Stories

The Department of Health urges a complete ban on e-cigarettes and vaping to address regulatory loopholes. Current restrictions are ineffective in preventing youth access. A unified tax and age limit of 25 are proposed as interim measures. In ASEAN, eight countries have already banned vape products. A suggestion is for the regulation of vapes and heated tobacco to return to the Department of Health and the FDA due to health concerns. The Department of Trade and Industry, currently regulating these products, has seized HTPs worth P519 million. Age restrictions may increase to 21.

Almost half of Europe's e-cigarette market is supplied by China through irregular sources. The illicit market is projected to reach €10.8 billion by 2030, highlighting gaps in EU customs and consumer protection. A study finds China's strong control over products domestically contrasts with lack of control on exports to Europe. Legal shipments from China overwhelm customs, enabling untaxed and unregulated products. The shadow market poses health risks and tax evasion, with €119 million evaded in Germany alone. The study calls for uniform EU product definitions, digital traceability, and cooperation with China to stabilize the market, warning against blanket bans. Tightening regulations without addressing supply chain issues may worsen the situation.

The Portuguese government has approved the sale of nicotine pouches, which differ from snus as they do not contain tobacco. Tabaqueira eagerly awaited this decision, as they had requested authorization to market these products. Nicotine pouches, originally from Sweden, are legal in most EU countries. The sale of these pouches will be subject to a special consumption tax. The official launch date in Portugal is not yet announced, but some shops already have them available.

Fines are being implemented in Azerbaijan for importing, exporting, producing, and selling electronic cigarettes and components, with penalties ranging from 350 to 500 manats for individuals, 1,650 to 2,200 manats for officials, and 4,000 to 5,000 manats for legal entities starting April 1. These changes, approved by President Ilham Aliyev, are part of the amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses. Confiscation of the banned goods will also be enforced.

Join us at the Global Forum on Nicotine 2026 in Warsaw and be part of the only truly open conference on safer nicotine, tobacco harm reduction and the real impacts of prohibition on public health. Hear leading scientists, clinicians, ethicists and advocates discuss social, health and economic consequences of bans, explore strategies to reach marginalized groups, and discover the latest research in our popular Science Lab sessions. Keynotes from pioneers like Dr Alex Wodak and other international experts, plus multilingual streaming and a dedicated Spanish-language session, make GFN 2026 a must-attend event for anyone serious about nicotine policy and harm reduction. ​ Ready to join the discussion? Visit GFN.EVENTS to register!

Leading European academics and researchers challenge EU Health Commissioner Várhelyi's "misleading" claims on smoke-free nicotine products, fearing it may mislead millions of European smokers. They express concern that his statements equating vaping and tobacco alternatives with cigarettes lack scientific evidence, potentially influencing harmful policies. The experts emphasize the significant difference in risks between smoke-free products and cigarettes, urging evidence-based policymaking. Misinformation on nicotine risks could hinder smokers from adopting safer alternatives. Scientists call for corrective action to prevent damage to public health and trust in the EU, highlighting the importance of differentiating between harmful and safer nicotine consumption.

E-cigarettes appeared around 2010 and were initially seen as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes because they deliver nicotine without toxic tar and combustion products. Public health organizations even supported them as a possible tool to help adult smokers quit. Early research suggested that vaping could be about 95% less harmful than smoking. However, after more than a decade the safety of vaping is less certain. A recent study found that people who vape or smoke have nearly 50% higher odds of having elevated blood pressure than non-users, although other lifestyle factors may also influence the results.

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it will allow certain flavored e-cigarettes that are considered more appealing to adults. This decision marks a shift from the agency’s earlier attempt to ban fruit and candy-flavored vapes, which had not been successful because such products continued to appear on the market. According to the new policy, the agency may permit flavors like mint, coffee, tea, and spices such as clove or cinnamon. However, the FDA stated that it will still reject e-cigarettes with sweet or fruity flavors because they are more attractive to teenagers.

Myanmar has banned the sale, import and possession of vaping products. The law prohibits “importation, exportation, sale, possession, storage, carrying, distribution, use and consumption” of e-cigarettes, vape accessories, and electronic shisha products. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has had no specific law regarding vapes until now, although the military-controlled government has sometimes seized shipments of vapes entering the country.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s (FCTC) new social media “Myths vs Facts" series on X/Twitter ignores real-world tobacco harm reduction success, says the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates. The consumer advocacy organisation says it is time for them to embrace the evidence.