, and new nicotine alternatives in various countries. From legal reforms aimed at toughening vaping policies to the drive for regional regulations within the European Union, governments continue to shift toward stricter measures under the banner of “protecting public health.”){kind=link}
The second half of January continues to bring critical decisions on electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTP), and new nicotine alternatives in various countries. From legal reforms aimed at toughening vaping policies to the drive for regional regulations within the European Union, governments continue to shift toward stricter measures under the banner of “protecting public health.”
AMERICAS
January 20 – Brazil
Brazil: Parliament Committee approves Bill strengthening country’s ban on vaping products and THPs
Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies’ (lower house) Industry, Commerce and Services Committee approved a bill prohibiting the use and the “manufacture, import, marketing, distribution, storage, transportation, and advertising” of vaping products and HTPs in the country. Since 2009, under Resolution RDC No. 46/2009, the sale and import of these products have been banned in Brazil; this ban was reviewed and upheld in 2022 and 2024. The bill now needs approval from both houses of the Brazilian Parliament. Official news (in Portuguese)
ASIA
January 24 – Uzbekistan and Hong Kong
Uzbekistan: Lower house approves Bill banning import and sale of vaping products, moves to Senate
Uzbekistan’s Legislative Chamber (lower house) approved at second and third reading a Government Bill (the latest version is not available online; original version here) that would ban the sale, import, and manufacture of vaping products and e-liquids in the country. Some amendments were introduced during the committee phase. The bill now moves to the Senate (upper house) for review; if approved, it “enters into force on the date of its adoption” (LexUZ).
Hong Kong: Government planning to roll out ban on vaping product possession
Hong Kong’s government plans to propose banning the possession of vaping devices and their refills, beginning in “public places” and later extending “citywide.” This measure was initially proposed in June 2024 by the Hong Kong Medical and Health Bureau, alongside other measures such as banning flavored tobacco, introducing standardized packaging, and adopting “full tobacco hazard warning packaging” for these products. Additional information (in English)
EUROPE
January 17 – Netherlands
Netherlands: Government gazettes Order requiring plain packaging for vaping products from July 1
The Dutch government has published a General Administrative Order that will require plain packaging for cigars and vaping products starting July 1, 2025. The specific details of the measure, including packaging requirements for each product type, will be defined in a future Ministerial Regulation. Official source (in Dutch)
January 21 – Luxembourg, Poland, and Finland
Luxembourg: Government prefers regional action on disposable vapes over unilateral measures
The Luxembourgish Ministry of Health stated that “a ban solely targeting disposable vapor products [in Luxembourg] would have limited effect,” emphasizing that a supranational approach covering all types of vaping products would be “more coherent” in addressing this challenge. Source (in English)
Poland: Government adopts draft Bills regulating nicotine pouches and nicotine-free vapor and applying THP flavor ban
The Polish government approved a draft bill drafted by the Ministry of Health that would classify nicotine pouches and nicotine-free vaping products as “tobacco-related products.” Among other measures, the initiative banned their communication and sale to minors, distanced sales, and subjected them to rules on ingredient purity. A 20 mg/g limit would be imposed for nicotine pouches, and text health warnings would be required on at least 30% of the packaging. The text must be notified to the European Commission and subsequently approved by Parliament to enter into force.
Separately, the government adopted regulations banning the sale of heated tobacco products (HTPs) by characterizing flavors and requiring health warnings, which aligns with an EU Delegated Act. A nine-month grace period from their date of entry into force will apply.
Government sources (in Polish) banned communication and sale to minors, as well as distance sales, and subjected.
Finland: Government notifies draft Decree introducing plain packaging and health warnings for nicotine pouches
The Government of Finland notified the European Commission of a draft Decree that would impose plain packaging and text health warnings on nicotine pouches. The document is part of the measures set out in a bill notified in November 2024, which would also ban flavors other than menthol and mint, set a 16.6 mg/g nicotine limit, prohibit online sales, and introduce licensing for retailers. The European Commission’s standstill period, during which the Union and member states may raise objections, ends on April 22, 2025. If approved, the provisions would enter into force on the “20th day of the month” in which it is published, with a one-year grace period. Notification to the European Commission (in English)
January 22 – Ukraine
Ukraine: Government agency urges swift regulation of nicotine pouches
The Ukrainian State Service for Food and Consumer Protection (a government agency) met with the Ministry of Health, MPs, and other stakeholders to discuss regulating nicotine pouches. During the meeting, they emphasized the need to expedite the passage of a private member’s bill introduced in October 2024, which would impose a 20 mg-per-pouch limit and require health warnings covering 50% of the packaging. “Our primary task is to regulate at the legislative level the circulation or nicotine content in pouches and exercise control over them… The matter must be resolved immediately to protect citizens’ health,” the agency said. Official release (in Ukrainian)
January 23 – France and Lithuania
France: Deputies table amendment to Social Security Bill to “ban nicotine pouches”
Deputies from the governing coalition introduced an amendment to the Social Security Financing Bill (2025) in the National Assembly (lower house) seeking to “ban nicotine pouches, in line with the announcements made by the Minister of Health” in October 2024. The bill, approved by the Senate (upper house) on January 23, initially included Senate-introduced amendments to regulate these products by setting a nicotine cap and imposing an excise tax. The new amendment aims to remove those provisions and impose a total ban. A mixed committee will meet on January 30 to seek consensus, and the National Assembly may debate and vote on the resulting text the week of February 3. Parliamentary information (in French)
France: Joint Committee approves amended version of Bill banning disposable vapes
A Joint Committee of the French Parliament, composed of both deputies and senators, approved a modified version of a bill that bans the manufacture, marketing, distribution, and supply of disposable vaping devices. The text defines disposables as products “pre-filled with a liquid and which cannot be refilled, whether or not they have a rechargeable battery,” a definition intended to anticipate future technological innovations. The Senate is expected to examine the text during the second week of February. Source (in French)
Lithuania: Ministry of Economy awaiting Government instruction on drafting a Bill legalising nicotine pouches and herbal heating products
A spokesperson for Lithuania’s Ministry of Economy confirmed that drafting a bill to legalize and regulate nicotine pouches and herbal heating products was delayed due to the “change of political power in the country” following the October 2024 elections, when a center-left government led by the Social Democratic Party replaced the previous center-right coalition. The Ministry is awaiting “a political decision” on the scope of the text to present the final version to the executive. Source (in English)