FLER at APE

Thai police raided an illegal e-cigarette warehouse, arrested a man accused of selling vapes online, and seized a large quantity of improperly imported products worth more than 4 million baht (about $112,000).

UK convenience retailers have written to several government ministers urging the adoption of age-verification technology in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The letter, led by Atul Sodha of Londis, Harefield, and co-signed by 29 other shop owners, calls for a “triple lock” approach combining manufacturer tech, retailer vigilance, and user-level verification to curb youth access.

Charlie’s Holdings has activated its first US-based manufacturing and filling line, enabling the company’s Pachamama 25K vape series to meet Texas’ new domestic manufacturing requirements. As state-level rules tighten, the move signals a broader industry shift toward US-filled supply chains and marks an inflection point for brands historically reliant on China-based prefilled production.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration has announced that establishments selling vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco products with medicinal or therapeutic claims must secure Licenses to Operate. Such products are also required to be registered as pharmaceutical products through the Center for Drug Regulation and Research. The FDA urged stakeholders to comply with the new requirements to ensure product safety, efficacy and quality.

Two global tobacco harm reduction experts, in their submission to 2Firsts, argue that several COP11 policy proposals driven by high-income countries do not align with the capacities and conditions of low- and middle-income countries. They highlight research and funding gaps and call for a more equitable global support mechanism.

Malaysia collected RM209.5 million(US$50.07 million) in excise duty on nicotine-containing vape liquids and gels from April 2023 to August 2025, according to Finance Ministry data. However, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said RM223.5 million was spent treating EVALI patients in the past year alone, exceeding the tax revenue.