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Clearing the Air

@clearingtheair

Clearing the air provides multi-language news and analysis on tobacco and nicotine policy, with a European focus.

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Latest posts by Clearing the Air @clearingtheair

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Exhaled vape aerosol fades to background levels within seconds, new study finds Researchers measuring airborne particles from two popular vape devices found exhaled aerosol returned to near background levels within around 20 seconds. Each puff produced a short spike in particleโ€ฆ

Unlike the "mouse torturers" who suffocate rodents in tiny boxes for scary headlines, this study used a real-world room. The result? Exhaled vape aerosol evaporates and returns to background levels in just 20 seconds. ๐Ÿ’จโฑ๏ธ clearingtheair.eu/post/exhaled...

13.03.2026 14:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Singapore passes sweeping anti-vaping law with jail terms of up to 20 years Singaporeโ€™s parliament has passed sweeping new anti-vaping legislation that dramatically increases penalties for vaping-related offences, including prison sentences of up to 20 years in some cases.โ€ฆ

Singapore is now treating vapers like high-level drug traffickers. Under the new 2026 law, you can get 20 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane for vape-related offenses. Totalitarianism in the name of health - the @WHO must be proud ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿšซ clearingtheair.eu/post/singapo...

13.03.2026 10:08 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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IMF backs harm-based taxes on nicotine products โ€“ with lower rates for vapes A new report linked to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says taxes on nicotine products should reflect their relative health risks. The authors say many newer nicotine products โ€œreduce exposureโ€ฆ

๐Ÿคฏ @tomaskubin_ even the @IMFNews knows your tax plan is a mistake. ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿ“‰ Their latest report confirms that "risk-based" taxation is the only way to save lives. clearingtheair.eu/post/imf-bac...

12.03.2026 13:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Czech MEP disappoints with vape tax increase plan The European Parliamentโ€™s lead legislator on the EUโ€™s plans to levy higher taxes on safer nicotine products has shocked vapers by proposing to increase taxes on vapes in his report on theโ€ฆ

๐Ÿšจ MEP @tomaskubin_ claims to support harm reduction, but his actions say otherwise. ๐Ÿ›๏ธโš–๏ธ By proposing a 40% tax on all vapes, including nicotine-free ones, he is destroying the exit ramp for smokers... ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ’€ clearingtheair.eu/en/post/czec...

12.03.2026 10:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Free vape scheme pushes 125,000 more smokers to try quitting Around 125,000 additional people in England tried to quit smoking using vapes after the Government launched its โ€œSwap to Stopโ€ scheme, according to new research. The study, carried out by researchersโ€ฆ

125,000 smokers just took the first step toward a smoke-free life. ๐Ÿšญโœจ New data reveals the UKโ€™s "Swap to Stop" scheme triggered a massive surge in quit attempts. The government didn't just talk about harm reduction, they put it into action. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/free...

11.03.2026 14:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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US youth vaping continues to fall as cigarette smoking nears historic low Youth vaping in the United States continued to decline in 2025, while smoking among teenagers remained close to historic lows, according to new analysis of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS).โ€ฆ

Teenage smoking is officially becoming a thing of the past. New 2025 NYTS data shows cigarette use among US middle and high schoolers has plummeted to just 1.4%. We are witnessing a historic shift where traditional smoking is nearing extinction ๐Ÿšญโœจ clearingtheair.eu/post/us-yout...

11.03.2026 09:38 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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UK addiction doctors back vapes as a stop-smoking option in new clinical guidelines The guideline states there is โ€œhigh-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes improve quit rates versus NRTโ€ It says public health bodies agree that โ€œregulated e-cigarettes are significantly lessโ€ฆ

Doctors are finally speaking up about flavours. ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ The new UK guidelines note that "non-tobacco flavours are associated with higher quit success." clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-addi...

09.03.2026 10:13 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Ireland moves to tighten vape rules and regulate nicotine pouches in new bill Irelandโ€™s government has approved new legislation that would tighten rules on vapes and introduce regulation of nicotine pouches, as ministers push ahead with a broader package of nicotine controls.โ€ฆ

Irelandโ€™s new health strategy: If it isn't a cigarette, ban it. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿšฌ The 2026 Nicotine Bill is a gift to cigarettes. By banning every vape except tobacco & restricting pouches, the government is making the exit ramp from smoking as unappealing as possible. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐ŸฅŠ clearingtheair.eu/post/ireland...

06.03.2026 13:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Studies cited in viral video show vaping far safer than smoking Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 known carcinogens. Research cited in the viral video states vaping exposes users to โ€œ95 percent fewer toxic chemicalsโ€ thanโ€ฆ

55,000 likes and zero junk science. ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿคก This viral comparison of Smoking vs. Vaping didn't rely on "mouse torture" or scary headlines. It used the 2025 Cochrane Review and NHS-backed research to show that switching is a massive harm reduction win. ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿงช clearingtheair.eu/en/post/stud...

06.03.2026 09:37 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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23 experts write to EU warning over vaping risk misinformation A group of 23 European experts in tobacco and nicotine science have written to the President of the European Commission, warning that recent statements on vaping and other smoke-free products areโ€ฆ

"Are vapes as harmful as cigarettes?" Commissioner Vรกrhelyi: "Yes. Absolutely. 100%." ๐Ÿคก 23 top scientists just hit back "European institutions can back the Commissionerโ€™s posture, or they can take their policymaking responsibilities seriously. They cannot do both.โ€ clearingtheair.eu/post/23-expe...

05.03.2026 10:19 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Germany plans menthol vape ban under draft cooling agents rule Germany is moving to ban menthol vapes and a wide range of e-liquids containing cooling agents under draft regulations that could take effect later in 2026. The proposal, put forward by the Federalโ€ฆ

Germany is moving to ban menthol vapes and "cooling agents", but thereโ€™s a catch. ๐Ÿ“‰ The Federal Ministry admits the data on these additives is "very limited" and "poorly researched." Yet, theyโ€™re pushing ahead anyway... clearingtheair.eu/post/germany...

04.03.2026 10:16 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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770,000 UK vapers could return to smoking if flavours restricted, data shows Up to 770,000 UK adults who vape could return to smoking if flavour options were restricted, according to new data, as Parliament debates the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The findings are based on aโ€ฆ

๐Ÿšจ REVEALED: 770,000 UK vapers could return to smoking if flavours are restricted. ๐Ÿšฌ๐Ÿ“ˆ New data from ASH and Opinium shows that 14% of vapers would head back to tobacco if fruit and sweet options are banned. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿšซ clearingtheair.eu/post/770000-...

03.03.2026 09:56 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Mouse torture experiment claims third-hand vape harms โ€“ but exposure levels bear no resemblance to real life Mice exposed to fabrics saturated with vape aerosol residue for four months showed signs of increased blood clotting. Researchers found faster โ€œbleedingโ€ and โ€œocclusionโ€ times and heightened plateletโ€ฆ

Mouse-torturing researchers claim "third-hand" vape residue on carpets causes blood clots. The catch? They saturated fabrics with 400 puffs a day, every day, and made the mice live in it for 4 months. ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ๐Ÿ’จ clearingtheair.eu/post/mouse-t...

02.03.2026 09:41 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Nicotine pouches cut toxic exposure to near-cessation levels, major new review finds Biomarker studies show smokers who switch to nicotine pouches see toxic exposure fall by 42-96%, similar to quitting altogether. Cancer-linked compounds such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines areโ€ฆ

Switching to nicotine pouches is scientifically similar to quitting altogether. ๐Ÿšญ๐Ÿงฌ A major 2026 review in Internal and Emergency Medicine shows that smokers who switch to pouches see toxic exposure collapse by 42โ€“96%. clearingtheair.eu/en/post/nico...

27.02.2026 11:02 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The worldโ€™s toughest vaping crackdowns From prison sentences to outright constitutional bans, governments around the world are taking an increasingly hard line on vaping. While some countries regulate vapes as lower-risk alternatives toโ€ฆ

๐Ÿšจ TRAVEL ALERT: Your vape could land you in a foreign prison. ๐ŸŒโœˆ๏ธ From Mexico to Thailand, countries are swapping regulation for outright prohibition. In some hotspots, possession alone can lead to 10 years in jail or even corporal punishment. Check before you pack! clearingtheair.eu/en/post/the-...

26.02.2026 10:30 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Catholic Church adds vapes to Confirmation pledge Irish Catholic children preparing for Confirmation will now be asked to promise not only to avoid alcohol and drugs, but also toย steer clear ofย vapes and cigarettes. The updated pledge, announced byโ€ฆ

"Bless me Father, for I have... vaped?" โ›ช๏ธ๐Ÿ™ The Irish Bishopsโ€™ Drugs Initiative has updated the Confirmation pledge to include nicotine. A new temperance movement is in town! ๐Ÿšฝ๐Ÿ’ญ clearingtheair.eu/post/catholi...

25.02.2026 11:51 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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WHO chief urges Ireland to close EU nicotine โ€˜loopholesโ€™ ahead of presidency The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged Ireland to use its influence at EU level to tighten regulation of nicotine products, warning of โ€œstrong industry oppositionโ€ from the tobaccoโ€ฆ

Anti-democratic. The @WHO warns Ireland about "tobacco industry opposition," but who is lobbying ministers behind closed doors? Leaked FOI documents show the WHO is using Ireland as a pawn to force a ban-heavy agenda. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐ŸฅŠ clearingtheair.eu/post/who-chi...

24.02.2026 14:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The EU is about to drop its "independent" report on nicotine, and it's a stitch-up. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ’ถ 1. Ignore consumer feedback? Check. โœ… 2. Use "crony" NGOs for research? Check. โœ… 3. Lie about heart risks? Check. โœ… Don't let Brussels win the media cycle with junk science. ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿ›‘ clearingtheair.eu/en/post/anal...

24.02.2026 09:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Consumers urge Sweden to veto EU Tobacco Tax Nine organisations representing users of safer nicotine products have called on the Swedish Government to veto Brussels plans to impose huge tax increases on vapes and nicotine pouches, calling theโ€ฆ

๐Ÿšจ BREAKING: 9 consumer groups are urging Sweden to VETO a proposed EU tobacco tax hike. The proposal targets vapes and nicotine pouches with massive price increases, which experts warn will protect cigarette sales and undermine the "Swedish Model." ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ“‰

Read more: clearingtheair.eu/en/post/cons...

23.02.2026 10:57 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Flawed โ€œswitchingโ€ label may skew vape health findings, new analysis shows Two recent studies grouped some ongoing cigarette smokers under the label โ€œEC switchers,โ€ potentially distorting comparisons. In both papers, people classified as using vapes had significantly lowerโ€ฆ

Is "switching" a lie in some health studies? ๐Ÿ“‰๐Ÿคฅ New analysis by Dr. @ArielleSelya reveals that recent papers labeled people as "vape switchers" even if they were still smoking, muddying the water on how much vapes actually help. clearingtheair.eu/post/flawed-...

20.02.2026 09:47 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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EXCLUSIVE: EU puts huge vape tax increase back on the table The EUโ€™s minimum tax on vapes will be increased by 50% according to a new draft of the Tobacco Taxation Directive dated 18th February and seen by Clearing the Air. In a previous proposal, the minimumโ€ฆ

๐Ÿšจ EXCLUSIVE: Brussels is coming for your nicotine. New EU proposals would slash cross-border cigarette limits by 50% and slap a massive โ‚ฌ0.30/ml tax on all vape liquids. With pouches set at โ‚ฌ107/kg, make no mistake, this is a tax on quitting. #EUTax #Vaping ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ clearingtheair.eu/post/exclusi...

19.02.2026 15:14 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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No significant link between exclusive vaping and heart disease, U.S. PATH study finds Cigarette smokers had 11% higher odds of developing cardiovascular disease than non-smokers Two inflammation markers in the blood - hsCRP and sICAM-1 - help explain much of that increased risk Noโ€ฆ

U.S. PATH Study (2026) Results:

Exclusive Vaping: No significant heart disease link. โœ…
Smoking: 11% higher risk. ๐Ÿ“ˆ
Inflammation: The "smoking gun" for heart damage. ๐Ÿงฌ

#QuitLikeSweden #VapeSafe #HeartDisease #FactCheck clearingtheair.eu/post/no-sign...

19.02.2026 09:43 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Nicotine use has not fallen despite Australiaโ€™s vape crackdown, studies show National wastewater testing shows total nicotine use in Australia has not fallen and has trended upward since 2016. Regional areas consistently record higher nicotine consumption than capital cities,โ€ฆ

โš ๏ธ Australia has some of the worldโ€™s toughest vape bans, yet nicotine use is trending upward. ๐Ÿ“ˆ
The latest 2026 wastewater data shows total nicotine consumption hasnโ€™t fallen since 2016. Tougher laws aren't reducing demand; theyโ€™re just changing the source. clearingtheair.eu/post/nicotin...

18.02.2026 09:50 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Vape manufacturers signal co-ordinated price increase The largest vape manufacturers in China, where almost all of vaping hardware is manufactured, have issued a joint letter - seen by Clearing the Air and posted to social media - indicating theirโ€ฆ

๐Ÿšจ BREAKING: Chinaโ€™s top vape manufacturers are signaling a coordinated 13% price increase. ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ The ECCC claims rising costs and the loss of a 13% tax rebate are to blame. With over 80% of the worldโ€™s hardware in their hands, this will have far reaching implications clearingtheair.eu/post/vape-ma...

17.02.2026 13:29 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Vaping in cars carrying children to be banned in England Vaping in cars carrying anyone under 18 will be banned in England under government plans to reduce the harm caused by smoking and vapes. The proposal is included in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, whichโ€ฆ

The UKโ€™s 2026 Tobacco & Vapes Bill in 4 points:

Cars: No vaping with under-18s. ๐Ÿš—๐Ÿšซ
Schools: No vaping at the gates. ๐Ÿซ๐Ÿšซ
Hospitals: Smoking out, Vaping stays. ๐Ÿฅโœ…
Pubs: Gardens stay as they are (for now). ๐Ÿปโœ…

The consultation ends May 8. Have your say. ๐Ÿ

clearingtheair.eu/post/vaping-...

17.02.2026 10:48 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€œDual useโ€ may be a statistical fiction, experts argue Dual use is not one single behaviour as it covers a wide range of patterns Heavier vapers who also smoke showed lower toxicant exposure than people who only smoked Major national surveys often failโ€ฆ

The "dual use" label is hiding a major health win. ๐Ÿงฌ๐Ÿ”Ž Experts argue that lumping all multi-product users into one category is a "statistical fiction." People who vape frequently while smoking show significantly lower toxicant levels than those who only smoke. โš–๏ธ๐Ÿ’จ clearingtheair.eu/post/dual-us...

16.02.2026 11:04 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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UK Government consults on expanding smoke-free rules in England The UK Government will today (Friday) launch a 12-week public consultation on proposals to extend smoke-free legislation in England, as part of its 10 Year Health Plan. The consultation will run fromโ€ฆ

๐Ÿšจ BREAKING: UK Government launches 12-week consultation to expand smoke-free (and vape-free) zones in England. ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿšญ Public consultation is open until May 8, have your say on the future of #PublicHealth. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿ“ˆ clearingtheair.eu/post/uk-gove...

13.02.2026 13:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Most cigarette and little cigar users overestimate nicotineโ€™s harm, new U.S. Path study finds - Clearing the Air Most adults who use little cigars and cigarillos overestimate the dangers of nicotine - and they are just as likely to get it wrong as people who smoke

63% of smokers are getting the science wrong. ๐Ÿ“‰๐Ÿ›‘ A massive new U.S. study shows most people believe nicotine is the main health threat. Misunderstanding the risk is the biggest barrier to quitting. ๐Ÿšญ๐Ÿง  #NicotineFacts #ScienceFirst #HarmReduction clearingtheair.eu/post/most-ci...

13.02.2026 08:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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French health agency confirms vaping far less harmful than smoking ANSES says vapingโ€™s health effects are not of equivalent severity to those caused by tobacco Risks from vaping remain lower than those associated with smoking No tumours identified in people who vapeโ€ฆ

Stop the scaremongering. ๐Ÿ›‘ Franceโ€™s ANSES confirms: No smoke = far fewer toxins. With an 80-100% reduction in harmful compounds & zero tumours identified in users, the data is clear: Vaping is a life-saving exit ramp from cigarettes. #PublicHealth #Vaping #FactCheck clearingtheair.eu/post/french-...

12.02.2026 13:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Majority of French smokers turning to cross-border and illegal markets as prices rise, study finds A majority of French smokers are now sourcing tobacco and vaping products outside traditional retail channels, with many turning to cross-border shopping or illicit markets as prices increase,โ€ฆ

Franceโ€™s high taxes aren't stopping smoking; theyโ€™re just starting road trips. ๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ’จ 53% of French smokers now buy their tobacco abroad to dodge high prices. In border regions, that number hits nearly 70%. ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น #France #TaxPolicy #TobaccoControl clearingtheair.eu/post/majorit...

12.02.2026 09:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0