FLER at APE

Indonesia’s Ministry of Health is preparing to implement regulations on electronic cigarettes, as provided for in Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024. The ministry said e-cigarettes will be regulated under provisions equivalent to those applied to conventional cigarettes, including age restrictions, advertising controls, product content standards, pictorial health warnings, and bans on use in smoke-free areas.

PMI U.S. launched its America250 initiative on June 1 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. As part of the program, the company introduced a limited-edition ZYN Patriotic Storage Can and released an IQOS U.S. Edition device. Beyond product-related activities, the initiative also includes innovation funding, nationwide events and community engagement programs.

The European Commission has opened an online call for evidence on revising EU tobacco products and advertising rules, marking a new phase in the TPD/TAD review. Policy options may cover novel products, flavours, packaging, digital marketing and advertising. A 2Firsts review of 855 early submissions shows rapid engagement and recurring debate over differentiated regulation, harm reduction, youth protection, illicit trade and economic impact.

French lawmakers Nicolas Thierry and Pierre Cazenave said on April 15 that they will file a cross-party bill to extend plain packaging requirements to vaping products. Under the proposal, unit packs and outer packaging for vaping products, including those without nicotine, would become neutral and standardized in the same way cigarette packs have been since 2017.

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.

Philip Morris International said its Swedish Match facility in Owensboro will adjust part of its production schedule this summer in response to changing market conditions. According to a notice the company gave union leadership and employees on April 22, parts of ZYN production will shift from a 24/7 schedule back to a 24/5 schedule. The ZYN Flagship department will return to a five-day, three-shift operation.