FLER at APE

The Maldives Customs Service has confiscated the largest single shipment of vapes since the national import ban took effect in November 2024. Officials searched a sea freight shipment on December 4 and seized 10,800 vape cartridges valued at approximately MVR 2.7 million (USD 175,000).

A Fifth Circuit panel expressed doubts about whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration complied with the Regulatory Flexibility Act when issuing its 2021 final rule on premarket tobacco product applications. Vape companies argued the FDA relied on outdated and inaccurate economic data, while the government said the challenged requirements stem from the Tobacco Control Act.

According to PRNewswire, VELO and the McLaren Formula 1 Team have unveiled a special livery for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, co-created by nine superfans from around the world. The design forms the highlight of the “Live Your Fandom” campaign, reflecting memorable fan stories and celebrating the global McLaren community.

Australia has seized more than 600,000 illicit vapes in two months, following coordinated intelligence with overseas partners. The Australian Border Force (ABF) warns that illegal vaping products now form a multibillion-dollar black market dominated by organised crime syndicates.

Miracle’s heated tobacco brand REJO has launched its new device REJO CUBE in Dubai. The device’s industrial design is highly similar to the ELFBAR JOINOne series, featuring a left-right magnetic structure and side-mounted screen. Positioning the Middle East as a key market, REJO is moving ahead with local team building and entity setup in the region.

South Korea has enacted the Tobacco Harm Management Act, effective November 1, 2025, requiring tobacco manufacturers and importers to test and report harmful substances in their products every two years. Results for all tobacco types—including combustible cigarettes, heated tobacco, and e-cigarettes—will be publicly available from mid-2026.