FLER at APE

Smoore and EVE Energy have signed a procurement framework agreement for 2026–2028, under which Smoore Group will continue purchasing battery cells and related products. The agreement sets no specific transaction amount; actual figures will be determined by future orders, reflecting both parties’ intention to secure and extend their supply chain cooperation over the next three years.

Ispire Technology and IKE Tech issued statements after the U.S. FDA received Congressional funding and directives to strengthen enforcement against illicit vaping products. The companies emphasized updated guidance, multi-agency coordination and the role of blockchain and age-verification technologies in preventing illegal imports and protecting youth.

As regulations tighten, consumer habits evolve, and new nicotine products reshape the market, the cigar industry is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. In this exclusive interview, 2Firsts speaks with Cigar Sense — a data-driven sensory analysis firm — to explore what’s really changing in cigars, and what it means for manufacturers, retailers, and smokers around the world.

QISI’s Dongguan factory has posted new production job openings, following earlier reports of a shutdown at its Zhuhai site.

Starting from February 15, 2026, South Korea bans e-cigarette vending machines within 200m of schools to protect youth from nicotine products.

CSUR—the Research Institute Supporting Juul and NJOY’s successful PMTAs—assessed FDA’s pilot for nicotine pouches. The program expedites premarket review by deferring behavioral data to post-market reporting. CSUR says this could speed authorizations, but manufacturers must still produce behavioral and real-world evidence after a Marketing Granted Order to maintain compliance with public-health standards.