FLER at APE

China’s vape exports to the U.S. reached approximately $1.58 billion in the first half of 2026, remaining broadly stable from a year earlier but still below previous growth momentum. 2Firsts’ analysis of China Customs data shows that the U.S. market has not simply returned to its previous trajectory after the enforcement shock and inventory-driven swings of 2025. Instead, export momentum is shifting across product categories. Vaping devices and atomization hardware increased 15.2% year over year, while 6-methyl nicotine-related and other nicotine substitute products surged 234.7%. Meanwhile, traditional nicotine-containing vaping products continued to face pressure.

Japan’s health ministry has proposed not tightening regulations on heated tobacco products to the same level as cigarettes as part of a review of passive smoking measures, with an expert panel broadly agreeing with the proposal, Jiji Press reported.

Malaysia’s Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim said duties and taxes on nicotine-containing vape products will be determined in line with the Court of Appeal’s ruling on whether liquid or gel nicotine can be exempted from the Poisons List under the Poisons Act 1952, a case that could affect the legal basis for vape taxation, retail sales and future ban policy.

According to the latest CAN report and multiple media reports, Sweden’s daily smoking rate fell to 4.8% in 2025, below the commonly used 5% smoke-free threshold, making it the first EU country to reach that benchmark.

Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced VEEV inPrime, the next-generation closed-system vape platform featuring the new AdvanceVape Induction System™. Alongside the new induction platform, PMI has redesigned the pods, e-liquid formulations and user interaction experience. According to PMI and official IQOS websites, VEEV inPrime began a phased European rollout between May and June 2026, with products now available in Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Italy.

A new Swedish study found oral mucosal lesions in 79% of examined nicotine pouch users and 89% of tobacco-derived snus users, with different tissue-response patterns between the two categories. For manufacturers and regulators, the findings shift attention toward product formulation, flavouring, pouch materials and local oral exposure, not only whether a product contains tobacco. The study found no higher prevalence of caries or periodontal disease, but it could not establish causality, long-term outcomes or differences between individual products or designs.