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Tag: vape ban

  • Poland’s Bill to Ban Sale of Vapes, Pouches to Minors Moves Forward  

    Poland’s Bill to Ban Sale of Vapes, Pouches to Minors Moves Forward  

    Poland’s lower house of parliament backed a comprehensive ban on the sale of vapes and nicotine pouches to minors, including both disposable and reusable e-cigarettes, irrespective of their nicotine content. In yesterday’s (May 21) session, 417 MPs voted in favor of the bill, with one against and 10 abstaining. It will now be presented to the Senate, the upper house, and if passed, to the president to be signed into law. 

    The bill will also restrict the use of non-nicotine e-cigarettes in public spaces, mirroring the regulations applied to traditional tobacco products and e-cigarettes with nicotine.

    While Poland already had laws banning the sale of cigarettes to minors, the legislation had no provision for alternative forms of nicotine intake.   

  • GWI Study: Majority of Vapers Support Disposable Vape Ban

    GWI Study: Majority of Vapers Support Disposable Vape Ban

    PRESS RELEASE:

    New data from global insights platform GWI reveals that six in 10 (61%) UK vapers support the proposed ban on disposable vapes. This news comes ahead of the UK government’s decision on whether to ban single use vapes on the 1st of June.

    The new data, which looks into vaping habits, shows that health concerns may be a factor in supporting a ban on disposable vapes, with nearly a third (29%) of UK adult vapers claiming they ‘often’ think about the health risks associated with vapes, and 14% saying they ‘always’ think about them.

    In addition, nearly a third (29%) of UK adult vapers say that the health warnings on tobacco/nicotine alternatives, like vapes, impact their decision to purchase ‘quite a bit’, while 12% say it impacts their decision ‘very much’.

    Despite the obvious concern for their health and their support of a disposable vape ban, nearly half (46%) of UK adult vapers say that they vape daily and four in 10 (40%) say that they use single-use vapes.

    Interestingly, four in 10 (40%) UK adult smokers say that they are trying to ‘cut down’ on smoking traditional cigarettes with a further two in 10 (21%) stating that they are using vapes in order to help them stop smoking traditional cigarettes.

    In fact, vaping or e-cigarettes is the second most popular way UK smokers who plan to cut down on smoking aim to do it with a third (31%)  turning to vaping, second only to willpower (40%).

    Speaking on the data, Chartered Health Psychologist, Dr Ravi Gill, says: “The fact that a significant portion of adult vapers frequently think about the health risks suggests a growing cognitive dissonance regarding vaping— knowing the harm yet continuing the habit. From a psychological standpoint, this tension can lead to anxiety and guilt, but it also opens the door for meaningful change, as evidenced by vapers support of the ban on disposable vapes.

    “Disposable vapes encourage impulsive and automatic use by removing barriers such as refilling or recharging. As such, they’re easy, accessible, and also heavily marketed in ways that appeal to younger users. A ban represents a critical intervention—it disrupts habitual behaviour, reduces youth appeal, and alleviates the mental strain many users associate with ongoing health concerns.

    “Ultimately, removing easy access to products that users associate with health anxiety can be a protective public health strategy, not just physically but psychologically.”

    Chris Beer, data journalist at GWI also adds: “Cognitive dissonance crops up in research more often than most people would expect and the strong support for a vaping ban—even among people who vape daily— is a perfect illustration of the disconnect between what people want or believe they should do, and what they actually do.

    “We see this across categories: consumers passionately want brands to be eco-friendly, yet happily shop fast fashion from brands like Shein; people say they’re cutting down on social media, even as their usage metrics rise; and many express concern about how companies use personal data, while continuing to use data-heavy platforms.

    “These contradictions don’t make the data less valuable—in fact, they tell us a deeper story. They reveal emotional complexity, societal pressure, and the tension between values and habits. That’s where the real insight lies.”

  • Malaysian State Gets Aggressive with Ads as it Eyes Vape Regs

    Malaysian State Gets Aggressive with Ads as it Eyes Vape Regs

    All local authorities in Selangor, Malaysia, have been instructed to immediately seize and confiscate advertisements related to e-cigarette products in the state, The Star reported. State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the decision was made during a coordination meeting on May 16 to discuss the proposal of banning the sale of e-cigarettes.

    “This action is in line with the provisions of the Control of Tobacco Product for Public Health Act 2023 (Act 852), which explicitly prohibits any form of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship related to electronic smoking products,” she said in a statement today (May 20).

    Jamaliah said the meeting also examined various issues related to the use and sale of e-cigarettes, including enforcement challenges, licensing, legal aspects, and monitoring.

    “The issue of online sales was also discussed, as it is difficult to control and is often the main channel for teenagers to obtain these products,” she said. “According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 report, it is estimated that nearly 14.9% of male teenagers aged 13 to 17 in Malaysia use electronic cigarettes. This statistic is very worrying and calls for urgent proactive action at the state level.”

    Following this, she said the state government, through the Public Health Standing Committee, will hold a follow-up meeting soon to discuss policy options that should be considered before the final proposal is presented at the state executive council meeting for a decision.

  • Papua New Guinea Bans Vapes

    Papua New Guinea Bans Vapes

    Papua New Guinea’s Health Department declared an immediate ban on the importing and use of any form of vape products, effective immediately. Health Minister Elias Kapavore announced the ban May 13, saying he was concerned about the effects tobacco products had on people between the ages of 11 and 17 in the country.

    “As of [May 13], I want to say that we are signing off [on] the ban on e-cigarettes and it will be now formally issued though gazettal notice,” Kapavore said. “And once it’s published on the gazette, it will take seven days to get full effect for its full implementation, and any e-cigarette products coming to our country will be deemed illegal under our law.”

    The proposed ban prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes and their components. Those guilty of breaching the ban would face a K10,000 ($2,400) fine as an individual and K100,000 ($24,000) fine for a company. The company fine could be doubled for a “tobacco company.”

  • Iraq to Ban E-Cigarettes as Part of Larger Tobacco Crackdown

    Iraq to Ban E-Cigarettes as Part of Larger Tobacco Crackdown

    Yesterday (May 7), Iraq’s Ministry of Health announced plans to implement a nationwide ban on the import, sale, and circulation of electronic cigarettes, citing growing health concerns and a disturbing increase in their use among youth, including children.

    Dr. Wasim Kilani, assistant director of Iraq’s National Anti-Tobacco Program at the Ministry of Health, said a new legislative measure, titled the “Law for Protection from the Harmful Effects of Tobacco,” is set to be passed soon. This law will decisively prohibit the entry and commercial exchange of e-cigarettes and will include clear enforcement mechanisms such as fines, legal penalties, and confiscation of the devices.

    According to Ministry of Health statistics, 36% of Iraqi males, 18.7% of adults, and 11% of youth smoke. Kilani said e-cigarettes pose serious health risks and are becoming particularly popular among children, teenagers, and even young girls, due in part to their colorful designs and appealing flavors. “These devices have a dangerous impact on the brain and cognitive functions,” he said.

    The crackdown on vaping is part of a broader national anti-tobacco campaign. Iraq, like many countries in the Middle East, has long battled high rates of cigarette smoking, but, according to the Ministry, the introduction of e-cigarettes has complicated the landscape by attracting a younger, tech-savvy demographic who often perceive vaping as a safer alternative.

     While the bill still awaits formal passage, Kilani affirmed that its implementation will be strictly enforced, and he urged citizens, especially parents and educators, to support the effort to curb the vaping epidemic before it spirals further out of control.

  • Thailand’s Education Ministry Bans Vapes at Schools and Offices

    Thailand’s Education Ministry Bans Vapes at Schools and Offices

    Thailand’s Ministry of Education officially banned the use of e-cigarettes in all schools and offices under its jurisdiction, citing the growing popularity of vaping among young people, a government spokesman said yesterday (May 7).

    Deputy government spokesman Karom Polpornklang said the ministry recognized that more young people have taken up vaping due to increased accessibility and online advertisements specifically targeting youth. To combat this, the Ministry introduced four key measures to coincide with the ban: awareness campaigns, no-vaping signage, monitoring and prevention, and disciplinary action.

  • Hong Kong to Ban Vapes, Crack Down on All Tobacco 

    Hong Kong to Ban Vapes, Crack Down on All Tobacco 

    Hong Kong is seeking to ban the possession of e-cigarettes and other alternative smoking products in public by the end of April next year, along with other proposed measures to curb smoking in the city. Authorities are proposing to raise the fixed fine for smoking violations from HK$1,500 to HK$3,000 ($195 to $390). The statutory no-smoking areas would also be expanded. These measures were published in the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 last week.

    The bill, scheduled to be tabled at the Legislative Council April 30, covers eight smoking control measures that require legislative amendments.

    The bill also suggests authorizing the Secretary for Health to expand no-smoking areas based on the conditions of different districts, as well as to establish exemptions. Hong Kong residents will be barred from smoking while queuing for public transport or outside places with high foot traffic, such as sports venues and health centers.

    The sale of flavored traditional smoking products is banned under the proposed law, with the city’s authorities saying that tobacco companies have used flavorings to “disguise the toxicity” of the products and “entice young people to smoke.” The government plans to impose the ban in phases, with the first phase targeting products with specified additives, excluding menthol. A full implementation is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2027. Violators face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 ($6,500) and six months behind bars.

    In a move to crack down on illicit cigarettes, the government is proposing to require importers and local producers to ensure there is a label attached to every pack of taxed cigarettes sold. Selling or supplying any cigarettes that have no label on their packaging is prohibited.

    The bill also includes a prohibition on providing smoking products to individuals under 18, which is set to take effect on January 1 next year. Those who provide traditional smoking products to minors will face a fine of HK$3,000 for small quantities, while the maximum fine for larger quantities will be HK$25,000 ($3,250). Penalties for supplying alternative smoking products to underage individuals are higher, with a fine of up to HK$50,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

  • France Bans Disposable E-Cigarettes

    France Bans Disposable E-Cigarettes

    With a final vote in the Senate’s upper house, the French parliament today banned single-use electronic cigarettes, accusing them of being gateways to tobacco addiction for teenagers and harmful to the environment. France is the second EU country to enact such a ban, joining Belgium which did it in December.

    “It is a great victory in a two-pronged battle that we were fighting: an environmental battle against the polluting lithium batteries in these ‘puffs’, and a health battle for our schoolchildren,” lawmaker Francesca Pasquini, the author of the bill, said.

    “A fine piece of cross-party work!” lawmaker Michel Lauzzana said on X. “We are now awaiting the promulgation of this law and its application throughout the country.”

    The legislation was earlier approved by the National Assembly lower house.

  • Maldives Allows Police to Destroy Vapes

    Maldives Allows Police to Destroy Vapes

    Tobacco Control General Regulations published today in Maldives grant police the authority to seize and destroy vaping devices prohibited under the Tobacco Control Act. The import and use of vapes was banned in December, and while the existing law allows for fines on those who possess or sell vapes, it previously did not grant police the power to confiscate already imported devices. Under the new regulations, police can now confiscate vaping devices and related items found in possession or use.

    Individuals caught with a vape device will face a fine of MVR 2,000 ($130), while those who refuse to surrender the items to the police may be fined MVR 50,000 ($3,250). Distributing vapes for free results in a fine of MVR 10,000 ($650) and the sale of vapes incurs a fine of MVR 20,000 ($1,300). Additionally, selling vapes to individuals under 21 results in a fine of MVR 50,000.

  • Hong Kong Proposes Public Vape Ban

    Hong Kong Proposes Public Vape Ban

    Hong Kong authorities have proposed a citywide ban on the use and possession of e-cigarette cartridges and flavored tobacco products in public places, according to the South China Morning Post. The public ban would be the first of two phases, with the second phase expanding to non-public spaces.

    The proposal comes after a heated public debate where the government touted 10 measures aimed at reducing the city’s 7.8% smoking rate.

    Several business leaders cautioned that bans would discourage visitors and businesspeople from coming to the city.