FLER at APE

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has rejected an injunction seeking to stop a new vape regulation from taking effect, ruling that there was no specific harm to constitutional rights. As a result, Technical Regulation RTCR 519-2025, promoted by the Health Ministry, will enter into force on August 6 as originally planned.

Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said an amendment that would give Russian regions the power to ban vape sales is planned for adoption in May. Volodin said the decision concerns the health of citizens, especially children. He also said doctors have recorded a 30% increase in patients with respiratory diseases caused or aggravated by vape use, with adolescents and people under 35 most often affected.

The Canada Border Services Agency said border officers at the Point Edward port of entry in Sarnia, Ontario, seized more than CAD 4.5 million worth of illegal tobacco and nicotine vapes over a seven-day period. The agency said the contraband was entering Canada from the United States and described the seizure as part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal products from entering the country and disrupt organized crime.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 5, 2026 that it authorized the marketing of four Glas electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway. The authorized products are Classic Menthol, Fresh Menthol, Gold and Sapphire pods, each containing 50mg/ml, or 5%, tobacco-derived nicotine.

Philippine officials said government agencies seized illegal vape products worth about PHP 3.6 million during a joint enforcement operation in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces on March 12.

The show had become an important check-in point for Chinese manufacturers and brand owners looking for signs of change in the U.S. market after months of softer demand. Instead, participants said the event highlighted a more restrained mood: traffic in the vape section was uneven, standout launches were limited, and conversations often failed to turn into orders.