UK regulators have tightened restrictions on vaping products. It is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18, disposable vapes have been banned,

Substance use, inhibitory control, and tissue iron increased with age, while impulsivity declined. Greater substance use was associated with heightened ...

A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Institute for Global Tobacco Control reveals that Filipino youth actively recognize themselves as targets of e-cigarette marketing strategies. The research, based on focus group discussions with 171 participants aged thirteen to twenty across major Philippine cities, demonstrates how flavors, attractive packaging, social media engagement and online trends effectively promote vaping to young people. Participants emphasized that marketing tactics deliberately appeal to their age group, positioning vaping as fashionable and less harmful than reality suggests. The findings highlight growing concerns about how vaping is becoming culturally embedded among Filipino youth, driven by sophisticated marketing approaches that leverage digital platforms and peer influence to normalize nicotine consumption among adolescents.

During adolescence, basal dopamine release decreases while dopamine storage capacity increases, allowing the larger dopamine responses to rewarding stimuli ( ...

The FDA is poised to make a landmark decision on June 20, 2026, regarding cytisinicline, a plant-based smoking cessation drug that could be the first new pharmacological option approved in two decades. Developed by Achieve Life Sciences, cytisinicline completed two successful Phase 3 trials and would join a limited arsenal of FDA-approved cessation aids alongside bupropion and varenicline. Derived from the golden rain tree and historically used in Eastern European folk medicine, this alkaloid selectively binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms while diminishing smoking satisfaction. With approximately 28 million American adults still smoking and tobacco claiming nearly 500,000 lives annually, this approval would address a critical public health gap and potentially transform cessation treatment options.

Youth nicotine use presents a critical public health challenge, driven by strategic product design and sophisticated marketing tactics. According to Les Hagen, Executive Director of Action on Smoking & Health Canada, tobacco and nicotine companies deliberately create appealing devices—such as sleek vaping products resembling everyday items—to attract young consumers. These products feature concentrated nicotine salts, enticing flavors, and strategic placement across retail and social media platforms frequented by youth. Generation Z faces unprecedented exposure to omnipresent digital promotions, marking the first generation systematically targeted through internet marketing. Regulatory challenges persist as products evolve rapidly, outpacing policy responses. Stronger regulatory frameworks and protective measures are essential to prevent another generation from falling victim to nicotine addiction and its long-term health consequences.

Thirdhand smoke refers to the residual toxins left behind on surfaces and in dust after cigarette smoke has dissipated. These harmful chemical residues cling to clothing, furniture, walls, and other materials, posing significant health risks long after smoking has ceased. Unlike secondhand smoke, thirdhand smoke exposure occurs through direct contact with contaminated surfaces and inhalation of resuspended particles. This emerging public health concern particularly affects infants, children, and vulnerable populations. The Resource Center provides comprehensive information addressing common questions about thirdhand smoke's composition, health impacts, and contamination patterns. Educational resources emphasize prevention strategies and remediation methods to reduce exposure in homes, vehicles, and public spaces, supporting informed decision-making regarding indoor air quality and environmental health.

This narrative review examines the evolving landscape of novel nicotine-delivery systems and their potential role in tobacco harm reduction and cessation strategies. The article addresses ongoing scientific debate regarding the efficacy of products such as snus and e-cigarettes as smoking cessation tools. By synthesizing current evidence and emerging research, the review provides critical insights into how these alternative nicotine products compare to traditional tobacco and established cessation methods. The analysis considers regulatory implications, public health perspectives, and individual user outcomes. This comprehensive examination contributes to informed policy discussions and clinical decision-making regarding nicotine replacement therapies and their effectiveness in supporting smokers transitioning away from conventional cigarettes.

This research article examines the digital marketing strategies employed by e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers throughout Southeast Asia. The study analyzes how these products are promoted across online platforms and social media channels within the region. The findings highlight the extensive use of digital advertising tactics to reach consumers, particularly younger demographics, in Southeast Asian markets. The research provides valuable insights into the marketing landscape of e-cigarettes and identifies key platforms and strategies utilized by industry players. Understanding these digital promotion methods is critical for policymakers and health authorities developing regulatory frameworks to address emerging tobacco product marketing trends in the region.

# Summary Adolescent mental health challenges and substance use disorders are deeply interconnected issues that demand comprehensive understanding and intervention. Research indicates that teenagers experiencing depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions face significantly elevated risks of developing problematic substance use patterns. This bidirectional relationship creates a complex cycle where untreated mental health issues may precipitate substance abuse as a coping mechanism, while substance use can exacerbate underlying psychological conditions. Early identification and integrated treatment approaches addressing both mental health and addiction simultaneously prove most effective. Understanding these connections is crucial for parents, educators, and healthcare providers to implement preventive strategies and provide appropriate support. Recognizing warning signs and fostering open communication remains essential for disrupting this harmful cycle and promoting adolescent wellbeing.

This study examined how developmental changes in basal ganglia tissue iron, impulsivity, and inhibitory control relate to substance use patterns in adolescents and young adults from the NCANDA-A cohort of 802 participants aged 12–30. Using growth mixture modeling, researchers identified four distinct trajectories: no/low use, youth peak, adolescent increasing, and adult increasing use. Findings revealed that greater substance use correlated with heightened impulsivity, reduced inhibitory control, and lower tissue iron levels, particularly during early adolescence. As participants aged, substance use and tissue iron increased while impulsivity declined. The research highlights adolescence as a critical developmental window where variations in neurobiological maturation and neurocognitive factors significantly influence substance use trajectories, offering important implications for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

This article describes the development and protocol of a school-based intervention targeting vaping and smoking prevention among fifth-grade students in Germany. Recognizing the rapid rise of e-cigarette use among adolescents and the scarcity of rigorously evaluated prevention programs, researchers employed Intervention Mapping methodology to create an accessible program suitable for diverse school settings, including lower-socioeconomic communities. The development process incorporated qualitative interviews with 62 students and 54 experts, followed by feasibility testing in 13 classrooms. The resulting three-session intervention, delivered by trained facilitators, emphasizes resistance skills, social norms, stress management, and e-cigarette-specific content. Preliminary data demonstrated high acceptability and feasibility, establishing a foundation for the cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating the program's effectiveness.

The Global Alliance for Tobacco Control critically examines the tobacco industry's "harm reduction" narrative surrounding alternative nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. While declining smoking rates have prompted industry diversification, evidence suggests these alternatives are expanding rather than replacing cigarette consumption, creating dual-use patterns and targeting new consumer segments, particularly youth. The industry's repositioning as a public health solution masks its primary objective of sustaining nicotine addiction and market dominance. The article advocates leveraging WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines to counter deceptive marketing practices and protect vulnerable populations from industry manipulation disguised as innovation and harm reduction.

The World Health Organization has issued a critical warning regarding the escalating global addiction to nicotine pouches among youth, citing aggressive marketing strategies targeting adolescents and young people. These small sachets, placed between the gum and lip, deliver nicotine through oral absorption and have experienced explosive market growth, with retail sales exceeding 23 billion units in 2024—a 50% increase from the previous year. The global market reached nearly $7 billion in 2025. The WHO emphasizes that inadequate regulation across many countries poses significant health risks, as nicotine is highly addictive and particularly harmful to developing brains. Early exposure can impair cognitive function and increase vulnerability to long-term dependency. The organization has released its first comprehensive global report on nicotine pouches, urging governments to implement evidence-based safeguards to protect youth from these emerging nicotine products.

Electronic cigarettes have gained considerable popularity among youth, raising concerns about neurodevelopmental consequences when used during pregnancy. Although widely perceived as safer than conventional cigarettes, research demonstrates that e-cigarette aerosol contains neurotoxic components beyond nicotine that adversely affect the developing brain. This comprehensive review examines evidence showing that e-cigarette exposure disrupts critical physiological processes during early brain development, including blood-brain-barrier integrity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress imbalance, and gene expression regulation. Animal studies indicate these disruptions lead to cognitive deficits and behavioral changes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Cohort studies link prenatal exposure to preterm birth and neonatal complications, though findings on birth weight remain inconsistent. Available evidence strongly suggests e-cigarette exposure poses significant risks to fetal and early brain development, warranting further investigation in longitudinal studies involving school-aged children and adolescents.

India banned e-cigarettes, including heated tobacco products, in 2019. With more than 100 billion cigarettes sold annually, it is the seventh-largest cigarette market by volume, where tobacco kills more than a million people a year. The world's most valuable tobacco firm, Philip Morris, had hoped India could be a key market for its heated tobacco device, IQOS, which the company says is less harmful to health than smoking. 

Belgium and the World Health Organization have established a new Country Cooperation Strategy for 2026–2030, strengthening their collaborative partnership to address critical public health challenges. The agreement, signed on May 8, 2026, reflects Belgium's commitment to evidence-based policymaking and multilateral health cooperation. The five-year framework prioritizes prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, with particular emphasis on combating youth nicotine addiction and tobacco use. Additional strategic priorities include promoting mental health among youth in relation to digital media, addressing climate change impacts on health, and enhancing health system preparedness. The strategy aims to make health services more accessible, equitable, and resilient across Belgium while advancing preventive measures and strengthening national health systems to improve overall population health outcomes.

# Summary Vaping and e-cigarette use pose significant health risks despite being marketed as safer alternatives to traditional smoking. Research demonstrates that e-cigarettes deliver nicotine and harmful chemicals into the respiratory system, potentially causing lung inflammation, reduced immune function, and respiratory complications. Long-term exposure may increase vulnerability to infections and exacerbate existing respiratory conditions. Additionally, nicotine's addictive properties present particular concerns for adolescent users, as it can impair brain development and cognitive function. Emerging evidence also suggests cardiovascular risks, including elevated heart rate and blood pressure. While perceived as lower-risk than combustible cigarettes, vaping is not risk-free and warrants public health attention.

The vaping industry faces unprecedented regulatory scrutiny in 2026, with governments worldwide implementing stricter oversight across key markets. The European Union's revised Tobacco Products Directive, delayed to mid-2026, will introduce harmonized duties and ingredient restrictions, while the Battery Regulation will eliminate disposable vapes with non-replaceable batteries from February 2027. The United Kingdom has already seen significant market contraction following its disposable ban, with sales declining substantially. Meanwhile, the United States continues expanding state-level product registries and compliance requirements. For manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, navigating these evolving regulations is essential for market survival. Organizations must actively monitor jurisdictional changes and adapt their operations accordingly to maintain compliance and competitive viability.

Tobacco companies strategically target youth through flashy advertising and flavored vaping products, with over 1.6 million U.S. middle and high schoolers currently using e-cigarettes. While nicotine is marketed as stress relief, it actually creates addiction cycles that worsen anxiety and depression. To comprehensively address this public health crisis, understanding young people's lived experiences is essential. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing partnered with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to host a Youth Against Vaping writing contest, giving teenagers aged thirteen to twenty-two a platform to share their personal narratives about vaping's impact on their mental health and peer communities. These youth voices illuminate the urgency of combating manipulative marketing tactics and underscore the critical importance of youth-led advocacy in tobacco control efforts.