To mark World No Tobacco Day 2025, 2Firsts invited Dr. Derek Yach, former Executive Director at the World Health Organization, to share his reflections. In this article, Dr. Yach revisits the origins of WNTD during apartheid-era South Africa, its global rise, and its unfinished mission. He calls on the public health community to more fully embrace tobacco harm reduction and urges the WHO to take stronger leadership in supporting reduced-risk products.

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, China’s tobacco regulator signaled a push for stricter e-cigarette oversight at a press conference. 2Firsts CEO Alan Zhao noted that regulation is entering a deeper phase, with new focus on export re-entry, international pressure, and the inclusion of herbal vapor products. Authorities also vowed to crack down on illegal operations and unapproved projects.

In an exclusive interview with 2Firsts, former BAT Design Director Jonathon Lister offers an in-depth analysis of the design philosophy and strategic thinking behind glo Hyper Pro. He advocates for design that builds trust, responds to regulation, and conveys values—arguing that the future of novel tobacco products lies not in manufacturing capability, but in cultural judgment and ethical awareness. This is not just the story of a product, but an attempt to reshape the industry's way of thinking

European tobacco taxes are set to rise sharply, with some products facing increases of up to 258%. Authorities are also considering including e-cigarettes in the tax framework to strengthen anti-smoking policies, aiming to generate an additional €15.1 billion (about $17.5 billion) in tax revenue.

Starting June 17, 2025, New Zealand will ban disposable e-cigarettes and tighten rules on advertising and promotions to curb youth use and pollution. Experts support the move but stress the need for strong enforcement and monitoring of the black market.

According to data from the internationally renowned market research firm NielsenIQ, the illegal cigarette trade in Malaysia results in tax losses of RM5 billion (USD 1.1 billion) annually. Illegal products account for 54.6% of the market, with Johor, Selangor, and Sabah identified as smuggling hotspots. Customs authorities have successfully seized 6 million smuggled cigarettes.

Bali Province in Indonesia has been nationally recognized for its smoke-free regulations, with comprehensive enforcement of smoke-free zone laws, strengthened tobacco control, and efforts to protect public health.

Unverified notices suggest QISI, maker of Geek Bar, has scaled back production in Zhuhai due to declining U.S. orders. The tone shift between April and June points to increasing trade pressure.

In recent years, smokers in South Korea have increasingly turned to e-cigarettes. The use of nicotine alternatives has led to a younger demographic among smokers, with a rising smoking rate among female adolescents. The government needs to strengthen its regulatory measures.

The South Korean National Assembly has proposed expanding the definition of tobacco, restricting online sales of e-cigarettes, and tightening regulations on synthetic nicotine in an effort to protect youth health.