FLER at APE

A patent published on February 24, 2026, by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. introduces a “nicotine jelly” product designed to combine rapid and sustained nicotine delivery. By integrating both free and microencapsulated nicotine, the product aims to address key limitations of traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), while also raising new regulatory and product classification questions.

Austria will introduce new sales rules for nicotine products from April 1, 2026. Under a reform of the tobacco law passed in December 2025, nicotine pouches will in future be sold only through tobacco shops, while e-liquids will be sold only through tobacco shops and licensed specialist stores. Other points of sale will no longer be permitted to sell these products.

China’s 2026 “Two Sessions” again raised the issue of consumption tax reform. As the largest source of consumption tax revenue, the tobacco tax system—its collection stages, tax structure and regional revenue distribution—has re-entered the policy discussion. This article outlines the structure of China’s tobacco consumption tax, past adjustments and key areas of debate, providing international readers with background on one of the country’s most important tax categories.

On March 17, Smoore International Holdings Limited released its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2025. Revenue reached RMB 14.256 billion, up 20.8% year on year. Gross profit was RMB 4.857 billion, with a gross margin of 34.1%. Profit for the year was RMB 1.062 billion, down 18.5%, while adjusted profit for the year was RMB 1.530 billion, up 1.3%. By segment, revenue from enterprise customers was RMB 11.344 billion and revenue from own-brand business was RMB 2.912 billion.

Fontem US, the maker and seller of Zone nicotine pouches, has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which it had accused of unfairly delaying its market application.

Syria Damascus health authorities announced a comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes, prohibiting their production, circulation, sale and use, citing health risks and the need to protect public health, particularly among children and young people.