Regulatory briefing
The regulatory briefing section offers regulatory news and updates from the e-cigarette industry worldwide. Briefings cover topics such as: introduction and passing of relevant bills and bans; changes to regulations in individual countries or regions; and how current affairs and government policies are affecting the industry. It also provides ECigIntelligence’s expert summary of events and analysis.
MPs demand new plan for e-cigs to help achieve ‘smoke-free’ target for England
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 27th July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
MPs have called on the UK government to present “ambitious plans” for vaping products if they want a chance of hitting the target of a smoke-free country by 2030 – a target public health experts consider unreachable ...
With TPD revision on the horizon, what are the next steps for EU regulation?
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 22nd July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
An intense period of negotiations on a revision of EU regulation of tobacco alternatives is coming, following the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) implementation report represented by the European Commission ...
Italian Senate to have the last word on plan for temporary e-liquid tax relief
Written by Antonia di Lorenzo || 19th July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Italian Senate is close to considering temporary tax relief for e-cigarettes in the country – a move financial experts do not expect to cause any significant drop in the overall volume of tax collected ...
Costa Rican government reluctant to put forward 40% e-cigarette tax proposal
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 15th July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The government of Costa Rica does not believe this is the time to debate a proposal to impose a new tax on e-cigarettes – a proposal that has been described by the country’s attorney general as “abusive”...
Italian parliament considers temporary reduction in tax on e-liquids from August
Written by Antonia di Lorenzo || 13th July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Italian Chamber of Deputies is considering an amendment that would temporarily lower the excise duties on vaping products ...
Estonia may expand the legal range of flavours and restore online sales
Written by ECigIntelligence || 12th July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Opposition members of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) have tabled a bill aiming to ease some of the regulations on vaping products ...
South Africa’s long wait for vaping regulations may be nearing an end
Written by ECigIntelligence || 8th July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The South African Health Department is finishing its work on long-standing legislation that is set to introduce new regulations for vaping products in the country ...
Dutch Parliament set to over-rule opposition to new ad restrictions
Written by ECigIntelligence || 5th July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Some Dutch lawmakers have expressed concern about the possible consequences of an amendment to the Tobacco and Smoking Products Act and the introduction of new advertising restrictions on tobacco-alternative products ...
Could Juul Labs’ $40m North Carolina settlement affect other legal challenges?
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 1st July 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The $40m agreement between Juul Labs and the US state of North Carolina marks an unexpected milestone for the manufacturer – one which could set a precedent for other outstanding claims ...
Wisconsin Republicans ready to scrap Democrat budget plan for e-cigarettes
Written by ECigIntelligence || 29th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
A few months after Wisconsin’s Democratic governor Tony Evers presented a budget introducing changes to the way vapour products are taxed, the US state’s Republican-controlled legislature looks ready to scrap it ...
North Carolina announces deal requiring Juul to pay $40m and ‘mend its ways’
Written by Aidan Semmens || 28th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The US state of North Carolina has reached an out-of-court agreement with Juul Labs that will require the company to pay $40m over six years and make “drastic changes to the way it conducts business” ...
China confirms its suspicious attitude towards ‘unsafe’ and ‘harmful’ e-cigs
Written by ECigIntelligence || 25th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have concluded that e-cigarettes are both “unsafe” and “harmful” in a report that assesses the health risk of vaping products ...
The cap goes on – Canada introduces strict limit on nicotine concentration
Written by ECigIntelligence || 24th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Canadian government is imposing a nicotine cap on vaping products, bringing the country in line with the 20 mg/ml maximum that applies in Europe ...
Think tank accuses WHO of ‘ideological’ opposition to vaping ahead of COP9
Written by ECigIntelligence || 23rd June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The UK-based Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is to host a webinar arguing that the anti-vaping policies of the World Health Organization (WHO) are driven by ideology not science, and damaging to public health ...
Experts still see hope for future legal challenges to US FDA authority
Written by ECigIntelligence || 22nd June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s authority to regulate e-cigarettes could face further legal scrutiny after the recent refusal by the Supreme Court to hear a challenge initiated by a vape shop ...
Canada prepares to ban sweet and ‘highly pleasant’ flavours, aromas – and names
Written by ECigIntelligence || 21st June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Canadian government has taken another step towards limiting flavoured vaping products across the country and placing restrictions on the names and descriptions that can be used on e-liquid packaging ...
Russia takes another step in its plans to tighten vaping regulations
Written by ECigIntelligence || 18th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Russian government is planning to prepare a report with proposals to further regulate tobacco products in the country, suggesting that it could tighten the regulations for e-cigarettes and introduce a flavour ban ...
Both sides in UK agree government plan should do more to promote vaping
Written by ECigIntelligence || 14th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The British government must step up efforts to promote vaping products if it is to achieve its goal of a smoke-free society by 2030, a cross-party parliamentary committee in Westminster agreed ...
Germany gives green light to new vaping tax scheme based on ml from 2022
Written by ECigIntelligence || 11th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Germany will implement a new per ml tax scheme for e-liquids from next year after adjustments to the German Tobacco Law were passed by the Bundestag ...
US Supreme Court refuses challenge to FDA authority over vaping products
Written by Aidan Semmens || 8th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The US Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s authority to regulate e-cigarettes, refusing to review a case that relied on a constitutional doctrine last applied in 1935 ...
Bosnia and Herzegovina takes a big step towards TPD-like e-cigarette regulation
Written by Marija Obradovic || 8th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s lower house has passed a bill that will harmonise the country’s tobacco regulation with the standards of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) ...
German lawmakers close to reaching an agreement to change e-liquid tax scheme
Written by ECigIntelligence || 7th June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Political parties in Germany are negotiating a change in the tax scheme for nicotine e-liquids, moving away from the government’s proposal and the way the due sum is calculated ...
New UK health body is not expected to change direction set by PHE on vaping
Written by ECigIntelligence || 3rd June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The recent shake-up of the UK’s health sector with the replacement of Public Health England (PHE) is not expected to substantially change the country’s support of vaping – and may even take it further ...
‘Betrayal’ – Philippines health advocates condemn lowering of e-cig purchase age
Written by ECigIntelligence || 1st June 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Health advocacy groups in the Philippines have raised concerns about a recently approved bill lowering the minimum age to buy and use e-cigarettes from 21 to 18 ...
UK physicians urge raising the smoking age to 21 and cutting tax on e-cigs
Written by ECigIntelligence || 31st May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Royal College of Physicians has called on the UK government to reduce the tax burden on e-cigarettes while raising the legal minimum age for purchasing combustible tobacco products ...
Review of UK tobacco rules will need to wait a few more months
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 28th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The UK government’s post-implementation review of the 2016 Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) won’t be ready before the end of the year ...
New Brunswick prepares to license vape stores in bid to curb youth e-cig use
Written by ECigIntelligence || 26th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
A new licensing system for vape shops has been proposed in the Canadian province of New Brunswick in a stated bid to reduce youth vaping ...
Blokhuis gets his way as Netherlands heads for ban on vaping flavours
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 25th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Most flavours other than tobacco are to be banned in e-cigarettes in the Netherlands after the Council of Ministers approved the recommendation of health minister Paul Blokhuis ...
Stricter EU rules on e-cigs are needed in upcoming TPD revision, says Commission
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 20th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The European Commission believes there is a need for strong action to toughen up the current Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in the upcoming revision of the EU-wide regulations ...
Planned hike in e-cig tax divides German Bundestag, health and industry experts
Written by ECigIntelligence || 20th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Talks have revealed continuing division between members of Germany's Bundestag on proposed tax changes, with a debate on whether taxation of tobacco alternatives should be based on health promotion or revenue ...
Florida brings in vape store permits while denying right to local regulation
Written by ECigIntelligence || 19th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
About 1,200 vape stores in Florida will have to apply every year for a business permit after governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that also preempts local governments from applying stricter rules to nicotine sales ...
Brazilian MPs consider e-cig prohibition ahead of possible new legal path
Written by ECigIntelligence || 17th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
A new proposal to reinforce a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes in Brazil is being considered in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the National Congress ...
EU TPD implementation report: the countdown has started
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 12th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The EU Commission will soon reveal the outcome of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) implementation report, a long-awaited document that will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the legislation ...
Philadelphia appeals against court ruling striking down city’s ban on flavours
Written by ECigIntelligence || 10th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The US city of Philadelphia has appealed for the second time a court ruling halting a 2019 municipal ordinance that restricted the sale of flavoured vaping products to adult-only establishments ...
Future of first US federal vaping tax proposal remains unclear in Congress
Written by ECigIntelligence || 6th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Representatives in both US chambers have recently reintroduced an old piece of legislation that would establish the first ever federal tax on vapour products, but whether it will have enough political support to be adopted anytime soon remains...
Jordan’s Tobacco Unit enables businesses to bring e-cigs into the legalised market
Written by ECigIntelligence || 4th May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Jordan’s Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) has licensed at least 184 establishments to display, sell, trade, and store e-cigarette devices, e-liquids and heated tobacco since such products were legalised in 2019 ...
Taiwan’s capital faces a blanket ban on tobacco alternatives as council decides
Written by ECigIntelligence || 3rd May 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The city council of Taiwan’s capital Taipei is this week considering a local ordinance for a blanket ban on the manufacture, import, sale, supply, display and advertising of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products ...
Scotland’s Conservatives call for e-cigs to be restricted like smoking products
Written by ECigIntelligence || 28th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
As next week’s Scottish Parliament elections approach, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party has said e-cigarettes should be subject to the same restrictions as combustible tobacco products ...
Saskatchewan’s 20% tax ‘won’t stop kids vaping’; limit on flavours also lies ahead
Written by ECigIntelligence || 27th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Businesses in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan are preparing for a new 20% tax on vaping products, while the government has also announced plans to further restrict sales of flavoured e-cigs ...
Juul executives face trial after US judge rules racketeering claims ‘plausible’
Written by ECigIntelligence || 26th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
A major lawsuit in California against Juul Labs and Altria over youth marketing tactics is moving forward after a judge endorsed a new racketeering theory as “plausible” ...
EU tax harmony needed ‘urgently’ – but no decision is expected before next year
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 23rd April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Tax officials in Brussels are agreed that the harmonising of excise duties on tobacco alternatives is urgent after calls from EU member states and the sector to put an end to the different national tax regimes in Europe...
Germany’s government parties split on vaping tax plan ahead of Bundestag talks
Written by ECigIntelligence || 21st April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The plan for a new e-liquid tax is creating tensions in Germany’s governing coalition, with some members of chancellor Angela Merkel’s party opposing the scheme ahead of the start of the legislative process in the Bundestag ...
Canada plans new federal e-liquid tax from 2022 ‘to cut harmful vaping’
Written by ECigIntelligence || 20th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Canadian government aims to implement a new federal excise duty on vaping products from 2022 “to help curtail harmful consumption” of e-cigarettes ...
Legal uncertainties are cramping the vaping industry worldwide, says Relx
Written by ECigIntelligence || 19th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
Changes and uncertainty over regulatory approach in some big vaping markets, and the rise in compatible products, are major current challenges for big players in the e-cigarette industry, such as Relx International ...
Spain eyes total vaping ban on outdoor terraces to help combat Covid-19 spread
Written by ECigIntelligence || 16th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
The Spanish Ministry of Health is looking at imposing a blanket ban on the use of tobacco products – including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco – on outdoor bar and cafe terraces ...
Industry and anti-tobacco opposed to vaping tax proposal in Texas legislature
Written by ECigIntelligence || 14th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
A Texas House of Representatives committee hearing on Monday showcased a coincidence between the vapour industry and anti-tobacco groups: both camps are opposed to a bill, but for different reasons ...
MPs suggest Britain should cut WHO funding if COP9 sticks by e-cig stance
Written by ECigIntelligence || 12th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
A group of UK members of parliament have suggested the government should think twice about its contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO) if it remains hostile towards vaping products ...
Regulatory pathways for e-cigarette products in Eurasia and the Middle East
Written by ECigIntelligence || 8th April 2021 || Regulatory briefing |
How are e-cigarettes regulated in the former Soviet countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Middle-Eastern states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – and what are the similarities and differences between the two? Those questions,...