Author: moonswamp

The Spanish government has approved a draft for a new anti-tobacco law that will drastically expand smoke-free spaces and, for the first time, legally equate e-cigarettes (vapes) and other nicotine devices with traditional tobacco. Health Minister Mónica García defended the measure, highlighting that tobacco "takes the lives of 140 people a day in Spain, about 50,000 a year." The extensive list of new smoke-free and vape-free zones includes: A 15-meter smoke-free perimeter will also be established around entrances to hospitals, schools, universities, and museums. Additional key measures include a complete ban on the sale of single-use disposable vapes (with a…

A new Texas law, Senate Bill 2024 (SB 2024), has taken effect, making it illegal to market or sell any vape pen containing THC or other hemp-derived cannabinoids like Delta-8. This ban, which was passed with less public attention than a broader (and ultimately vetoed) effort to outlaw all intoxicating hemp products, is now sending shockwaves through the state's multi-billion dollar hemp industry. The law makes it a Class A misdemeanor to sell or market any vape containing cannabinoids, carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. It is important to…

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.…