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ACT Government Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith introduced the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill 2025, expanding authorised officers’ inspection, seizure and penalty powers to address illicit tobacco and vaping. The Bill enables $1,600 infringement notices for selling prohibited smoking products and classifies illicit tobacco as a prohibited smoking product under Territory law.

The Decatur, Alabama, City Council voted to approve an ordinance imposing a volume-based tax on e-cigarette products: US$0.10 per milliliter for sales within city limits, and US$0.05 per milliliter for sales or deliveries outside city limits but within the city’s police jurisdiction. The ordinance is slated to take effect on October 1, 2025, though the actual start of collection may be set later by a companion resolution.

Singapore police said 13 people were charged on Oct 30 under the Organised Crime Act over an alleged syndicate supplying vapes locally; a 14th suspect is expected to be charged on Oct 31. All 14 had earlier been charged for possessing, or conspiring to possess, vapes for sale and are remanded. Police said the group allegedly imported vapes from Malaysia. OCA carries up to S$100,000 fine or five years’ jail; vape import/sale offences also face stiff penalties.

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The Belgian government has announced a new round of tobacco-control measures: starting January 1, 2027, smoking traditional tobacco and using e-cigarettes will be banned on café and restaurant terraces, all designated indoor smoking rooms will be abolished, and shisha bars will be closed. The ban applies to both customers and operators; terraces must display no-smoking signage, and even placing ashtrays on tables will be subject to penalties.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a petition seeking to permanently shut down two smoke shops and ban their owners from the vape industry for repeatedly selling illegal flavored vapes to minors and operating without valid licenses. The nearly 50-page complaint names Eysa Sharhan and Ahmed Mozeb and their stores — Pop-In Smoke & Vape LLC, Pufftopia LLC, and Royalty Tobacco LLC — accusing them of a “persistent pattern of illegal activity.”