Stories

The ‘Give Up For Good’ campaign is helping Australians live healthier, nicotine-free lives by empowering them to quit smoking and vaping for good - or to never start. Designed to help protect people of all ages from the harms of tobacco and nicotine addiction, this new phase of the campaign responds to recent research showing most Australians who smoke or vape are open to, or trying to quit, and are seeking information to help them take the next step.

Singapore is cracking down on e-cigarettes like vapes and K-pods, banning them since 2018 to combat drug-laced products. Severe penalties now include fines, caning, and jail time. Customs officers are vigilant, finding hidden vapes in various vehicles at checkpoints. An extensive public health campaign warns of vaping dangers, with a hotline for reporting offenders. The government aims to prevent a rise in drug usage, particularly targeting youths. While the strict measures have support, some criticize the ban as excessive, believing adults should choose for themselves.

Most consumers use nicotine pouches, a smoke-free alternative, to reduce the harm from smoking, according to a Spanish study. Nicotine pouches are smoke-free products that deliver nicotine by placing a small pouch between the gum and upper lip. They do not contain tobacco leaf and produce no smoke or vapor. The Spanish report, "Regulation of Nicotine Pouches," by the Tholos Foundation in collaboration with Dynata, presents findings from a consumer survey conducted in Spain in March 2025. The survey included 515 current users of nicotine pouches.

Despite Cambodia's bans on electronic cigarettes since 2014, the circulation of vapes persists due to weak enforcement, creating concerns over youth addiction and public health risks. Despite a reinforced ban in October 2025, illicit trading continues, with recent seizures and arrests. Analysts emphasize that strict enforcement and community involvement are crucial to combat the issue. E-cigarettes are particularly harmful to youth, with nicotine impacting brain development and causing organ damage. Coordinated government actions are needed to eliminate vaping, including blocking imports and tightening online advertising controls. Parents and communities are urged to discourage vape use and report illegal sales.

Six months after the UK’s disposable vape ban, questions remain over its real-world impact. Industry commentator Martin Cullip discusses weak enforcement funding, the rise of illegal sales, growing environmental awareness, and concerns that the ban could undermine smoking cessation and push some users back to cigarettes.

Research indicates that banning flavored e-cigarettes can lead to increased sales of traditional cigarettes, undermining public health goals. A study examined Canadian data from 2018-2023, showing that flavor restrictions boosted cigarette sales by nearly 10%. When provinces eliminated flavored e-cigarettes from common outlets, cigarette sales rose significantly. Despite the dangers of smoking, e-cigarettes are considered safer. Past studies suggest flavor bans increase cigarette purchases and youth smoking. Canada and the U.S. have strict tobacco regulations, with both countries experiencing significant smoking-related deaths.

I’m 67 years old. I quit smoking with the help of vaping after other methods failed. When I walk into a vape shop, I’m not looking for a clinic, but for a place that feels welcoming, safe, and professional—because switching away from smoking is serious business. Vape shops should look like responsible, inviting adult spaces. Smokers deserve a door they feel comfortable walking through. A clean, well-run shop makes me feel less likely to be sold junk, less likely to be misled, and more likely to get practical help from someone who knows what they’re doing.

In 2025, nicotine pouches have become one of the most closely watched categories in the global novel tobacco market, seeing rapid growth across manufacturing, branding, distribution, and retail. Just before Christmas, the U.S. FDA granted marketing authorization to six products under Altria’s on! PLUS brand, highlighting their recognition as tobacco harm reduction tools. Despite this, experts note that nicotine pouches are still relatively new and require longer-term, more detailed studies on safety. Concerns about oral health have grown, particularly regarding gum irritation, oral lesions, and potential long-term changes to oral tissues. As the market expands, ongoing research will be key to understanding both the benefits and risks of these products.

Recent expert consensus calls nicotine a potent cardiovascular toxin, urging the EU to act. The narrative of safer nicotine is challenged, emphasizing all forms are harmful. Recommendations include flavor bans and taxation proportional to nicotine content. Critics question the validity of the report's findings and policy goals. They argue for harm reduction, citing examples like Swedish snus. The report's stance against safer nicotine products is viewed suspiciously by advocates. It aligns with EU debates on tobacco regulations. Supporters of harm reduction stress its role in reducing smoking rates. The report's timing coincides with EU health plans, raising concerns about its influence.

A study by Truth Initiative found a surge in TikTok content featuring pouch products, correlating with a significant growth in oral nicotine pouch sales. The analysis spanning from January 2021 to October 2023 revealed a spike in viral TikTok videos related to pouches, leading to a sales increase of over 12 million units. This trend continued with the market growth rate surpassing 20 million units the following month. The researchers suggest a link between the prevalence of pouch-related TikTok videos and the market expansion, indicating a potential relationship between social media virality and the normalization of nicotine pouch use.