European Union - Clearing the Air

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EU vows vape tax hike as officials liken vapes to cigarettes

The European Union (EU) is preparing to hike taxes on vapes to the same level as cigarettes, as top commissioners draw direct comparisons between the two products - a move critics say ignores science. Brussels targets vapes in new tax overhaul At…

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“A cruel joke on Europe’s smokers”: French pouch ban to go ahead in April

With France pushing ahead with its criminalisation of nicotine pouches despite objections from seven other EU Member States, consumers and health policy advocates have slammed the measure, warning that it will criminalise ordinary Europeans crossing borders with safer nicotine products and push…

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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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Dutch doctors file complaint against Snapchat over illegal vape sales

Dutch doctors have filed a formal complaint against Snap - the parent company of messaging app Snapchat - accusing it of failing to prevent the sale of illegal vapes to teenagers in the Netherlands. The complaint, which was submitted to the Authority…

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EU tax plan would make smoke-free 2040 target “practically impossible,” warns harm reduction advocate

The European Union (EU) is facing a mounting backlash over proposals to impose sweeping new bloc-wide taxes on safer nicotine products. Advocates warn the measures would undermine public health goals, drive people back to smoking, and ignore scientific evidence on tobacco harm…

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New Zealand nears smoke-free status thanks to vaping, says minister

New Zealand is on the cusp of becoming one of the first countries to go officially smoke-free - and it’s thanks to vaping and other safer nicotine alternatives, according to its Associate Minister of Health. In a passionate parliamentary speech, Casey Costello…

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French nicotine pouch ban on hold amid EU backlash

France has once again delayed its ban on nicotine pouches, pushing enforcement to August 25 after seven European Union (EU) countries filed formal objections. Originally scheduled to take effect on May 26, the proposed ban would outlaw the production, sale, import, export,…

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EU countries call for vaping crackdown in push for updated tobacco laws

Health ministers from across the European Union (EU) have called for a tougher stance on vapes and nicotine pouches, urging the European Commission to speed up long-delayed revisions to the bloc’s tobacco laws. At a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health…

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SnapChat threatened with legal action in the Netherlands over vape sales

A Dutch anti-smoking group has threatened SnapChat with legal action, accusing the social media platform of enabling illicit vape sales to minors. Stichting Rookpreventie Jeugd claims SnapChat is failing to comply with European Union (EU) digital safety rules. Although flavoured vapes have…

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