Author: Rohan Sharma

Generational substance use trends refer to the evolving patterns of drug, alcohol, and tobacco consumption across different age cohorts, often reflecting broader cultural shifts and the availability of new products. In Mexico, the latest National Survey of Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption (Encodat 2025) provides a revealing snapshot of how the youngest generations—Gen Z and Alpha—are diverging from their predecessors. A Move Away from Traditional Vices: Alcohol and Cigarettes One of the most positive findings from the Encodat 2025 is the significant reduction in the consumption of traditional legal drugs among adolescents aged 12 to 17. The data indicates a…

Disposable e-cigarettes, commonly known as "puffs," refer to single-use vaping devices that have been banned from sale in Belgium for a year due to their environmental impact and health risks. However, despite the prohibition, these colorful, flavored devices continue to circulate widely, ensnaring a new generation of users, some as young as elementary school age. The Persistence of the Illegal Market Enforcement efforts in 2025 have been significant but reveal a stubborn problem. Authorities have issued nearly 600 citations for the sale of disposable vapes, leading to the closure of 18 shops. In Brussels alone, inspections uncovered illegal vaping products in…

Tobacco harm reduction refers to public health strategies that aim to minimize the negative health impacts of smoking by providing safer alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, rather than demanding immediate and total abstinence. As Malaysia debates a potential vape ban by 2026, finding the balance between protecting youth and helping smokers quit is critical. The Data: Shifting Trends in Smoking and Vaping Malaysia is witnessing a distinct shift in nicotine consumption. While adult smoking rates are slowly declining, youth vaping is on a concerning upward trajectory. DemographicTrend (2017-2023)Key StatisticAdult SmokersDecliningDropped to 4.8 million (19.5%) in 2023.Adult VapersIncreasingRose from 4.31% (2019) to 5.8%…

The increasing popularity of sweet-flavored disposable vapes, marketed with eye-catching colors and scents like mango and bubblegum, is sparking serious concerns about a growing nicotine addiction crisis among teenagers in Pakistan. Originally intended as smoking alternatives for adults, these devices have rapidly become a youth-driven trend, often viewed more as fashion accessories than cessation tools. Reports indicate students as young as 14 are regularly using vapes, frequently obtaining them from small shops or online sellers where age verification is often absent or lax. Despite their playful appearance, many of these e-cigarettes contain high nicotine levels and other chemicals that pose…

An excessive focus on combating vaping may be inadvertently leading to an increase in traditional cigarette smoking and, consequently, a rise in cancer rates, a prominent Russian oncologist has warned. Speaking at a State Duma expert council meeting on competition in nicotine-containing product markets, Dr. David Zaridze, a Doctor of Medical Sciences and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, highlighted a concerning trend: for the first time in many years, Russia has recorded an increase in lung cancer among women. Dr. Zaridze directly linked this rise to an increase in smoking prevalence among females. Data from VTsIOM…

A federal district court has temporarily blocked key provisions of Iowa's new vape law, House File 2677 (HF 2677), which aimed to create a directory of permissible vapor products for sale in the state. On May 2, 2025, the court granted a preliminary injunction sought by plaintiffs including Iowans for Alternatives to Smoking & Tobacco, Inc., and Global Source Distribution, LLC, preventing the Iowa Department of Revenue from implementing and enforcing the law's vapor product directory. HF 2677, enacted in 2024, mandated that vapor products sold in Iowa must either have U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing authorization or…

After a three-year effort led by state Rep. Barbara Drummond, Alabama lawmakers have passed HB8, a bill poised to become the state's first significant regulation of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The bill now sits on Governor Kay Ivey’s desk, facing a final wave of scrutiny and intense lobbying, particularly from the convenience store industry. Flavor Restrictions Spark Controversy and Lobbying A central point of contention is a late amendment by Sen. Bobby Singleton. Approved by a narrow 18-16 vote, it would restrict convenience stores to selling only 34 FDA-approved tobacco and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products. All other flavors would be limited…

The Washington State House Committee on Consumer Protection and Business has approved House Bill 1203, which aims to ban flavored vapor and tobacco products in the state. Supporters argue that selling vapor products in fruit and candy flavors encourages children to become addicted to nicotine, which the CDC warns can damage their developing brains. While Washington state already prohibits the sale of all vapor products to individuals under 21, Chris Reykdal, the state's superintendent of public instruction, told lawmakers last month that kids are still accessing these products. HB 1203, sponsored by State Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), would not…

Vietnam is taking decisive action to protect public health by banning vaping (smoking electronic cigarettes) and heated tobacco products, which has been welcomed by global health leaders. The National Assembly of Vietnam has approved a comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes, including production, sale, import, storage, transport, and use, starting in 2025. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Vietnam's actions, writing on X (formerly Twitter), "Congratulations, Vietnam, for this courageous decision to protect your citizens, especially the young, from the harms of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products." The ban comes amid growing global concern about the popularity of e-cigarettes…

Washington state lawmakers have introduced a new bill, HB 1203, that seeks to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vape cartridges. The legislation, filed on Wednesday, also targets newer products that combine the consumption of tobacco or nicotine with gaming elements. The bill's sponsors cite the tobacco industry's targeted marketing campaigns aimed at young people and people of color as a primary justification for the proposed ban. State Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), a sponsor of the bill, shared a personal story about her mother, who began smoking menthol cigarettes at the…