France - Clearing the Air

Study challenges ‘gateway’ claims finding vapes involved in only 5% of teen smoking starts

New review finds vaping involved in just 5.3% of teen cigarette experimentation in analysed cohorts Most ‘gateway’ studies excluded nearly two thirds of teen vapers and three quarters of new smokers from their main analysis Study design prevents detecting any potential ‘diversion’…

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NZ health minister commended for science-based vaping stance

New Zealand’s Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has been praised internationally for rejecting what she called a “ridiculous” ranking that penalises the country despite its world-leading decline in smoking rates. Minister rebukes global index Minister Costello criticised the Global Tobacco Industry Interference…

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COP 11: The “dirty ashtray” award goes to…New Zealand?

New Zealand - which has some of the world’s lowest smoking rates and highest cigarette taxes - has been given the “dirty ashtray” award by the Global Alliance on Tobacco Control (GATC) in a move that brings into stark focus just how…

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Ireland weighing nicotine pouch ban, says chief medical officer

Ireland’s Department of Health is considering new restrictions on nicotine pouches as part of its efforts to curb nicotine use among young people. The proposal, which could extend existing tobacco control laws, comes as health officials debate how to balance youth protection…

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French MPs challenge nicotine pouch ban in new budget battle

France’s planned ban on nicotine pouches from next spring could be in jeopardy after a series of amendments were tabled in the National Assembly aimed at softening or replacing the measure. The prohibition, due to take effect in March 2026, is part…

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OPINION: The Commission is trying to trick EU countries that support harm reduction. They must not fall for it.

UPDATE - 3rd November 2025 - we've now seen the version of the paper that will be discussed by EU Ambassadors on Wednesday. Possible bans on safer nicotine products are still part of the text. When EU negotiations go late into the…

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100,000 + sign French petition against crushing vape tax

Over 100.000 people have signed a French petition calling for the government to rethink its proposed vape tax in just three days. The petition has over 127.000 signatures at the time of writing. The proposed budget legislation would redefine vaping products as…

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Sweden warns France and Spain over ‘absurd’ pouch bans

Sweden has stepped up its opposition to proposed nicotine pouch bans in France and Spain, sending formal letters to both governments and calling the measures “absurd.” The correspondence, signed by Swedish trade minister Benjamin Dousa and dated 24 September, urges Paris and…

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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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