LATEST ALERTSUS - California: The El Dorado County Office of Education recently hosted a student training day for the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Program, which included students from El Dorado, Independence, Union Mine, and Black Oak Mine Unified School District, local media reports. The purpose of the TUPE Program is to reduce youth usage of tobacco products through tobacco-specific educational instruction and activities that build knowledge as well as social skills and youth development assets. Melissa Kistler, director of District and Program Support and TUPE liaison emphasised the fact that the “training is unique because it is the first time we have cross collaboration between school districts in this county”.
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US-Connecticut: A flavour ban fails to win passage in Connecticut for the third year in a row, local media reports. The bill, which came out of the Public Health Committee in a divided vote in March, aimed to reduce youth vaping by prohibiting the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapour products that are flavoured or that have a nicotine content that is greater than 35 mg/ml. Senator John Fonfara, a co-chair of the Finance Committee, explained the bill's failure by saying that the ban would create a flourishing “underground” market for vaping products which would become even more attractive to minors.
9th May 2022 - Brazil, South America |
Brazil: In response to industry member requests, the National Public Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has extended the deadline for receiving technical and scientific contributions about e-cigarettes and heated tobacco until 10th June. Previously, the agency published a report suggesting the current prohibition should be maintained, but any firm decisions will come later.
Italy: On 31st May, the Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) will hold the first Italian conference on tobacco harm reduction, called "Risks and benefits of smokeless products". The aim of the conference is to analyse all published research in the field of tobacco harm reduction in order to produce a single document that can become an authoritative reference for the definition of effective public health policies to help smokers quit.
France: The National Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) has published an updated list of notified e-cigarettes, which includes 78,167 products.
Georgia: Before 1st September 2022, the parliament is planning to amend the Law on Tobacco Control. It intends to introduce health warnings on packs and notification requirements for tobacco products, media reports. As nicotine-containing e-cigarette products and heated tobacco products fall under the definition of tobacco products in Georgia, we believe that such requirements would be applicable to them.
US - New Mexico: The New Mexico Department of Health has launched Live Vape Free, a text-based programme to help addicted teens stop using e-cigs. The programme is designed to help teens aged between 13 and 17 to quit e-cigarettes, and it provides adults with the tools they need to support teens as they quit. “New Mexico is one of only five states to launch both the youth and adult components of the program, out of the just 13 states using the Live Vape Free program,” local media reports.
Mongolia: Deputy finance minister Sanjaa Mungunchimeg has said a draft law to impose a tax on e-cigarettes is ready, press reports. She added that the bill would be submitted to Parliament and the government separately from the budget amendment that is currently under discussion.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong police have arrested two people for violating the ban on selling alternative smoking products. Officers seized 94 boxes of suspected nicotine-containing e-cigarette cartridges and 74 “smoking devices” during the operation in Mong Kok, press reports. They were reportedly the first arrests under the ban, which came into effect on Saturday.
US - Colorado: House Bill 22-1064 was approved by the state House yesterday and sent to the Senate for consideration, local media reports. The bill would prohibit the distribution of flavoured cigarettes, tobacco or nicotine products, including those containing synthetic nicotine. Since its introduction, the bill has been changed to exempt hookahs, premium cigars and pipe tobacco.
5th May 2022 - North America, United States |
US - Federal: New warning letters have been issued by the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to a number of manufacturers and distributors of e-liquid products that are “new tobacco products” without the required marketing authorisation.
Sweden: The right-wing Sweden Democrats, the Centre Party and the Left Party have all presented motions against the government’s proposed Stricter rules for new nicotine products (Proposition 2021/22: 200), questioning the suggested ban on non-tobacco-flavoured e-liquids. The parties say banning flavours would make it harder for people to switch from smoking to a less harmful alternative and that a market study on the consequences of such a ban should be undertaken.
Sweden: The Public Health Agency has updated the publicly available list of notified e-cigarettes and refill containers, which contains 11,909 vapour products.
US - Hawaii: House Bill 1570 passed its final reading yesterday on a 36-15 vote. The bill to ban the sale of all flavoured tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, combustible menthol cigarettes and flavoured cigars, has now been passed by both chambers of the Legislature and requires only the signature of governor David Ige to become law.
US - Maryland: Anne Arundel Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in Maryland, is bringing a suit against Juul Labs, alleging its products are marketed to students and claiming gross negligence by the company, media reports. ”You’ve created this whole generation of young people who are now addicted to nicotine because it delivers four to five times the nicotine of a cigarette,” Anne Arundel Schools attorney Phil Federico said.
Thailand: Digital economy and society minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn has submitted a petition to the National Tobacco Products Control Committee calling on it to legalise e-cigarettes, press reports. Chaiwut said e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional tobacco and should be regulated as cigarettes. He also highlighted that legalising them would bring in added tax revenue.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong Customs reports a major operation to combat illicit heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, with products with an estimated market value of $15m seized in the past month. The Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 came into effect on Saturday, 30th April, banning production, import, sales and promotion of heat-not-burn (HnB) and vaping products, subject to a fine of up to $50,000 and up to six months’ jail.
US - Hawaii: Many bills are currently sitting in the legislative process that would ban flavoured tobacco products. Among them, House Bill 1570 has passed both the House and the Senate, but the House seems to disagree with some amendments and so it may still take a while. The ban of flavoured tobacco products is a current political debate: representatives supporting the bill state they are only banning flavours and not vaping, whereas shop owners state that flavours are 99.9% of the business.
Lithuania: In accordance with the amendments introduced by the Law XIV-295 of 13 May 2021 to the Law on Tobacco Control of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and Related Products, the definition of an e-cigarette has changed as of 1st May 2022 and nicotine-free e-cigarettes are equated to those with nicotine. This means that nicotine-free e-cigarettes are now subject to the same requirements and restrictions as e-cigarettes with nicotine.
Estonia: The Health Board has updated the list of notified e-cigarette products, which contains 42,965 vapour products.
China: The Administrative Measures for Electronic Cigarettes – which requires licensing of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, and imposes a flavour ban on all flavours other than tobacco – entered into force on 1st May 2022.
2nd May 2022 - Asia, Philippines |
Philippines: The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated its call for president Rodrigo Duterte to veto the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulations Act, press report. According to the authority, the approval of the bill is contrary to the president's position to protect the public from the effects of smoking and goes against the already existing laws. The bill was approved by the Senate and House of Representatives in January and is now waiting for the president’s signature.
29th April 2022 - North America, United States |
US - Federal: The first report on the status of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) is expected today (29th April) following an order from a federal judge. More information can be found in our news briefing.
Germany: The second and final day of the seminar “Opportunities and risks of e-cigarettes" from The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) was today. Among other things, the debate was held on the risk assessment and the banning of flavours, in which the BfR stated that it is currently assessing the toxicity of e-cig flavours.
29th April 2022 - North America, United States |
US - Federal: Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced two proposed product standards: one to prohibit menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes and one to prohibit all characterising flavours (other than tobacco) in cigars; e-cigarettes are not included in either of the proposed rules. The reason behind proposing these rules is to reduce the appeal of those products to youth. The FDA has emphasised that enforcement against individual consumers for possession of menthol cigarettes or flavoured cigars will not be pursued.
Germany: The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has updated the list of notified e-cigarette products, which now contains 257,600 vapour products. Only products notified at least six months ago are listed.
UK (Scotland): The government consultation about restricting the advertising of e-cigarettes closed yesterday. The consultation revolved around imposing a ban on advertising on billboards and bus shelters, free-sampling, sponsorship and brand sharing – where the logos and/or colours of a particular product are used on an unrelated product for promotional purposes.
29th April 2022 - Czech Republic, Europe |
Czech Republic: The Ministry of Health has updated the publicly available list of notified herbal products for smoking, e-cigarettes and refill containers.
27th April 2022 - Europe, United Kingdom |
UK: Yesterday, 26th April 2022, a Westminster Hall debate on the progress of the government's Smokefree 2030 ambition took place. The MPs expressed concern about vaping among young people, but also raised the importance of providing information to smokers about its reduced harm compared with traditional tobacco. Maggie Throup, junior health secretary, said: "It remains the Government’s goal to maximise the public health opportunities presented by vapes while ensuring that such products are not appealing to young people and non-smokers."
27th April 2022 - North America, United States |
US - Federal: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the marketing of four new tobacco products by Njoy LLC, including its Ace closed e-cigarette device and three accompanying tobacco-flavoured e-liquid pods. The FDA also issued marketing denial orders to Njoy for multiple other Ace e-cigarette products. Applications for two menthol-flavoured Ace e-liquid pods remain under FDA review.
26th April 2022 - Canada, North America |
Canada: Health Canada’s consultation on the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act ends tomorrow, 27th April. The government has outlined five objectives for vaping products – restricting access to e-cigarettes, preventing misconceptions about the health hazards of vaping, enhancing public awareness of those hazards, preventing initiation into vaping, and protecting people from exposure to vaping. Final submissions can be sent to legislativereviewtvpa.revisionlegislativeltpv@hc-sc.gc.ca.
26th April 2022 - Europe |
EU: EU officials have told ECigIntelligence that at present there are no planned or proposed measures to phase out non-rechargeable portable batteries. However, a possible ban on single-use batteries under the revision of EU rules on batteries and waste – which would affect disposable products such as pods – is expected to be examined by 31st December 2027, when the Commission assesses the feasibility of such a measure and submits a recommendation to the European Parliament and Council.
26th April 2022 - Europe, United Kingdom |
UK: In response to a parliamentary question, junior environment minister Jo Churchill said no specific assessment had been made of the number of vape pens that go to landfill. She reiterated that the government plans to consult on reforms to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations later this year.
California: San Diego City Council voted 7-2 at a special meeting yesterday to approve the SAAFE (Stop Adolescent Addiction to Flavored E-cigarettes) Act, which would prohibit the sale of all flavoured tobacco and e-cigarette products in the city, local media reports. The issue will come before the council again in 30 days.
26th April 2022 - Brazil, South America |
Brazil: National Public Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) director Cristiane Jourdan has told media there is not yet enough evidence for the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes or heated tobacco for them to be approved for use. However, she added that studies were at an early stage and that potential additional measures mentioned in the regulatory report published earlier this month, such as an advertising ban, were awaiting a final decision. ANVISA is taking technical and scientific evidence about the products until 11th May.
Thailand: Health minister and deputy prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul has told the Thai Health Promotion Foundation that he will not support the legalisation of e-cigarettes, press reports. The minister has established a tobacco control panel under the Department of Disease Control to review the current regulations, in the belief that e-cigs have become popular with young people in Thailand.
Malaysia: Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin reportedly said last week that the 15% import duty on nicotine gum products, to be imposed from 1st June, should either reduced or cancelled, describing them as a good smoking cessation tool. This liberal policy towards nicotine gum would be in contrast to the legal framework for nicotine-containing vaping products, marketing of which is currently subject to a pharmaceutical licence. The government is planning to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and tobacco products to anyone born after 2005.
US - California: On today’s agenda for San Diego City Council was Item 600, the approval of the SAAFE (Stop Adolescent Addiction to Flavored E-cigarettes) Act, which would prohibit the sale of flavoured tobacco products in the city. If passed, the ban will include all flavours but for tobacco from 1st January 2023.
25th April 2022 - Europe, United Kingdom |
UK: A Westminster Hall debate will be held tomorrow, 26th April, on the progress towards the government’s smokefree 2030 ambition.
25th April 2022 - Europe, Netherlands |
Netherlands: The Ministry of Health, Wellbeing and Sport has confirmed to ECigIntelligence that legislation to prohibit e-cigarette flavours other than tobacco flavour is being prepared and should be published for consultation this summer. The new law, expected to come into effect in early 2023, will allow a limited list of taste-determining additives.
22nd April 2022 - North America, United States |
US - General: Horry County Schools has filed a federal lawsuit this week against Juul, alleging that its "products have created a public health crisis in local schools", according to local news. Horry County is the fourth most populous county in South Carolina, with a population of around 290,000 inhabitants.
US - Connecticut: Senate Bill 367 has been advancing through the legislative process since its introduction on 8th March 2022, and it's meant to be heard today by the Senate Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. This bill would prohibit the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapour products that are flavoured or that have a nicotine content that is greater than 35 mg per ml.
22nd April 2022 - Africa, South Africa |
South Africa: The National Treasury workshop on taxation of ENDS/ENNDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems/electronic non-nicotine delivery systems) took place today, gathering all comments from January's consultation and allowing industry members to deliberate on the tax proposal. The authority will now consider the comments and present a draft legislation around June/July, when industry members will have the opportunity to provide written comments.
US - Maine: The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has issued a public statement praising Brunswick Town Council after it passed an ordinance on Tuesday prohibiting the sale of flavoured tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 1st June. The pressure group is urging the state legislature to enact a state-wide flavour ban by passing bill LD 1550.
US - New York: Assembly Bill 9879 has been introduced, which would make it illegal for anyone under 21 to possess vaping or tobacco products. Their sale to under-21s is already prohibited.
20th April 2022 - Europe, United Kingdom |
UK: Health secretary Sajid Javid has told Parliament that the independent review of tobacco control, headed by Javed Khan, should be published in May.
Germany: The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) will hold a seminar on “Chances and risks of e-cigarettes” in Berlin and online on 28th and 29th April. The event aims to discuss the current state of knowledge on e-cigarettes, including flavouring and consumer protection.
