Report: Urgent Need to Regulate and Ban E-Cigarettes

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.04.2024
Report: Urgent Need to Regulate and Ban E-Cigarettes
34 countries have banned the sale of e-cigarettes, 88 have no minimum age to buy them, and 74 lack regulations.

According to a report by Lapatilla on January 3rd, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has provided data showing that currently, 34 countries have banned the sale of e-cigarettes. Additionally, 88 countries have not established a minimum age limit for purchasing e-cigarettes, while 74 countries lack specific regulations regarding these products, which are commonly referred to as "harmful products.

 

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a warning regarding the use of e-cigarettes in the Americas. This health agency highlights the need for urgent measures to control the use of e-cigarettes in order to protect children and non-smokers, with the goal of minimizing the potential health impacts of these products as much as possible.

 

Dr. Carlos Riveros, an expert in respiratory system diseases, explained to the media that this warning was issued after multiple studies indicated that e-cigarettes do not "help people quit smoking" and there is "sufficient evidence to prove the harmful effects of e-cigarettes on health".

 

E-cigarette aerosols may contain nicotine, as well as other substances that could be addictive and potentially lead to lung diseases, heart conditions, and even cancer," said Dr. Rivers.

 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has issued a report to the media, cautioning that these products, also known as "vaporizers," contain nicotine with evidence suggesting harmful effects on adolescent brain development. The report also mentions that nicotine use during pregnancy may lead to preterm delivery and low birth weight in newborns.

 

Despite ongoing controversies, according to data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 34 countries have already banned the sale of e-cigarettes. Additionally, 88 countries have not set a minimum age for purchasing e-cigarettes, while regulations in 74 countries lack specific provisions for these products that are considered "harmful.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Australia Adds 6-Methylnicotine to Schedule 9 Prohibited Substances, Effective October 1
Australia Adds 6-Methylnicotine to Schedule 9 Prohibited Substances, Effective October 1
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration published a final decision on September 25 to classify 6-methylnicotine as a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard, effective October 1, 2026. TGA said the chemical has been reported in e-cigarette liquids sold in Australia and marketed as nicotine-free or nicotine alternatives, while evidence also indicates its use in preparations such as oral pouches. The government originally proposed a Schedule 7 classification but ultimately adopted the stricter Schedule 9 designation, citing acute toxicity, dependence risk, use in unapproved consumer products and misleading marketing.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
Korea Customs Service has tightened import controls on nicotine-analog and nicotine-free e-cigarette liquids, placing the products under 100% document review and subjecting all e-cigarette liquid import declarations to pre-clearance ingredient analysis. As of September 20, 2026, South Korea had imported about 15 metric tons of nicotine-analog liquids, 99.99% from China, and about 316 metric tons of nicotine-free liquids, including roughly 315 metric tons, or 99.7%, from China. The measures follow South Korea's April expansion of its tobacco definition to include synthetic nicotine products and include new checks on Chinese manufacturing, transaction and export documentation.
Sep.24
JUUL Purchasers Ask Ninth Circuit to Preserve Antitrust Classes in Case Over Altria’s $12.8 Billion Investment
JUUL Purchasers Ask Ninth Circuit to Preserve Antitrust Classes in Case Over Altria’s $12.8 Billion Investment
Private antitrust litigation stemming from Altria's 2018 $12.8 billion investment for a 35% economic interest in JUUL is advancing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Direct purchasers, indirect purchasers and indirect resellers of JUUL products filed answering briefs this week seeking to preserve class certifications granted by a California federal court in February. Altria and JUUL argue that individual consumers and large distributors differ too much in purchasing terms to remain in a single direct-purchaser class, while a separate dispute concerns whether California antitrust law can apply to indirect purchasers across 27 jurisdictions. A September trial has been put on hold during the appeal.
Sep.23
FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling
FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling
Turning Point Brands said Executive Chairman David E. Glazek will become CEO on October 1, replacing Graham Purdy, who is stepping down for personal reasons. The company narrowed its 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $70 million-$80 million from $70 million-$90 million while maintaining Modern Oral gross sales guidance of $330 million-$350 million and net sales guidance of $260 million-$270 million. In the second quarter, Modern Oral net sales rose 128% to $68.4 million and accounted for 48% of company-wide net sales. Adjusted EBITDA fell 50% year over year. TPB shares closed about 10% lower on September 21.
Market
Sep.22 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Los Angeles Cracks Down on Illicit Flavored Vapes and Counterfeit Goods: 12 Businesses Searched, 24 Arrested, Eight Truckloads Seized
Los Angeles Cracks Down on Illicit Flavored Vapes and Counterfeit Goods: 12 Businesses Searched, 24 Arrested, Eight Truckloads Seized
Los Angeles authorities searched 12 businesses and arrested 24 people during a multi-agency operation targeting illicit flavored vaping products, flavored cigarettes and counterfeit merchandise on October 22, 2026. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said approximately eight tractor-trailer loads of merchandise were seized. Alleged violations involved flavored tobacco sales restrictions, tobacco licensing requirements and counterfeit trademark laws. Local, state and federal agencies participated. Authorities have not disclosed the number, brands or value of vaping products seized. Investigations remain ongoing.
Enforcement
Oct.28
Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain's cigarette volumes declined 5.2% year over year in August 2026, according to government data cited by UBS and reported by Investing.com on October 7. British American Tobacco's volumes fell 14.5%, followed by Imperial Brands at 8.8%, Philip Morris International at 6.6% and Japan Tobacco at 4.6%. JTI was the only one of the four companies to gain cigarette market share, rising six basis points to 26.7%. In France, official customs data showed an unadjusted 3.7% decline in cigarette deliveries. Adjusting for the difference in delivery days produces a decline of approximately 8.3%, consistent with the UBS figure. The bank also estimated the earnings exposure of major tobacco companies to both markets.
Market
Oct.13