HEADLINE

Philip Morris Korea said on Feb. 5 it has introduced “TEREA Shine Pearl,” a new TEREA stick designed for the IQOS ILUMA heated-tobacco device. The company said the product delivers a cool sensation and adds a fresh, fruity note when the capsule is crushed, bringing TEREA’s capsule-based lineup in South Korea to seven variants.

Dalton, Georgia is weighing a proposal to require city licenses for vape shops, limit how many can operate within city limits, and impose a 1,000-foot buffer for new shops from schools and other community facilities. City officials say the ordinance would not eliminate existing vape shops outright, though some may be impacted if ownership changes or licenses expire.

Russia is considering digitizing e-cigarette products for better industry regulation, aiming to protect consumers and prevent counterfeit products.

Malaysian police seized 3,200 suspicious e-pods with ketamine liquid, arresting two men in Johor Bahru's drug distribution bust.

Nebraska lawmakers are considering two tax bills targeting nicotine products. LB1124 would raise the cigarette tax from $0.64 to $1.64 per pack, while LB1238 would shift cigarettes to a 30% tax on the retailer’s purchase price and increase taxes on alternative nicotine and other tobacco products to 30%. The commentary argues the hikes could raise consumer costs, pressure small retailers, and increase cross-border shopping and illicit market activity.

Estonia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tax and Customs Board are urging the government to address a thriving illicit vape market that undermines fair competition and makes vapes easily accessible to minors.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam say they dismantled a large illegal vape distribution ring led by 29-year-old Nguyễn Ngọc Quốc Uy, who allegedly built a concealed “secret room” to hide contraband. Officers seized 28,657 items valued at more than VND 4.8 billion (about US$182,400).