March brought another wave of vaping policy shifts around the world. Governments are moving past the early debates over whether e-cigarettes should exist at all, and are now diving into the nitty-gritty: taxes, licensing, flavor bans, and protecting kids. Here’s a look at the key changes across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America last month.
North America
United States (federal level)
The FDA put out a draft guidance in March for reviewing flavored e-cigarette PMTAs. The new framework focuses heavily on “youth appeal risk.” At the same time, the agency gave the green light to another tobacco-flavored e-cigarette from Glas, bringing the total number of authorized products to 41. Enforcement also ramped up against products without a PMTA and sales to minors.
State-level moves
- Louisiana introduced two bills (HB789 and HB623) that would expand the definition of “nicotine analogs” and set up a digital tracking system covering manufacturing, wholesale, and retail.
- Utah passed a tax hike on e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products.
- Pennsylvania is pushing for a retail licensing scheme – unlicensed sellers could have their products confiscated.
- Indiana signed a new law restricting the sale of vape oils made in “hostile” foreign countries.
Europe
European Union
The EU is still hammering out revisions to its Tobacco Taxation Directive. The latest discussions suggest bringing e-liquids, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches under cross-border carriage limits, while also making sure tax rates reflect the different risk levels of these products.
United Kingdom
The Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Bill cleared its third reading in the House of Lords and now heads to the Commons. The bill would gradually ban tobacco sales for anyone born after 2009, and give the government broader powers to regulate nicotine products.
Disposable vape bans
- Poland proposed banning disposable e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine pouches.
- Bulgaria got the green light from the European Commission for its disposable vape ban.
- Spain is also pushing a ban on disposables, but EU regulators have raised concerns that it might violate internal market rules.
Taxes and market rules
- Austria starts taxing all e-liquids like tobacco from April 1, with fixed pricing.
- Ukraine is looking to raise stamp taxes on e-liquids and heated tobacco.
- Estonia ended the grace period for old tax stamps – new rates are now fully in effect.
- Lithuania wants e-liquids to carry excise labels.
- Netherlands jacked up fines for illegal sales of tobacco and vapes.
Market access
- Greece introduced a registration system for tobacco and nicotine products, with an April 2026 deadline for companies to sign up.
Asia
South Korea
The government is moving to bring synthetic nicotine under the tobacco regulatory framework. The new rules take effect on April 23, 2026, meaning synthetic nicotine products will face the same requirements as traditional tobacco.
Macau (China)
Authorities launched a public consultation on revising the Tobacco Control Law. The proposal would ban the production and sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, and also prohibit carrying them in public places.
Uzbekistan
A new law has taken effect banning the production, sale, and import of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. Violators could face criminal charges.
Kuwait
The government issued a ban on selling e-cigarettes, devices, and accessories, including online sales.
Middle East
Israel
A proposed excise tax on e-cigarettes was split out from the annual budget bill and is now moving as standalone legislation. The plan would tax e-liquids per milliliter and impose a flat tax on devices.
Latin America
Panama
The National Assembly set up a technical working group to consolidate several pending bills on novel tobacco products, covering sales, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes.
Peru
A new bill in Congress would slap a 20% to 100% excise tax on vaping products, aiming to cut consumption and raise government revenue.