UK smoking falls below one in 10 ahead of nicotine pouch age restrictions
Smoking among UK adults fell below one in 10 in 2025, official figures show, as retailers prepare for new restrictions on sales of nicotine pouches and vaping products.
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French vapers get budget reprieve as new tax left out of initial draft
French vapers and businesses have been given a temporary reprieve after the initial draft of the country’s 2027 budget left out any new tax on e-liquids.
Estonia’s smoking rate falls by more than a quarter as vaping more than triples
Estonia has recorded one of Europe’s clearest recent shifts away from smoking, with current smoking falling by more than a quarter while vaping more than tripled between 2020 and 2024.
8 EU countries call for "market freeze" on all nicotine products
Eight EU countries have called for a “market freeze”, banning all new products containing any form of nicotine or substances “with nicotine like properties” from entering Europe, according to a letter sent to EU Commissioner Oliver Varheyli and published by the Dutch government.
Dutch minister wants vaping as expensive as smoking under new tax plan
The Dutch government is preparing a new excise duty on vaping products that could make vaping about as expensive as smoking.
Vape restrictions may push some young people towards cigarettes, major analysis finds
Restrictions on vapes may increase cigarette smoking among young people, according to an analysis of 11 US studies.
FDA tobacco chief backs wider vape flavour choice if youth access is controlled
Adult smokers could gain access to a wider range of vape flavours if manufacturers can show they effectively prevent underage use, the US Food and Drug Administration’s tobacco chief has said.
Researchers challenge Irish PM’s claim that vapes are ‘nearly worse’ than cigarettes
Researchers have challenged Irish prime minister Micheál Martin’s claim that vapes are “nearly worse” than cigarettes, pointing to evidence that vaping exposes users to fewer harmful substances than smoking.
Children’s anti-vaping event criticised over smoking-damaged lung display
A planned anti-vaping presentation at a children’s Halloween event in the US has drawn criticism over its use of blackened pig lungs previously used to demonstrate smoking damage.
Major review finds nicotine pouches considerably less toxic than cigarettes
Nicotine pouches are considerably less toxic than cigarettes and could offer smokers a less hazardous alternative, a major review has found.
