Exclusive with LAMI's Southeast Asia Director Mr. Miao

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has declined to grant en banc or other rehearing of its decision to stay an order that had blocked enforcement of certain Virginia e-cigarette regulations. In a brief order filed Tuesday, the court denied a rehearing petition by Nova Distro Inc. and Tobacco Hut and Vape Fairfax Inc., noting that no judge requested a poll on the petition.

During the FDA PMTA roundtable session on “Studies of Adult Benefit,” officials said flavored ENDS must demonstrate “added benefit” over tobacco-flavored products under the APPH standard, including sustained complete switching evidence. Small manufacturers questioned switching benchmarks, study duration, and bridging expectations.

Bangkok police said they raided two warehouse locations linked to an online distribution network for illicit vaping/heated-tobacco products, seizing IQOS ILUMA i devices and large quantities of TEREA sticks worth more than 30 million baht (about US$960,000). Three suspects described as administrators and caretakers were arrested, while investigators probe suspected smuggling routes and unpaid excise liabilities.

The Australian government is preparing a new crackdown on the illicit tobacco market, including stronger penalties, expanded police surveillance powers and tougher asset seizure measures.

Imperial Brands said it will gradually close the Reemtsma factory in Langenhagen near Hanover by 2027 after efforts to find a buyer failed to produce a sustainable agreement. The factory has produced cigarettes since 1971 and currently affects around 600 employees. The company said it had examined all realistic options over recent months but did not receive a binding offer from a potential buyer.

A new study by the Fraunhofer Institute says the rapidly expanding illicit market for disposable e-cigarettes is undermining European regulation, fuelling youth vaping and causing significant tax losses. The study says the illicit market is worth EUR 6.6 billion in 2026 and is projected to rise to EUR 10.8 billion by 2030. It adds that a significant share of the disposable vape market now operates outside the regulatory framework established by the EU Tobacco Products Directive.