Vape Market Weekly News (Jan. 11th - 17th, 2025)

vape inductry news and regulatory updates between Jan. 11th and 17th, 2025.

China

• On Jan. 15, 2025, according to the e-cigarette market report, the global e-cigarette market is expected to grow to $23 billion by 2029, mainly dominated by rechargeable e-cigarettes and non-tobacco flavored products. Demand in North America and Europe is strong, while Asia-Pacific and Latin America show great growth potential. https://www.researchandmarkets.com/report/e-cigarettes?srsltid=AfmBOoqyHrfWjPJGAXLQZ79I9b8ZORFEovIqLFpx38I2-0mvgd7gzBKR
• On Jan. 17, 2025, the 2025 National Tobacco Work Conference was held in Beijing, and the meeting pointed out that efforts should be made to improve the efficiency of e-cigarettes and new tobacco-related supervision, and strictly strengthen the internal management of monopoly stores and standardize law enforcement. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/VTt5CdwgeJ273AIKZNlngQ

Switzerland

• On Jan. 11, 2025, Swiss lawmakers have proposed a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, noting that previous bills banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors have not worked. At present, the Swiss National Committee has passed the relevant motion, and the Federal Council will discuss the relevant bill to ban the sale of e-cigarettes in March. https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/geneve/2025/article/geneve-projet-de-loi-pour-interdire-les-puffs-cigarettes-jetables-critiquees-28752463.html

Kyrgyzstan

• On Jan. 12, 2025, Kyrgyzstan's new law regulates the production and sale of nicotine-containing products, such as e-cigarettes (including disposable e-cigarettes), in the free economic zone, which are restricted to export sales. https://economist.kg/biznes/2025/01/12/proizvodstvo-podaktsiznykh-tovarov-v-sez-bishkiek-zaprietili-no-nie-dlia-vsiekh/

Kenya

• On Jan. 12, 2025, Kenya's Ministry of Health has called on young people to stop new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine bags, be alert to their health risks, and urge relevant authorities to take action to protect the younger generation. https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/health/104024/ministry-of-health-issues-warning-on-nicotine-products-as-health-risks-rise

USA

• On Jan. 12, 2025, the governor of Maine proposed to increase the tax rate on tobacco products such as cigars and e-cigarettes from the original 43% wholesale sales price to 65%, which is expected to increase the revenue by about $80 million in the next two years, and the tax rate adjustment is scheduled to take effect on January 5, 2026. https://halfwheel.com/maines-governor-calls-for-cigar-tax-increase-in-new-budget-proposal/446131/
• On Jan. 13, 2025, the U.S. FDA has approved a proposal to reduce nicotine content, and Century 22 supports the policy and is preparing to launch more low-nicotine products, which it claims will bring new opportunities to the low-nicotine cigarette industry. https://www.globenewswire.com/fr/news-release/2025/01/13/3008364/0/en/22nd-Century-Stands-Ready-to-Support-the-Adoption-of-FDA-Proposed-Tobacco-Product-Standard-to-Mandate-Reduced-Nicotine-Content-in-Cigarettes-with-its-VLN-Cigarettes.html
• On Jan. 14, 2025, U.S. Senator Indiana has proposed an intergenerational tobacco ban that would prohibit people born after June 30, 2004, from purchasing tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or e-liquids. If approved, the ban will take effect on July 1. https://halfwheel.com/generational-tobacco-ban-proposed-in-indiana/446235/
• On Jan. 15, 2025, a federal judge in Texas blocked the FDA from enforcing regulations that added graphic warnings on cigarette packaging and advertising, and the court said the FDA exceeded its authority and the effective date of the new rule has been postponed pending further litigation. https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-judge-blocks-fda-graphic-warning-label-requirement-cigarettes-2025-01-14/
• On Jan. 17, 2025, the U.S. Attorney General of the State of Hawaii has warned more than 800 retailers of illegal e-cigarettes and oral tobacco products that violators will face federal investigation and penalties. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/01/17/attorney-general-sounds-alarm-over-illegal-vapes-sold-hawaii/

Romania

• On Jan. 12, 2025, the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca, inspired by the Milan model, plans to impose a smoking ban in public places such as parks, playgrounds and sports venues. If implemented, the city will be the first city in Romania to ban smoking in all public places. https://www.antena3.ro/actualitate/social/primul-oras-din-romania-in-care-fumatul-in-spatiul-public-ar-putea-fi-interzis-initiativa-este-inspirata-dupa-modelul-din-milano-733008.html

Australia

• On Jan. 12, 2025, the City of Vincent, Australia, is considering further restricting the use of e-cigarettes on top of the existing smoking areas, in response to the trend of surging e-cigarette use. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/lifestyle/health/worrying-trend-sparks-bold-move-on-smoking-vaping/news-story/54e93a56db69f739acce2e1511478363

Russia

• On Jan. 13, 2025, Russia will strengthen the regulation of nicotine products, including mandatory labeling and the inclusion of smokeless heating mixtures in the definition of nicotine-containing products from March 1, 2025. https://www.garant.ru/news/1779564/
• On Jan. 15, 2025, the Russian Republic of Udmurt submitted a bill to the State Duma prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes, hookahs and nicotine-containing products at kiosks, except in densely populated areas where there is no permanent commercial premises. https://tass.ru/obschestvo/22889327

Czech

• On Jan. 13, 2025, the Czech health minister clarified rumors on social media that the Czech government plans to ban e-cigarettes or flavored e-cigarettes, saying that there are no plans for a ban at this time, and the original plan for flavor restrictions may also be postponed. https://manipulatori.cz/zakaz-e-cigaret-se-zatim-nechysta/

Ireland

• On Jan. 13, 2025, Britain American Tobacco supports the implementation of a new retailer licensing system in Ireland from 2 February, arguing that it will be effective in combating illegal sales, but calling for nicotine bags to be included in the regulation. https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/new-licence-fee-will-help-tackle-illicit-vape-market-in-ireland-280360

Philippines

• On Jan. 14, 2025, the Greater Manila region of the Philippines uses GIS technology to review licenses and strictly control the sale of tobacco e-cigarettes. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241699
• On Jan. 15, 2025, DTI suspends 14 vape manufacturers and importers for violating packaging and health warning regulations.Companies that violate the relevant regulations face penalties such as fines, imprisonment, and revocation of business licenses. https://www.dti.gov.ph/osmv/osmv-media/dti-suspends-14-vape-manufacturers-importers-violating-packaging-health-warning-regulations/
• On Jan. 16, 2025, Philippine senators called for the lack of professional capacity of the Department of Trade and Industry, and the regulation of e-cigarettes should be led by the Department of Health. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241939
• On Jan. 16, 2025, the Philippine Department of Finance has proposed a unified tax rate on nicotine products to simplify tax administration, and the Treasury Secretary has warned that continued tax rate increases could spur smuggling. https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2025/01/16/647335/finance-department-bats-for-single-tax-rate-on-vapor-products/

UK

• On Jan. 14, 2025, British media investigations have found that illegal e-cigarettes contain the synthetic cannabinoid "Spice", and the e-cigarette association has called for a distinction between legal nicotine e-cigarettes and illegal products to avoid causing panic among consumers. https://clearingtheair.eu/en/post/exclusive-itv-news-investigating-vapes-containing-synthetic-cannabis-in-the-uk/

Poland

• On Jan. 14, 2025, Poland's Ministry of Health plans to ban the sale of all types of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to minors, as well as ban the use of e-cigarette products in schools, children's playgrounds and other places. The bill sets for a six-month transition period. https://www.bankier.pl/wiadomosc/Calkowite-odciecie-nieletnich-od-e-papierosow-Ministerstwo-Zdrowia-przedstawia-nowy-projekt-8874082.html

Pakistan

• On Jan. 15, 2025, the Pakistani government has accused two international anti-e-cigarette organizations, Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies, of operating in the country without authorization, and has demanded that their work be suspended and their accounts frozen. https://www.sigmagazine.it/2025/01/pakistan-ctfk-vs/

Brazil

• On Jan. 15, 2025, Brazil's health agency plans to visit the British American tobacco production plant against the backdrop of increasing pressure to lift the ban on e-cigarettes, but the authorities have no plans to restart related issues for the time being. https://www.jota.info/tributos-e-empresas/saude/sob-pressao-por-cigarro-eletronico-diretores-da-anvisa-visitam-gigante-do-tabaco