DTI Lifts Trade Ban on AEROGIN and RELX, FLARE and Others Still Need PS Certification

Nov.26.2024

DTI Lifts Trade Ban on AEROGIN and RELX, FLARE and Others Still Need PS Certification

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has lifted the trade ban on AEROGIN and RELX, while products from brands like FLARE, NIXX, and VAPENGIN still require Philippine Standards (PS) certification before they can be sold.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has officially lifted the suspension on the sale of vape products produced by AEROGIN and RELX.

At the same time, the DTI has removed the Preliminary Order/Preventive Measure Order against FLARE, NIXX, and VAPENGIN products. However, the sale of these products will remain prohibited until they secure the necessary Philippine Standard (PS) certification.

DTI emphasizes its commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of vape products in the Philippine market through strict enforcement of regulatory standards. Under Republic Act No. 11900 (RA11900), also known as the "Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act," and related regulations, the Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (OSMV) has the authority to take immediate action, including the recall, restriction, or confiscation of non-compliant vape products, devices, or novel tobacco products, following due process.

References:

[1] DTI lifts suspension of vape brands

Also Read:

[1] DTI suspends sales of 11 e-cigarette brands in the Philippines

[2] DTI Initiates Legal Action Against Four E-Cigarette Brands Including RELX, Flare

[3] DTI Suspends Sales of 5 E-cigarette Brands in Philippines, Including LOST MARY, Chillax, SHFTDr.Freeze, Aerogin, Don Bars, Black Elite

[4] Philippine Customs Seizes $33.8k Worth of E-Cigarettes in Warehouses

#Legislation #Asia #Open system e-cigarettes #Philippines

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling

FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling

Turning Point Brands said Executive Chairman David E. Glazek will become CEO on October 1, replacing Graham Purdy, who is stepping down for personal reasons. The company narrowed its 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $70 million-$80 million from $70 million-$90 million while maintaining Modern Oral gross sales guidance of $330 million-$350 million and net sales guidance of $260 million-$270 million. In the second quarter, Modern Oral net sales rose 128% to $68.4 million and accounted for 48% of company-wide net sales. Adjusted EBITDA fell 50% year over year. TPB shares closed about 10% lower on September 21.

Sep.22 by 2Firsts Perspectives

As Regulators Focus on Nicotine Pouch Child Safety, Safeguard Pursues an External Packaging Route

As Regulators Focus on Nicotine Pouch Child Safety, Safeguard Pursues an External Packaging Route

As regulators pay closer attention to child safety in nicotine pouches, manufacturers face a practical challenge: how to strengthen child-resistant packaging without unnecessarily reworking products, production lines and regulatory submissions already in place. In a written interview with 2Firsts, Chemular detailed Safeguard’s external packaging approach, its customer-specific testing requirements and possible PMTA pathways. The model remains early-stage, but it offers a new way to think about an increasingly important regulatory and manufacturing issue.

Industry Insight

North Carolina Tightens Vape Product Directory Enforcement, Expands State and Local Powers as Violators Face Fines, Product Seizures and License Suspension or Revocation

North Carolina Tightens Vape Product Directory Enforcement, Expands State and Local Powers as Violators Face Fines, Product Seizures and License Suspension or Revocation

North Carolina has expanded enforcement of its vapor product directory rules, authorizing more state and local law enforcement participation and establishing a task force led by the State Bureau of Investigation. The legislation requires at least one unannounced compliance inspection annually for retailers, distributors and wholesalers handling covered products. Penalties effective October 1, 2026, include civil fines of $500–$750 for a first violation and $1,000–$1,500 for repeated violations within 12 months, along with potential license suspension or revocation. Manufacturers may face penalties of $10,000 per unlisted product. The measures strengthen the product directory system established in 2024.

Why Does JPMorgan Favor BAT Over Philip Morris Despite Forecasting Slower Growth of 3.9% Versus 6.2%?

Why Does JPMorgan Favor BAT Over Philip Morris Despite Forecasting Slower Growth of 3.9% Versus 6.2%?

JPMorgan resumed equity research coverage of British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International (PMI) and Imperial Brands in November 2026, assigning BAT an Overweight rating and the other two companies Neutral ratings. The bank forecasts like-for-like sales growth of 3.9% for BAT and 6.2% for PMI in 2027, but estimates the two companies will trade at approximately 11 times and 21 times 2027 earnings, respectively. JPMorgan cited BAT's improving position in US nicotine pouches and vaping products as a driver of its investment outlook. BAT reported a 220% constant-currency increase in US modern oral nicotine revenue in the first half of 2026, while PMI's ZYN US shipments returned to growth in the third quarter. Imperial expects NGPs to represent 4% to 5% of sales and has expanded its oral portfolio through acquisitions.

Capital Markets

Germany Probes 7.6 Million Illegal Vape Case With Estimated €33.3 Million Tax Loss; Four Chinese Manufacturer Employees Under Investigation, Some Packaging in Enforcement Images Resembles FUMOT Products

Germany Probes 7.6 Million Illegal Vape Case With Estimated €33.3 Million Tax Loss; Four Chinese Manufacturer Employees Under Investigation, Some Packaging in Enforcement Images Resembles FUMOT Products

German prosecutors and customs authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into an alleged cross-border organised vape network. Authorities say that between January 2024 and March 2025, four employees of an unnamed Chinese e-cigarette manufacturer allegedly built a network of sales agents and wholesalers that brought more than 7.6 million nicotine disposable vapes into Germany, causing an estimated €33.3 million in excise-tax losses. The manufacturer has not been named. Some products visible in enforcement images have packaging resembling products from FUMOT’s portfolio. European regulatory records from 2024, FUMOT’s public overseas-sales materials and records involving German vape importer and distribution company Zamu-Pro GmbH also show FUMOT/RandM products and German distribution activity during the period covered by the investigation.

Texas Extends Tobacco Tax Interpretation to a 6-Methylnicotine Product, Citing VELO Ruling

Texas Extends Tobacco Tax Interpretation to a 6-Methylnicotine Product, Citing VELO Ruling

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts ruled in September 2026 that a combustible product made with non-tobacco plant material and 6-methylnicotine (6-MN), a synthetic nicotine analog, qualifies as a taxable tobacco product. The applicant said the product contained neither tobacco leaf nor measurable conventional nicotine. The determination applies reasoning from a May Texas Supreme Court decision involving VELO nicotine pouches, finding that the plant material and 6-MN together perform the functions of tobacco in a conventional smoking product. The ruling carries applicable tax, licensing and reporting obligations but is limited to the facts submitted by the taxpayer. It does not establish a blanket tax classification for all 6-MN products or extend the same conclusion to e-cigarettes.

Related Topics

News Regulation

Related Read

FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling

FRE and ALP Push Modern Oral to 48% of Q2 Sales as Turning Point Brands Changes CEO and Lowers Profit-Guidance Ceiling

2Firsts Perspectives

As Regulators Focus on Nicotine Pouch Child Safety, Safeguard Pursues an External Packaging Route

As Regulators Focus on Nicotine Pouch Child Safety, Safeguard Pursues an External Packaging Route

North Carolina Tightens Vape Product Directory Enforcement, Expands State and Local Powers as Violators Face Fines, Product Seizures and License Suspension or Revocation

North Carolina Tightens Vape Product Directory Enforcement, Expands State and Local Powers as Violators Face Fines, Product Seizures and License Suspension or Revocation

Why Does JPMorgan Favor BAT Over Philip Morris Despite Forecasting Slower Growth of 3.9% Versus 6.2%?

Why Does JPMorgan Favor BAT Over Philip Morris Despite Forecasting Slower Growth of 3.9% Versus 6.2%?

Germany Probes 7.6 Million Illegal Vape Case With Estimated €33.3 Million Tax Loss; Four Chinese Manufacturer Employees Under Investigation, Some Packaging in Enforcement Images Resembles FUMOT Products

Germany Probes 7.6 Million Illegal Vape Case With Estimated €33.3 Million Tax Loss; Four Chinese Manufacturer Employees Under Investigation, Some Packaging in Enforcement Images Resembles FUMOT Products

Texas Extends Tobacco Tax Interpretation to a 6-Methylnicotine Product, Citing VELO Ruling

Texas Extends Tobacco Tax Interpretation to a 6-Methylnicotine Product, Citing VELO Ruling