Read articles from Asia

April 25, 2025 by rthk.hk

The government plans to ban e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and flavored tobacco, with penalties for possession or sale of these items. The ban on alternative smoking products in public will start in April next year, focusing on underage access. Penalties include fines and jail time. Flavored tobacco sales may be banned in 2027 to counter tobacco companies’ promotion. Possession limits and exceptions for personal use by inbound passengers are considered. Authorities aim to discourage youth smoking and control access to smoking products, intending to eventually extend the ban to smoking devices.

April 25, 2025 by hongkongfp.com

Hong Kong plans to ban e-cigarettes and smoking in public places by April 2026. The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 introduces fines of HK$3,000 for violators. The bill also includes expanding no-smoking areas and doubling fines for smoking violations. Flavoured tobacco sales will be phased out by the second quarter of 2027. Stricter measures on illegal cigarettes include labeling requirements for every pack sold. The proposal aims to deter smoking among youth. Additionally, providing smoking products to minors will result in fines up to HK$25,000. The government's goal is to enhance public health and reduce smoking prevalence.

April 24, 2025 by freemalaysiatoday.com

Terengganu will ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes at businesses starting August 1, with an advertising ban as well. The state government's decision aims to protect public health, especially among the youth. Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah, the executive councillor, announced the ban after a meeting. A three-month grace period until July 31 will precede the full enforcement, starting August 1.

April 24, 2025 by thestar.com.my

Terengganu will ban e-cigarettes and vapes sales starting August 1, following a state government decision on April 23. The ban includes advertising and revoking business licenses, with penalties for non-compliance. The government aims to protect public health, especially of the youth, from the negative effects of these products. Further measures will be taken to enforce the ban effectively, including penalties for violators and no acceptance of sponsorship from vape producers. Additionally, support will be provided to employees in the vape industry for transitioning to other sustainable job opportunities through entrepreneurship courses.

April 23, 2025 by filtermag.org

Vietnam battles a significant smoking issue, with over 100,000 deaths annually. Despite economic growth, per capita income remains low. The country recently banned nicotine vapes, potentially due to protecting the government-owned tobacco industry and influenced by misinformation. The ban could lead to thriving illicit markets, while ignoring evidence that vaping bans may increase smoking rates. Contrary to facts, various organizations, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and the WHO, support the ban. The UK’s success with reducing smoking using alternative nicotine products is overlooked. Proponents argue for safer options, highlighting that bans may harm public health.

April 16, 2025 by theopinionpages.com

The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, ratified in 2005, aims to reduce tobacco use but has become influenced by Michael R. Bloomberg's agenda. The FCTC, aligned with Bloomberg Philanthropies' MPOWER strategy, focuses on taxation and advertising bans, neglecting harm-reduction tools like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products that have successfully lowered smoking rates. Bloomberg-funded groups push for bans, contradicting their support for harm reduction in drug policy. This inconsistency affects global tobacco control, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence shows harm reduction works, but Bloomberg's policies often overlook local contexts, exacerbate illicit trade, and lack scientific basis, highlighting the need for balanced, evidence-based tobacco control strategies.

April 16, 2025 by tuoitre.vn

Vendors on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok are continuing to sell e-cigarettes and related products by disguising them with names such as “fruit syrup,” “nose inhalers,” or “aroma machines.” Some livestream sellers hide these items among regular products like toothbrushes and perfumes to avoid detection. In Ho Chi Minh City, a Facebook group with over 13,000 members actively trades vaping devices, with daily posts offering products ranging in price from VND100,000 to over VND1 million. At the same time, many young people continue using e-cigarettes in public places, highlighting ongoing concerns about regulation and public health.

April 03, 2025 by hongkongfp.com

Hong Kong plans to prohibit e-cigarette possession and smoking in public by mid-2026, with a potential extension to private places. A bill to enforce this crackdown and ban alternative smoking items will be introduced soon, aiming to lower smoking rates and protect young people's health. The maximum penalty for illicit cigarette activities could increase significantly. Stricter smoking regulations may include fines for overstocking duty-free tobacco and expanding smoke-free zones near certain establishments. Measures to curb smoking are expected to further restrict smoking practices and enhance public health in Hong Kong.

March 28, 2025 by thehindu.com

India has banned e-cigarette sales to protect its young population, with 27% of Indians using tobacco. The misconception that e-cigarettes help quit smoking is false. The ban restricts production, sale, and advertisement of e-cigarettes, aiming to address health concerns. Vaping exposes users to harmful substances like nicotine and metals. Contrary to belief, vaping does not produce water vapor but an aerosol with health risks. The effects of vaping on lungs can be severe, causing EVALI and potentially fatal consequences. Quitting smoking is more effectively achieved through approved methods like patches and counseling, rather than vaping.

March 25, 2025 by filtermag.org

Thailand launched a crackdown on nicotine vapes due to youth vaping fears and police corruption concerns. Despite severe penalties for possession or selling vapes, police raids and website shutdowns persist. Efforts to combat illicit sales have expanded to target regular citizens, sparking debate on legalization. A newly formed committee suggests policy changes to parliament, with hopes to lift the vaping ban. Advocates stress the importance of regulating vapes with age restrictions for consumer safety. Reports of police corruption and exaggerated media coverage fuel the ongoing debate on Thailand's vaping policies. With 81,000 vapers in Thailand, there is optimism for a more balanced approach to tobacco harm reduction.