Author: moonswamp

Brazil's National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, has ordered online commerce sites and social media platforms to remove all advertisements and promotional content for electronic cigarettes (vapes) within 48 hours, starting Tuesday (19th). The directive targets products that are illegal to commercialize in the country. Major platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Mercado Livre have already been notified by the National Council for Combating Piracy (CNCP). These companies must submit a report within ten business days detailing the actions taken, such as content removals, account blockages, and new moderation controls. Senacon is also seeking…

The Singaporean government is set to take significantly tougher action against vaping, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announcing that the issue will now be treated as a "drug abuse problem," potentially involving harsher penalties like imprisonment. This move marks a major escalation from the current approach, where vaping offenses are typically handled with fines similar to smoking violations. In his National Day Rally 2025 speech, PM Wong highlighted a growing danger beyond nicotine: the discovery of harmful substances like etomidate, an anesthetic drug, in illicit vapes circulating in the country. "Now, vaping only contains etomidate. In the future, vaping could…

The government of Bangladesh has enacted a ban on the production of e-cigarettes and related vaping products in a decisive move to protect public health, particularly the nation's youth, from the harms of nicotine. The decision has been strongly applauded by the country's National Heart Foundation. Dr. Khondaker Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, praised the government's action, calling it a "visionary and courageous move for the nation." He stated, "By banning production, the government has not only halted a harmful industry but also protected our future generations." The ban comes as Bangladesh grapples with…

It is time for Malaysia to implement a ban on vapes, aligning its policies with neighboring countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei, according to anti-tobacco activist Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah. The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) secretary-general argued that from both an economic and public health standpoint, the costs associated with vaping far outweigh any short-term gains from sales. "The healthcare costs, productivity losses and risks to non-users via second-hand aerosol exposure far outweigh any perceived short-term gains," he stated. Muhammad Sha’ani described youth vaping as an escalating epidemic, citing police warnings and reports of sudden deaths involving vape users…

Accidental nicotine poisonings in young children from oral nicotine pouches have surged by more than 760% between 2020 and 2023, making them a fast-growing source of nicotine exposure for kids under six, according to a new study. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio analyzed over 134,000 cases of pediatric nicotine ingestion over more than a decade and identified this alarming trend. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, highlights the unique dangers posed by these products. Nicotine pouches are small, white packets filled with flavored nicotine powder that users tuck between their lip and gum. Their sweet taste and candy-like…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially authorized Juul Labs to continue marketing its original e-cigarette device and refill cartridges in both tobacco and menthol flavors. This decision ends a multi-year period of regulatory uncertainty for the company, which was once widely blamed for a surge in youth vaping. The FDA's authorization is based on a scientific review concluding that the products are "appropriate for the protection of public health." The agency cited evidence showing a high percentage of adult smokers successfully switched from traditional cigarettes to Juul's tobacco or menthol-flavored products, and that this benefit outweighed the…

A new U.S. study has found that some popular disposable e-cigarettes can release more toxic metals in a single day's use than nearly 19 packs of traditional cigarettes, raising fresh concerns about the safety of these devices. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, discovered that after simulating 500 puffs, significant levels of lead, nickel, and antimony leached into the e-liquid and could be inhaled by users. The study, published in the journal ACS Central Science, tested seven devices from three widely used disposable vape brands popular in the United States. The findings indicated that vapors from three devices had nickel…

Spain's Ministry of Health is advancing a sweeping new anti-tobacco law that will ban smoking and vaping in numerous outdoor public spaces. Health Minister Mónica García confirmed the reform will treat vapes, heated tobacco, and traditional cigarettes equally, prohibiting their use in areas like bar and restaurant terraces, work vehicles, university campuses, public pools, and party venues. García stated there is "no such thing as healthy tobacco" and criticized the vape industry for "luring in new consumers" with flavors and marketing. The new law aims to close legal loopholes and protect the public from all forms of smoke and aerosol.…

A bill proposing a complete ban on the wholesale and retail sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes has been introduced for consideration in Russia's State Duma. The initiative, led by deputies Sergey Mironov and Yana Lantratova, includes significant administrative fines for any violations. The draft law outlines penalties for illegal sales ranging from 20,000-50,000 rubles for individuals to as much as 1 million rubles for legal entities. Fines for selling to minors would be substantially higher, potentially reaching up to 2 million rubles for companies. Mironov stated that a full ban is necessary because many sellers ignore existing 2023 restrictions…

Disposable e-cigarettes, with their vibrant colors and an ever-expanding menu of enticing flavors, have become a common sight, particularly among younger demographics. While often marketed with an air of playful appeal, a recent study from researchers at Yale University and Duke University School of Medicine has cast a new light on what might be lurking within these popular devices. The study, published and drawing attention in mid-2025, found that a significant majority of popular disposable e-cigarettes sold in the US contain neotame, an artificial sweetener far more potent than sugar or even aspartame. This discovery raises fresh questions about the…