FLER at APE

In the United States, California, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu announced a $1 million settlement requiring online tobacco retailer Lucy Goods, Inc. to stop shipping illegal tobacco products into San Francisco.

British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced plans to cut 51 jobs at its Groot-Bijgaarden facility in Belgium, disclosed during a special works council meeting.

Nicaragua’s Ministry of Health (MINSA) issued an official statement on January 2, 2026 reaffirming the validity of Ministerial Resolution No. 334-2021, which absolutely bans the use and commercialization of electronic nicotine delivery systems known as “vapeadores” or e-cigarettes.

Washington State will subject all nicotine-containing products to the Tobacco Products Tax starting January 1, 2026, taxing them at 95% of the selling price. The change covers both tobacco-derived and synthetic nicotine products and requires businesses to report their inventory when the new tax system takes effect.

During the FDA PMTA roundtable session on “Studies of Adult Benefit,” officials said flavored ENDS must demonstrate “added benefit” over tobacco-flavored products under the APPH standard, including sustained complete switching evidence. Small manufacturers questioned switching benchmarks, study duration, and bridging expectations.

China Tobacco Jiangsu IC appears to have developed a nicotine oral film product under the "Nanjing" brand, according to images circulating on Chinese social media. If confirmed, this could potentially mark China Tobacco's first oral nicotine product targeting the domestic market. The product's authenticity has not been officially verified, and no nicotine pouch products have been approved for sale in China.