Ispire’s FY2025 Q3 revenue fell 12.7% to $26.2 million, with net loss widening to $10.9 million. The company is shifting manufacturing to Malaysia, aiming to cut costs by $8 million annually, and has obtained a temporary nicotine production license. It also filed a blockchain-based PMTA component with the FDA and launched the Sprout™ cannabis device with Raw Garden to grow its presence in emerging markets.

A recent study by the University of Southern California indicates that nicotine pouch usage among U.S. high school students nearly doubled from 3% in 2023 to 5.4% in 2024. The surge is attributed to flavored marketing strategies and social media influence. Health experts express concern over potential health risks, including gum damage and cognitive development issues.

KT&G reported consolidated revenue of 1.5 trillion won ($1.07 billion) in Q1 2025, up 15.4% year-on-year; net profit was 257.9 billion won ($180 million), down 9.7% year-on-year. Revenue from its heated tobacco product “lil Hybrid” in the South Korean market increased by 6.5% year-on-year.

Smoore International has granted a total of 4.004 million shares to 49 employees under its share award and option plans. The package includes 1.614 million awarded shares and 2.39 million options exercisable at HK$13.52 per share, with a total value of HK$54.14 million.

Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) reported first-quarter revenue of ¥827 billion ($5.8 billion), up 11.7% year-on-year, driven by double-digit growth in reduced-risk products (RRP). The company announced plans to divest its pharmaceutical business, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of the year. Management reiterated its medium- to long-term strategic goal of achieving approximately 15% market share in key heated tobacco markets by the end of 2028.