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THR Global News — 24 July 2026

THR Global Intelligence provides editorial summaries and links to the original reporting. Readers are encouraged to read the original articles for full context.

6 stories•4 countries•4 major stories
Top Story
Tobacco Reporter logo
🇦🇺 Australia · 23 Jul 2026

Australia’s Tobacco Tax Debate Widens After Premier Criticises Excise

PolicyTaxation
Free Access·Major development

Chris Minns, the New South Wales Labor premier, has publicly questioned Australia’s tobacco excise, saying the “massive” tax has widened the price gap and helped illegal sellers. The reports suggest this is a political break with Labor’s usual line and puts fresh attention on how tax policy interacts with illicit tobacco. The final wording of any policy response has not yet been published, and it is not yet clear whether the remarks will translate into changes in state or federal policy. Readers should watch for any sign that the debate shifts from political commentary to formal action.

Why it matters — For consumers, this could affect cigarette prices, enforcement, and the market for legal versus illicit products. For regulators and public health observers, the story points to a live policy tension between discouraging smoking through high taxes and limiting incentives for illegal supply. It is also relevant to THR readers because tax policy can shape the wider nicotine market and consumer behaviour.

Related themes: Policy, Taxation

Source reporting

This briefing was curated from reporting by the following publications.

Tobacco Reporter logoTobacco Reporter23 Jul 2026

Labor Premier Breaks Ranks on Australia’s Tobacco Tax Policy

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Tobacco Reporter logoTobacco Reporter23 Jul 2026

Labor Premier Breaks Ranks on Australia’s Tobacco Tax Policy

Read article →

More Intelligence

NME
Europe · 23 Jul 2026

Burnham plans business-rate cuts for venues while vape shops face higher charges in England

Public HealthRegulation
Major development

Andy Burnham is set to back lower tax or business-rate costs for music venues, clubs and pubs in England, while vape shops would be made to pay more. Multiple reports frame the move as part of a wider push to support nightlife and live music businesses. The policy is likely to draw attention from vape retailers and public health observers because it treats vape shops differently from hospitality venues. The final wording has not yet been published, so it is still unclear exactly how the higher charges would be applied and whether the proposal will be adopted in full.

Why it matters — For consumers and retailers, the proposal could change the operating costs of vape shops and shape where people buy nicotine products. For regulators and public health observers, it raises questions about how local tax policy is being used to reward some businesses and penalise others, with possible knock-on effects for harm-reduction access and nightlife recovery.

Related themes: Public Health, Regulation

Source reporting

This briefing was curated from reporting by the following publications.

NME23 Jul 2026

Andy Burnham to cut tax for music venues, clubs and pubs in England and make vape shops pay more

Read article →
UKVIA logoUKVIA23 Jul 2026

Prime Minister accused of demonising vape shops while handing tax break to alcohol venues

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Tobacco Reporter logo
Vietnam · 23 Jul 2026

Vietnam Moves to Codify Ban on Vapes and Heated Tobacco Products

Public HealthRegulation
Free Access·Major development

Vietnam is proposing draft legislation that would formally ban vapes and heated tobacco products, while also adding a nationwide ban on tobacco product displays at retail outlets. The reports suggest the policy is part of a broader tightening of tobacco controls rather than a single product measure. The final wording has not yet been published, so the scope, timing, and enforcement details are still unresolved. Readers should watch this closely because it could affect consumers, retailers, and the wider regional debate over how governments regulate newer nicotine products.

Why it matters — For consumers, retailers, and public health observers, the proposal could reshape access to nicotine products and how they are sold in stores. It also matters for THR readers because Vietnam’s approach may be watched by other governments considering bans, display restrictions, or tighter product definitions.

Related themes: Public Health, Regulation

Source reporting

This briefing was curated from reporting by the following publications.

Tobacco Reporter logoTobacco Reporter23 Jul 2026

Vietnam Proposes to Legislate Ban on Vapes, HTPs

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Tobacco Reporter logoTobacco Reporter23 Jul 2026

Vietnam Proposes to Legislate Ban on Vapes, HTPs

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Tobacco Reporter logo
Indonesia · 23 Jul 2026

Indonesia weighs tighter vape rules amid drug-abuse concerns

Public HealthRegulation
Free Access·Major development

Indonesia is considering tougher action on vapes after reports that the president directed multiple agencies to tighten rules on imports, distribution, and sales. The discussion has centred on a possible ban linked to concerns about drug abuse and drug-laced products. The reporting is relevant because any move in Indonesia could quickly affect consumers, retailers, and the wider harm reduction market in a major South-East Asian country. What has not yet been clarified is the final wording, the scope of the restrictions, and whether the measure will become a full ban or a narrower regulatory overhaul.

Why it matters — For consumers and retailers, the proposal could change access to vaping products in one of the region’s largest markets. For regulators and public health observers, it signals how drug-control concerns can reshape nicotine policy. For THR readers, the key question is whether the response becomes a ban, or a more targeted set of controls.

Related themes: Public Health, Regulation

Source reporting

This briefing was curated from reporting by the following publications.

Tobacco Reporter logoTobacco Reporter23 Jul 2026

Indonesia Considering Vape Ban Over Drug Abuse

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Tobacco Reporter logoTobacco Reporter23 Jul 2026

Indonesia Considering Vape Ban Over Drug Abuse

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Daily Friend
🇿🇦 South Africa · 24 Jul 2026

Parliament turns its attention to tobacco harm reduction

VapingRegulationNicotine Pouches

Parliament is now engaging with tobacco harm reduction, a shift that could shape how policymakers talk about vaping, nicotine products, and smoking alternatives. The reports suggest the issue has moved into a legislative setting, which may influence future regulation and public messaging. What remains unclear is the exact proposal, the jurisdiction involved, and whether any formal text has been published. Readers should pay attention because parliamentary interest can quickly translate into policy scrutiny, debate, or new restrictions affecting consumers and the harm-reduction sector.

Why it matters — For consumers, parliamentary attention can affect access to lower-risk nicotine products and the rules around how they are sold or described. For regulators and public health observers, it signals a possible shift in the policy debate over smoking alternatives and risk reduction. It may also shape the operating environment for THR advocates and businesses.

Related themes: Vaping, Regulation, Nicotine Pouches

Source reporting

This briefing was curated from reporting by the following publications.

Daily Friend24 Jul 2026

Parliament discovers tobacco harm reduction

Read article →
Tobacco Reporter logo
Asia Pacific · 23 Jul 2026

Macau tightens tobacco controls, including restrictions on alternative nicotine products

Regulation
Free Access

Macau has tightened its tobacco control regulations, with the law also strengthening restrictions on alternative nicotine products and tobacco packaging. The reports indicate a broader clampdown on how tobacco and related products can be sold and presented. For readers, the key question is how far the new rules go and how they will be enforced. The final wording has not yet been clarified in the material provided, so the exact compliance impact on retailers, consumers, and nicotine product users still needs closer reading of the original reporting.

Why it matters — For consumers and retailers in Macau, tighter tobacco rules can change what products are available, how they are packaged, and where they can be used or sold. For public health observers and THR readers, the inclusion of alternative nicotine products makes the policy relevant beyond cigarettes and into the wider nicotine market.

Related themes: Regulation

Source reporting

This briefing was curated from reporting by the following publications.