1. Alabama City of Decatur Approves New E-Cigarette Tax – Effective October 1, 2025
Decatur, Alabama (Sept. 15, Rocket Media) – The price of e-cigarettes in Decatur is set to rise as the City Council voted to impose a new excise tax on vapor products.
- Tax Rate: $0.10 per milliliter on all e-liquids sold within the city limits.
- Extended Jurisdiction: For products sold or delivered outside city limits but within the police jurisdiction, a reduced tax of $0.05 per milliliter will apply.
- Implementation Date: The ordinance will take effect on October 1, 2025. However, the City Council may pass an additional resolution to address potential collection delays.
City officials emphasized that adopting the October 1 date allows Decatur to retain local tax collection authority. If delayed, municipalities across Alabama will lose the ability to impose new licensing fees or taxes due to upcoming state-level reforms.
A statewide e-cigarette tax is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
2. Malaysia Plans Nationwide Vape Ban, Starting with Open-System Devices
Kuala Lumpur (Sept. 16, Malaysia News) – Malaysia is preparing to follow neighboring Singapore by introducing a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes, beginning with open-system devices.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that the government is finalizing a Cabinet paper that will lay the foundation for a phased ban.
- Phase 1: Ban on open-system vapes – refillable, reusable devices that allow consumers to use any type of liquid or substance.
- Phase 2: Gradual expansion to cover all e-cigarette products, including disposable closed-system devices.
“The question is no longer if we will ban, but when we will ban,” said Ahmad in a media briefing on September 11.
Despite a freeze on vape licensing since 2016, the Malaysian vape industry has continued to expand rapidly:
- Market value grew from RM 2.27 billion in 2019 to RM 3.48 billion (USD 1.1 billion) in 2023.
The move has drawn mixed reactions:
- Health advocates welcomed the ban as a necessary measure to curb abuse and protect youth.
- Industry groups, such as the Malaysian Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA), warned that prohibition could fuel the black market and increase exposure to illegal products. Some retailers also questioned the fairness of targeting vaping while legal tobacco and alcohol remain widely available.
3. Singapore Launches First Major Crackdown on Etomidate Vape Syndicate – 8 Arrested
Singapore (Sept. 11, CNA News) – Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) carried out its first large-scale enforcement action against an organized etomidate vaping syndicate, arresting eight Singaporean nationals.
- Seized: More than 400 suspected etomidate-containing vape pods and SGD 20,000 in cash.
- Locations: Raids took place on the evening of September 10 in areas including Telok Blangah, Hougang, and Boon Lay.
- Suspects: Among those arrested was an 18-year-old female, with several suspects resisting arrest before being subdued by officers.
Etomidate, recently classified as a Class C controlled drug and commonly referred to as “Kpods”, has become a growing concern in illicit vaping markets.
Under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act, the import, sale, or distribution of such substances is a serious offense and may result in prosecution.
CNB reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy, stating it will continue to take strict enforcement measures against all forms of drug-related vaping abuse.
4. BAT Rothmans Launches Upgraded Vape Pods for Glo Hyper in South Korea
Seoul (Sept. 2, Tobacco Reporter) – BAT Rothmans, the third-largest tobacco company in South Korea, has introduced a new generation of vape pods designed for its flagship Glo Hyper heated tobacco device.
The updated pods aim to enhance flavor delivery and overall user experience, reinforcing BAT’s commitment to innovation in the competitive Korean reduced-risk product (RRP) market.
This product launch comes as South Korea continues to see a growing consumer shift toward smoke-free alternatives, driven by rising health awareness and evolving regulatory frameworks.