FLER at APE

22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) reported early commercial momentum for its FDA-authorized VLN® very low nicotine cigarettes, distributing approximately 8,800 cartons across 1,700 new U.S. retail outlets in the fourth quarter of 2025, while forecasting expansion to more than 5,000 retail points in 2026.

Reynolds American says it will invest more than $3.2 billion across its U.S. operations by 2030. The investment began in 2024 and is expected to support more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs. The company says the plan covers modernization and expansion of manufacturing facilities, scaling innovation and production, supply-chain initiatives and employee training, and also references its R&D spending and related site footprint.

Peru Parliament discusses bill to impose up to 100% tax on e-cigarettes, citing public health concerns. Youth usage at 15.9%.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the government would not ease its action against e-cigarettes and illicit tobacco and would continue strengthening regulation, legislation, and enforcement. Speaking at the launch of a new program to help young people quit vaping, she said reducing tobacco excise would not materially reduce profits in the illicit tobacco market.

China’s tobacco system has appointed a new top internal leader with a long background in public finance and taxation, drawing renewed attention to whether the country’s tobacco monopoly may enter a new phase of reform debate. The appointment itself does not signal a defined policy shift.But it places a veteran fiscal official at the center of a key state sector amid unresolved questions on tax reform, structure, and emerging tobacco products.

Russian business groups are trying to persuade the authorities to abandon plans to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and related liquids at both the federal and regional levels.