Read articles from Europe

January 30, 2025 by brusselstimes.com

Over 12,000 illegal e-cigarettes, including banned disposable vapes, were discovered at the Agora Gallery in Brussels by Public Health Ministry inspection services and police. These findings were made during three recent checks under new Tobacco Plan regulations. Products with excessive nicotine levels and smart vapes were seized, with fines up to €8,000 for traffickers. These dangerous products, hidden professionally, pose health risks, especially to minors. Despite prior seizures, illegal items persist, prompting planned future actions for public health protection, according to Public Health Ministry statements.

January 28, 2025 by daily-pouch.com

Paul Crone, from The National Association of Principals in Ireland, raises concerns about nicotine pouches' use. Articles on this topic have surfaced in various media outlets. Misinformation and bias against these products are evident in Ireland due to a misunderstanding of harm reduction. Attempts to regulate underage access to pouches focus on a legal loophole. Jennifer Whitmore advocates for stricter regulations, emphasizing the issue of concealing pouches in schools. However, the real issue lies in broader challenges faced by schools, such as mental health, educational disparities, and teacher shortages. Instead of focusing on minor issues, efforts should prioritize supporting healthier alternatives to smoking.

January 28, 2025 by filtermag.org

Belgium banned disposable vapes, citing health concerns and combating tobacco lobby influence. Despite success in decreasing smoking rates, regulations aim to curb potential addiction in youth. The country's stricter vaping laws follow a trend in the EU, with others planning similar measures. Meanwhile, concerns persist about unintended consequences and impact on disadvantaged groups. The EU's Batteries Regulation could further restrict disposable vapes due to their non-compliance. Debate continues on balancing public health goals with harm reduction strategies for smokers transitioning to safer nicotine products.

January 27, 2025 by manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Efforts to combat rising vape use include proposed measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aiming for a 'smoke-free generation' and crackdown on illegal vapes. However, concerns exist around potential impacts on adult vapers and a surge in the black market. The Bill faces opposition from industry leaders advocating for flavors to aid smoking cessation. VPZ supports youth access restrictions but warns against limiting flavors. The growing crisis sees children exposed to dangerous substances in counterfeit vapes. Recent spike in vape use prompts stricter regulations to curb underage access. Government emphasizes the need to deter youth vaping while supporting adult smokers trying to quit.

January 24, 2025 by dailyrecord.co.uk

The community receives special offers and promotions. Many aim to lead a healthier lifestyle in 2025 by quitting unhealthy habits like smoking. Nicotine pouches are gaining popularity as a smoke-free alternative. However, fake tobacco products pose health risks, emphasizing the importance of buying from trusted sources. Counterfeit products may contain harmful chemicals and inconsistent nicotine levels, jeopardizing health and efforts to quit smoking. It's crucial to check for authentic packaging, QR codes, and buy from reputable retailers to avoid counterfeit items. Always ensure product legitimacy before use to prevent health complications.

January 24, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

A recent study published in BMJ Open shows a significant drop in smoking rates in Sweden since the 1980s, matched by a rise in snus usage. By 2022, only 4.5% of Swedes were smokers, with more women switching to snus than men. Sweden's pioneering approach to alternatives like vaping and snus has been credited for its success in reducing smoking. The study, based on surveys of over 13,000 people, highlights the impact of snus on smoking rates. Younger women showed the most significant shift from cigarettes to snus. Sweden reached its smoke-free goal well ahead of the EU target, with much lower tobacco-related health issues compared to the rest of Europe.

January 23, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Vaping now incurs a €2,000 fine on 38 beaches in Barcelona and the Balearic islands, in line with new regulations. Spain's smoking ban covers 700 beaches and public restaurant terraces, with upcoming restrictions on disposable vapes and non-tobacco flavors. The Anti-Tobacco Plan aims to curb health risks and youth exposure. Recommendations include banning smoking in vehicles with minors and better vape labeling. Despite Spain's high smoking rate and vaping popularity, concerns exist on fueling black markets. The proposed laws may impact EU vape policies. Spain could join countries like Denmark and Finland in flavor bans if the decree passes.

January 22, 2025 by tobaccoreporter.com

Luxembourg is not following neighboring countries and the European Commission in banning vapor devices. The Ministry of Health is monitoring foreign measures to evaluate potential actions. While acknowledging the health risks of high nicotine doses in vape products, the Ministry believes a ban limited to disposable vapes would not be effective. They advocate for a comprehensive approach covering all electronic cigarettes. The Ministry notes the popularity of tobacco tourism due to lower taxes in Luxembourg. A proposed 2023 bill focuses on regulating tobacco products, including flavored vape restrictions and nicotine limits, but excludes disposable e-cigarettes.

January 21, 2025 by luxtimes.lu

Disposable e-cigarettes, banned in Belgium, face a possible ban in France due to health concerns like high nicotine levels affecting youth. Luxembourg opts for observation over banning. They acknowledge health risks, environmental impact, and the attraction to young users through appealing flavors. The ministry suggests a comprehensive approach to tackle the issue effectively. Despite concerns, the government believes banning only disposable e-cigarettes may not be highly effective. Luxembourg monitors tobacco sales statistics and plans to collect data on vaping products by April 2025. A proposed bill in 2023 focuses on tobacco regulation but excludes disposable e-cigarettes. The Cancer Foundation reports increased smoking rates among young adults.

January 20, 2025 by irishmirror.ie

Teenagers are using nicotine pouches similar to snus, but without tobacco, evading tobacco laws. These pouches are inexpensive, flavored, and contain 4-11mg of nicotine. Professional athletes and influencers endorse them, masking their risks. The Director of the National Association of Principals urges awareness of long-term health effects, stating teens wrongly perceive them as harmless due to the lack of visible smoke or vapor. These products have no age restrictions, posing difficulty in monitoring student use. Authorities are urged to issue a health advisory notice, as current laws do not regulate non-tobacco nicotine products being sold in Ireland, highlighting a regulatory loophole.