TobaccoReporter logo

Tag: vape

  • Imperial Launches THR Myth-Busting Series

    Imperial Launches THR Myth-Busting Series

    Imperial Brands Science launched a new educational video series to debunk common myths about nicotine, vaping, and other NGPs. The short videos address topics such as the “popcorn lung” myth, misconceptions about regulation and research, passive vaping versus passive smoking, and misunderstandings about nicotine itself.

    The series is in response to a new 2025 survey by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has found that misconceptions about vaping and next-generation products (NGPs) have reached record levels in Great Britain. According to the report, 63% of young people and 53% of adult smokers now wrongly believe that vaping is as harmful—or more harmful—than smoking. ASH noted that increased media focus on youth vaping may have contributed to this widespread misunderstanding.

    Imperial Brands said the initiative aims to improve public understanding of tobacco harm reduction and highlight the potential of NGPs as less harmful alternatives for adult smokers. “We want to ensure consumers have the right information and continue to challenge misconceptions through responsible education and communication,” the company said.

  • Pakistan to Ban Sale of Vapes to Minors

    Pakistan to Ban Sale of Vapes to Minors

    A new bill has been submitted in Pakistan’s Senate aiming to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, and e-shisha to consumers under the age of 18, reports Bloom Pakistan. The bill also calls for a ban on use of these products in public places and for restrictions on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

    Those caught violating the ban will face a fine of PKR50,000 ($176.82) for a first offense and PKR100,000 for a second offense. Those caught selling these products within 50 meters of educational institutions will face fines of PKR200,000, and repeat violations could face up to PKR500,000 in fines.

  • Malaysian Health Ministry Proposes Vape Liquid Tax Increase

    Malaysian Health Ministry Proposes Vape Liquid Tax Increase

    The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has proposed an increase in excise duty on vape liquids ahead of the government’s plan to ban electronic cigarettes and vaping products completely. The excise tax would be set at MYR4 ($0.94) per mL, a tenfold increase, according to The Edge Malaysia.

    The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for consideration, days before the 2026 budget is set to be tabled.

    “This is the ministry’s recommendation to the MOF for review and approval,” said Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni during a question and answer session. The deputy minister explained that a standard pack of 20 cigarettes is equivalent to 200 puffs and taxed at MYR8 per pack, while 1 mL of vape liquid is equivalent to 100 puffs but taxed at 40 sen per milliliter (for nicotine and non-nicotine liquids). This means vapers pay significantly less tax per milligram of nicotine than cigarette smokers, he said.

    “Currently, one pack of cigarettes equals about 2 mL of vape liquid, but the tax on vape nicotine is only around 10% of cigarette tax. This disparity creates a large price gap,” said Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan, who argued that the price gap encourages smokers to vape rather than quit altogether.

    The proposal is facing pushback from the industry, however.

    “A single-fold tax hike is already drastic in many ways. A tenfold is just sweeping the real issue under the rug,” said Ridhwan Rosli, Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) secretary-general. “It seems like they are changing their policy every year while the previous policy is just about to take place.”

    Ridhwan stated that the industry is proposing a maximum tax rate of 80 sen per milliliter.

    “As currently we are faced with a lot of new costs when it comes to going through the legal process of registration, etc., it is sad that the legal industry players are being punished for the wrongs of illicit products,” he said. There are worries that the drastic tax increase will increase illicit trade as well.

    Additionally, the government plans a full ban on e-cigarettes and vapor products.

    “The Health Ministry is now moving toward a full ban on e-cigarettes and vape products,” said Lukanisman. “The proposal will be tabled to the Cabinet this year for policy endorsement. The prohibition will be implemented in phases through enforcement, education, and community support.”

  • FDA’s Makary Wants Retailers to Crack Down on Illegal Nicotine Products

    FDA’s Makary Wants Retailers to Crack Down on Illegal Nicotine Products

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary issued a statement today (September 30) announcing that the organization is launching a nationwide initiative to boost compliance among retailers that sell vaping products, part of a broader effort to address the rise of youth vaping. The campaign is scheduled to reach more than 300,000 stores, including vape shops, gas stations, and convenience stores.

    According to the FDA, as much as 54% of vaping products sold in the United States are illegal, many flavored with fruit or candy, or packaged with gimmicks like built-in video games and Bluetooth speakers. None of these products are authorized for sale, and regulators warn they often contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, lead, and acrolein.

    To help retailers comply, the FDA is mailing educational packets that include a list of the 39 e-cigarettes and 20 nicotine pouches legally allowed on the market, along with QR codes linking to real-time updates online. Retailers will also receive information about the new Searchable Tobacco Product Database, covering more than 17,000 authorized products across all categories, plus a calendar of compliance reminders such as enforcing the minimum age of 21 and checking photo IDs.

    “We know that most businesses want to follow the law,” Makary said in the statement. “The purpose of this initiative is to help retailers better understand relevant laws and regulations, removing any excuses for noncompliance. We are particularly interested in increasing compliance around the distribution and sale of illegal vaping products, which are often marketed to, and widely consumed by, American teens.”

    Mailings will begin this fall, and additional free resources are available through the FDA’s Tobacco Education Resource Library.

    “Retailers are on the front line of protecting youth and young adults from the dangers of nicotine addiction, and we urge them to take this responsibility seriously by swiftly pulling illegal e-cigarettes from their store shelves,” said Kathy Crosby, CEO of Truth Initiative, who points out that illicit products are cheap and easier to get than ever. “Voluntary compliance is important, but it’s imperative that the FDA do more to hold those retailers, distributors and manufacturers who continue to break the law accountable.”

    Read the entire FDA statement here.

  • Russia to Require Licenses for Tobacco and Vape Sales From 2026

    Russia to Require Licenses for Tobacco and Vape Sales From 2026

    The Russian government approved a bill that will require licenses for the sale of all cigarettes and vaping products beginning March 1, 2026, in a bid to tighten market oversight and curb youth consumption. The bill now moves to the State Duma for debate and adoption.

    The law, modeled on alcohol industry rules, will mandate licenses for wholesale, retail, and delivery sales, with penalties including license revocation for violations such as selling to minors. Authorities are also weighing tougher measures, including mandatory registration in the national “Chestny Znak” digital tracking system and criminal liability for large-scale illegal trade.

  • South Korea Moving Toward Regulating Vapes Like Cigarettes

    South Korea Moving Toward Regulating Vapes Like Cigarettes

    South Korea is moving to classify synthetic nicotine as tobacco under the Tobacco Business Act, subjecting e-cigarettes to the same regulations and taxes as traditional cigarettes for the first time. A subcommittee of the National Assembly’s Strategy and Finance Committee approved the revision on Monday, expanding the definition of tobacco from “tobacco leaf” to “tobacco or nicotine.”

    If passed in the main session, the measure would generate an estimated 930 billion won ($646 million) annually in new tax revenue, lawmakers said. Synthetic nicotine has until now been treated as an industrial good, free from tobacco levies and restrictions. The bill, which includes a two-year grace period on retail restrictions, marks the first change to the act’s tobacco definition since its enactment in 1988.

  • Dutch Schools Sound Alarm Over Dangerous Rise in Illegal THC Vapes

    Dutch Schools Sound Alarm Over Dangerous Rise in Illegal THC Vapes

    Dutch schools are reporting a surge in dangerous incidents linked to illegal THC vapes laced with synthetic drugs, raising alarms among health experts and government officials. The devices, often sold through Snapchat and delivered directly to schools, are marketed as cannabis vapes, but lab tests revealed they almost always contain synthetic cannabinoids, known as “spice,” which can trigger severe side effects such as anxiety, heart palpitations, psychosis, and collapse. These substances have been banned in the Netherlands under the Opium Act since July.

    Addiction specialists warn the problem is spreading beyond Amsterdam to Utrecht, Amersfoort, and other regions. Major addiction clinics and the Trimbos Institute confirmed rising reports of students suffering health issues from THC vaping.

  • Thailand Police Seize $2.8M in Illegal E-Cigarettes

    Thailand Police Seize $2.8M in Illegal E-Cigarettes

    Police and excise officials seized more than 559,000 illegal e-cigarettes and related parts during a raid in Wiharn Daeng district, Saraburi, Thailand. The announcement came at a press conference today (September 10), led by Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, one day after the operation.

    Trairong said cybercrime officers tracked a suspected pickup truck from Bangkok to a warehouse in Moo 4 village, Tambon Bang Lam. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 138,680 disposable INFY vapes, 40,800 disposable Escobar vapes, 374,000 pod heads for INFY devices, and 6,350 INFY vapes. The haul is valued at an estimated 90 million baht ($2.8 million).

  • Reign Bar Debuts Mana 50K at CHAMPS Austin

    Reign Bar Debuts Mana 50K at CHAMPS Austin

    At the CHAMPS Tradeshow in Austin, Texas, today (September 9), Vape brand Reign Bar launched Mana 50K, a disposable device that, according to the company, features “the industry’s first visible e-liquid tank and dual sweetness-ice adjustment.” Dubbed the “Specs Terminator,” the product delivers up to 50,000 puffs with consistent output.

    Equipped with a high-power mesh coil, smart display controls, adjustable power, sweetness, and ice intensity, Reign says “Mana 50K addresses demand for customizable, anxiety-free vaping.” The device debuted with 10 fruit-flavor blends.

  • Concerns Rise Over ‘Vitamin Vapes’ Trend

    Concerns Rise Over ‘Vitamin Vapes’ Trend

    The Straits Times in Singapore reported today (September 5) that “vitamin diffusers,” which it says are being marketed aggressively by social media influencers in the UK, Australia, and the United States, are making their way to Southern Asia. Online sellers are promoting them as a wellness-focused alternative to e-cigarettes, but health experts caution that their chemical content is unknown and potentially hazardous.

    Touted as energy boosters, the devices are filled with additives such as caffeine, vitamin B12, essential oils, and even melatonin. Researchers say the trend represents a new phase of misleading advertising.