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Tag: vape ban

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Vietnam Proposes to Legislate Ban on Vapes, HTPs

    Vietnam Proposes to Legislate Ban on Vapes, HTPs

    Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is moving to codify the country’s ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by amending the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms to align with existing National Assembly and Investment Law provisions. The draft legislation would formally define and prohibit the products while also introducing a nationwide ban on tobacco product displays at retail outlets. Health officials said the amendments are needed to address rising youth use of e-cigarettes, strengthen enforcement, and create a more comprehensive legal framework for tobacco control, with the revised bill now being finalized for submission to lawmakers.