FLER at APE

Bangladesh’s High Court issued a rule asking why Section 6(G) of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 — which bans the import, supply and sale of vapes and e-cigarettes — should not be declared unconstitutional and illegal.

VOZOL has recently promoted its MAGIC FLEX 40000 e-cigarette on its official Iraq social media account, using mainly Arabic-language posts and listing Baghdad as the account location. The campaign highlights a detachable/separate battery, the ability to switch flavors at will, ECO/POWER dual-mode operation, and a display-based user interface.

During FDA’s Feb 10 PMTA roundtable (manufacturing controls panel), small ENDS manufacturers warned that uncertainty in manufacturing expectations creates existential financial risk. FDA officials reiterated review flexibility is constrained by statutory and scientific boundaries. The panel debated testing standards, documentation requirements, open-system responsibility, supply chain changes, and software updates—highlighting unresolved PMTA challenges for small manufacturers.

Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) proposed move to restrict harmful vape products to protect young people, but said only a total ban on all vaping and novel tobacco products would effectively safeguard public health. The group warned that limiting rules to certain products such as open pods and e-liquids could create a “dangerous behavioral loophole,” leading users—especially youth—to switch to disposable or closed-system alternatives instead of quitting.

Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK (STG UK) has announced a rebrand across its XQS nicotine pouch range. The updated packaging will be visible at retail from March, with the recommended retail price remaining £5.50. The new packs feature a bolder logo and glossy textures, retain nicotine strength indicators, and add a side flavour profile indicator to show the flavour type.

China’s e-cigarette industry is adjusting to a major policy shift. From April 1, 2026, China will scrap the 13% export VAT rebate on e-cigarette products, a move affecting manufacturers centered in Shenzhen. Industry participants told 2Firsts the change is forcing a reassessment of pricing and capacity, with competition shifting toward cash flow resilience, regulatory compliance, and multi-location strategies.