Stories

Luxembourg is enhancing its public health policy with Bill 8333, aligning anti-smoking laws with EU regulations. The bill bans flavorings in heated tobacco products, enforces health warnings, and sets marketing restrictions. It regulates nicotine pouches, limiting nicotine content and banning additives. Reactions are mixed, with health organizations supporting the stricter measures while the Chamber of Commerce criticizes potential economic impacts. The Council of State approved the bill in July 2025, and it will take effect soon.

Philip Morris got permission to set up a nicotine pouch factory in Bangladesh's Narayanganj with a $5.8 million investment. The annual production target is 536.3 million units. Anti-tobacco groups oppose the move but authorities view the pouches as non-nicotine items. While e-cigarettes are banned, these pouches are not. Regulatory checks are ongoing, with Philip Morris awaiting environmental clearance.

UC San Francisco research shows that people who smoke both tobacco and cannabis are more likely to reduce cigarette consumption when prices increase. Cigarette price hikes have traditionally led to decreased smoking rates, but little was known about dual users. Cannabis users were found to be more sensitive to cigarette costs, with a 2x higher likelihood of cutting back compared to tobacco-only smokers. This study highlights the effectiveness of raising cigarette prices in reducing smoking, particularly among dual users. State pricing data aligns with lower smoking rates in areas with higher prices. Further research is needed to understand if dual users may substitute cannabis for tobacco as prices rise.

Brussels has released a revised compromise proposal for the EU's position on the WHO's FCTC, aiming for consensus among 27 nations. The softened document addresses contentious issues like tobacco product regulation, harm reduction, and advertising. It emphasizes evidence-based approaches and individual party policies, reflecting lobbying and FCTC debates. The EU now advocates for proportionate regulation of alternative nicotine products based on scientific evidence. The draft retains measures to reduce single-use plastics in tobacco products but shifts away from binding mandates. Despite dismissing harm reduction as an "industry narrative", the proposal shows a more moderate stance on vaping and nicotine pouches, allowing for national discretion.

Higher nicotine level pouches are crucial for tobacco harm reduction, tailoring doses to individual needs. A study in Sweden shows increased nicotine delivery and satisfaction with modern pouches. Findings support previous research on safer nicotine products aiding heavy smokers in quitting. FDA authorization for certain pouches is a step forward, yet limited to 6 mg nicotine content. Advocates emphasize the importance of higher doses for effective harm reduction. Some European regulations restricting dosage risk hindering smoking cessation efforts. Lax regulations in Sweden have significantly reduced smoking rates, contrasting with stricter approaches in other European countries. Learning from successful models is crucial in tackling smoking-related deaths globally.

A survey by nicotine pouch company Alternix found that British vapers generally spend more time on their habit than smokers. About 20% of vapers spend 20–39 minutes a day vaping, with 13% vaping over an hour daily, compared to 14% and 8% of smokers, respectively. On average, vaping accounts for around 5% of working hours, roughly 2 hours per week. Men tend to vape more than women.

Recent years have seen sensational claims about vaping dangers in studies later retracted for flaws. One study alleging a cancer link was pulled due to concerns over methodology. Another claiming vaping caused heart attacks failed due to timing issues. A study on liver disease linked to vaping faced critique for not considering key factors. The damage of misinformation lingers, with retractions often overlooked after headlines spread globally. The impact of flawed research online can distort public understanding, illustrating the need for careful scrutiny of vaping studies.

British American Tobacco has suspended its pilot project to introduce an unlicensed disposable vape in the U.S., as the Food and Drug Administration intensifies its efforts to crack down on unregulated products and accelerate the approval process for licences. The previously unreported reversal by BAT (BATS.L) highlights the complex challenges major tobacco companies face in trying to compete with a surge of unregulated products—mostly from China—that have eroded profits in the $22 billion U.S. market for smoking alternatives.

The Thai Cabinet orders an urgent amendment to the Tobacco Act to regulate e-cigarettes and tackle nicotine addiction, especially among youth. The Ministry of Public Health will lead in drafting the changes following a sharp increase in e-cigarette users, from 78,252 in 2021 to over 400,000 in 2024. The amendments aim to introduce comprehensive measures to control e-cigarettes and new tobacco products.

A University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher reviewed oral nicotine pouches as a smoking cessation aid, finding reduced exposure to harmful substances but unclear quitting benefits. Cochrane's investigation aims to gather more data on the product's efficacy. Despite not being FDA-approved, oral nicotine pouches like Zyn offer potential health benefits over risks, shifting users away from smoking. These pouches, not involving tobacco leaf, differ from snus, promoting harm reduction. While nicotine products aid in smoking cessation, starting nicotine use is discouraged due to addiction risks. Detailed regulation and ongoing research could prove oral nicotine pouches as a viable alternative for smokers.