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Smoking declines as vaping rises in Czech Republic, new figures show

Cigarette smoking is falling out of favour in the Czech Republic as more people - especially the young - turn to lower-risk nicotine alternatives like vaping, new government data reveals. In a striking shift in national nicotine habits, traditional cigarette use is…

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Swedish finance minister hits back at EU tax on nicotine pouches

Elisabeth Svantesson, the Swedish Minister of Finance, has hit back at plans - first revealed on Clearing the Air - to make levies on tobacco and nicotine products part of the EU budget. “Leaks suggest that the EU Commission will next week…

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Australia’s youth smoking and vaping rates surge after vape ban

Shock new data shows smoking and vaping rates are surging among young Australians despite the sweeping ban on vapes. Young people aged 18 to 24 now have the highest rate of smoking or vaping of any age group in Australia, with 28…

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EXCLUSIVE: vaping and nicotine tax to be part of the EU budget

The long awaited EU Tobacco Excise Directive - which, as we revealed on Clearing the Air - will include massive increases on taxes for vapes and nicotine pouches - could be designed to directly finance the EU budget, according to leaked documents…

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£100 fines for vaping at bus stops under proposed new powers

Vapers across the UK could soon be fined up to £100 for using vapes at bus stops, under new powers being considered by Parliament. The proposed changes would give local transport authorities, such as Transport for London, the right to issue fixed…

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Vapes risk “renormalising” smoking, claims major new WHO report

WHO says vapes risk “renormalising smoking behaviour,” particularly among youth The 2025 report warns newer nicotine products may reverse public health gains Vapes are described as “addictive and harmful,” and linked to increased cigarette uptake Harm reduction advocates accuse WHO and BMJ…

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Most HTP users say the product helped them quit smoking, Greek study finds

Most heated tobacco product (HTP) users polled (67.8%) were verified former smokers, confirmed via carbon monoxide breath tests Of these, 90.1% said HTPs helped them quit cigarettes entirely Daily HTP users were nearly seven times more likely to have quit smoking compared…

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UK public lacks confidence in disposable vape ban enforcement, poll finds

The majority of the British public doubts the government’s ability to enforce its ban on disposable vapes, according to a new survey. The findings raise concerns about the new policy’s effectiveness in tackling youth vaping and environmental harm. The YouGov poll, commissioned…

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NEW: Brussels anti-vape groups barred from lobbying with public money

Letters referred to in this article can be viewed here and here Both major organisations leading the charge against safer nicotine products in the EU have both received letters from the EU Commission demanding that they stop lobbying officials using public money.…

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