Vape

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as government says it will review reliefs for ‘anti-social’ businessesA bit more from the Night Times Industries Association lobby group, which is also wary of the small print – while welcoming the broad policy.Michael Kill, its chief executive, said he wanted to know in particular which live music venues would be excluded. He said:We are still awaiting the full details and eligibility criteria, which are expected to be announced at the autumn Budget. We will also seek clarity on the proposed exclusion of the largest live-music venues and continue to press for the final scheme to provide the broadest possible support.The government is undoubtedly making the right noises. We look forward to continuing this constructive dialogue and ensuring these commitments translate into tangible and inclusive support for businesses throughout the night-time economy.We welcome this as a positive down payment on the PM’s commitment to support hospitality and his pledge to return to look at this again at the budget. While support for pubs, bars and live music is welcome, [it misses out] the restaurants, cafes and hotels which are the heart of our communities and backbone of the high street.So if the PM truly wants to to deliver a high street renaissance and growth in every postcode then we need to look at a business rates cut for the whole of hospitality and tackle the broader cost of doing business. We’ve seen £6bn extra taxes across the sector in the last two years so we need more. Continue reading...

Posts promoting illegal products appear across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube as expert says platforms ‘aren’t doing the job they promised they would do’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIllegal vape sellers have turned to social media to promote nicotine-filled products, with experts calling for a crackdown including stronger penalties for the platforms.Guardian Australia has identified a network of posts across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube promoting the sale of illegal products to Australian audiences. Continue reading...

Despite the ban on disposables, waste professionals say the mountain of discarded devices is a £1bn-a-year issue It is 2pm and Ana, 47, has just started the afternoon shift at the Suez recycling plant near Birmingham city centre, standing beneath a sign reading “Non-ferrous sorting station” with a bucket of vapes in front of her. Sorting and dismantling them is part of her job as a site operative.Recycling them is not simple. Each bucket holds between 40 and 50 devices, and over the course of a shift, she gets through about half a bucket. Using a hammer, she has to smash each vape open, pry out the batteries and separate each component into a different container. Continue reading...

Kyle Diamantas, a top official at the agency, will reportedly replace Makary and serve as acting FDA commissionerSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailMarty Makary resigned from his position as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday, concluding a 13-month tenure at the regulatory agency that frequently drew the ire of the White House, Congress, industry and the public, according to US media reports.Kyle Diamantas, who previously worked as the top food official at the agency setting the strategic direction and operations for food policy in the US, has been reported as Makary’s acting replacement, per Politico, who first reported the resignation and Makary’s replacement. Reuters and NBC News also reported on Makary’s resignation. Continue reading...

Number fell 23% year on year in 2025 but waste companies say recycling systems still under strain from sheer volumeMore than 6m vapes and vape pods are still being discarded every week in the UK, with waste management companies warning the sheer volume continues to strain recycling systems despite the ban on disposable e-cigarettes.According to research by the recycling campaign group Material Focus, the 6.3m vapes and pods thrown away each week in 2025 represented a 23% reduction from the previous year. Continue reading...

What happened on board, and are vapes considered a fire risk on flights? Here’s what you need to knowGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after landing on Sunday afternoon, after smoke was seen coming from a vape on board.The pilots of Virgin Australia flight VA328 issued a “pan” call after a vape activated in the cabin during descent, with smoke seen coming from the device. Continue reading...

Passenger on Flight VA 328 alerted the crew who responded by ‘containing the device’ before plane landedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after smoke was seen coming from a vape on board.Flight VA 328 landed safely and all passengers disembarked normally after a vape “activated” in the cabin shortly before landing at about 4pm on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, Melbourne airport said. Continue reading...