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International Policy
2023 International Trade Barrier Index
KUALA LUMPUR, MY –– 5/10/2023 –– The Tholos Foundation today released the 2023 International Trade Barrier Index. Singapore, New Zealand, and Japan scored the top spots for trade liberalization. While Indonesia, Russia, and India ranked the worst for deploying the most trade barriers. The TBI measures direct and indirect trade barriers imposed by 88 countries affecting 72% of…
Tholos Foundation Submits Comments to Slovenia’s Health Ministry on Proposed Vape Flavor Ban
Yesterday, March 30, the Tholos Foundation formally submitted comments to the Slovenian Ministry of Health regarding the proposed regulation within the Ministry to ban all flavors in vape products, except for tobacco flavor. Tholos’ submission offered evidence illustrating the importance of flavored vape products to adults who currently smoke or…
International Policy
Report about the 2022 Thailand Policy Innovation Forum
The 2022 Thailand Policy Innovation Forum was organized by The Social Science Association of Thailand and Tholos Foundation and held in Bangkok, Thailand on July 11, 2022. Speakers discussed topics including the digital economy, economic liberalization, international property rights, and much more. The Policy Innovation Forum was covered…
Tholos Foundation Weighs in On Flavor Ban Proposal in the Netherlands
This morning, the Tholos Foundation submitted comments to the Netherlands’ Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport public consultation regarding a proposed regulation that would prohibit non-tobacco flavors in e-cigarettes. Karl Abramson, Tholos’ Consumer Issues Fellow, wrote the submission and released this statement: “Flavor bans have proven, real-world consequences. We know…
UN Chief’s Tone-Deaf Gas Tax Declaration Would Exacerbate Inflation
By Rowan Saydlowski In a speech earlier this month, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on “all governments” around the world to increase taxes on energy companies, a policy which would only exacerbate the current energy price spike. At the launch of the third brief of the UN’s Global…
Tholos Authors Letter to Colombian Lawmakers on E-Cigarette Tax Hike Proposal
This morning, the Tholos Foundation sent a letter to key members of Colombia’s Senate and House of Representatives regarding a proposal to implement an e-cigarette tax and increase the current tax rate on tobacco products. “E-cigarette taxes are a proven way to increase smoking rates, thereby increasing smoking-related disease…
Tholos Foundation Highlights Harm Reduction in Letter to Irish Health Minister Donnelly
This morning, the Tholos Foundation sent a letter to Ireland’s Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, sharing concerns about potential vape flavor ban legislation in Ireland. Banning flavored nicotine vaping products hurts public health by increasing smoking and weakens national security because of increased illicit market activity. “Following the Oireachtas Health…
Tholos Foundation Partners on International Tax Burden Index, USA Ranks Second-Best
The Tholos Foundation partnered with the Paris-based free-market think tank Institut économique Molinari (IEM) for the publication of the second edition of “The Tax Burden on Global Workers: A Comparative Index,” authored by James Rogers and Nicolas Marques of IEM. In the index, South Africa and the United…
Tholos Statement on Proposed Vape Legalization in Thailand
Earlier today, the Tholos Foundation sent a letter to members of Thailand’s National Assembly, articulating the benefits of tobacco harm reduction and highlighting crucial evidence regarding a legislative proposal that would legalize and regulate e-cigarettes in the country. “Thailand’s legislative proposal is indicative of a larger shift in e-cigarette policy…
Tholos Statement on E-Cigarette Legalization in the Philippines
Yesterday, legislation in the Philippines that legalizes e-cigarette sale, distribution, and use officially became law after two Presidents elected not to veto the legislation. The Tholos Foundation sent a letter to President Duterte on June 3rd, 2022, encouraging him to consider the benefits that e-cigarette legalization would have on public…