FLER at APE

PMI Malaysia says Japan and New Zealand’s regulated smoke-free alternatives have hastened smoking declines, whereas Thailand’s post-2014 ban drives smokers to cigarettes or the black market—evidence, PMI argues, that pairing regulated alternatives with traditional controls could improve public health faster.

Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies adopted Bill No. 8333, transposing EU Directive 2022/2100 and extending tobacco controls to heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The law bans flavourings, restricts sales to minors, and caps nicotine content at 0.048 mg per pouch. CBD and caffeine additives are prohibited.

Russia’s State Duma will soon consider a proposal to impose a complete ban on the sale of vapes. The move follows President Vladimir Putin’s endorsement of a nationwide prohibition. Lawmaker Aleksey Volotskov said vape use has surged by 52% since early 2025, with illegal products now dominating 80% of the market.

In just two months, U.S. authorities seized over 7 million illegal e-cigarettes. 2Firsts’ analysis reveals a shift toward institutionalized regulation, with federal and state agencies intensifying enforcement — signaling a major reset in the world’s largest and most influential vaping market.

Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE) has submitted a legal amendment to the Congress proposing a gradual reduction of the excise duty on nicotine pouches. The current rate of €0.10 per gram would be phased in progressively until 2030. The plan sets the rate at €0.02/g in 2026, rising by €0.02 annually until reaching €0.10/g in 2030. PSOE says this measure would mitigate price shocks and make the tax system more progressive.

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.