E-cigarette taxes reduce vaping without increasing adult smoking, new study finds
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 18-Apr-2026 23:15 ET (19-Apr-2026 03:15 GMT/UTC)
Key highlights:
A central debate in tobacco policy is whether taxing e-cigarettes might unintentionally drive vapers back to traditional cigarettes, which are linked to increased risk for many cancers, heart/blood vessel and lung diseases.
A new study found that higher (pre-tax) base prices and higher taxes both reduced e-cigarette use, measured by product units purchased and the amount of nicotine consumed.
The study did not find statistically significant evidence that raising e-cigarette prices led to greater cigarette consumption among the general adult e-cigarette-using sample.
Tobacco researchers say that given the complex e-cigarette marketplace with different product types, a one-size-fits-all tax may not be sufficient. Policymakers could consider tiered tax designs to achieve specific public health goals.
African swine fever (ASF) has emerged as a major threat to Nepal’s pig farming sector since its first outbreak in March 2022. The disease has caused significant declines in both the pig population and pork production, severely affecting rural communities reliant on pig farming for their livelihoods. ASF’s spread is facilitated by key risk factors, including swill feeding, informal cross-border trade, and poor on-farm biosecurity measures. Additionally, seasonal trends, particularly during the monsoon, exacerbate the spread of the disease, especially in areas with high pig density. Control efforts face numerous challenges, including limited veterinary infrastructure, inadequate surveillance systems, gaps in legislation, and a lack of awareness among farmers about biosecurity practices. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of ASF’s epidemiology in Nepal, exploring the disease’s socio-economic impact and identifying key control challenges. The paper provides targeted recommendations to improve veterinary services, strengthen surveillance systems, enforce biosecurity measures, and enhance cross-border cooperation. It also emphasizes the importance of fostering community engagement and developing effective policy frameworks to ensure long-term ASF prevention and control, ensuring a more resilient pig farming sector in Nepal.