FLER at APE

Japan’s transport ministry said on April 14 that major Japanese airlines reported 429 passenger smoking incidents on domestic and international flights in 2025, the highest level since comparable data collection began in 2004. The government said the spread of heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes was an important factor behind the increase. Japan plans to work with airlines to raise public awareness of fire risks on aircraft.

LOST MARY announced VIZ on May 6, 2026, describing it as the brand’s first product with a transparent 360-degree wraparound pod.

According to The Star and The Edge Malaysia, tobacco control groups in Malaysia have urged the government to raise tobacco taxes by at least 5% annually, saying the measure could reduce smoking rates and fund public health and social programmes.

2Firsts supports new tobacco and nicotine companies entering the U.S. market with full-chain PMTA compliance services.

As the U.S. vapor market faces FDA authorizations, import seizures and growing state-level restrictions, AVM President Allison Boughner told 2Firsts that state product registries and white-list systems are having the most immediate impact. She said distributors are placing greater weight on documentation, product origin and supply-chain transparency.

Indonesia will strengthen surveillance of vapes amid growing concerns over drug-laced e-cigarettes. The National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, or BPOM, will soon take charge of monitoring nationwide vape distribution and said it will work with the National Narcotics Agency, or BNN. BNN recently floated a plan to completely ban e-cigarettes, saying a total ban was the only way to prevent liquid narcotics.