Tobacco Asia

28 tobaccoasia PRODUCT NEWS 产品新闻 Belgium First EU Country to Ban Disposable Vapes On January 1, Belgium introduced a ban on single-use vapes as part of its efforts to address youth vaping and align with broader public health goals. The European Union envisions a tobacco-free generation by 2040, aiming to reduce smoking rates across its 27 member states from the current 25% to less than 5%. Some countries in the bloc are working to achieve this target even earlier. In 2021, the Belgian federal government proposed a ban on single-use vapes to the European Commission (EC), the EU's executive body. EC approved the proposal in March 2024, enabling Belgium to implement the ban through national legislation. France also secured EU approval for a similar measure. Once enacted, French law will prohibit the produc- tion, sale, and distribution of single-use vapes, with violations carrying a fine of €100,000 (US$104,000). A 2023 EU study revealed that while most e-cigarette users preferred rechargeable vapes, single-use models were especially popular among individuals aged 15-24. Affordability adds to their allure, with a single-use vape costing just €5 or €6—half the price of a 20-pack of cigarettes. Experts note that some disposable vapes offer up to 9,000 puffs, equivalent to more than 300 cigarettes, further enhancing their value for cost-conscious users. Vapers Defy Proposed Flavor Ban, Poll Reveals More than a third of UK vapers plan to disregard any new flavor restrictions introduced under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, reports Talking Retail. Following the first reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament, a poll commissioned by campaign group We Vape found that 35% of a 601-person sample of UK vapers would continue purchasing flavored vapes online, abroad, or through other means if flavors were restricted to just "tobacco," "menthol," and "fruit." With 5.6 million vapers in the UK, this could result in nearly two million people (1.96 million) turning to unregulated products if such restrictions are enforced. While there is broad support for banning flavor names specifically targeting children, such as candy floss and bubble gum, campaigners cautioned that overly stringent flavor limits could push people back to smoking cigarettes. The poll also revealed that one in five vapers (20%) would likely return to smoking if a flavors ban is implement- ed—a figure slightly below the government's own impact assessment. When asked about the likelihood of resuming smoking within the next year if vape flavors were restricted, 11.5% said they were "highly likely," while an additional 10% described it as "quite likely." Meanwhile, 4.8% of vapers indicated they would resort to making their own e-liquids to bypass restrictions and offset the recent e-liquid tax increase of £2.20 per 10ml. We Vape founder Mark Oates said, "This government must understand smoking is most prevalent in low-income households and communities. Keir Starmer has already announced the vape liquid tax will be increased, almost quadrupling its price, which lessens the appeal of making the switch from smoking. "Our research now shows some people feel so strongly about further restrictions they would consider making their own vapes. "Removing a product does not remove its demand and with so many people prepared to use illicit products, the government must protect crucial flavors or face the uphill struggle of trying to uphold laws that are impossible to enforce." Despite regulatory hurdles, sales of Zyn have soared in the US. Credit: Aphis Marta, CC4.0. PMI, Swedish Match Pay US$1.2 Million Fine Over Zyn Philip Morris International's subsidiary, Swedish Match North America (SMNA), agreed to pay US$1.2 million to settle allegations of violating Washington, D.C.'s flavored tobacco ban. The District's attorney general's office determined that SMNA enabled the sale of tens of thousands of flavored Zyn nicotine pouches to D.C. residents through online platforms between October 1, 2022, when the ban took effect, and June 30, 2024. Following the settlement, PMI is required to enforce stricter oversight of its distributors, including quarterly compliance reviews. It must also halt the sale of flavored Zyn products through its official e-commerce site, Zyn.com, and affiliated online retailers. The company had already suspended these sales earlier in 2024 after receiving a subpoena from the attorney general. Swedish Match has shifted its focus toward physical retail outlets, according to a PMI statement, as part of its compliance strategy. Despite the regulatory hurdles, sales of Zyn have soared, reflecting a 41.1% growth in PMI's latest quarterly report. In response to increasing demand and reports of a black market for nicotine pouches, PMI has expanded production capacity in the US as part of its broader strategy to diversify beyond traditional cigarettes. This settlement underscores the growing regulatory attention on non-combustible nicotine products amid their rising consumer appeal.

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