On 24 February 2020, the Official Gazette of Turkey published the Presidential Order issued by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, banning the importation of electronic cigarettes and related products in the country. Introduction of this measure follows a global trend that aims to prevent the negative consequences that novel and emerging tobacco and nicotine products have on populations, and in Turkey, this measure is part of the government’s campaign to reduce tobacco use.

The Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 72(I)/2020 approved on 30 January 2020 bans online advertising of tobacco products, as well as point of sale advertising and display of tobacco products. This regulation completes and expands on the previous Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance from 2002, which included a ban on advertising of tobacco products in print and electronic media.

The Parliament of India passed on 5 December 2019, Act No. 42 of the Ministry of Law and Justice on the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes. The Act establishes the ban on the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising of these products “in the interest of public health, to protect the people from harm and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”.

Des données récentes montrent que les taux de vapotage chez les jeunes au Canada augmentent à un rythme inquiétant. Le gouvernement du Canada a donc pris un certain nombre de mesures au cours des derniers mois pour contrer l’augmentation du vapotage chez les jeunes.

Evidence shows that youth vaping rates in Canada are increasing at a concerning pace. The Government of Canada has taken a number of steps in recent months to address the rise in youth vaping.

Please see Health Canada’s announcement related to the Government of Canada’s response to the rise in youth vaping through this link.

The Department of Health’s “Guidance for Public Officials on Interacting with the Tobacco Industry” was released in November 2019, outlining the legal obligations placed on public health organizations and officials in their interactions with the tobacco industry. The guide covers areas such as interactions with the tobacco industry, management of conflicts of interest, rejection of partnerships with and preferential treatment of the tobacco industry, and the de-normalization of the tobacco industry’s ‘socially responsible’ activities.

The Austrian Government adopted, in November 2019, a comprehensive smoke-free policy, which also includes bars and restaurants among the premises covered by the ban. Up until now, smoking had been legal in small bars and restaurants, and allowed smoking rooms in hospitality venues larger than 50 square meters. This regulation also applies to waterpipes and electronic cigarettes. By introducing these measures, Austria strengthened implementation of Article 8 of the Convention and the relevant guidelines.

The Austrian Government adopted, in November 2019, a comprehensive smoke-free policy, which also includes bars and restaurants among the premises covered by the ban. Up until now, smoking had been legal in small bars and restaurants, and allowed smoking rooms in hospitality venues larger than 50 square meters. This regulation also applies to waterpipes and electronic cigarettes. By introducing these measures, Austria strengthened implementation of Article 8 of the Convention and the relevant guidelines.

Saudi Arabia started to apply 100% excise tax on all tobacco products in compliance with the agreed Gulf Cooperation Council tax increase to harmful products to human health and the environment in 2016. The Excise Tax Guidelines, adopted in June 2017, issued by the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT), comes in compliance with Article 6 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which Saudi Arabia is Party to since 09 May, 2005, as one of the first countries to ratify the treaty.