The Blog

Armenia is a tiny country in a difficult neighborhood. The size of the 41st largest U.S. state with only half its people (Maryland and three million), Armenia is landlocked in the mountainous South Caucuses. Despite natural and geopolitical obstacles outside its control Armenia is carving a path similar to Singapore by putting free-market principles into action […]

The Tholos Foundation recently commissioned international polling firm IPSOS to investigate the likely effects of Uzbekistan’s recently passed legislation to ban reduced risk nicotine pouches. The results were very clear that two thirds of consumers use these products for health related reasons, and if fully implemented this ban would lead to an significant increase in […]

Exclusive polling of vapers in Slovenia, commissioned by the Tholos Foundation in conjunction with IPSOS Research, found that the government’s proposed ban on flavors will impact the more than 70% of vapers who currently use non-tobacco flavors such as fruit (56%) and mint (27%). Moreover, 4 in 5 Slovenian vapers think a flavor ban will […]

The Property Rights Alliance had the pleasure of interviewing Pieter Cleppe, the founder and editor-in-chief of Brussels Report, a free-market media outlet dedicated to news and analysis covering the European Union, and author of the case study “The Importance of IP Protection for Belgian Biotech Company, Argenx” on the importance of IP protection for the […]

The Tholos Foundation, in partnership with Japan-based Pacific Alliance Institute and Sweden-based consulting firm Scantech Strategy Advisors, today released a policy paper, Safer Nicotine Works, on how Sweden and Japan have successfully reduced smoking rates by introducing safer alternative nicotine products.   Safer Nicotine Works explores the impact of oral nicotine and heated tobacco products on smoking […]

A 2023 survey of German vapers commissioned by the Tholos Foundation and conducted by Ipsos (n=402 adult vapers, September 2023) finds overwhelming opposition to flavor bans—and strong evidence they would backfire. Key findings: Germany’s data is unambiguous: remove flavors, and consumers don’t disappear—they switch channels or revert to smoking. You can see the poll results […]

In response to a recent wave of vape flavor restrictions in Denmark, Tholos commissioned a comprehensive poll by IPSOS. The results show a widespread consensus among Danes, who strongly oppose this ban. Also shown is the fact that most vapers have been able to access banned flavors despite the ban, causing worries about the rise […]

In response to a recently enacted vape flavor ban in California, Tholos commissioned a comprehensive poll by IPSOS. The results show a sweeping consensus among Californians, who widely oppose this ban. Also shown is the fact that most vapers have been able to access banned flavors despite the ban, causing worries about the rise of […]

Denmark Poll: Flavor Ban Widely Circumvented as 93% Say Banned Products Are Easy to Find A 2023 survey of Danish vapers commissioned by the Tholos Foundation and conducted by Ipsos (n=306 adult vapers, May 2023) has found that Denmark’s flavor ban has neither eliminated demand nor meaningfully restricted access. Key findings: Denmark clearly shows flavor […]

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 the world’s people and 96% […]