South Africa may introduce E-cigarette(HNB and Vape products) tax in early 2023

Recently, the South African government announced that it will impose a consumption tax on electronic cigarette(herbal heatsticks) products, which will take effect on January 1, 2023.

According to South African Finance Minister Enoch Gordon Varner, the proposal to tax e-cigarettes(heated tobacco heatsticks) is part of the South African government’s package of taxes on tobacco, alcohol and high-sugar products, which was introduced to last year. The society announced and solicited comments that the e-cigarette tax will appear in the 2022 amendment to the tax law.

In December last year, the South African Ministry of Finance released a 32-page document saying that the government was considering a tax on e-cigarettes and vaping products, and publicly solicited opinions from the community. Once the document was released, it aroused extensive discussion and high attention in the South African society. It is understood that South Africa has no specific control measures for e-cigarettes(HNB herbal heatsticks) and vaping products before, and there are large loopholes and vacancies in the national taxation system.

Philip Morris International wins over $100 million in e-cigarette patent lawsuit

According to reports, a U.S. federal jury recently ruled that Reynolds’ Vuse e-cigarette infringed Philip Morris International’s patent rights and awarded $107 million in damages.

A jury in federal court in Alexandria, Va., said Reynolds’ Vuse Solo and Alto e-cigarettes infringed two patents belonging to Philip Morris International, including heating substances and parts of vaping devices that prevent leakage.

The case is one of a class of patent disputes between Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, the parent company of Reynolds.

Brazil maintains e-cigarette ban

According to reports, Brazil’s health regulator recently decided to maintain the country’s ban on e-cigarettes, which has been in effect since 2009.

Brazil’s health regulator has agreed to maintain a ban on the sale, import and advertising of e-cigarettes.

Despite the ban, e-cigarettes are growing in popularity among Brazilian consumers, especially among younger groups. About 20 percent of Brazilians between the ages of 18 and 24 use e-cigarettes, according to a recent telephone survey. According to the survey, smokers in Brazil account for about 12% of the total population.

Bangladesh considering ban on e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches

According to reports, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently considered amending the tobacco bill to ban e-cigarettes and nicotine bags.

The proposal plans to ban the manufacture, import, export, storage, sale and transport of e-cigarettes or their spare parts. Those caught vaping will be fined and producers and traders face up to six months in prison.

UK e-cigarette market to grow by $1.2 billion

According to the “2021-2025 UK Electronic Cigarette Market Product and Distribution Channel Forecast and Analysis” report released recently, the UK electronic cigarette market will increase by $1.2 billion from 2021 to 2025. In 2021, the UK e-cigarette market will grow by 12.2% year-on-year.

In order to gain more market share, e-cigarette suppliers in the UK are deploying strategies such as product launches and business expansion. The report analyzes the competitive landscape of the UK e-cigarette market and provides information on some of the vendors.