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

2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies

2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies

2Firsts held its 2026 U.S. Market Compliance and Development Mid-Year Briefing in Shenzhen, China, on July 28. The discussion examined how state-level requirements, proposed foreign-establishment registration rules and expanding supply-chain responsibilities are changing product and investment decisions in the U.S. tobacco and nicotine market.

UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case

UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case

The UK Insolvency Service said YSK Enterprises imported large quantities of vapes from China in 2023, with a shipment addressed to the company declared as medical nebulizers before Border Force found 352,688 vaping products. HMRC calculated nearly £15 million ($20.3 million) in unpaid VAT and customs duty, alongside about £437,000 in corporation tax. Two directors were disqualified for nine years. The case predates the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which will introduce vape-specific excise and duty-stamp requirements from October 2026.

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company has begun selling four flavored Vuse Pro pods — Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint — in Ohio and selected other U.S. markets. According to the Vuse U.S. FAQ, Vuse Pro contains approximately 5.0% nicotine by weight, and Vuse Pro pre-filled pods are intended for use with Vuse Alto devices. Reynolds told 2Firsts that product labeling lists an e-liquid capacity of 2.0 mL per pod. The Vuse Alto Power Unit received FDA marketing authorization in 2024, while the new Vuse Pro pods themselves have not received marketing granted orders. The rollout follows the FDA’s May 2026 revision of enforcement priorities for certain unauthorized vaping products with qualifying pending applications.

JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine

JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine

Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) CEO Takehiko Tsutsui said the company plans to invest about ¥800 billion (approximately US$5.4 billion) in heated tobacco products over three years through 2028, aiming to establish Ploom as a second growth engine after combustible cigarettes. Tsutsui said Ploom AURA helped JT increase its share of Japan’s heated tobacco market to 15.8% in the first quarter of 2026. Ploom products are now available in 29 markets, with Ploom AURA sold in 25 markets including Japan. JT also plans to continue its cigarette business while positioning its food operations, particularly frozen noodle products in North America, as another growth opportunity.

KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%

KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%

According to South Korea’s UpKorea, KT&G’s heated tobacco brand Lil reached a 47.4% share of Korea’s heated tobacco stick market in the first quarter of 2026. The company is expanding its next-generation products (NGP) business through product development, technology investment and overseas growth. KT&G reported NGP sales of 890.1 billion won (approximately US$650 million) in 2025, up significantly from 279.3 billion won in 2020. Lil products are now available in 34 markets, while KT&G continues building its technology portfolio through patents and multiple product platforms.

China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins

China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins

The Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of China National Tobacco Corporation has filed a patent application for an end-to-end method to analyze the migration and transformation of chemical compounds in heated tobacco products. Using GC-Orbitrap/MS non-targeted analysis, the method compares tobacco substrate and aerosol samples to distinguish compounds transferred directly from the substrate from those newly formed during heating, while also calculating transfer rates. In an example involving nine heated tobacco products, the patent identified 17 newly formed thermal decomposition compounds and 38 transferred compounds.

Related Topics

News Regulation

Related Read

2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies

2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies

UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case

UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization

JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine

JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine

KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%

KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%

China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins

China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins