Global E-cigarette Market Weekly (1.15-1.21)

Industry Insight by 2FIRSTS
Jan.22.2024
Global E-cigarette Market Weekly (1.15-1.21)
In a challenging market, big cigarette brands are entering Japan, while Malaysia pushes for e-liquid regulation. Can Korea's e-cigarette market rise in 2024?

The "credit society" with airtight regulations, stringent production conditions, and advertisers who constantly switch channels make it challenging for new tobacco brands to enter the Japanese market. However, as small brands face entry barriers and believe in the vast market potential after the relaxation of zero nicotine restrictions, established brands have started to seize this opportunity and expand their distribution.

 

The Malaysian E-Cigarette Consumers Association has announced that they have shared the findings of the 2FIRSTS report with local consumers and will continue to advocate for local e-liquid regulations.

 

In 2023, multiple well-known disposable e-cigarette brands such as ELFBAR and VUSE have entered the South Korean market. Simultaneously, South Korean conglomerates are also actively establishing their presence in the e-cigarette industry. This series of developments has the potential to disrupt the existing landscape of the South Korean e-cigarette market. In light of these changes, the question arises: Can the South Korean e-cigarette market thrive in 2024?

 

On January 18th, a backbench debate took place in the British Parliament, allowing backbench MPs to raise local or national issues and receive responses from relevant government ministers. The debate focused on the regulation of e-cigarettes in the UK, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the contrasting views between the organization and the British government regarding e-cigarettes.

 

On January 18, 2024, 2FIRSTS and CNR News held a signing ceremony for the ESG projects in the vaping industry, accompanied by the release of the "2023 Global Vaping Industry ESG Development Report" at the CNR News headquarters in Beijing. The event was attended by Wu Gang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of CNR News, Zhao Tong, Co-founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS, Hu Lishan, Senior Director of the Financial and Economic Department at CNR News, and Hou Yuhuan, Global Vice President and Executive Editor-in-Chief of 2FIRSTS.

 

Blu's former factory, Tianchang Group, experiences a 79% decrease in e-cigarette sales and plans to seek new customers to expand its customer base.

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Marketing Denial Order (MDO) to SMOK, a manufacturer of 22 e-cigarette products. Please refer to the detailed list at the end of the article.

 

Guangdong Liwang New Energy Co., Ltd. received three institutional visits and highlighted its advantages and future plans in the lithium-ion battery business.

 

Vuse Go 800 is set to be widely available in South Korea, with distribution expanding to include 30,000 convenience stores and tobacco shops throughout the country.

 

SKE, a company specializing in electronic atomizer components, has announced its plan to establish an industrial park in Guangshui City, Hubei Province, with a total investment of 1 billion RMB.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

PMI Global R&D Chief Meets Chinese Tobacco Regulator as China Advances Heated Cigarette Standards
PMI Global R&D Chief Meets Chinese Tobacco Regulator as China Advances Heated Cigarette Standards
Philip Morris International’s global R&D chief Michele Cattoni met Liu Sanjiang, deputy director of China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, in Beijing on Aug. 27. The meeting comes as China advances mandatory standards for heated cigarettes and nicotine pouches, laying groundwork for their domestic introduction. Cattoni has held senior roles in PMI’s heated tobacco development, while China’s draft standard covers multiple heating architectures, including systems similar in principle to PMI’s IQOS ILUMA technology.
Aug.27
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Law Survives Court Challenge From Nova Distro and Others Amid Similar Rulings Across States
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Law Survives Court Challenge From Nova Distro and Others Amid Similar Rulings Across States
A U.S. federal court upheld Pennsylvania's vape directory law on October 14, rejecting a challenge brought by Nova Distro, 101 Distributors and companies operating Tobacco Hut retail stores. Court records show that vaping accounts for about 60% of Tobacco Hut's profits and that the chain held approximately $2 million in inventory potentially subject to seizure under the law as of June 2. Pennsylvania began enforcement on October 19. The ruling follows similar appellate decisions in other states, even as new research shows that unlisted vaping products continue to account for substantial sales in states with established directories.
Regulations
Oct.22
PMI's IQOS Extends ZAMNA Electronic-Music Partnership to Spain as Vogue España Publishes Branded Content
PMI's IQOS Extends ZAMNA Electronic-Music Partnership to Spain as Vogue España Publishes Branded Content
Philip Morris International's IQOS has extended its partnership with electronic-music event brand ZAMNA to Spain, setting up a House of IQOS at ZAMNA Madrid. Vogue España and Time Out Madrid subsequently published branded content clearly labeled as collaborations with IQOS. PMI has also expanded its company-owned IQOS boutique network in Spain to seven cities this year. The company says IQOS's adjusted heated-tobacco market share in Europe reached 12.6% in the first quarter of 2026, with Spain among its stronger-performing European markets.
Sep.20
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape-Related Exports Rise 16.5% in July 2026 as U.S.-Bound Shipments Jump 53.5%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape-Related Exports Rise 16.5% in July 2026 as U.S.-Bound Shipments Jump 53.5%
China’s vape-related exports reached $1.047 billion in July 2026, up 16.5% year on year and the highest monthly total of the year. Growth was heavily concentrated in the U.S., where exports jumped 53.5% to $404 million and accounted for 94.9% of the overall increase. Exports to all other markets rose just 1.2%. By category, nicotine-containing non-combustible products—primarily vapes—under HS24041200 rose 24.7% and generated 95.5% of the total increase. Vape-device exports under HS85434000 fell 0.4%, while other nicotine-substitute products under HS24041990 grew 88.9% but remained comparatively small.
DATA
Aug.24
Gallup Tracks Nicotine Pouch Use for the First Time: 11% of U.S. Adults Smoke, 9% Vape and 4% Use Nicotine Pouches
Gallup Tracks Nicotine Pouch Use for the First Time: 11% of U.S. Adults Smoke, 9% Vape and 4% Use Nicotine Pouches
Gallup’s 2026 Consumption Habits survey tracked nicotine pouch use for the first time. The survey found that 11% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in the past week, 9% reported vaping, and 4% reported using nicotine pouches. Cigarette smoking remained near Gallup’s long-term low, while adult vaping rates stayed relatively stable in recent years.
Market
Aug.25 by 2Firsts Perspectives
IVG Parent Secures HMRC Excise Warehouse and Duty Stamp Approvals Ahead of UK Vape Tax
IVG Parent Secures HMRC Excise Warehouse and Duty Stamp Approvals Ahead of UK Vape Tax
Acme Vape Ltd, the company behind UK vaping brand IVG, has received HM Revenue & Customs approval to operate an excise warehouse for vaping products and participate in the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme. The UK's Vaping Products Duty will take effect on October 1, 2026, at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. Acme Vape Ltd says its approved warehouse in Preston will become operational under the new regime on the same date.
Regulations
Sep.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives