FLER at APE

A Barnsley town-centre vape retailer and its owner have been ordered to pay more than £15,000 after admitting multiple offences linked to the continued sale of illegal single-use vapes and non-compliant food items, despite three formal improvement notices.

Malaysia’s High Court has fixed May 15, 2026, to deliver its decision on a judicial review application by three NGOs challenging the government’s move to exempt vape liquids and gels from the Poisons List. The applicants argue the March 31, 2023 delisting effectively deregulated vape products and created a prolonged gap until Act 852 took effect in October 2024.

China Business Journal, citing a review of policy documents released by the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration in early 2026, said China’s latest e-cigarette rules target credit-based regulation, capacity controls and national standards revisions.Alan Zhao, co-founder of 2Firsts, said tighter oversight will speed consolidation, curb noncompliance and reduce destructive competition.

In Langkawi, Malaysia, the Marine Police seized various vape devices and e-liquid valued at RM178,400 (about US$43,902.99). Authorities believe the goods were intended to be smuggled out to a neighboring country.

South Korea’s Health Ministry says amendments to the Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24, bringing synthetic-nicotine e-liquid vapes under the legal definition of tobacco. The shift extends cigarette-style rules to these products, including mandatory graphic warnings, sharply limited advertising channels, stricter vending-machine placement requirements, and a ban on use in smoke-free areas, with enforcement checks slated from late April.