E-cigarettes are increasingly under pressure as governments around the world impose tougher regulations, citing health risks and rising teen usage.
What began with early bans in Southeast Asia is now expanding to Western countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, signaling a global shift in tobacco control policy.
In the U.K., a nationwide ban on disposable e-cigarettes that can’t be refilled or recharged went into effect in June. Earlier this year, Belgium became the first EU country to outlaw the sale of single-use e-cigarettes.
Italy also tightened restrictions, implementing an outdoor smoking ban in major public areas in Milan.
Australia has taken one of the strictest approaches. Since July 2023, the country has banned the manufacture, import, distribution, and advertising of disposable e-cigarettes.
Nicotine-containing products are now only available via prescription, and must be purchased through pharmacies.
This regulatory push has already shown results: usage among Australians aged 14 to 17 dropped from 17.5% to 14.6%.
In Southeast Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei have already implemented full bans on e-cigarettes.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has formally proposed a similar ban to its National Assembly. Indonesia and Malaysia are also tightening oversight, introducing measures such as advertising restrictions, packaging rules, and retailer registration systems for nicotine products.
The region, with its large population and high smoking rates, has long been a key target for the vaping industry.
But increasing concerns about public health-especially youth smoking-are prompting more governments to act.
E-cigarettes were once marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. But growing evidence suggests they may serve as a gateway to conventional smoking, particularly among teenagers. This so-called “gateway effect” has become a central concern for regulators.
Experts anticipate a wider range of restrictions in the near future, including sales limits, product type bans, excise taxes, marketing and flavor regulations, mandatory labeling, and restrictions on public usage.
Some countries may also move to classify certain e-cigarette products as pharmaceuticals, requiring regulatory approval.
“The surge in teen vaping has triggered alarm worldwide,” said an industry official. “As more governments join the regulatory trend, the e-cigarette market is facing significant headwinds.” Another source added that the products still appeal to young users due to their low cost, flashy designs, and easy access in stores-factors likely to remain under scrutiny.
In the United States, the vaping industry continues to grow but is also under increasing scrutiny. Valued at $89.8 billion in 2024, the U.S. market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 29.8%, reaching $680 billion by 2032—though experts believe stricter regulations are likely on the horizon.
