Geneva, Switzerland Passes Legislation Banning Disposable E-Cigarette Sales
According to swissinfo.ch on August 30, Geneva, Switzerland will ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes starting September 3, 2025. The local parliament almost unanimously passed a law on August 29 that includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately.
“These products, designed to attract young people, are disgraceful,” said local councilor Jennifer Conti. Nearly all state legislators condemned the harmful effects of these products on public health. They also denounced the disastrous environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes.
Several cantons, including Valais, Bern, and Uri, have already implemented bans. Cities like Basel, as well as cantons such as Ticino, Solothurn, Schaffhausen, and Vaud, are also pushing forward with similar measures.
A nationwide ban is also on the way. In June 2024, the National Council passed a corresponding motion proposed by Green Party representative Christophe Clivaz with an overwhelming majority. One year later, the Senate also approved the motion.
The federal government must immediately revise the Tobacco Products Act to prohibit the sale of disposable e-cigarettes across Switzerland. Rechargeable e-cigarettes are expected to remain exempt from the ban.
Eagle, Colorado Passes Bill Banning Flavored Tobacco; New Rules Take Effect January 1, 2026
Eagle, Colorado, has passed a bill restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products, becoming the 14th city in the state to adopt such measures. The new ban is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Supporting Arguments: Parents and public health advocates argue that flavors such as fruit and mint are key factors enticing teenagers to try and become dependent on e-cigarettes. They cite data showing that in cities where bans have been implemented, teen e-cigarette usage dropped by more than half within five years, with no severe impact on retail businesses. Health officials emphasize the dangers of nicotine on adolescent development.
Opposing Views: Retailers and Philip Morris International (PMI) oppose the ban, arguing that it harms compliant businesses and claiming that flavored products help adult smokers transition to less harmful smoke-free alternatives. PMI revealed that 20 products under its Zyn brand received sales authorization from the U.S. FDA in January 2025 and that the company is investing $600 million in a new factory in Aurora, Colorado. They urge the government to slow down the decision-making process and ensure retailers are well-informed.
Relevant Background: Colorado once had the highest teen e-cigarette usage rate in the U.S. Later, through measures such as increasing tobacco taxes, enhancing education, and raising the legal purchasing age to 21, the usage rate declined sharply. The CDC warns that no tobacco product is safe.
Russian State Duma May Propose New E-Cigarette Bill: Comprehensive Ban Would Prohibit Production, Sale, and Use
According to Alexey Kurinny, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, the Duma is considering comprehensive restrictions on e-cigarettes and may introduce further proposals. He told Krasnaya Zvezda that if the current draft is passed, it would prohibit the production, sale, and consumption of e-cigarettes and related liquids.
At the end of August, Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stated that the lower house plans to review a bill within the next two months that would completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. He added that if the bill is approved, using e-cigarettes in public places would be subject to fines.
Kurinny noted that the Duma has already reviewed at least two e-cigarette-related bills, with deliberations ongoing for over six months. It remains to be seen whether these measures will be passed as draft laws, incorporated into a new comprehensive bill, or replaced by new initiatives.
France to Ban Oral Nicotine Products in Pouch, Paste, Lozenge, and Liquid Forms Starting March 2026
According to a September 5 report on the French government’s official website, the government has published Decree No. 2025-898 in the Official Gazette, which will take effect six months after publication. The ban applies nationwide to the production, sale, possession, purchase, and use of "oral products containing nicotine," with exceptions for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
The decree stipulates that the ban covers all stages, including production, manufacturing, transportation, import/export, possession, offering/transfer, purchase, and actual use.
Prohibited formats include:
Nicotine pouches (including porous pouches), pastes, beads, liquids, gums, lozenges, films/strips, etc. (whether containing natural or synthetic nicotine).
Exemptions include:
Chewing tobacco;
Legally approved pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and their medicinal ingredients;
Foods (naturally containing nicotine or compliant with EU pesticide residue limits).
The decree allows exceptions for scientific research, granted under specific conditions and signed by the Minister of Health for particular research projects.
The regulations apply not only to mainland France but also to the Wallis and Futuna Islands.
Le Monde and Radio France Internationale reported that the ban will officially take effect in March 2026.
