SDSU San Diego State University logo
CTE Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment logo
New Study Finds That Cleanups Do Not Stop Cigarette Butt Pollution: Click Here for Press Release & Study Link.

Policy News

Filters
Reset
Global

Global: Tobacco Product Waste

More Than 6 Million Vapes and Pods Discarded Weekly in UK Despite Single-Use Ban, Study Finds

March 27, 2026

More than 6 million vapes and vape pods are still being discarded every week in the UK, despite the ban on disposable e-cigarettes almost a year ago. Since 2025, there has been a 23% reduction in the number of vapes improperly discarded. However, waste management and spontaneous fires from lithium batteries remain a problem despite the ban on sales. Fires have caused localized spikes in air pollution, posing health risks to nearby communities.
Content was selected from the full article and edited for clarity and length. Click “read more” below to access the article.
Read More
State

State: Youth Advocacy

Marin County Students Urge Novato to Tighten Tobacco Rules, Citing Rising Teen Use

March 18, 2026

High school students from Marin County’s Youth Advocacy Committee urged the Novato City Council to toughen local tobacco regulations after presenting data showing youth nicotine use in Novato outpacing statewide averages. They asked the council to update Novato’s tobacco retail license to increase minimum prices, require larger pack sizes, prohibit discounts and coupons, and end sales of e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches.

Read More
Global

Global: Smokefree Outdoor Public Places

Smokefree Zones Expand Across the European Union

February 5, 2026

Several European countries and cities have adopted strict smoking bans in public areas, while others are considering such policies. One of the most strict policies is in Finland, which allows municipal bans on smoking inside apartments and on private balconies. Since January 2025, the city of Milan has banned smoking in all public spaces including streets. A similar ban is being considered in Spain that would ban smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes in outdoor public spaces, children’s play areas, and educational facilities.
Read More
Global

Global: Commercial Tobacco Product Ban

Innovative Policies in Effect across Europe and the UK: Impact on Tobacco Product Waste

February 5, 2026

The UK started banning any single-use vapes in 2025, but before the ban, it was estimated that as many as 5 million disposable vapes were thrown in bins or littered across the UK every week, instead of being recycled. In Latvia and the Netherlands, all e-cigarette flavors are banned except the tobacco flavor. Europe and the UK helped us take an immense step closer to a smoke-free world.

Read More
State

State: Commercial Tobacco Product Ban

California Assembly Bill 762, Ban of Single-Use Nicotine Vapes, Moves to Senate Consideration

February 3 , 2026

As of January 29, 2026, California Assembly Bill 762 has moved to the state Senate for consideration. AB 762 proposes a ban on single-use vapes that contain nicotine to reduce litter and prevent fires at waste and recycling facilities. If the bill passes the Senate, AB 762 will first ban the import or manufacture of such devices in the state starting Jan. 1, 2027; and second ban the sale or distribution of the vapes starting Jan. 1, 2028.
Read More
State

State: Commercial Tobacco Product Ban

First-Ever Local Tobacco Sales Ban Nearly Eliminated Tobacco Purchases in California Cities

January 23, 2026

Researchers from Boston University and the University of California, San Francisco, studied the effects of bans on tobacco sales in Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach. Their findings provide the first evidence of how the bans have affected both California cities. The findings show a decline in local tobacco sales in convenience, grocery, and drug stores after the bans, but no decline in sales of non-tobacco products. By banning tobacco sales, Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach took a big step toward reducing the environmental and health harms of commercial tobacco.

Read More
Secret Link