On 27 September 2026, Italian Legislative Decree No. 30 of 20 February 2026, transposing Directive (EU) 2024/825 – Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition – entered into force in Italy, introducing significant changes to the rules governing environmental communications. The legislation establishes restrictions and prohibitions on sustainability claims appearing on product packaging or advertising materials, with the aim of combating greenwashing and ensuring greater consumer protection. Greenwashing refers to practices intended to make products, services or companies appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are through misleading, unclear or unsubstantiated statements. The new provisions therefore require companies to carry out a careful and thorough preliminary assessment of all promotional claims, whether they appear on labels, packaging, websites, social media channels, catalogues, brochures or other marketing materials. Generic environmental claims: What is changing? One of the main changes is the prohibition of generic environmental claims that are not supported by demonstrated and recognised excellent environmental performance. In particular, broad expressions such as: “green” “ecological” “eco-friendly” “environmentally friendly” “respectful of the environment” “biodegradable” “climate friendly” can no longer be used freely. The Directive draws a clear distinction between generic and specific environmental claims, prohibiting generic claims that do not meet the applicable requirements and establishing specific conditions for acceptable claims. 1. Generic environmental claims (Prohibited) This category includes vague or general statements that do not specify the environmental benefit in a clear and prominent manner on the same communication medium. An expression such as “environmentally friendly packaging” is a typical example of a generic claim and is no longer permitted under the new rules unless the relevant legal conditions are met. Generic terms such [...]

The European Commission has recently concluded the public consultation concerning the review of the European Union regulatory framework for tobacco products. The consultation was open from 22 May to 14 August 2026 and focused in particular on the review of Directive 2014/40/EU on tobacco products (TPD) and Directive 2003/33/EC on the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products (TAD). The Commission expects to present a legislative proposal by the end of 2026. The review will affect the sector as a whole, with particular attention to electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs) and nicotine pouches. The TPD entered into force in 2014 and became applicable in 2016, in a market context significantly different from the current one. At that time, nicotine pouches did not yet represent a relevant product category at EU level, while the markets for electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products were still at an early stage of development. The Commission has therefore highlighted the need to assess whether the current regulatory framework remains appropriate in light of the growing availability of new tobacco and nicotine products and the evolution of marketing and promotional practices, including, in particular, the increasing use of digital channels and social media. The future review may therefore address, among other aspects, greater harmonisation at EU level of provisions relating to flavours, product presentation, health warnings, advertising and online promotion. The Commission may also introduce a clearer regulatory framework for products that currently fall outside, or only partially within, the scope of the TPD, with the aim of establishing a more consistent regulatory approach across the Member States. The measures already adopted at national level highlight the existence [...]

Businesses and Institutions: compliance efforts are still ongoing One month has passed since Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) became applicable. Since 12 August 2026, the new European regulatory framework has been generally applicable. However, its implementation follows a progressive timetable: some obligations are already in force, while others will apply over the coming years or still require the adoption of the relevant technical provisions. Although no official data are yet available on the level of compliance achieved, surveys carried out by private organisations indicate that the situation is still evolving. Market research shows that a large proportion of the companies surveyed have begun mapping the packaging concerned and requesting the necessary documentation from their suppliers. However, the overall level of preparedness still appears limited, and only a very small number of companies consider their compliance process to be complete. The process is also still ongoing at institutional level. By the end of August, only two Member States had reportedly completed their national adaptation measures, while the EUROPEN PPWR Tracker indicated that only 5 of the 30 secondary legislative acts provided for under the Regulation had been adopted. The PPWR is therefore applicable, but businesses, national authorities and European institutions are still putting in place a significant proportion of the tools required for the full implementation of its complex system of obligations. The first PPWR obligations now in force As of 12 August, before placing packaging on the European Union market, manufacturers must ensure that they have complied with the PPWR requirements already applicable to the specific type of packaging concerned. Before placing packaging on the market, the manufacturer must [...]

The United Kingdom will introduce an excise duty on vaping products (Vaping Products Duty - VPD) starting from 1 October 2026, set at £2.20 (approximately €2.55) per 10 ml of e-cigarette liquid. Taking into account the 20% VAT, the potential increase in the retail price could reach £2.64 (approximately €3.06) per 10 ml. The measure will apply to both nicotine-containing liquids and nicotine-free liquids and, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), it is expected to affect approximately 5.1 million consumers. The projected tax revenue amounts to £135 million (approximately €156.3 million) in 2026-2027, with an estimated increase up to £565 million (approximately €654.2 million) by 2030-2031. Manufacturers and importers will also be required to apply fiscal stamps (Vaping Duty Stamps) on packaging intended for final consumers starting from 1 October 2026. These fiscal stamps may only be obtained from HMRC-approved operators; applications for authorization will be assessed from 1 April 2026 and will be necessary in order to manufacture and import products into the United Kingdom. The government’s stated primary objective is to limit the spread of vaping among young people and non-smokers, while preserving the price differential compared to combustible tobacco products, thereby maintaining e-cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking. In addition, the use of fiscal stamps should allow rapid enforcement checks by the authorities in order to block the introduction of illicit products and tackle the black market, an issue that has become particularly significant in the country in recent months. In this regard, enforcement activities and penalties for offenders will also be strengthened, including seizures, administrative fines, and criminal proceedings against operators who violate the [...]

South Korea is set to change its rules on nicotine products: as of April 24, 2026, following the revision of the Tobacco Business Act by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, all products containing nicotine — including synthetic nicotine — will be reclassified as “tobacco”. The stated objective is to close a “loophole” that had allowed the sale and promotion of electronic cigarettes and vaping liquids, particularly those containing synthetic nicotine, under a less regulated framework. As a result of this reclassification, e-cigarette liquids will, for the first time, fully fall under a tobacco-style regulatory regime, with the application of the rules set out in the National Health Promotion Act: mandatory health warnings, strict advertising restrictions, and a ban on labels referring to flavours. The crackdown also extends to sales through vending machines: these may be used only by authorised retailers, must include age-verification systems, and may be placed exclusively in controlled areas (for example, smoking rooms or adults-only zones). Violations — including improper advertising, missing health warnings, or non-compliant vending machine placement — may result in fines of up to KRW 10 million (€5,877.88) or up to one year of imprisonment. In addition, the use of all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, will be prohibited in already designated non-smoking areas, with penalties of up to KRW 100,000 (€58.78). The Ministry has announced inspections starting from late April in order to enforce the new rules. The government has justified this decision on the basis of the growing interest of young people in vaping and the spread of unsupervised vending machines, which are often not equipped with adequate age-verification systems. [...]

As of January 1, 2026, Norway prohibits private individuals from purchasing tobacco products from abroad through online sales (so-called cross-border sales). The Norwegian Customs Agency (Tolletaten) reserves the right to detain, confiscate, and destroy goods imported in breach of the ban, without any reimbursement. With specific reference to vaping, the ban includes: electronic cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine; electronic cigarettes and nicotine-free e-liquids with characterising flavours. However, the legislation provides for some exceptions: the import of electronic cigarettes and nicotine-free e-liquids with tobacco flavour is permitted; a very specific exemption applies to nicotine products: a private individual may import electronic cigarettes and nicotine-containing e-liquids for personal use as a smoking cessation aid, but only if the products comply with the requirements of pharmaceutical legislation. Nicotine pouches also fall within the scope of the ban. By contrast, tobacco-free and nicotine-free pouches may still be imported.

On January 16, 2026, the Mexican government published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) a reform presented as a “public health” measure, significantly strengthening the sanctions framework applicable to vaping products. The provisions entered into force in the days immediately following publication and triggered enforcement measures with practical consequences also for foreign nationals. The central element of the reform is its supply-chain approach: it is not merely a matter of restricting retail sales, but of targeting commercial activities connected to vaping products, including so-called “analogous electronic systems”, at every level — production, distribution, commercialisation, importation, and related activities. For travellers, carrying an electronic cigarette in their luggage may become a serious issue. According to press sources, in the event of an inspection, devices may be confiscated, and very substantial financial penalties may apply; where there is suspicion of conduct linked to distribution activities, prison sentences of up to eight years may also be imposed. It is also worth highlighting the political framing of the reform: within the same legislative framework, vaping products are referred to alongside toxic substances, chemical precursors, and unauthorised synthetic drugs (including fentanyl), thus placing vaping within the same policy “risk” perimeter.

On 30 December 2025, Bangladesh adopted the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing a full ban for production, import/export, storage, sale, of e-cigarettes and comparable categories of products, with immediate impact across the entire supply chain. Severe penalties apply, including up to 6 months’ imprisonment and/or fines of up to Tk 500,000 (approx. €3,506.55). The definition of “tobacco products” is expanded to also include nicotine pouches. In short, the country is taking a prohibitionist approach, with a high enforcement and penalty risk for both operators and consumers.

Azerbaijan has announced its intention to introduce new legislation on e-cigarettes, aimed at strengthening control mechanisms and establishing a new penalties framework. The implementing details (including fine amounts and enforcement tools) will be set out through secondary legislation following adoption of the law. The main stated rationale is the protection of minors and the reduction of use among young people, referring to World Health Organization (WHO) data indicating significantly higher e-cigarette use among minors than among adults. The proposal also aims to introduce a clearer and more distinct classification between traditional tobacco, heated tobacco products, and e-cigarettes, in line with regulatory practices adopted internationally. The regulatory direction points towards a tightening of the framework for the e-cig segment. It is therefore crucial to monitor the implementing measures that will concretely define the scope, obligations, and enforcement modalities.

China has recently introduced the first official regulatory framework for the nicotine pouches market and, more broadly, for oral nicotine products through a measure dated 6 January 2025 (published on 9 January 2026). The new rules entered into force immediately, bringing an end to a long-standing regulatory gap. The STMA (State Tobacco Monopoly Administration) defines “smokeless products” as products consumed orally, nasally, or through external use, without combustion. This definition explicitly includes pouches, snus, and chewing tobacco, but also oral strips and nicotine patches. The most significant change is the classification of smokeless products: these products are now treated as cigarettes or fine-cut tobacco, and therefore fall under China’s strict tobacco monopoly system, which entails tighter controls over production, branding, and distribution. In addition, the STMA places them in a “restricted” industrial category, where investments and production capacity may be subject to approval.