2FIRSTS Editorial | Global Vape Industry News; Latest Industry Insights

U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes

U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes

U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes

As cigarette volumes continue to decline, U.S. convenience-store operators are reconfiguring backbar space to accommodate modern oral nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. Industry data show nicotine pouches have become one of the fastest-growing nicotine categories while generating higher margins for retailers.

Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%

Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%

Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%

New Canadian research shows that 34.8% of people aged 17 to 27 have tried nicotine pouches, up more than fourfold from 7.6% in 2022. The findings come as Conservative politicians, Alberta’s government and the tobacco industry push Ottawa to relax current restrictions on pouch sales.

New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead

New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead

New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead

West Virginia’s Vape Safety Act will take effect Thursday, requiring vapor products sold in vape and smoke shops to carry health warnings, legal-age notices, manufacturer information and ingredient disclosures, while introducing new licensing and enforcement rules.

BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%

BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%

BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%

According to Investing.com citing Bank of America scanner data for the four weeks ending May 30, U.S. nicotine category performance was mixed, with cigarette, vapor and cigar sales declining while oral tobacco sales rose 5.8%.

Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline

Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline

Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline

New convenience store industry data show nicotine pouches have become the primary growth driver in the tobacco category, with oral nicotine sales rising nearly 30% over the past year while vape sales declined.

U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes

U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes

U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes

As cigarette volumes continue to decline, U.S. convenience-store operators are reconfiguring backbar space to accommodate modern oral nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. Industry data show nicotine pouches have become one of the fastest-growing nicotine categories while generating higher margins for retailers.

Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%

Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%

Canada Faces Growing Debate as Youth Nicotine Pouch Use Reaches 34.8%

New Canadian research shows that 34.8% of people aged 17 to 27 have tried nicotine pouches, up more than fourfold from 7.6% in 2022. The findings come as Conservative politicians, Alberta’s government and the tobacco industry push Ottawa to relax current restrictions on pouch sales.

New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead

New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead

New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead

West Virginia’s Vape Safety Act will take effect Thursday, requiring vapor products sold in vape and smoke shops to carry health warnings, legal-age notices, manufacturer information and ingredient disclosures, while introducing new licensing and enforcement rules.

BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%

BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%

BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%

According to Investing.com citing Bank of America scanner data for the four weeks ending May 30, U.S. nicotine category performance was mixed, with cigarette, vapor and cigar sales declining while oral tobacco sales rose 5.8%.

Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline

Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline

Nicotine Pouches Lead U.S. Tobacco Growth as Vape Sales Decline

New convenience store industry data show nicotine pouches have become the primary growth driver in the tobacco category, with oral nicotine sales rising nearly 30% over the past year while vape sales declined.

Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%

Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%

Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%

According to the latest CAN report and multiple media reports, Sweden’s daily smoking rate fell to 4.8% in 2025, below the commonly used 5% smoke-free threshold, making it the first EU country to reach that benchmark.

2Firsts Data｜China Vape Exports Sink to Three-Year April Low After Tax Rebate Ends, Falling to $694 Million

2Firsts Data｜China Vape Exports Sink to Three-Year April Low After Tax Rebate Ends, Falling to $694 Million

2Firsts Data｜China Vape Exports Sink to Three-Year April Low After Tax Rebate Ends, Falling to $694 Million

China’s e-cigarette export value declined to $694 million in April 2026, marking the lowest April level in the past three years. The data is notable because April was the first full month after China removed export VAT rebates for certain e-cigarette products. Compared with April 2025, export value fell 20.9%; compared with April 2024, it was down 22.3%. Month-on-month, exports dropped 23.2% from March 2026.

Disposable Vape Ban Shifts Purchasing Formats as UK Vape Volume Falls 10.3%

Disposable Vape Ban Shifts Purchasing Formats as UK Vape Volume Falls 10.3%

Disposable Vape Ban Shifts Purchasing Formats as UK Vape Volume Falls 10.3%

Data from convenience insight agency Talysis shows that the value of tobacco, vapes and smoking alternatives in the independent convenience sector fell by 4.4% in the first quarter of 2026, while volume fell by 7.8%. The vaping subcategory declined by 3.9% in value and 10.3% in volume over the same period. Talysis said the impact of the disposable vape ban continues to pressure turnover and footfall.

FDA Adds 18 Tobacco Harmful Constituents and Seeks Comment on 3 More

FDA Adds 18 Tobacco Harmful Constituents and Seeks Comment on 3 More

FDA Adds 18 Tobacco Harmful Constituents and Seeks Comment on 3 More

U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a Federal Register notice finalizing the addition of 18 constituents to the established list of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents in tobacco products. With the update, the list now contains 111 constituents. FDA also proposed adding three more constituents to the list and opened a public comment period ending at 11:59 p.m. ET on May 26, 2026.

PMI’s Smoke-Free Business Accounts for 43% of Net Revenues in Q1 as Full-Year EPS Guidance Rises

PMI’s Smoke-Free Business Accounts for 43% of Net Revenues in Q1 as Full-Year EPS Guidance Rises

PMI’s Smoke-Free Business Accounts for 43% of Net Revenues in Q1 as Full-Year EPS Guidance Rises

On April 22, 2026, Philip Morris International released its first-quarter 2026 results. The report showed net revenues of $10.146 billion, up 9.1% year on year; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.96, up 16.0%; and smoke-free products accounting for 43% of total net revenues. Based on first-quarter performance, the company raised its 2026 full-year adjusted diluted EPS forecast to $8.36 to $8.51, or $8.11 to $8.26 excluding currency.

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