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Tag: ban

  • France Announces Public Smoking Ban

    France Announces Public Smoking Ban

    Over the weekend, France officially banned smoking in public parks, beaches, bus shelters, and within 10 meters of schools, libraries, and swimming pools, as part of a push “to protect children from secondhand smoke and move toward a tobacco-free generation by 2032.”

    Effective June 29, the new law introduced fines of up to €700 for violations. Smoking is still allowed on bar and restaurant terraces, and electronic cigarettes remain exempt.

    Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said the ban is meant to ensure public spaces remain places to “play, learn, and breathe — not for smoking.” While many welcomed the move, some smokers and café associations criticized the exemption for terraces and the lack of clarity on vaping.

  • Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Sales in Small Stores

    Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Sales in Small Stores

    A directive issued by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, bans the sale of tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) and shisha from kiosks, grocery stores (baqalas), and mini markets. According to the new regulations, such products will be available in supply stores (supermarkets and hypermarkets) only.

    The new regulations define grocery stores as having a minimum floor space of 24 square meters, while supermarkets have 100 square meters, and hypermarkets have 500 square meters. The directive will take effect immediately; however, establishments will be granted a six-month correction period to get rid of inventory.

  • North Korea Cracking Down on Youth, Public Smoking

    North Korea Cracking Down on Youth, Public Smoking

    North Korea has launched a strict anti-smoking campaign in Pyongyang, targeting public smoking, especially in busy districts like Jung, Hwasong, Potonggang, and Pyongchon. The campaign, in effect through mid-July, involves patrols by various state organizations and school staff, with a focus on youth and public areas such as parks and bus stops.

    Teen smoking is a key concern, with students being searched and their information reported to schools and political groups if caught. Critics say the campaign is hypocritical, given that Korean President Kim Jong Un is frequently seen smoking publicly. Despite anti-smoking laws passed in 2020, the leader’s own habits are seen as undermining the message.

    “There was a crackdown last year too, but this year’s is much tougher. What’s different is that middle school boys are under constant surveillance and their pockets are being searched more frequently,” a source said. “These measures go beyond just restricting behavior. These orders are clearly meant to teach a harsh lesson.”

  • Local Group Pushes Jakarta to Pass Smoke-Free Zone Law in 2025

    Local Group Pushes Jakarta to Pass Smoke-Free Zone Law in 2025

    The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) is calling on the Jakarta government to fast-track the ratification of the long-delayed Smoke-Free Zone Regional Regulation, emphasizing the need to protect public health and uphold consumer rights. YLKI Chairperson Niti Emiliana cited Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, which mandates local governments to implement smoke-free zones.

    “YLKI also calls for the regulation to include more comprehensive provisions that strengthen consumer protection from exposure to active smokers’ cigarette smoke surrounding them, such as the elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers,” Emiliana said. She stressed that the regulation, currently under review by a special committee, must be passed in 2025.

    However, the draft regulation has faced pushback from the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), which argues that some provisions could impose operational burdens on businesses in the hospitality sector.

  • Dutch Foundation Threatens SnapChat Over Vape Marketing

    Dutch Foundation Threatens SnapChat Over Vape Marketing

    Dutch anti-smoking foundation Stichting Rookpreventie Jeugd is threatening legal action against social media giant SnapChat, accusing the platform of facilitating the illegal sale of vapes to minors. The foundation imposed a two-week deadline to take action before it files a formal complaint with the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and the European Commission, potentially triggering regulatory intervention.

    Despite a national ban on flavored vapes implemented over a year ago, such products continue to circulate online, including on SnapChat.

    “SnapChat is the place for vape dealers to reach teens, children tell us,” said Dr. Daniëlle Cohen, a lung pathologist affiliated with the group. “We are seeing a growing number of young people suffering from serious nicotine addiction, with major consequences for their physical and mental health.”

    Lawyer Laura van Gijn, representing the foundation, says SnapChat is failing to meet its obligations under the Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to actively monitor and restrict harmful content. “If SnapChat can recognize and remove nude images, it can certainly exclude the promotion of vapes,” she told Dutch broadcaster NOS.

  • Online Cigar Sales Back Out in Connecticut

    Online Cigar Sales Back Out in Connecticut

    Vapers and cigar smokers in Connecticut continue to watch with interest as House Bill 7275 is adjusted in committee before potentially being put in front of the state’s House of Representatives. Introduced last month, the bill would outlaw the online sale of e-cigarettes and other vaping products, and could potentially do the same for cigars.

    “As it was originally written, the bill would have outright banned the shipment of all cigars to consumers in Connecticut,” Charlie Minato wrote for Halfwheel. “Two weeks ago, the bill’s text was modified to include an exemption for premium cigar shipments, except few cigars will meet the current definition of ‘premium cigar.’ And yet, last week that exemption was removed.”

    The amended text was predictably straightforward in defining a “premium cigar” through five parts, however, the sixth part added that the cigar must sell for $30 wholesale, meaning typically $60 retail, which would exempt about only 1% of the cigars on the market.

    “None of that seems to matter now,” Minato said. “There’s no longer an exemption for cigar shipments, meaning if the bill were to pass, customers in Connecticut would no longer be able to order cigars from a retailer and have them shipped to addresses in Connecticut. It would apply to all shipments, regardless of where they originated in- or out-of-state.”

  • Poland’s Bill to Ban Sale of Vapes, Pouches to Minors Moves Forward  

    Poland’s Bill to Ban Sale of Vapes, Pouches to Minors Moves Forward  

    Poland’s lower house of parliament backed a comprehensive ban on the sale of vapes and nicotine pouches to minors, including both disposable and reusable e-cigarettes, irrespective of their nicotine content. In yesterday’s (May 21) session, 417 MPs voted in favor of the bill, with one against and 10 abstaining. It will now be presented to the Senate, the upper house, and if passed, to the president to be signed into law. 

    The bill will also restrict the use of non-nicotine e-cigarettes in public spaces, mirroring the regulations applied to traditional tobacco products and e-cigarettes with nicotine.

    While Poland already had laws banning the sale of cigarettes to minors, the legislation had no provision for alternative forms of nicotine intake.   

  • Monaco Tightens Tobacco Regs, Raises Legal Age to 18

    Monaco Tightens Tobacco Regs, Raises Legal Age to 18

    In an effort to “protect young people,” Monaco’s 18 National Council members unanimously adopted a bill that raises the age to buy tobacco products from 16 to 18, extends the number of places where smoking is banned, and bans disposable electronic devices. Bill 1104 amends Law 1346.

    Over the months, the bill, with its 14 articles, has been the subject of numerous amendments in response to several observations “testifying to a convergence of views between the institutions.”

  • Anti-Vape Campaign Kicks Off in Netherlands

    Anti-Vape Campaign Kicks Off in Netherlands

    The Netherlands launched its “Say no to vaping” campaign today (May 12), an action plan that includes discouraging teens from taking up the habit, helping them to stop, and combating the illegal vape trade. New research on behalf of the health ministry said almost one in 10 children have tried vaping by age 12, and almost 40% of 12- to 16-year-olds who use vapes consider themselves addicted.

    According to the research, one in seven teens find it hard to refuse the offer of a vape, while one in six feel they are pressured into using them.

    The campaign will run until June 8.

  • Malaysia Wants Vape Ban at State Level, Not Federal 

    Malaysia Wants Vape Ban at State Level, Not Federal 

    The Health Minister for Malaysia said even though the government is not working toward banning vape products on the federal level, it hopes the trend to ban them will continue at the state level as local officials stop issuing licenses to retailers selling vapes and e-cigarettes. 

    “We hope more will take the position of not issuing licenses to vape premises,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said. “Otherwise, any licenses issued must strictly comply with the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.”

    On April 24, Terengganu announced it would ban vape products beginning August 1, and then three days later Kedah said it was considering doing the same. Previously, both Johor and Kelantan banned vapor products in 2016.

    When asked if a national ban was being considered, Dzulkefly said the federal government adopted a regulatory enforcement model following the passage of the Act.

    “We took a firm position to regulate tobacco-related products. That is the stance and position of the federal government,” he said. “At the same time, we support state governments that have the authority not to issue vape sales licenses. So let us work together.”