Read articles from Europe

April 18, 2025 by itv.com

Illicit nicotine pouches are flooding the UK, posing health risks, especially to children. These legal products, initially designed to help adults quit smoking, are unregulated and can be highly potent. Trading Standards reported a 112% increase in seizures, with over 8,000 confiscated in a year. Nicotine pouches are popular among teenagers due to their flavors and packaging but can lead to nicotine poisoning. Experts suggest regulating their nicotine content to protect public health. Concerns include accidental ingestion by children, addiction, and adverse effects on mental health. Legislation aims to prevent sales to minors and curb appealing branding, but calls for further restrictions persist.

April 17, 2025 by snusforumet.se

Danish vaping restrictions, including a flavour ban, have not curbed youth vaping, with usage almost doubling in two years. Banned flavours are still popular, revealing the limited effectiveness of such bans. A Danish Health Authority report shows a shift from smoking to vaping, especially among young adults. Illegal markets for banned vape flavours are thriving, highlighting the failure of overregulation. Concerns are raised over proposed stricter regulations, with calls to learn from Swedish harm reduction policies. Despite intentions to reduce youth vaping, the Danish flavour ban is deemed unsuccessful, prompting reevaluation of current and future regulations by industry experts.

April 17, 2025 by worldvapersalliance.com

Consumer advocates and vaping organizations warn against Greece's proposed ban on vape flavors, fearing it will reverse progress in reducing smoking rates. The ban could push adults back to smoking or the black market, ignoring evidence that flavors help smokers quit. Advocates urge policymakers to prioritize harm reduction, engage with experts, and consider evidence-based regulations to protect youth without penalizing adult smokers.

April 17, 2025 by cureus.com

Smoking rates remain high in Germany despite the well-known serious health risks. This survey assessed motivation to stop smoking in Germany and barriers to quitting smoking or switching to two types of smoke-free products (SFPs): e-cigarettes (E-cigs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

April 16, 2025 by independent.co.uk

A study by University College London suggests that the upcoming disposable vapes ban may have limited impact on e-cigarette use, as people shift towards refillable devices. Vaping rates in the UK have stabilized, with a decline in disposable vape use. Researchers believe stricter vape policies could deter smokers from quitting. The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, analyzed data from over 88,000 adults. Policymakers are advised to prioritize measures that support smoking cessation while tackling youth vaping trends. Regulations on marketing and packaging are recommended to strike a balance. The Government aims to create a smoke-free generation with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, addressing both addiction and waste issues related to vaping.

April 16, 2025 by bbc.com

Disposable vape use in the UK is declining as a ban set for June 2025 approaches. A University College London study shows a significant drop in 16-24 year-olds using disposable vapes, likely switching to refillable options. The ban aims to reduce littering and youth vaping rates. Experts emphasize vaping's role in smoking cessation but warn of risks for non-smokers, especially youth. The study surveyed 88,611 people and observed a rise in vape usage before the ban announcement, now followed by a shift towards reusable devices. Vape manufacturers are adapting by producing rechargeable versions. The impact of the ban on youth vaping remains uncertain, with a focus on balancing vaping regulation with smoking cessation efforts.

April 16, 2025 by sky.com

A study by UCL suggests vaping rates are stable despite a shift from disposable to reusable vapes before the UK's ban. Researchers found that vaping rates increased among adults and young adults, then remained stable post-ban announcement. Disposable vape use decreased, especially among 16 to 24-year-olds. Experts recommend caution in implementing stricter policies to avoid discouraging smokers from using vapes to quit. Public health advocates see potential in planned regulations to address youth vaping while supporting smoking cessation in adults. The upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to regulate e-cigarette packaging, marketing, and flavors to prevent targeting children.

April 14, 2025 by dailymail.co.uk

MPs and campaigners warned that the lack of new recruits enforcing the disposable vapes ban could fuel criminal activity. Only 80 Trading Standards officers were hired with inadequate funding, risking a rise in the illicit market. Amid concerns, the government faces challenges enforcing the ban on disposable vapes, with insufficient resources allocated. Critics fear the UK could see crime levels similar to Australia due to limited enforcement. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to restrict vaping, increase taxes, and ban advertising, with enforcement delegated across multiple government departments. Concerns persist over the proliferation of illicit vaping products and tobacco, raising worries about organized crime involvement.

April 10, 2025 by rollcall.com

In Sweden, efforts to become "smoke-free" by 2025 have led to a decline in smoking through the promotion of alternative tobacco products. The country's unique regulation of snus and nicotine pouches could serve as a model for the U.S. In both countries, there are debates on how to regulate these products, influence of political parties, and taxation strategies. Sweden has implemented tax changes to discourage smoking, while the U.S. faces complex federal, state, and local tax systems. Discussions also focus on capping nicotine levels in products. Regulation and marketing of nicotine pouches vary within the EU, impacting Sweden's membership.

April 10, 2025 by filtermag.org

A report commissioned by the UK government highlights that drug-related law enforcement often increases violence rather than reducing it, contradicting current policies. The findings emphasize the need for a shift in drug enforcement strategies to consider the risk of exacerbating violence, especially linked to disrupting trafficking groups. Despite previous warnings from experts and former law enforcement officials, the report urges policymakers to take immediate action. Examples from a recent think tank report illustrate how enforcement actions can worsen violence and societal disruption dynamics without impacting drug markets in the long term, implying a need for a reevaluation of drug policy approaches.