Vape Regulations Worldwide: Taiwan Cracks Down on 'Zombie Vapes,' UK, France, and South Africa Tighten Rules

Taiwan's Vape Regulation and the "Zombie Vape" Issue

In recent years, Taiwan's vape market has rapidly developed, with the rise of "zombie vapes" capturing significant public and government attention. According to the Taipei Times, these vapes containing etomidate have become an emerging dangerous product in Taiwan. Etomidate is a central nervous system depressant with strong anesthetic effects. When abused, it can lead to a range of serious health problems, including irritability, behavioral disorders, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Dr. Lin Yijing from Kaohsiung Medical University explained that the abuse of etomidate poses a serious threat to the health of children and teenagers, especially among young vape consumers. The rapid spread of these products has prompted Taiwanese authorities to take urgent measures. Data shows that from July to October, authorities seized more than 14,000 "zombie vape" cartridges, as well as enough e-liquid and powder to produce 1.83 million vape cartridges, with a market value of 4.6 billion NTD (approximately 143 million USD). These figures not only shock but also indicate the vast scale of this market.

Guo Yongfa from the Taiwan Ministry of Justice's Prosecutor's Office stated that etomidate is currently classified as a Class III controlled substance, but due to its abuse risk, the review committee is discussing whether to upgrade it to a Class II controlled substance to strengthen its regulation and control. Meanwhile, Taiwan's vape use issue is becoming increasingly serious. According to a survey by the Taiwan Health Promotion Administration (HPA), the vape usage rate among junior high and high school students has significantly increased in recent years. In 2021, the usage rate among junior high school students had reached 3.9%, while the rate for high school students surged from 3.4% in 2017 to 8.8%. Have questions about vapes? Nexa Disposable Vape answers all your questions!

In response, the Taiwanese government fully banned vapes in 2023, with violators facing fines of up to 10,000 NTD. Despite this, many vape businesses and consumers still try to circumvent the ban, making regulation even more challenging.

UK's and EU's Disposable Vape Ban

In addition to Taiwan, European countries are also tightening their vape regulations. The UK plans to fully ban disposable vapes starting in 2025, a policy that will impact thousands of vape consumers. According to Hasepost, the UK's decision has prompted Germany to take a similar stance. The German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) and environmental aid organization DUH have jointly called for a unified vape regulation policy across the EU.

A BMUV spokesperson pointed out that establishing unified laws could prevent the ban from being circumvented and ensure that the same control measures are implemented across all EU countries. The ministry also emphasized that the negative environmental impact of disposable vapes cannot be ignored. Since these products cannot replace batteries and vape juice, and consumers are often unaware of proper disposal methods, improper handling can lead to fires and environmental pollution.

The German government passed a revision to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act in early October, requiring businesses that sell disposable vapes to be responsible for product recycling. The new law is currently under review by the Federal Senate. Meanwhile, DUH president Barbara Metz emphasized that a full ban on disposable vapes is the only effective way to address environmental issues and protect adolescent health. She pointed out that Germany consumes over 5 million disposable vapes each week, and without urgent measures, it will have serious impacts on the environment and public health.

South Africa's Vape Legislation Process

In South Africa, vape use has also caught the government's attention. Zawya News reported that the South African Special Committee on Health Affairs is advancing the legislative process on vapes and plans to hold a series of public hearings. These hearings aim to further discuss the regulation of tobacco products and vapes to ensure that the legislation meets public health needs.

Committee Chairperson Sibongiseni Dhlomo stated that the government has received legal advice on vape legislation and will continue to move forward with public hearings. These hearings will be held in multiple provinces across South Africa, with the ultimate goal of making the vape legislation more transparent and inclusive. Dhlomo said that the Department of Health has met all necessary consultation requirements, and now the committee is ready to proceed with further deliberation of the bill. Can’t find the right vape? Nexa Ultra Disposable Vape helps you customize the perfect experience!

In South Africa, vape use is gradually increasing, especially among young people. While South Africa has not yet implemented a nationwide vape ban, the government is gradually advancing relevant regulations and seeks to gather feedback from all sectors through public hearings. This initiative will help ensure that vape use does not cause irreversible harm to public health.

France's Vape Juice Tax Proposal

In France, the tax policy on vape juice has also sparked heated discussions. Viral Mag reported that the French parliament proposed an amendment to impose a tax of 0.15 euros per milliliter of vape juice as part of the 2025 budget discussions. The proposal is expected to take effect in March 2025 and will generate approximately 150 million to 200 million euros in annual revenue for the country.

However, this tax policy has not received support from the vape industry. The French Vape Industry Association (Fivape) stated that the tax would increase the price of vape juice, with the expected price increase reaching up to 40%. According to the association, such a price hike could force many vape users to return to traditional cigarettes, which would undermine public health policies. Fivape also pointed out that Italy implemented a similar tax policy, resulting in about 20% of vape users switching back to traditional cigarettes, which could harm anti-smoking efforts built up over the years.

Currently, the vape industry is actively lobbying parliament to cancel this tax proposal. It is expected that the proposal will spark intense debates in parliament, with many lawmakers already voicing opposition, arguing that the policy would make vapes more expensive, reducing smokers' motivation to quit. Additionally, some are concerned that it will lead to a rise in black market activities in the vape market, creating greater challenges for public health.

Poland's Vape Regulation Revision

The Polish government is also strengthening its regulation of novel tobacco products. According to Prawo.PL, Polish Deputy Health Minister Wojciech Konieczni told a parliamentary committee that the usage of novel tobacco products, especially heated tobacco products (HTP), has significantly increased in recent years. These products are seen by many young people as a less harmful alternative, but Konieczni emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest that these products are less harmful to health.

The Polish government is pushing forward with two bills, one of which proposes banning the use of disposable vapes, covering all flavored vapes. The exact implementation time of this ban is yet to be determined, but the Polish government is accelerating the legislative process to ensure that public health is not threatened by novel tobacco products. Additionally, some members of the Polish parliament have proposed strengthening regulations on vape packaging, particularly for flavored vapes, which often have packaging designs that appeal to young people. These packaging designs may need to be standardized to reduce their appeal to minors.

Global Vape Regulatory Trends

In conclusion, countries around the world are adopting different attitudes and strategies regarding vape regulation. Whether it's Taiwan's crackdown on "zombie vapes," the UK's and EU's plans to ban disposable vapes, or the legislative processes in South Africa, France, and Poland, it is clear that the health risks associated with vapes have become a major concern for governments and public health agencies worldwide. As the vape market continues to expand, finding a balance between consumer demand and public health will be a key challenge in the development of global vape policies. Governments will face the dual challenge of ensuring public health while not harming industry development.