FLER at APE

NEXA has introduced a disposable e-cigarette, NEXA FLEX, which is promoted as “Built in the USA,” highlighting domestic production and flavors developed for adult U.S. vaping consumers. The device retains features such as a transparent e-liquid chamber, Normal/Turbo dual modes, and up to 40,000 puffs, and is scheduled to launch in late November in Texas. Other brands, including SKE and FASTA, have also recently released products labeled as “Made in the USA” or “U.S.-assembled.”

New Tennessee laws passed this year impose a 10 % tax on vaping products, empower the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct compliance inspections, and set steep fines for retailers who sell to minors. Yet, with no statewide retail-licensing scheme for e-cigarettes, enforcing the penalties remains problematic. Meanwhile, stores in cities like Jackson have voluntarily stepped up ID scanning and product tracking to help the rules take hold.

ZYN faces trademark revocation and enforcement challenges in China. In this legal commentary submitted to 2Firsts, the author examines regulatory gaps, enforcement hurdles, and the high legal risks surrounding nicotine pouch trademarks.

St. Petersburg may become the first region in Russia to ban the sale of vapes. Senator Andrei Kutepov announced during a session of the Legislative Assembly that he is working to introduce restrictions on vape sales in the city, in line with President Vladimir Putin’s recent statement supporting a nationwide ban.

Philip Morris International (PMI) Korea announced a collaboration with Italian design brand Seletti to launch the IQOS ILUMA i limited “Seletti Edition.” Pre-sales begin on the 29th at IQOS.com for IQOS Club Gold and Platinum members, with sales from the 30th via the website and nine IQOS-owned stores nationwide. PMI previously said the series would debut in Japan first before rolling out to 13 global travel-retail markets.

2Firsts observed that Japan Tobacco’s heated tobacco brand Ploom has set up an independent retail counter at Dubai International Airport’s duty-free zone, showcasing its new Ploom AURA device. The counter features an interactive scent-release system that allows consumers to experience flavors through aroma rather than inhalation, offering a new approach to product display in smoke-free environments.