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Tag: vape ban

  • Russia to Allow Regional Vape Sales Bans

    Russia to Allow Regional Vape Sales Bans

    Russia will allow regional governments to prohibit the retail sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems and e-liquids for five years beginning March 1, 2027, under a new experimental regime. The measure will run through March 1, 2032, with regions able to adopt their own laws imposing the bans, while existing federal rules will remain in effect in regions that do not introduce restrictions.

    The first regional proposals are already emerging. Authorities in Primorsky Krai have proposed banning retail sales of electronic cigarettes, vape and pod systems, and their liquids, including nicotine-free liquids, from March 1, 2027, through March 1, 2032. The proposal is currently undergoing public discussion.

  • Newsweek Names States with Toughest Vape Laws as CA Plans Ban

    Newsweek Names States with Toughest Vape Laws as CA Plans Ban

    As California moves toward becoming the first state to ban disposable nicotine vapes, Newsweek examined states with some of the toughest restrictions on vaping products. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Utah have enacted statewide restrictions on flavored vaping products, with Utah removing exemptions for menthol and mint in 2025.

    A separate regulatory approach is gaining ground through state vape directories, which require products to appear on government-approved lists before they can legally be sold. Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin have enacted directory laws, according to Newsweek.

    California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 762, which prohibits the import and manufacture for sale of covered disposable nicotine vaping devices beginning Jan. 1, 2027, followed by a ban on their sale, distribution, and retail offering beginning Jan. 1, 2028. The law covers single-use devices that are not designed to be reused, but excludes cannabis vaping products, and violations can carry penalties of $500 for a first offense and up to $2,000 for subsequent violations.

  • UK Vaping Duty Takes Effect

    UK Vaping Duty Takes Effect

    The UK’s new Vaping Products Duty took effect today (Oct. 1), imposing an excise duty of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, including nicotine-free products, while a new vaping duty-stamp scheme is being phased in to improve supply-chain traceability and help combat illicit trade. Manufacturers, importers, and warehousekeepers are responsible for the duty, with existing unstamped inventory eligible to be sold through March 31, 2027. From April 1, 2027, all vaping products sold in the UK must carry a valid duty stamp. Retailers caught selling unstamped products after the grace period could face significant penalties. HMRC can seize non-compliant stock and issue fines of up to £10,000, with penalties increasing for repeat offences. In the most serious cases, businesses could also face criminal investigation, an unlimited fine or imprisonment.

    The government said the measures are intended to reduce vaping’s affordability and appeal, particularly among young people and nonsmokers, while tobacco duty is also increasing by an additional £2.20 per 100 cigarettes or 50 grams of tobacco on top of the existing duty escalator.

    The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) criticized the new duty, with Director General John Dunne calling it a public-health tax and arguing that higher prices could push some consumers toward smoking or illicit products. UKVIA cited its survey of nearly 3,500 adult vapers, which it said found about half would consider returning to smoking or the black market following the duty. Separately, Haypp’s Head of External Affairs UK and Scientific Affairs, Dr. Marina Murphy, said retailers face additional compliance requirements, including managing unstamped inventory, maintaining records, and ensuring new stock carries the required stamps.

    The government said the duty is expected to raise more than £550 million annually by 2030-31 and is providing £30 million a year through 2028-29 for Trading Standards, Border Force, and HMRC to tackle illicit and underage sales of tobacco and vapes.

  • Alabama Expands Indoor Vaping Ban, Imposes New Vapor Tax

    Alabama Expands Indoor Vaping Ban, Imposes New Vapor Tax

    Two Alabama laws affecting electronic nicotine products take effect today (Oct. 1), expanding the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act to prohibit vaping in covered public indoor spaces and imposing a new 10-cent-per-milliliter excise tax on consumable vapor products. Senate Bill 9 expands the definition of smoking under the Clean Indoor Air Act to include vaping in locations such as restaurants, workplaces, retail stores, health facilities, educational facilities, airports, and government buildings.

    Separately, wholesalers and registered retailers will be responsible for collecting and remitting the new vapor products tax and must obtain a Vapor Products Tax License from the Alabama Department of Revenue. Businesses that fail to comply may face penalties, while a 4.75% discount is available for tax payments filed and paid by the 20th of the following month.

  • BAT Urges UK Retailers to Respond to Nicotine-Product Consultation

    BAT Urges UK Retailers to Respond to Nicotine-Product Consultation

    British American Tobacco continues to urge UK retailers to respond to the government’s consultation on proposed changes to the packaging, appearance, display, and marketing of tobacco and vape products before it closes Oct. 2. BAT UK and Ireland Commercial Director Tolga Kilic said retailers’ experience should inform the final regulations and urged them to highlight potential operational and financial impacts.

    Kilic cited the government’s impact assessment, which estimates vape retailers could face more than £420 million in cumulative lost profits through 2036 from proposed point-of-sale display restrictions. The consultation also covers product packaging, flavor descriptions, and other measures affecting the sale and presentation of nicotine products.

  • Imperial Urges Retailers to Weigh In on UK Consultation

    Imperial Urges Retailers to Weigh In on UK Consultation

    Imperial Brands is urging UK retailers to respond to the government’s latest consultation on the packaging, appearance, and in-store display of vapes, nicotine pouches, and other nicotine products before the Oct. 2 deadline. The company says retailer input will be important given the potential costs and operational disruption associated with changes to store layouts, displays, and packaging.

    The government is expected to respond by the end of the year, with new display restrictions on vapes and nicotine pouches proposed for June 2027. Product appearance requirements would follow later and could also apply to cigarette papers, herbal smoking products, and heated tobacco devices.

    Imperial said it supports measures to prevent youth access but says new requirements should be “practical, evidence-based, and workable for responsible law-abiding retailers.” The company warns that mandatory closed storage could require new fixtures or store-layout changes, while standardized white packaging could make products harder to distinguish and increase transaction times. It also says implementation timelines could be challenging where physical modifications are required.

    Imperial is encouraging retailers to submit their views through the government consultation portal, arguing their “real-world retail experience” is critical to developing practical and proportionate regulations. The consultation comes ahead of other significant UK changes, including Oct. 29’s minimum sales age of 18 for all consumer nicotine products and the phased annual increase in the tobacco sales age beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

  • UKVIA Launches Campaign to Preserve Vaping 

    UKVIA Launches Campaign to Preserve Vaping 

    The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) launched its “Enough is Enough” campaign alongside its 10-point “Fair Deal for Vaping,” calling for a more proportionate approach to vaping regulation. The campaign urges the UK government to crack down on youth access and illicit traders while preserving vaping as an alternative for adult smokers. UKVIA is particularly challenging upcoming measures including plain packaging, tighter flavor and display restrictions, a planned advertising and sponsorship ban, and the Vaping Products Duty taking effect Oct. 1 at 22p ($0.30) per milliliter, which it says could significantly increase prices. 

    The campaign calls for measures including accelerated retail licensing, tougher penalties for rogue traders, continued access to adult flavors, factual communication with adult consumers, and a review of the new vaping duty. UKVIA is encouraging adult vapers, former smokers, and their families to contact MPs and share their experiences, arguing that increasingly restrictive policies could discourage smokers from switching and fuel illicit trade. 

  • Malaysian MPs Want Vape Liquid Declared Controlled Poisons 

    Malaysian MPs Want Vape Liquid Declared Controlled Poisons 

    Two Malaysian MPs are calling on the government to ban nicotine vape liquids as “controlled poisons” following the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against a High Court ruling that restored liquid nicotine to the Poisons List. Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and Kuala Langat MP Ahmad Yunus Hairi urged the Health Ministry to announce a ban on recreational nicotine vape sales and the Finance Ministry to stop collecting excise duties on the products. 

    The MPs also called for refunds of more than RM354 million ($88.5 million) in excise duties collected since April 2023, arguing that continued taxation conflicts with the products’ legal status. The government’s decision leaves nicotine-containing vape liquids classified as Group C poisons under Malaysia’s Poisons Act, meaning recreational sale is prohibited unless prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist, creating significant regulatory and commercial uncertainty for the vaping industry. 

  • MVCC Desires Regulatory Certainty for Vape Industry  

    MVCC Desires Regulatory Certainty for Vape Industry  

    The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) called on the government to maintain regulatory certainty for the vape industry following its decision not to pursue an appeal concerning the legal status of nicotine in vape products. MVCC Secretary-General Ridhwan Rosli said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) was developed through an extensive legislative process involving government agencies and industry stakeholders and should continue to serve as the basis for regulating vape and other smoking products. He stressed that the industry had supported regulation and made significant investments to comply with requirements covering products, packaging, labelling, registration, and business operations.  

    MVCC warned that changes to the legal position could create uncertainty for businesses that have made investment and operational decisions based on Act 852. The chamber said it does not oppose regulation or measures addressing public health, product misuse, or enforcement concerns, but believes these issues should be tackled through stronger enforcement or targeted amendments rather than undermining the existing framework. MVCC is urging the government to ensure consistent implementation of Act 852 while balancing public-health objectives with the sustainability of businesses, employees, distributors, and retailers across the vape industry.  

  • Calif. Bans Disposable Nicotine Vapes

    Calif. Bans Disposable Nicotine Vapes

    California lawmakers passed legislation that would ban disposable nicotine vapes, with Assembly Bill 762 now awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. The bill, which passed the Senate Aug. 25 and Assembly Aug. 26, would prohibit the manufacture and import of single-use, battery-embedded e-cigarettes containing tobacco products beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and the sale or distribution of such devices on January 1, 2028; cannabis devices are exempt. To remain legal, vape devices would need to be refillable or use replaceable pods and have rechargeable batteries.

    Supporters, including bill sponsor Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and environmental groups, cited litter, toxic waste, and lithium-battery fire risks, while vaping industry representatives have argued that the products help adults quit smoking and warned that restrictions could push some consumers back to combustible cigarettes. California already prohibits most flavored tobacco products, including flavored vapes.