Vape Legal and Regulatory Weekly Report - September 9, 2024

Key Updates:

1. China's National Tobacco Monopoly Administration:
   E-cigarette prices will now be determined by businesses, and a unified national transaction management platform will be established.

2. FDA's New Regulation in the US:
   The legal age for purchasing tobacco products is now set at 21, with ID verification required for anyone under 30.

3. 19 US States Pressure the Supreme Court:
   A coalition of states is urging the restriction of flavored e-cigarette sales across state lines.

4. Canada's New Regulation on Nicotine Pouches:
   Sales of nicotine pouches are now limited to pharmacies, sparking protests from Imperial Tobacco.

5. Australian E-Cigarette Dealer Brags About Smuggling:
   Border control in Australia faces challenges as smugglers continue to bypass regulations.

6. Australian Border Force Leads International Efforts:
   Australia is leading a 20-nation conference aimed at combating illicit tobacco trade globally.

7. Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue's New Rules:
   Seized e-cigarette products must be destroyed within 20 days, with non-essential items to be auctioned.

8. Paraguayan House of Representatives Passes Vape Law:
   The new bill strictly regulates the import, sale, and advertising of e-cigarettes.

9. UK Plans to Extend Smoking Ban to Outdoor Dining Areas:
   A controversial move to ban smoking in pub and restaurant outdoor seating areas sparks debate.

10. Ireland's Public Consultation Supports Disposable Vape Ban:
    Ireland's Ministry of Health has announced strong public backing for a ban on disposable vapes and stricter advertising laws.

Detailed Reports:

China's National Tobacco Monopoly Administration:
As of September 2, 2024, new rules allow e-cigarette manufacturers and brand owners to determine the factory and retail prices of e-cigarette products independently. Wholesale prices will be set based on operational costs and national tax policies. The same price for the same product will be implemented nationwide and disclosed on a unified platform. The main goals are to regulate the domestic market, clearly define the boundary between legal and illegal trade, and improve transparency.
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FDA's New Regulation in the US:
The FDA announced that beginning September 30, anyone under 30 must present a photo ID when purchasing tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. This rule extends the previous ID requirement from under 18 to under 30. Additionally, vending machine sales of tobacco products are prohibited in venues accessible to individuals under 21.
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19 US States Push for Flavor Ban:
A coalition of 19 states has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, supporting the FDA’s efforts to restrict the sale of flavored e-cigarettes across state lines.
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Canada’s Nicotine Pouch Regulation:
Canada's Ministry of Health issued a new regulation on August 28, 2024, limiting the sale of nicotine pouches to pharmacies only. This measure, which Imperial Tobacco Canada protests, impacts brands like ZONNIC and is seen as making it harder for people to quit smoking.
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Australian Smuggling Scandal:
An illegal e-cigarette distributor in Australia boasted on social media about bypassing border controls, raising concerns about black-market activity and organized crime involvement.
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International Anti-Tobacco Trafficking Conference:
Australia is leading a multinational conference in Singapore, with representatives from 20 Asia-Pacific nations, including China and India, to combat illicit tobacco trade.
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Philippines’ New Rules on Seized Goods:
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued new guidelines requiring that seized e-cigarettes be destroyed within 20 days. Non-essential goods will be publicly auctioned.
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Paraguay's Vape Law:
Paraguay's House of Representatives passed a bill that tightens control over the import, sale, and advertising of e-cigarettes. It also prohibits sales to minors under 18 and hands over health supervision to the National Health Surveillance Agency (Dinavisa).
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UK's Proposed Smoking Ban Expansion:
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer supports extending the smoking ban to outdoor seating areas in pubs and restaurants to reduce health care costs. The proposal is facing backlash from Conservative MPs and pub owners who argue it could harm the economy.
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Ireland’s Disposable Vape Ban:
Following a public consultation, Ireland’s Health Ministry plans to introduce legislation banning disposable e-cigarettes and enforcing stricter regulations on vape advertising and packaging.
Learn more