Stories

The disposable vape ban starting on June 1, 2025, will eliminate single-use vapes, causing confusion among customers and retailers. Single-use vapes represent 65% of vape sales, with a shift expected towards reusable devices. Tobacco sales are declining, but nicotine products like pouches are growing in popularity by 82%. More regulations loom, including potential bans on vape flavors and displays, prompting concerns about the impact on retailers and consumers. Adapting to diversified product offerings, such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products, could be crucial for retailers to navigate upcoming changes in the market.

Chile's Law No. 21.642 recognizes harm reduction benefits of vaping and nicotine pouches, adopting smart regulations unlike neighboring countries. The law separates novel products from tobacco, limiting nicotine content at 45 mg/ml, contrasting the EU's 20 mg/ml cap. Other Latin American nations like Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico lean towards prohibition despite evidence showing vaping is safer than smoking. Argentina's ineffective ban contradicts policies allowing other nicotine products, while Venezuela's restrictions haven't reduced smoking rates. Mexico's recent ban on e-cigarettes and fentanyl aims to tackle public health concerns. These examples illustrate the debate between ideology and evidence-based regulations in harm reduction strategies.

Tasmania is the first Australian state to ban over-the-counter vape sales, requiring prescriptions for those over 18 under the new Public Health Amendment (Vaping) Bill 2024. This move surpasses federal regulations and aims to protect youth from the dangers of vaping. The decision has been praised by officials and health organizations for its focus on public health and reducing smoking-related harm. Cancer Council Tasmania emphasizes the importance of preventing smoking and vaping uptake to combat health risks effectively.

President of Ends Cigarette Smoking Thailand, Asa Saligupta, discusses vaping benefits and contrasts it with smoking dangers in a Bangkok Post podcast. Vaping has helped many quit smoking, proven to be safer, and supported by UK's health service. Despite this, Thailand outlaws e-cigarettes, influencing farmers and public health negatively. Research shows vaping aids smoking cessation, but Thai bans affect lives and tourism. Concerns about underage vaping exist, but regulating access rather than banning is suggested. Licensed vaping solutions are widespread in Thailand, while illegal products may pose risks. Asa advocates for legalizing vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, emphasizing personal choice and public health evidence.

Labour's strict policies, such as banning smoking and disposable vapes, are driving support towards Nigel Farage's Reform party, according to a poll by the Adam Smith Institute. One in five former Labour voters are considering voting for Reform, as they believe Labour interferes too much in people's lives. The public perceives Farage and Reform as more fun and understanding of working-class issues. Many feel the government should focus on more important matters instead of restricting personal freedoms. The survey indicates a shift in support due to Labour's tendency to ban enjoyable activities, with the focus being on fun and prioritizing essential issues for voters.

Yorkshire Cancer Research promotes vaping as a smoking cessation tool, dispelling misconceptions about its safety. The charity funds programs to increase access to vapes in Yorkshire, where vaping aids in over 4,600 smokers quitting annually. Despite evidence showing vaping is less harmful than smoking, misconceptions persist. The charity's stop smoking initiatives, including offering free vape kits, have successfully helped many quit. More than 4,400 individuals in Yorkshire have quit smoking with their support. Dr. Griffiths emphasizes the importance of vaping as a cessation aid, advocating for its accessibility while combatting youth vaping. The charity supports measures like raising the cigarette sales age and tobacco industry taxes to fund cessation services.

In this very special episode we're joined by Jessica Harding, Programme Director of this year's Global Forum on Nicotine conference! We unpack the A-list lineup of guest speakers, plenaries and much much more that you can expect at #GFN25 which takes place 19 - 21 June 2025.

Experts at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, known for their internationally used smoking cessation model, are now focusing on helping people quit e-cigarettes. Researchers have published a review of existing studies to guide vaping cessation programs, addressing the growing need for support in this area.

Planet of the Vapes covered a study by the University of California San Diego stating vapes do not aid smoking cessation. Tobacco expert Clive Bates criticized the study for selection bias, arguing that it excluded successful quitters who switched to vapes after the baseline in 2017. He highlighted flaws in linking vaping to quitting smoking, as only those struggling to quit were included in the study. Bates noted the rising use of vapes like Juul from 2017 to 2021, impacting the accuracy of the findings. The study's methodology faced criticism for not accounting for successful quitters using vapes. Bates emphasized the need for unbiased research in assessing the relationship between vaping and smoking cessation.

Poland is close to passing a Bill that would ban flavored Heated Tobacco Products. The Senate Health Committee approved the regulation, which prohibits HTPs with non-tobacco flavors and mandates health warnings on packaging. The aim is to make these products less attractive and restrict access. Poland must align with the EU directive aimed at reducing the appeal of these products to children. The legislation, once passed, will have a nine-month transition period for businesses to comply. Additionally, Poland is considering other tobacco and vape regulations, including restricting the sale and use of vapes to minors and increasing taxes on e-liquids incrementally until 2027.