LATEST ALERTS
Global: The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on the international plastics treaty, which was supposed to be the last one
Vietnam: The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development has instructed market management sub-departments to strengthen inspections and controls to prevent smuggling of electronic
United Arab Emirates: Today, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICPS) announced the official launch of the Integrated Central
Saudi Arabia: Yesterday (18th March), the Saudi Council of Ministers decided to include the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority; the Saudi Standards, Metrology and
Jordan: Yesterday (18th March), the government permitted the establishment of a cigarette factory as well as another factory for the manufacture of heated
US - Kentucky: Senate Bill (SB) 100 has been passed by both chambers and now goes to the governor. SB100 would establish a licensing
United Arab Emirates: The government has issued cabinet resolution (2) of 2025, regarding the technical regulations for tobacco-free nicotine pouches. The resolution, published
Netherlands: A bill proposing a registration obligation for those selling tobacco and related products was passed by the House of Representatives (lower chamber
Estonia: Today, bill 223 SE on the flavour ban for heated tobacco products (HTPs) was discussed by the Social Affairs Steering Committee. It
UK: The report stage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, approved in a second reading in November 2024 by the House of Commons (lower chamber
Moldova: Although the bill amending the Tobacco Control Act to introduce stricter measures on tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs),
Malaysia: From 1st April 2025, all dining establishments and retail shops in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia must store tobacco and vape products in
Bahrain: The government has announced in the country’s official gazette the implementation of law (29) of 2025, which enforces the unified customs tariff schedule for
Bahrain: Executive and legislative authorities held a joint meeting on 16th March to discuss the 2025-2026 state budget. Selective excise tax increases on
Finland: Kaisa Garedew, a member of Parliament (MP) from the Finns Party (the second-largest party in the governing coalition) has demanded the government
Taiwan: Yesterday (13th March) legislators criticised the delayed review period for heated tobacco products (HTPs) during the meeting of the Health and Environment
Lebanon: Today, the minister of finance submitted a draft law to amend the 2025 budget that was passed on 6th March 2025. The bill
Estonia: After several months at a standstill, bill 223 SE is advancing in the legislative procedure. This bill would define heated tobacco products
Jordan: Yesterday (13th March), the minister of government communication, Mohammad Momani, met with the World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Jordan, Jamela Al-Raiby,
Austria: Parliament is in the process of discussing the Budget Restructuring Measures Act 2025, which proposes to increase heated tobacco product (HTP) excise rates
Moldova: The Centre for Health Policy and Analysis, a non-governmental health agency in Moldova, published the findings of its study on nicotine pouches and young
US - Massachusetts: House Bill (HB) 3067 has been introduced. HB 3067 would introduce a new tax on oral nicotine products in Massachusetts,
EU: A letter signed by 362 civil society organisations calls on the European Parliament and Council to reject the omnibus package that seeks to
EU: In response to US president Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, the EU has prepared a comprehensive list of
Bangladesh: Mohammad Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, announced that a committee is currently reviewing tobacco tax
Thailand: The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand held a press conference to state its position against e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Pakistan: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’s proposal to lower taxes on cigarettes and beverages, press
Middle East: The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean published a post on 11th March on the social media
Portugal: Prime minister Luís Montenegro, facing accusations of conflict of interest from the opposition, has been censured by the parliament, leading to the
Sweden: Following a request from the Public Health Agency for changes to fees on tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, the Ministry of Health and
US - Massachusetts: Senate Bill (SB) 1568 has been introduced. SB 1568 would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born on or
Vietnam: The National Assembly is discussing the Draft Law on Special Consumption Tax and has decided to delete Article 12. Previously, the article stipulated that
France: A report by Alliance Against Tobacco (ACT) highlights multiple instances of influencers promoting novel tobacco products since 2019, in violation of French
Canada: On 7th March, minister of mental health and addictions and associate minister of health, Ya'ara Saks, announced that the new Tobacco Charges Regulations
Sweden: The Public Health Agency has updated the publicly available list of nicotine pouches authorised for sale.
Sweden: The Public Health Agency has updated the publicly available list of heated tobacco products (HTPs), oral tobacco products and herbal heated products authorised
Israel: The Ministry of Health announced last week that smoking and vaping products will have to bear graphic health warnings according to a
India: The director general of health services, Atul Goel, has called for a total ban on tobacco and alcohol advertisements during the upcoming
Germany: Negotiations are advancing swiftly to establish a coalition between the two traditionally largest parties in the Bundestag: the centre-right Christian Democratic Union/Christian
Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Office for the Special Mandate on vaporised nicotine and non-nicotine products, their devices, and novel
Philippines: The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP), Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, Parents
Kuwait: On 7th March, the credit rating agency Fitch Ratings published a commentary on Kuwait’s credit rating, indicating that there are plans to
Bahrain: On 9th March, the Shura Council of Bahrain gave its final approval on the draft law amending Article (20) of the Law on Combatting
Jordan: On 8th March, the minister of higher education and scientific research met with the presidents of Jordanian universities and discussed a number
US - Federal: A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – based on data from the National Health Interview Survey
Canada: Ontario Superior Court chief justice Geoffrey Morawetz approved a CAD32.5bn (USD22.6bn) settlement, in which three major tobacco companies will compensate provinces, territories
US - Mississippi: House Bill (HB) 916 has been passed by both the House and the Senate and now goes to the governor.
Taiwan: Taiwan’s first heated tobacco product (HTP) review will be published next month, media reports. Although HTPs have technically been legalised for two
