European Union - Clearing the Air

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Vapes still popular in Belgium after ban – and may now contain dangerous drugs, new report finds

Belgium’s ban on disposable vapes has handed their trade to the black market, a new investigation has found. In January, Belgium became the first European Union country to ban the sale of single-use vapes. However, a new report by broadcaster VRT’s Pano…

News

Spanish watchdog demands evidence to justify vape and nicotine pouch rules

The Spanish markets and competitions watchdog has asked the Ministry for Health for more scientific evidence to justify its heavy restrictions on vapes and nicotine pouches. Spain is preparing a Royal Decree that will ban all flavours in vapes and nicotine pouches…

News Legislation

NNPA Warns French Nicotine Pouch Ban Would Undermine Public Health and Violate EU Law

The Nordic Nicotine Pouches Alliance (NNPA) has blasted the French government’s proposed blanket ban on nicotine pouches, warning that such a move would undermine harm reduction efforts, violate EU principles, and deliver a significant setback to public health. In its formal response…

Legislation News

Court overturns vaping ban on Barcelona beaches

A vaping ban on Barcelona’s beaches has been overturned after a successful appeal from anti-smoking campaigners. The Former Smokers Association appealed against the local legislation that has been in force since July 2022. Being caught vaping or smoking on the seafront of…

News Harm Reduction

Australia’s dangerous vape blackmarket is a warning to Europe, experts say

Australia’s out-of-control vape blackmarket is a warning European countries must heed, harm reduction experts have said. Since October, vapes can only legally be bought in Australia from a chemist following a consultation with a pharmacist. Disposable and flavoured vapes (except mint, menthol…

News Legislation

Greece to ban vape flavours except tobacco and menthol

The Greek government has drafted a new bill that will ban all flavoured vapes except tobacco and menthol. The legislation, announced by Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, is set to be presented to Parliament next month. Georgiadis is reported to have said:…

News Harm Reduction

Spain risks undoing smoking success with vape ban, report warns

Spain is set to undo its recent drop in smoking rates by heavily restricting safer alternatives, a new report has warned. Last year, Ministry of Health statistics revealed an impressive 22 per cent decline in Spain’s daily smoking rates, which dropped from…

News Legislation

Poland to ban disposable vapes

Poland is drafting a new law to ban the sale of disposable vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. The Polish Ministry of Health said it plans to outlaw all single-use vapes in a bid to prevent young people from taking up…

News Harm Reduction

France’s vape and nicotine pouch bans could trap millions in smoking, report warns

A new report from global health advocacy group Smoke Free Sweden compares the prohibitive tobacco control policies of France with the Swedes’ more regulatory approach. It highlights how Sweden’s embrace of nicotine alternatives, such as vapes and snus, has resulted in the…

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