About the Scan

From 2014 to 2023, the Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC) Policy Scan Project served as a resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of tobacco control. Our scans offered information on regulatory approaches for tobacco and nicotine products.  We launched in 2014 with information on e-cigarette regulations in 68 countries before expanding to more countries, capturing information on additional tobacco and nicotine products, and updating the scans to provide the most accurate information possible. As of August 2023, we are no longer updating the scans. For up-to-date information, please visit the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ tobacco legislation tracker. 

Our scans tracked information for the 194 member states recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as other jurisdictions, such as territories or autonomous regions. Each page contains text to indicate when the page was updated for the final time.  

E-cigarette Policy Scan 

Our inaugural policy scan sought to fill a gap in general understanding of how countries were regulating e-cigarettes –including the regulatory mechanisms used and the regulatory domains being applied. Since our first scan of e-cigarette regulations, significant global legislative action has occurred to directly address this group of products. 

Publications and Presentations 

HTP Policy Scan 

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) represented our first expansion to a different tobacco product. HTPs heat tobacco to create an aerosol that users inhale. While similar in some ways to e-cigarettes, HTPs  heat tobacco rather than a nicotine liquid with many countries using different regulatory frameworks to oversee the importation, marketing, sale, and other aspects of these products. Our HTP policy scan first launched in 2020. 

Nicotine Pouch Policy Scan 

Our third scan tracked regulatory approaches for nicotine pouches. These products are sometimes marketed as tobacco-free products and are consequently evading many existing tobacco control regulations. Our nicotine pouch policy scan launched in 2022. 

Papers and Publications 

How to Use the Scan 

The information on these scans is updated through August 2023. Each of our policy scans offered breakdowns of regulations by country, policy domain, product classification, and regulatory mechanism. After navigating to the policy scans, click the dropdown menu to select the area of interest for more detail. To compare two countries, navigate to the comparison menu and select two countries to view side-by-side. The domain and classification comparison option enables you to view which countries regulate which policy domains according to how they classify the products included in our scans. When viewing a country page, you can click on a policy domain or product classification to see a listing of each country or other jurisdiction that has a regulation applicable to your selection. 

Our Protocol 

Prior to August 2023, we worked with knowledgeable in-country contacts such as local bureaucrats, including those working in a ministry of health, or other policy experts, to collect and confirm policy information. We updated information semi-annually, following a systematic and thorough process.  For up-to-date information, please visit the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ tobacco legislation tracker. 

Acknowledgements  

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to those who contributed to our Policy Scans, including: 

  • Barbara McGaw, Tobacco Control Advisor, Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control/Healthy Caribbean Coalition  
  • Bharathi Viswanathan, Program Manager, Unit for Prevention and Control of CVD, Public Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Seychelles  
  • Department of Health, Government of Ireland  
  • Dr. Annette M. David, Chair, Guam State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup  
  • Dr. Aya Mostafa, MD, Regional Data Coordinator, GTCR IX (consultant for WHO EMRO), Professor of Public Health & Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt  
  • Dr. Labeeb Abdullah Alaghbari, Former General Secretary of Life Makers Forum, Former General Manager of National Cancer Control Foundation, Consultant Surgical Oncologist  
  • Dr. Lorenzo Spizzichino, Statistical Officer, Ministry of Health, Italy  
  • Fatimah MS El-Awa, PhD, Regional Advisor, Tobacco Free Initiative, UHC/NMH, EMRO-WHO
  • German Cancer Research Center, Unit Cancer Prevention and WHO Collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control  
  • Gustavo Sóñora, Director of Tobacco Control –Latin America, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)  
  • Mr. Bharat Vikram Shah, Administrative Officer, Action Nepal  
  • Mr. Mohit Singh Thagunna, Research Head, Action Nepal  
  • Ms. María Sæm Bjarkardóttir, Ministry of Health  
  • Pascal Bovet, Senior Consultant, Center of Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Switzerland & Consultant NCDs, Ministry of Health, Republic of Seychelles