News - Clearing the Air

Safer nicotine products saving lives, experts say in call to WHO

International health experts are calling on governments to embrace safer nicotine alternatives as proven tools to cut smoking, prevent disease and save lives. The appeal comes in The Safer Nicotine Revolution: Global Lessons, Healthier Futures, a landmark new report published ahead of…

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Belgium confirms outdoor smoking and vaping ban from 2027

Belgium will ban smoking and vaping on public terraces and in designated smoking rooms from 1 January 2027. The federal government says the measure covers restaurant and café terraces as well as smoking rooms in airports, hospitality venues and clubs that cater…

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Ireland’s delayed vape tax set to take effect by end of year

Ireland’s delayed tax on vape liquid is now “likely” to be introduced by the end of this year, with preparations to implement it described as “well advanced.” In the Budget 2025, then finance minister Jack Chambers announced that a levy of 50c…

Science News

Vaping is not a reliable predictor of smoking initiation, new analysis shows

Reanalysis of gateway studies shows their models predict smoking no better than chance when tested properly. Most papers never reported how accurate their models were, and many authors refused to share their results. Using better methods made the models only slightly more…

News

5 black market fails from Australia

Australia’s aggressive tobacco and vaping taxes have created a $5 billion (€2.8 billion) illicit market, which experts have branded “the worst example of bad policy in the world.” Instead of reducing harm, the clampdown has pushed smokers and vapers towards unregulated products,…

News

Nicotine pouch reviews put on fast track under FDA pilot

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will fast-track reviews for a small group of nicotine pouch products, following pressure from the White House, according to meeting transcripts obtained by Reuters. The pilot programme, which launched last week, will accelerate the premarket…

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Spain to ban vaping and smoking on beaches, bar terraces and stadiums

Spain is preparing a sweeping outdoor ban on both smoking and vaping. The draft law would outlaw their use on bar and restaurant terraces, beaches, stadiums, bus stops, children’s play areas and sports centres. Vapes, heated tobacco, shisha and nicotine pouches would…

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Rapid switch from smoking to vaping helping close New Zealand’s major health gaps, expert says

New Zealand’s rapid decline in smoking rates - driven by a rapid switch to vaping - is helping to narrow some of the country’s starkest health inequalities, according to a public health expert. “A Pākehā [New Zealander of European descent] boy born…

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Nicotine pouch sales jump 92% in Wales as users report health boost

Nicotine pouches are becoming increasingly popular in Wales, with new figures showing sales volumes rose by 92 per cent between 2023 and 2024. A study reported by the South Wales Argus found that 59 per cent of people who started using nicotine…

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