As we head into 2025, the global vaping landscape is experiencing a monumental transformation. New regulations, market trends, and shifting consumer behaviors are creating a complex yet exciting space for industry players. Governments around the world are reevaluating their approach to vaping products, with a clear focus on safety, taxation, and market control. From the Philippines to Latvia, significant changes are on the horizon that could reshape the future of the industry. Let’s dive into these new developments and explore what they mean for both the market and the future of vaping products.
1. Philippines Introduces New E-cigarette and Vape Product Certification Rules
In a major regulatory move, the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Administrative Order No. 24-11 on January 2, 2025, addressing mandatory product certification for e-cigarettes and non-nicotine alternatives. This regulation, which applies to both nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products, introduces a number of game-changing measures designed to improve product safety and consumer confidence.
Key Highlights:
- PS License Scheme: All e-cigarette and heated tobacco products (HTPs) are now required to secure a Philippine Standard (PS) license to enter the market. This includes a comprehensive process covering production, quality testing, and distribution. No new Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) applications will be accepted, making PS licensing the sole certification for market access.
- International Standards: The new regulations embrace international standards such as ISO and IEC for testing and certification. Notably, specific technical standards for battery safety (PNS IEC 62133:2015) and e-liquid quality (AFNOR XP D90-300-1:2019) have been incorporated.
- Product Testing & Auditing: Manufacturers are now required to conduct both in-house and independent testing. While the same manufacturer can test across multiple factories, outsourcing is strictly prohibited. The testing results must be directly submitted to the DTI’s Office of Special Markets and Vaping (OSMV) to ensure transparency and prevent third-party interference.
- Sampling & Batch Testing: Each product model must undergo stringent batch testing, including 10 devices, 66 batteries, and corresponding e-liquids. If a product fails testing, it will face a mandatory corrective action and re-assessment. Failure to comply may lead to the revocation of the PS license.
- Compliance & Enforcement: The OSMV is tasked with the enforcement of these standards, including issuing licenses, setting benchmarks, and conducting random product checks. All compliant products must bear the new PS logo to distinguish them in the market.
- Market Deadline: All existing e-cigarette and vape products must comply by December 31, 2024, or they will be banned from the market, including on online platforms.
2. Latvia Cracks Down on Flavored Vape Juices and Raises Tobacco Purchasing Age
Meanwhile, Latvia has made waves with its newly introduced measures, effective January 2025. The country has officially banned the sale of flavored e-liquids, one of the boldest steps in Europe to curb vaping among young people. The minimum age for purchasing tobacco and vape products has also been raised to 20, aligning with stricter health standards aimed at reducing youth access to nicotine.
Key Points:
- Flavors Ban: The Latvian government has restricted the sale of flavored vape juices, but products with tobacco-like flavors or other traditional flavors remain available. This move is in line with other European nations’ efforts to minimize appeal to younger demographics, who are more likely to be drawn to sweet and fruity vape flavors.
- Increased Age Restrictions: Now, tobacco and vape products are off-limits for anyone under 20. However, there’s a bit of a catch—employees aged 18 to 20 can still sell to customers who are 20 or older, giving retailers a loophole, though enforcement remains key.
- Cross-Border Sales Restrictions: The Latvian government has also cracked down on online sales and cross-border purchases, especially from countries outside the EU. This step is part of a larger strategy to prevent the black market and ensure that only regulated, certified products make it to Latvian consumers.
- Stricter Penalties for Non-compliance: Retailers who sell tobacco or vape products to minors will face hefty fines. The updated law imposes fines ranging from €280 to €700 for individual offenders, and corporate penalties can reach as high as €7,100. These fines serve as a clear warning that Latvia is serious about protecting public health.
3. Indonesia’s New Vape Pricing Laws and Taxes Take Effect
Starting January 1, 2025, Indonesia has rolled out new pricing regulations for vaping products, including both heated tobacco products (HTPs) and open-system vapes. This regulatory change is part of a broader fiscal policy aimed at controlling the vaping market, ensuring both consumer protection and proper tax revenue.
Key Details:
- Increased Pricing:
- The minimum price for heated tobacco products has been set at IDR 6,240 (roughly $0.40) per gram, reflecting a 6.01% increase from 2024.
- Open-system e-liquids now have a minimum price of IDR 1,368 (approximately $0.09) per milliliter, marking a substantial 22% increase.
- Pod-based e-cigarettes have seen their prices rise to IDR 41,983 (around $2.60) per pod, a nearly 6% increase from last year.
- Higher Taxes: Consumption taxes on these products have also seen an uptick, reflecting the government’s push to treat these items similarly to traditional tobacco products.
4. Estonia Holds Off on Nationwide Ban for Disposable Vapes, Eyes EU-Wide Regulations
Estonia, unlike some of its neighbors, is taking a more cautious approach to the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. Despite ongoing discussions, the country is holding off on a nationwide ban—at least for now. The Estonian government is instead advocating for a unified EU-wide regulatory framework to manage disposable vapes across all member states.
Highlights:
- No Immediate Ban: Unlike Belgium, which will become the first EU country to ban disposable vapes in 2025, Estonia has not yet introduced a national ban. Estonian health officials have expressed that a European solution might be more effective than individual countries creating their own rules.
- EU-Wide Regulation: The proposal for an EU-wide vaping regulation is still in its early stages, but Estonia has been vocal about the need for standardized rules across Europe. This would create a unified approach to issues like flavor bans, marketing restrictions, and age limits.
5. Italy’s E-Cigarette Tax and Online Sales Ban Starts in 2025
Italy is also taking significant steps to regulate the vaping market in 2025, especially when it comes to e-liquid taxation and online sales. Starting January 1, new tax rules will apply, while a ban on online sales of nicotine-containing e-liquids will go into effect.
Key Measures:
- Tax Rate Increases:
- The tax rate on nicotine e-liquids will increase from 15% to 16% in 2025, with further hikes scheduled for 2026. This will drive up the cost of a typical 10mL bottle of nicotine e-liquid by approximately 11 cents in 2025 and another 12 cents in 2026.
- Online Sales Ban: Starting in January, nicotine vape products can no longer be legally sold online in Italy. The government aims to bring e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco products under the same regulatory umbrella, treating them with equal seriousness when it comes to online distribution.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Vaping in 2025
The vaping market is facing an era of significant change, with governments around the world tightening their regulations to protect public health, particularly among younger audiences. While these moves—whether through flavor bans, age restrictions, or higher taxes—may seem restrictive, they also represent a growing recognition of the need to regulate vaping products more thoroughly.
For businesses, this means adapting quickly to new rules, ensuring compliance with emerging regulations, and navigating the complexities of global markets. For consumers, it means staying informed about new product standards, pricing changes, and potential restrictions on their favorite flavors or products.
As 2025 unfolds, one thing is clear: the vaping landscape will continue to evolve, and only those who stay ahead of the curve will thrive in the new regulatory environment.