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A recent CDC report revealed that teen smoking and vaping rates continued to decline between 2023 and 2024, with e-cigarette use among high schoolers dropping from 10% to 7.8%. Despite this, e-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth, followed by nicotine pouches. The CDC report suggests a link between the decline in vaping and smoking, but it may overlook other contributing factors. Research from Brown University indicates that e-cigarette use may have replaced cigarette smoking among teens who share characteristics with earlier smokers, implying that vaping may have helped reduce smoking rates.

A recent UN report on the right to health sparked controversy in tobacco harm reduction (THR) policies. The report criticizes vaping and other reduced-risk nicotine products, despite evidence supporting their role in reducing smoking rates. Critics argue that the report neglects the UN's harm reduction principle, which is applied in areas like drug abuse but is being ignored in tobacco policy.T he Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) criticized the UN report in a media release, calling it a setback in efforts to reduce smoking-related deaths. They argue the report disregards scientific evidence supporting vaping as a safer alternative to smoking.

The 2023 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey (MYHS) shows decreased tobacco and vapor product use among high school students, with a slight increase in combustible cigarette use but a significant decline since 2019. E-cigarette use has also decreased among high schoolers but increased among middle school students, reflecting national trends. Massachusetts' ban on flavored tobacco products hasn't significantly impacted youth e-cigarette use. Nearby states show similar e-cigarette usage rates. Restrictive policies aimed at reducing youth e-cigarette use may not be effective and could harm adults using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.

New research in The Lancet indicates going smoke-free globally could save millions of lives by 2050, with life expectancy rising by one year for men and 0.2 years for women if smoking levels are reduced to under five percent. This would result in an additional 735 million healthy years for men and 141 million for women. Sweden and New Zealand, promoting vaping, aim to be the first smoke-free countries. Sweden's smoking rates have decreased by 55% due to policies supporting alternative nicotine products. New Zealand has halved its smoking rates in five years by promoting vaping as a safer option, with rates dropping from 16.4% in 2011 to six percent in 2023.

The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows a decrease in U.S. middle and high school students using tobacco products, reaching a 25-year low. The decline is significant in e-cigarettes and hookah use. Despite progress, more than 2 million youths still use tobacco. E-cigarettes remain the most used product, but their usage decreased, while nicotine pouches became the second most common. Progress varies among different groups. Public health efforts, including regulations by CDC and FDA, contributed to this decline. Continued efforts are essential to reduce all forms of tobacco use among youth and address disparities.

Rachel Reeves is considering raising the tax on vaping products in her upcoming budget due to concerns about youth vaping rates. The proposal follows a previous consultation by the Conservative government. Recent data shows a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds in England have tried e-cigarettes. The move aims to curb youth vaping by making it less affordable. This tax increase could also lead to a rise in tobacco duty to prevent a shift to smoking. The government estimates this change could generate significant revenue for the exchequer. The potential redesign of the tax system aligns with broader public health initiatives such as restrictions on junk food adverts and energy drink sales to minors.

The European Commission proposed extending smoke-free policies to outdoor areas, including vaping and heated tobacco products, despite lack of evidence of outdoor second-hand smoke risks and the safer profile of e-cigarettes and HTPs compared to traditional smoking. Conflating tobacco products could drive smokers to more harmful options, impeding the EU's Tobacco-Free Generation goal. The EC's top-down approach overlooks individual freedoms and consumer choice, hindering harm reduction efforts and potentially increasing tobacco-related health issues. Member States should prioritize evidence-based policies supporting harm reduction and personal freedoms over restrictive measures.

France plans to raise e-liquid taxes by 38%, imposing a €0.15 flat tax per milliliter. FiVape warns this could hinder smoking cessation efforts, with independent vape companies most affected. The move is seen as a result of tobacco industry lobbying to combat vaping's popularity. The law would increase prices by 25% for 10 ml and 38% for 50 ml e-liquids, disproportionately impacting smaller companies. Disposable vapes may face a 7.5% hike. FiVape criticizes the government for favoring closed system tobacco products over open vaping. They argue that taxing vaping as Big Tobacco desires is detrimental to public health, the environment, and ethics, potentially discouraging smokers from quitting.

High rates of smoking are threatening Viet Nam’s national tobacco control and health targets, and its long-term aspiration of becoming a high-income country by 2045, according to a new publication by the World Health Organization (WHO). Today, WHO in Viet Nam launched “Tobacco Taxation to Advance Health and Sustainable Development in Viet Nam,” a policy brief that draws on international evidence and uses a global tax simulation model to weigh up the effect of different tax options on health and the economy in Viet Nam.

British American Tobacco (BAT) is set to launch a version of its Velo nicotine pouches using synthetic nicotine in the U.S., announced David Waterfield, president of Reynolds American, BAT's U.S. subsidiary. Traditionally, smoking alternatives like vapes from major tobacco companies contain nicotine derived from the tobacco plant, while synthetic nicotine is lab-made. BAT's new product, Velo Plus, to be released in 2025, will feature synthetic nicotine, marking one of the first major uses of this type by a large tobacco firm. Synthetic nicotine became more popular in the U.S. to bypass the FDA's lengthy application process for marketing new nicotine products.