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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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”, [...]