate regulations that protect youth while giving adults credible alternatives to combustible tobacco.

  • Kuwait Bans Nicotine Sales Through Digital, Delivery Platforms

    Kuwait Bans Nicotine Sales Through Digital, Delivery Platforms

    Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a Ministerial Resolution banning the sale of tobacco, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and related “consumption tools” via home delivery or any digital platforms. Effective March 15, the resolution empowers the ministry to enforce penalties for violations, including warnings, temporary business closures, and license revocation for repeated offenses. The ministry highlighted its commitment to the strict regulation of tobacco sales and ensuring adherence to the new rules.

  • Macau Proposes Tougher E-Cigarette, Tobacco Rules

    Macau Proposes Tougher E-Cigarette, Tobacco Rules

    The Health Bureau (SSM) unveiled five proposals to strengthen Macau’s Smoking Prevention and Control Law, targeting youth and emerging products. Key measures include banning public possession of e-cigarettes, prohibiting nicotine pouches, shisha, and herbal cigarettes, and introducing standardized packaging with 85% health warnings.

    The proposals, aimed at curbing smuggling and teen appeal, also allow frontline monitors to use body cameras during inspections and open a public consultation period from March 8 to April 8. The SSM emphasized that these measures build on the 2012 law and the 2018 amendments to protect public health.

  • Bangladesh Moves to Enact Tobacco Control Ordinance Into Law

    Bangladesh Moves to Enact Tobacco Control Ordinance Into Law

    Bangladesh is preparing to convert the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law in the upcoming parliamentary session, with government officials emphasizing urgent action to curb tobacco-related health and economic impacts. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M.A. Muhit and Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that tobacco use affects over 21 million adults, causing nearly 200,000 deaths annually and economic losses of about BDT 87,000 crore ($7.9 billion).

    The ordinance includes strict measures such as banning e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and heated tobacco products; prohibiting tobacco sales within 100 meters of schools, hospitals, and playgrounds; eliminating designated smoking areas in public spaces and transport; and increasing pictorial health warnings on packaging from 50% to 75%.

    Civil society representatives, including anti-tobacco groups and media organizations, urged the government to pass the law without delay to protect public health, especially for women and children. Officials stressed that the law’s passage is critical to fulfill election commitments, reduce mortality, and prevent further economic losses, while the Ministry of Information pledged to support implementation once enacted.