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.
Australia postpones its e-cigarette import ban until next year
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 26th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The ban on all e-cigarette imports into Australia that was due to come into force next week has now been delayed until January 2021 ...
Netherlands heads towards ruling out e-liquid flavours from early next year
Written by ECigIntelligence || 25th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Dutch government is working on new legislation to ban all e-cigarette flavours early next year to reduce the appeal of vaping to young people while not discouraging smokers from using e-cigs to help them quit ...
Australia cracks down still harder, banning e-cig imports from 1st July
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 23rd June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Australian health minister Greg Hunt has announced that importing e-cigarettes will be banned from 1st July “to reduce the risk to public health through addiction to nicotine and nicotine poisoning” ...
Philippines on track for strict e-cig regulation, awaits public comments
Written by ECigIntelligence || 18th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appears to be tightening its grip on the country’s e-cigarette industry with a detailed proposal to regulate vapour products ...
Accusations fly over proposal for a nationwide e-cigarette ban in China
Written by ECigIntelligence || 16th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Proposals for the national regulation of e-cigarettes in China range from advertising restrictions to a controversial suggestion by the boss of a pharmaceutical company that they should be totally banned ...
Hot debate in New Zealand over fine detail of bill to regulate e-cigarettes
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 15th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
An intense debate is on-going in New Zealand between representatives and health officials over planned legislation to regulate vaping products in the country for the first time ...
Alberta tables new e-cig legislation setting under-age sales ban
Written by ECigIntelligence || 12th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Canada could soon have provincial vaping laws from coast to coast after Alberta, the one province without its own law, tabled legislation to crack down on where vaping products can be sold and who can purchase them ...
US representatives ask FDA to publish a list of vaping PMTA submissions
Written by ECigIntelligence || 10th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Members of the US Congress have asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to produce “a public list” of vaping products for which premarket tobacco product applications (PMTA) have been submitted ...
Taiwan proposal would ban e-cigs but leave uncertainty over other products
Written by Marija Obradovic || 8th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare has released a draft proposal to ban e-cigarettes, while leaving open the possibility of market approval for some reduced-risk products ...
Russia’s e-cig bill remains on hold amid disagreement among lawmakers
Written by ECigIntelligence || 4th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
A proposal to impose stricter regulations for e-cigarettes in Russia is being reviewed by the government while the State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly, has put the process on hold ...
EU nations want ‘urgently’ to bring all novel tobacco products under tax rules
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 3rd June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Council of the European Union considers it “urgent and necessary” to harmonise the definitions and tax treatment of novel tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products ...
German Bundestag debates upcoming outdoor and cinema advertising ban
Written by ECigIntelligence || 2nd June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Germany has moved a step closer to a comprehensive ban on outdoor advertising of tobacco – including vaping and heated tobacco products – with a first debate in the Bundestag ...
World No Tobacco Day 2020: the debate about harm reduction
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 31st May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
World No Tobacco Day provides an opportunity to consider the approach that public health authorities, policymakers, and advocates around the world have towards the role of tobacco-alternatives products ...
California governor proposes vape tax from 2021, supports state flavour ban
Written by ECigIntelligence || 29th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
California is putting forward a budget proposal that would increase taxes on vapour products in the next fiscal year and promises to work on a statewide flavour ban ...
States urge European Commission to include e-cigs in EU tax directive
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 28th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
EU nations are to recommend to the European Commission that e-cigarettes should be included in the forthcoming revision of the structure and rates of tax applied to manufactured tobacco products ...
Brazil puts back until 2021 a decision on whether to legalise e-cigarettes
Written by ECigIntelligence || 26th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Brazil has postponed until next year a decision on the possible legalisation of e-cigarettes amid a “reorientation” of health priorities to contain the expansion of the coronavirus pandemic ...
Oklahoma and Minnesota bring total number of Tobacco 21 states to 26
Written by ECigIntelligence || 25th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Minnesota and Oklahoma have adopted laws raising the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapour products to 21, bringing to 26 the number of US states to have taken similar measures ...
Canada’s Nova Scotia sets nicotine cap, British Columbia may follow suit
Written by ECigIntelligence || 21st May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Canadian province of Nova Scotia is to limit the nicotine concentration in e-cigs to 20 mg/ml. And with no federal regulation on the issue, some other provinces are considering a similar approach ...
Melbourne moves to ban vaping in the business district ‘to clear the air’
Written by ECigIntelligence || 19th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Australian city of Melbourne is working to implement new regulation that would prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in the city’s central business district ...
Maryland governor vetoes planned increases in vaping sales taxes
Written by ECigIntelligence || 18th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
A planned increase in sales taxes on e-cigarettes has been halted in the US state of Maryland due to concern about the economic impact on the industry amid the coronavirus pandemic ...
Moves afoot in Belgian Parliament to ban a range of e-cigarette flavours
Written by ECigIntelligence || 13th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
A Belgian MP has submitted a proposal to Parliament that aims to ban certain e-cigarette flavours to make them less attractive to young people ...
A tough regime softens as Estonia moves to legalise menthol e-liquids
Written by Lorenzo Guaragna || 11th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Estonia’s parliament, the Riigikogu, has approved a bill to relax one of the toughest regulatory regimes for e-cigarettes in Europe, legalising menthol e-liquids ...
New Jersey bill proposes 19,000% rise in vaping business licence
Written by ECigIntelligence || 8th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature is considering new regulations for vapour businesses and dramatically increasing the licence cost for opening new vape stores ...
Planned e-cig tax and restrictions to go before Danish Parliament
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 6th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Danish government is to submit to Parliament a proposal to levy a tax on e-cigarettes and a national action plan on restricting e-cigarettes to cut tobacco uptake by young people ...
COP9 postponement buys time to consider evidence, say experts
Written by ECigIntelligence || 30th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The postponement of the 2020 Conference of the Parties (COP9) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to next year could be good news for the tobacco alternatives sector ...
Health advocates urge Indonesian president to act against vaping
Written by ECigIntelligence || 27th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
A large grouping of non-profit and health organisations has called on Indonesian president Joko Widodo to take a stricter stance against e-cigarettes and other tobacco products in the battle against COVID-19 ...
FDA angers US House subcommittee by refusing to stop all e-cigarette sales
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 21st April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected a call to “clear the e-cigarette market” during the COVID-19 crisis – eliciting an angry response from a House subcommittee ...
Brussels admits delays may occur in TPD revision; EU notifications hit 250k
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 16th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Brussels is continuing work on the revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), but admits some of the research work could be delayed by the coronavirus crisis ...
Costa Rica gearing up to ban public vaping and tax e-cig products
Written by ECigIntelligence || 14th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica is heading towards passing new legislation before the end of April that would ban the use of e-cigarettes in public and impose taxes on all e-cigs and e-liquids ...
Kentucky lawmakers pass separate taxes for open and closed e-cigs
Written by ECigIntelligence || 10th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Lawmakers in the US state of Kentucky have approved separate tax rates for closed and open e-cigarette products with the aim of dissuading young people from vaping by financial means ...
Cautious relief after US court grants four-month PMTA deadline extension
Written by ECigIntelligence || 7th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Vape businesses have generally welcomed a court’s decision to grant a four-month extension to the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) deadline – but there are reservations ...
New York passes 2021 state budget law including a ban on flavoured e-cigs
Written by ECigIntelligence || 3rd April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Lawmakers in New York State have agreed to a ban on the sale of flavoured e-cigarette products, delivering a victory to Democrat governor Andrew Cuomo who has made the issue a priority ...
US state-level regulation paused as lawmakers go into lockdown
Written by Freddie Dawson || 1st April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
With president Donald Trump announcing social distancing and other measures being extended until the end of April it seems unlikely many US state legislatures will choose to end their adjournments soon ...
US FDA requests extension of PMTA deadline due to coronavirus problems
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 31st March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested a 120-day extension to the deadline for premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) due to the challenges that the coronavirus outbreak is posing to companies ...
New York vape industry’s fear after doctors call for ban during pandemic
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 30th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The vaping industry has shown concern after doctors in New York State called for a temporary ban on e-cigarette sales out of concern that vaping could put people at greater risk from COVID-19 ...
Tobacco 21 law signed in Wyoming and Florida; Alaska moves forward
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 27th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Wyoming and Florida are the two latest US jurisdictions to adopt new e-cigarette regulations that will increase the legal age to purchase tobacco products – including e-cigarettes – while other states such Alaska are moving ahead with new...
Korean court rejects complaint against health ministry advice to avoid e-cigs
Written by ECigIntelligence || 25th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
A judge in Seoul has dismissed a petition by the South Korean Electronic Cigarette Association questioning whether reports issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare recommending people not to vape were unconstitutional ...
US FDA may relax PMTA deadline for firms facing coronavirus problems
Written by Barnaby Page || 24th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The US FDA has hinted that it might push back the deadline for e-cigarette PMTA applications, or offer flexibility to companies struggling to meet the May target while coping with coronavirus ...
Spain plans new measures to tighten vaping and HnB regulations
Written by ECigIntelligence || 23rd March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Spanish government has announced plans to strengthen enforcement of existing tobacco regulations and to impose taxes on new products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco ...
US FDA suspends all vape store inspections for at least a month
Written by David Palacios Rubio || 20th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The US Food and Administration (FDA) has decided to issue “a partial stop work order” for the external companies that are carrying out product compliance checks and vape store inspections ...
Estonia may climb down from its position as Europe’s toughest on e-cigs
Written by Lorenzo Guaragna || 18th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
One of the toughest regulatory regimes for e-cigarettes in Europe could be significantly relaxed if the Estonian parliament passes a bill allowing menthol flavoured e-liquids and introducing new tax rates ...
Will it be Democrats vs Vapers in the coming battle for the White House?
Written by ECigIntelligence || 16th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
How dramatic would the change be for the e-cig industry if voters deny Donald Trump another four-year term in the White House and choose either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders as the next US president? ...
Netherlands moves towards extending smoking restrictions to e-cigarettes
Written by ECigIntelligence || 13th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Dutch lower chamber has passed a bill presented by health secretary Paul Blokhuis to amend the Tobacco and Smoking Products Act and extend prohibitions on smoking to tobacco-alternative products ...
Duterte issues further regulation of e-cigarettes in the Philippines
Written by ECigIntelligence || 12th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Following his order that extended the ban on smoking in public spaces to include vaping, president Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has now issued a further raft of restrictions on e-cigarettes ...
South Africa plans to bring in new e-cigarette tax scheme from 2021
Written by ECigIntelligence || 11th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The South African government has announced that its finance authorities are working on a new tax scheme for vaping products to come into force in 2021 ...
Hawaii proposal includes flavour ban and confiscation of e-cigs at school
Written by ECigIntelligence || 10th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Lawmakers in Hawaii have proposed a ban on the sale of all flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettes across the state and new powers for teachers to take away vaping devices from under-21s ...
Geneva faces referendum on e-cig ads ban and public vaping restrictions
Written by ECigIntelligence || 6th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
The Romandy Association of Vape Professionals (Association Romande des Professionnels de la Vape, ARPV) has officially requested a referendum in the Geneva canton challenging a new law on tobacco and related products, including e-cigs ...
PHE reiterates endorsement of vaping despite US lung illness outbreak
Written by ECigIntelligence || 5th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |
Public Health England (PHE) continues to support vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking, saying products sold in England are still considered safe for consumers despite the spate of lung illnesses in the US ...