LATEST ALERTS
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
United Arab Emirates: The government has issued cabinet resolution (2) of 2025, regarding the technical regulations for tobacco-free nicotine pouches. The resolution, published
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
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
Jordan: Yesterday (13th March), the minister of government communication, Mohammad Momani, met with the World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Jordan, Jamela Al-Raiby,
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
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
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
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
Taiwan: Taiwan’s first heated tobacco product (HTP) review will be published next month, media reports. Although HTPs have technically been legalised for two
Philippines: The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s active campaign against the illicit trade of tobacco products, including vapes, has helped the government to narrow
Pakistan: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is advocating for a reduction in excise duties on cigarettes, arguing that lower rates could boost overall
United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates has issued Cabinet Resolution No. (2) of 2025 regarding the technical regulations for tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
Myanmar: The meeting of the Central Committee for Tobacco and Tobacco Product Consumption Control took place to address smoking and tobacco use. The
Bangladesh: The home adviser of the interim government Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has reinforced the smoking ban in public places during the month of
Taiwan: The Ministry of Health and Welfare has released a new draft amendment to the Tobacco Control Act. The amendment aims to strengthen enforcement
Taiwan: A Customs Administration official has said that Taiwan will soon expand its use of generative AI at customs clearance points, with the
Bahrain: On 2nd March, the Shura Council of Bahrain discussed the Services Committee’s report on a draft law amending Article (20) of the Law on
Bahrain: The Shura Council of Bahrain is set to discuss on Sunday, 2nd March, the Services Committee’s report on a draft law amending Article
Middle East: The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean posted that while smoking rates in the region are declining, there
India: The Ministry of Commerce appointed three members of Parliament (MPs) to the Tobacco Board under Section 4 of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975. According
Pakistan: State minister Ali Pervaiz Malik called for exploring tobacco harm-reduction policies, following the example of countries like Sweden and New Zealand, in
Vietnam: The Ministry of Health wants to increase measures to enforce the ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) and has proposed
Myanmar: The Ministry of Health and Population announced stricter enforcement of the 2011 Tobacco Control and Regulation Act in the wake of recent violations
United Arab Emirates: Dubai Municipality has launched monitoring campaigns and field inspections in markets, malls, and food establishments during the Islamic month of Ramadan (28th
Bangladesh: Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Ministry of Health, has said that the government will pass the Tobacco
Jordan: Today, the Ministry of Health released the results of the national survey on tobacco, which was conducted as part of the national strategy
Bahrain: The House of Representatives Public Utilities and Environment Committee approved a motion urging the government to step up the enforcement of ministerial
United Arab Emirates: The Federal Tax Authority issued ministerial resolution 1/2025 introducing new Harmonised System (HS) code classifications for electronic heating devices used with
Pakistan: A recent study has revealed that over 400 cigarette brands, accounting for more than half of total cigarette sales, are being sold in violation
Uzbekistan: The Law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Improvement of the Alcohol and
India: The Indian government may increase the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tobacco products, currently taxed at 28%. One of the options
United Arab Emirates: The Federal Tax Authority announced in a press release yesterday (20th February) that it conducted more than 93,000 inspection visits to local
China: In an analysis on the tenth anniversary of Beijing’s tobacco control framework, the authorities report that the smoking rate among those aged
Pakistan: Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, coordinator to the prime minister on health, has approved the proposal to revive the Tobacco Control Cell, reaffirming his
Indonesia: The head of the Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Disease Control Working Team, Benget Saragih, has advocated for the approval of the draft
