Panamanian authorities are working to unify three legislative proposals into a single regulation aimed at restricting the use, advertising, and commercialization of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and heated tobacco products. The bills — 263, 347, and 467 — address prohibitions in public and private spaces, product marketing, quality, safety, and taxation of vaping devices. The initiative follows previous legal challenges, including the 2025 regulatory framework by the Ministry of Health, which focused on protecting minors while allowing controlled commercialization, and the earlier Law 315, struck down by Panama’s Supreme Court. Authorities, including the National Customs and Ministry of Health, stress enforcement, traceability, and public health.
Tag: vape ban
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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.
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Singapore Approves Tougher Anti-Vaping Law
Singapore passed amendments to strengthen enforcement against vaping, with tougher penalties set to take effect May 1 under the renamed Tobacco and Vaporizers Control Act 1993. The updated legislation replaces the earlier Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and targets e-cigarettes and “KPods,” vaping devices laced with the anesthetic etomidate. Individuals caught using vapes could face fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,800), up from S$2,000 ($1,560), while sellers may be fined up to S$200,000 ($156,000) and jailed for up to six years. Importing vapes will carry mandatory prison terms of up to nine years and fines of up to S$300,000 ($234,000).
The law also introduces harsher penalties for offenses involving minors or vulnerable people, including up to 20 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane for adults who involve them in smuggling or supplying KPods. Entertainment venues such as clubs and bars must prevent patrons from vaping and require devices to be discarded, while drivers entering Singapore can no longer avoid liability by claiming they were unaware of vapes in their vehicles.
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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.
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Vape Use Rises in Macau Despite Ban
Electronic cigarette use remains widely visible in Macau despite a ban on importing the devices, with tourists and residents frequently seen vaping in public areas and occasionally indoors. Data from the Health Bureau show illegal smoking cases rose 27% in 2025 compared with 2024, alongside a sharp increase in vaping-related incidents and a 48% rise in violations involving tourists, which officials partly attribute to higher visitor numbers and expanded inspections totaling more than 240,700 checks during the year. Individuals caught bringing vaping products into the city face fines of MOP4,000 ($480).
According to the authorities, the city’s Customs Service recorded 49 major cases involving e-cigarettes and related products as of Feb. 23, seizing 68,247 devices and 21,299 cartridges or liquids.
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Pakistan Considering Vape Ban
In Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination reviewed a private member’s bill this week aimed at banning vapes. The committee examined the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025, discussing its provisions in detail. While members acknowledged the intent behind the legislation, the ministry highlighted objections from stakeholders and recommended a complete ban on the use of vapes, citing concerns that these devices could be misused to facilitate drug intoxication.
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Philippine Health Groups Want Full Tobacco, Vape Ban
Public health groups in the Philippines are urging the government to impose a total ban on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and other nicotine delivery systems, citing their health risks and rising youth uptake. The renewed push follows Myanmar becoming the eighth ASEAN country to enforce a vape ban, while Philippine lawmakers continue to debate tax rates for tobacco and vape products. Data show that around 14% of Filipino youth and 2% of adults use e-cigarettes.
HealthJustice board member Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan said a comprehensive ban would offer the strongest public health protection, ensure regulatory clarity, and complement calls for higher, uniform tobacco taxes. Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo of SEATCA noted that a total ban would also help address tax administration challenges, curb illicit trade, and align with the Philippines’ obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
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Bangladesh Questions Constitutionality of Vape Ban
The High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh directed the government not to confiscate or seize vapes lawfully imported by 41 businessmen and issued a rule questioning the constitutionality of Section 6(Ga) of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005. The bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar asked authorities to explain why the provision, which restricts the manufacture, import, export, storage, sale, and promotion of electronic nicotine delivery systems, should not be declared unconstitutional and void.
The order followed a writ petition filed by 41 traders, including Masud Uz Zaman, managing director of Vapor Cloud Ltd. Petitioners argued that Section 6(Ga) is discriminatory, banning vapes — described as a harm-reduction alternative — while permitting traditional cigarettes, allegedly violating the equality clause under Article 27 of the Constitution. The state was represented by the Deputy Attorney General during the hearing.
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Uzbekistan Imposes Vape Ban
Beginning March 1, Uzbekistan implemented a complete ban on vapes and electronic cigarettes, covering production, possession, sale, import, and export, with violations carrying criminal penalties including fines, corrective labor, restriction of liberty, or up to five years’ imprisonment, following a law signed last November by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The Ministry of Justice stated that individuals who voluntarily surrender prohibited devices or report violations may avoid liability, while tourists are warned not to bring vapes or e-liquids into cities such as Tashkent and Samarkand. The move follows a similar policy in Kazakhstan, where a full ban on circulation has been in effect since June 2024, with criminal penalties applying to sales, distribution, and import but not personal use.
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Vietnam Proposes Banning Tobacco Displays and Alternative Products
The Ministry of Health of Vietnam has proposed banning the display of tobacco products at wholesale and retail outlets and requiring cigarettes to be kept in closed cabinets, under draft amendments to the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms. The proposal was presented at a policy workshop in Hanoi, where Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan said that despite progress over 13 years, Vietnam still has about 15.8 million smokers.
The draft amendments also call for a comprehensive ban on the production, trade, advertising, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and other new tobacco products. Officials said allowing cigarette displays effectively permits point-of-sale advertising and increases access for children, noting that major cities average 13 tobacco outlets near each school. The ministry said the reforms align with the World Health Organization’s WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.