LATEST ALERTS
California goes down route 66% tax on nicotine products
31st January 2017 - News analysis |
California’s Prop 56 will be costly for e-cigarette businesses – with a 66% increase on wholesale cost expected to be in place by July 2017.
Policy and Politics
DC conference examines regulation; $500 discount for our subscribers
24th January 2017 - News analysis |
ECigIntelligence subscribers can claim a $500 discount on the E-Vapor Law Symposium hosted by law firm Keller and Heckman, held 2nd-3rd February in Washington, DC.
Hawaiian senators call for complete e-cig ban; others advocate new tax
24th January 2017 - News analysis |
Two Hawaiian senators are seeking to completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes in the state.
Whose WHO? Tobacco low on priority list for top job contenders
20th January 2017 - News analysis |
Tobacco regulation is not a stated priority for five of the six candidates who have been put forward to succeed Margaret Chan as director general of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Portugal halves e-liquid tax rate blamed for vape store closures
13th January 2017 - News analysis |
Portugal looks set to cut the tax on nicotine e-liquids by 50%, from €0.60/ml ($0.70) to €0.30/ml ($0.35) in its budget for 2017.
The country currently has the highest rate of tax on e-juices of all the European member states, something that has been blamed for the drastic drop in the number of vape stores in the country.
FDA workshop will look for answers to battery safety fears
6th January 2017 - News analysis |
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to hold a workshop on battery safety to learn more about the risks of malfunctions in e-cig power sources and how to prevent them.
Polish think tank fears e-cig tax could bring “Italian scenario” black market
5th January 2017 - News analysis |
Poland’s Ministry of Finance is reportedly considering introducing an excise tax on e-cigarettes – but a highly influential pro-government think tank has called for the idea to be scrapped for fear of replicating an “Italian scenario” boom in the black market.
Malta lays down the law: no vaping in cars carrying under-16s
5th January 2017 - News analysis |
The smallest country in the European Union has taken a lead in attempting to clear up a common ambiguity in e-cigarette regulation by making it specific that a law against smoking in cars when a child is present applies equally to vaping.
2016 in e-cigarettes – rapid change, new regulation, and some shocks
30th December 2016 - News analysis |
May 2016 brought the two biggest regulatory developments in the short history of the e-cigarette so far. But the U.S. deeming regulations and European TPD were far from the only stories brought to you by ECigIntelligence in another year of rapid change…
Study casts doubt on difficulty in differentiating smoking and vaping
22nd December 2016 - Marketing & retailing , News analysis |
A new small-scale study has cast some doubt on the difficulty of differentiating smoking and vaping as well as whether public vaping renormalises tobacco use.
Taiwan braced for legal U-turn on nicotine vs non-nicotine
20th December 2016 - News analysis |
The legal status of e-cig products could be set for a radical overhaul in Taiwan, with nicotine-containing products becoming legal while nicotine-free products, currently widely available, are brought under pharmaceutical regulation.
Regulatory reformer O’Neill could be Trump’s man for the FDA
19th December 2016 - News analysis |
U.S. media are buzzing with speculation that Donald Trump once again could be thinking outside the box as he seeks a reform-minded nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration, which recently extended its authority over e-cigarettes.
E-cig tax in doubt as India’s tobacco trade looks forward to regime change
19th December 2016 - News analysis |
India’s wide-ranging national tax reforms will considerably reduce the tax on tobacco in some states – good news for the country’s tobacco industry, but not necessarily for its struggling e-cigarette sector.
Threat of ban looms in Indonesia as health minister leads opposition
15th December 2016 - News analysis |
E-cigarettes could be banned entirely in Indonesia if the health minister has her way – and she has some powerful support in a nation which has the third highest prevalence of smoking in the world.
Surgeon general criticised and praised over youth vaping report
9th December 2016 - News analysis |
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s report on the use of e-cigarettes by young people has drawn both criticism and praise. Representatives of the industry claimed the report ignored the benefits e-cigarettes can provide to those trying to avoid cigarettes, while medical groups and other organisations praised it and its call
for action.
U.S. surgeon general’s e-cig report focuses on youth and marketing
8th December 2016 - Marketing & retailing , News analysis |
The Office of the Surgeon General has release a major report on youth and e-cigarettes with policy recommendations.
Vaping products under new classification in Belgium
8th December 2016 - News analysis |
A few months after being suspended, a Royal Decree published on 28th October 2016 has finally transposed the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) – but with a very important change in the classification of vaping products in Belgium. From 17th January 2017, when the law comes into force, e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine will be considered consumer products, according to the latest ECigIntelligence regulatory report.
Europe seeks a clearer vision on future of e-cigarette taxation policy
5th December 2016 - News analysis |
While seven EU member states have gone ahead with their own tax schemes for e-cigarettes, the European Commission is still considering the matter and seeking public and industry opinion.
Indiana legislators vow to change e-liquid security requirements
1st December 2016 - News analysis |
Indiana law-makers have promised to replace the state’s controversial e-liquid manufacturing law during the next legislative session. The law specifies security requirements for e-liquid makers which most have not been able to achieve. The Republican party, which holds the majority in the Indiana state senate, has promised to address the law during the next session at its official Organization Day held on 22nd » Continue Reading.
Price named to take charge of U.S. health and e-cig regulation
30th November 2016 - News analysis |
Donald Trump has nominated Georgia Congressman Tom Price, a former orthopaedic surgeon, to become U.S. health secretary, in charge of future regulation of e-cigarettes.
Washington conference will seek to untangle web of e-cig regulation
30th November 2016 - News analysis |
Industry experts, regulators, lawyers and researchers will consider the implications of a complex picture of e-cigarette regulation when they meet at a conference in Washington next week.
European Commission seeks views on harmonising e-cig taxes
29th November 2016 - News analysis |
The European Commission is gathering views on the taxing of e-cigarettes, as it continues to ponder the implications of differing tax rates across the continent.
Australia urged to consider permitting nicotine e-liquids
29th November 2016 - News analysis |
Next year could mark a breakthrough for the Australian e-cigarette market, with a decision due on whether or not low-nicotine e-cigarettes are to be allowed.
Lambs to the slaughter: Californian health campaign raises the baa
25th November 2016 - Marketing & retailing , News analysis |
A new California public health campaign has labelled vapers as “stupid sheep”.
Banning e-cigarettes could violate world trade pact, lawyers say
25th November 2016 - News analysis |
Countries that ban vapour products could be breaking world trade agreements by unfairly privileging combustibles at the expense of e-cigarettes, two lawyers have warned.
China: are rigorous public smoking rules on the way at last?
24th November 2016 - News analysis |
China is finally to impose tough nationwide restrictions on smoking in public places, a public health official promised this week.
Regulators “should reduce research needed for minor product variants”
24th November 2016 - News analysis |
E-cigarette regulators should demand less comprehensive scientific research for products that are only variants of existing ones, a senior tobacco industry scientist has suggested.
Canadian government introduces long-expected e-cigarette bill
22nd November 2016 - News analysis |
Canada’s government today made its long-awaited move to end regulatory confusion with a new bill which puts vapour products in a category of their own, distinct from conventional tobacco.
Australia: hardline attitudes and red tape make for a difficult road ahead
22nd November 2016 - Country regulatory reports , Regulatory reports |
Though states and territories get to make their own rules, vaping products containing nicotine are effectively outlawed across Australia – and life isn’t much easier for sellers and users of non-nictotine e-cigs.
Public vaping bans can be bad for your health, researchers warn
22nd November 2016 - News analysis |
Public vaping bans run contrary to best science and may have negative effects on public health, undermining efforts to combat smoking, according to a report by several leading academics.
Grandfathering bid shelved to 2017, but Cole and Bishop still hopeful
18th November 2016 - News analysis |
An attempt to change the grandfather date in the FDA’s deeming regulations will not be taken up in the current lame-duck session of the U.S. Congress, a key law-maker in that effort said Thursday.
With Trump in the White House, is Cole-Bishop necessary?
18th November 2016 - News analysis |
While many in the U.S. e-cigarette world hope that the Cole-Bishop proposal to change the FDA’s grandfathering date could be the industry’s salvation, at least one commentator believes it should be abandoned in the light of Donald Trump’s election to the presidency.
Notifications accelerate as TPD deadline approaches fast
17th November 2016 - News analysis |
Regulatory authorities across Europe are experiencing a rush of notifications as the TPD November 20th 2016 deadline approaches.
WHO continues focusing on risk, suggests stringent regulation
17th November 2016 - News analysis |
The World Health Organization has recommended wide-ranging restrictions on the sale and promotion of electronic cigarettes, even suggesting countries should consider a total ban – and immediately come under fire for doing so.
Israel looks set to follow EU or U.S. lead on e-cig legislation
16th November 2016 - Country regulatory reports , Regulatory reports |
In this report, ECigIntelligence looks at a country with a complex past and slightly complicated present as the Supreme Court recently overturned a five-year ban on e-cigs. ECigIntelligence expects Israel to follow the European or American lead in future legislative decisions.
Unsure on e-cig policy, Indian federal government asks states to regulate
16th November 2016 - News analysis |
The Indian government led by prime minister Narendra Modi has told the country’s component states to deal with e-cigarettes as the federal administration remains undecided on how to handle the matter.
UK local governments force e-cig users to vape in smoking areas
16th November 2016 - News analysis |
Local councils in the UK are flouting government advice by forcing e-cigarette users to vape in designated smoking areas. A request under Freedom of Information law found 87% of councils make no distinction between vaping and smoking.
WHO stands firm on e-cigs, urges nations to consider prohibition
15th November 2016 - News analysis |
The World Health Organization (WHO) showed no signs of softening in its attitude toward reduced-risk products as its biannual tobacco control conference came to a close in India.
Welsh propose registry but no public vaping ban in new Public Health Bill
15th November 2016 - News analysis |
The Welsh are attempting to pass the Public Health Bill once again. This time minus a ban on public vaping.
Russian State Duma close to passing new tax on e-cigarettes
15th November 2016 - News analysis |
The Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told the country’s component states to deal with e-cigarettes as the federal administration remains undecided on how to handle the matter.
Bulgaria brings in TPD regulation with the lightest of touches
15th November 2016 - Country regulatory reports , Regulatory reports |
Bulgaria has taken a gentle approach to adopting Europe’s TPD regulations. E-cigarettes are regarded as “tobacco-related” rather than tobacco products as such, and are treated more benignly than tobacco, with public usage allowed.
Vaping unwelcome in most U.S. homes, especially those with kids
11th November 2016 - News analysis |
Most non-vaping Americans would not permit someone else to use an e-cigarette in their house, research suggests.
WHO discusses ENDS, continues taking fight to tobacco industry
10th November 2016 - News analysis |
As the third day of the World Health Organization’s seventh Conference of the Parties (COP7) came to a close in India, the WHO was busy pushing for all loopholes to be closed in article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Industry cautiously optimistic on prospect of president Trump
9th November 2016 - News analysis |
The U.S. vaping industry has reacted with cautious optimism to Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the presidential election.
Turkey: pharma licence requirement is a nicotine ban in practice
8th November 2016 - Country regulatory reports , Regulatory reports |
E-cigarette products containing nicotine cannot be sold in Turkey without a pharmaceutical licence from the Ministry of Health – and so far no such licence has been awarded.
WHO criticised for closed-door talks as COP7 gets underway
8th November 2016 - News analysis |
Amid protests from local farmers, the seventh session of the Conference of Parties is underway in New Delhi with a focus on the illegal tobacco trade and Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) – which the WHO has been critical of.
As U.S. vote nears, taxes and control of Congress loom large for industry
7th November 2016 - News analysis |
Control of Congress and the prospect of new e-cigarette taxes will be as important for the U.S. vapour industry as who wins the White House.
WHO comes under fire for “naive” report on possible harms
7th November 2016 - News analysis |
A negative report on e-cigarettes presented by the World Health Organization to the seventh session of the tobacco control conference in New Delhi has been scathingly criticised by the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, which accuses the authors of the brief report of “naïvety”.
France endorses e-cigs for cessation after talks with vape groups
4th November 2016 - News analysis |
The French government has endorsed the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation after a meeting with pro-vaping associations.
Regulation in Norway: ban on nicotine products likely to end
3rd November 2016 - Country regulatory reports , Regulatory reports |
We strongly expect nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to be legalised in Norway, where their sale has been banned until now. The anticipated move will come as a boost to the Norwegian vaping market, which has already grown by 18% since 2014.
