Global news, research and policy developments shaping tobacco control, smoking prevention and support for quitting.
More than 1 million people aged 16 and over in Great Britain who had never smoked said they used e-cigarettes in 2025, according to the UK Office for National Statistics. The finding comes as cigarette smoking continued to decline.
Simulation studies in the United States, Germany and Russia project that switching from cigarettes to nicotine vaping products could prevent premature deaths and save life-years. The estimates vary widely and depend on assumptions about vaping’s relative risks, how many smokers switch and whether non-smokers take up vaping.
People who vape may still be treated as smokers when applying for life insurance in South Africa. The distinction matters: the source article says failing to disclose nicotine or vaping use could lead to policy complications or disputes over a claim.
Some newer vaping devices link use to cryptocurrency, points and other rewards. Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center warn that rewarding continued vaping could increase addiction risks and work against efforts to quit.
While tobacco use among men over 15 has fallen in many countries since 2000, Indonesia continues to face a substantial burden from both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, according to a report by KOMPAS.
Developments in Canada, research on heated tobacco and New Zealand’s smoking trends are renewing debate about whether nicotine products should be regulated according to their risks relative to cigarettes. The examples point to the importance of combustion and access to alternatives, while leaving questions about long-term health effects and policy outcomes open.
A systematic review reported by Nature links vaping among children and young people with nicotine dependence, several health concerns and a greater likelihood of later smoking cigarettes. The authors distinguish these risks from the potential use of e-cigarettes by established adult smokers trying to quit.
A group of Republican senators is urging President Donald Trump to press China to curb exports of illicit vaping products to the United States. The call comes as Alabama prepares to bring in restrictions on vaping in public spaces.
California has approved a phased ban on sales of tobacco-containing disposable vapes, citing concerns about waste from devices with built-in batteries. Restrictions on manufacturing and importing begin in 2027, with retail sales prohibited from 2028.
People with lung conditions and local organisations in Guernsey are calling for vaping to be restricted in and around public venues. Indoor smoking has been illegal in most places such as bars and restaurants since 2005, but indoor vaping is currently left to each business to decide.
Advocates in Bangladesh are calling for rules to be formulated without delay to put the country’s amended tobacco control law into effect. At a Dhaka discussion, speakers said the rules should address gaps in the law and help ensure its provisions are implemented.
A study of 30,979 Japanese adults found that current heated tobacco users had a higher risk of developing hypertension than never-smokers in the main analysis. However, the association was not statistically significant in several sensitivity analyses, and the study cannot show that heated tobacco use caused the condition.
Prison authorities in Ireland are examining whether controlled vaping could reduce exposure to cigarette smoke, even as the country debates tougher vaping restrictions. Experience in England and Wales shows how a specially designed vape helped address a fire risk without removing the smoke-free nicotine alternative.
An investigation reported by the Sydney Morning Herald found hundreds of advertisements for illegal tobacco and vape products on TikTok and Meta platforms in Australia. The companies said they had removed some ads and accounts, but the report said many Alibarbar vape ads remained active after Meta was contacted.
Colorado officials have issued a health and safety advisory for specific marijuana vape devices made by Staycon LLC, which does business as craft. The advisory says the affected batches include an ingredient containing methylene chloride and were sold at about 405 stores between March 27 and September 25.
Alabama’s ban on vaping in public places is due to take effect on Oct. 1. A law signed by Gov. Kay Ivey adds the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems to the state’s existing restrictions on smoking in many enclosed public spaces.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has decided to classify 6-methylnicotine as a prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard from 1 October 2026. The regulator says the substance’s toxicity, potential to cause dependence and use in products marketed as “nicotine-free” warrant stronger restrictions.
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to announce that it will revisit its 2021 rules on the scientific evidence needed to authorize newer tobacco products, including flavored vapes and nicotine pouches. Any changes could affect how quickly these products reach the legal market, while renewing debate about youth access and product safety.
Taiwan plans to increase penalties for illegally bringing e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and related components into the country. The proposed customs changes would remove a low-value exemption and apply higher fines to violations involving these products.
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to announce measures that could accelerate reviews of vaping products and nicotine pouches, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Reuters. The report says the agency may revisit requirements for new tobacco applications and consider simpler scientific-study rules, although Reuters could not independently verify the details.
Germany’s parliament has begun reviewing a government proposal to increase taxes on cigarettes, heated tobacco, e-liquids, fine-cut tobacco and other tobacco products each year from 2027 through 2030. The plan would raise the estimated average retail price of a 20-cigarette pack to €11.36 by 2030, while tobacco industry groups warn that larger increases could affect legal-market sales and illicit trade.
