HQD: Leading Sales of Pod-System in Russia, to Launch New Screen-Display Vape in 2024

InnovationBusiness by 2FIRSTS
Dec.20.2023
HQD: Leading Sales of Pod-System in Russia, to Launch New Screen-Display Vape in 2024
HQD, a leading e-cigarette brand, showcased its latest product, a screen-display e-cigarette, at the VAPE CLUB SHOW 2023 in Russia.

During the VAPE CLUB SHOW 2023, a Russian e-cigarette exhibition held on December 16th and 17th, 2FIRSTS engaged in a conversation with Mark, the business manager responsible for the distribution of HQD in Russia. The purpose was to gain insights into the current status and future plans of HQD in the Russian market.

HQD: Leading Sales of Pod-System in Russia, to Launch New Screen-Display Vape in 2024
 HQD's new e-cigarette model with a built-in display screen | Image source: 2FIRSTS

 

HQD showcased multiple new products at the exhibition. One of these products, a screen-display e-cigarette, was introduced by Mark. This latest offering from HQD is expected to be officially released next year. It is worth noting that screen-display e-cigarettes are currently very popular in the Russian market.

 

HQD: Leading Sales of Pod-System in Russia, to Launch New Screen-Display Vape in 2024
HQD ULTIMA PRO is the best-selling product of HQD in Russia | Image source: 2FIRSTS

 

Mark, a spokesperson for HQD, recently commented on the company's successful products in the Russian market. According to Mark, HQD has a range of popular products, with the best-selling item being the "HQD ULTIMA PRO." This particular product boasts an impressive 10,000 puffs and offers a smoother smoking experience. Another notable product is the "HQD Click," which is a refillable device and ranks among the top three best-selling items in the HQD product line.

 

Regarding the e-cigarette market in Russia and the comprehensive e-cigarette regulation policy implemented in the country this year, Mark emphasizes that HQD has always been strictly abiding by the legal requirements. However, he points out that due to the existence of a considerable percentage of the "gray" market in Russia, not only does it violate the principles of fair competition, but it also negatively affects HQD's market share. Mark states that this is a problem commonly seen in the industry, but HQD remains optimistic about the future.

 

Mark further expressed that although the e-cigarette industry is currently facing a series of challenges, HQD firmly believes that, just like the alcohol industry once did, the e-cigarette industry will also experience improvement in the coming years. This is why HQD started the company's transformation and adaptation process even before the implementation of regulatory policies.

 

Finally, Mark shared HQD's plans for the Russian market next year. He emphasized that the main task of the coming year is to ensure that all partners' distribution networks can fully adapt to the new regulatory changes. This initiative aims to ensure HQD's sustained growth in the Russian market and create more opportunities for the future.

 

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

South Korea Extends Vape Rules to Unmanned Stores After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea Extends Vape Rules to Unmanned Stores After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said on September 14 that it plans to designate unmanned e-cigarette stores as businesses where minors are prohibited from entering or working. Operators would be required to verify customers' ages and display notices restricting access by minors. The proposal is open for public comment through October 6. The move follows an April expansion of South Korea's statutory tobacco definition that brought products made with natural or synthetic nicotine under the Tobacco Business Act. Nicotine-free liquids and products using nicotine analogues such as 6-methylnicotine, however, remain an emerging regulatory issue.
Sep.21
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said on September 23 that it has joined the interagency Trade Fraud Task Force to strengthen enforcement against illegal, misdeclared and smuggled vape and tobacco products. ATF will bring its authority under the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act into the task force, including registration, reporting, shipping and record-inspection requirements covering interstate sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems. ATF said the move will strengthen its ability to trace illicit products from U.S. points of entry through domestic trafficking and distribution networks.
News
Sep.28 by 2Firsts Perspectives
On-Site Report | CTP Details PMTA Backlog, 180-Day Review Goal and sPMTA Process
On-Site Report | CTP Details PMTA Backlog, 180-Day Review Goal and sPMTA Process
FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products detailed new PMTA review data and process changes at the 2026 FDLI conference. Pending PMTAs fell from about 450,000 at the start of 2025 to 135,000 by September 2026. CTP also discussed its 180-day review goal, current sPMTA pilot, alternate-supplier planning, more than 50,300 pending SE reports, and lessons from the nicotine pouch pilot already being applied to ENDS review.
Regulations
Oct.07
FDA Unifies Tobacco Registration and Product Listing Form Across Product Categories
FDA Unifies Tobacco Registration and Product Listing Form Across Product Categories
The U.S. FDA has consolidated two tobacco establishment registration and product listing forms into a redesigned Form FDA 3741 covering all regulated product categories, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. The current requirements remain limited to domestic establishments. Separately, the FDA has proposed extending registration and product listing requirements to foreign manufacturers, signaling greater regulatory attention to manufacturing entities and product-level information across the tobacco and nicotine supply chain.
FDA
Sep.30
JUUL Purchasers Ask Ninth Circuit to Preserve Antitrust Classes in Case Over Altria’s $12.8 Billion Investment
JUUL Purchasers Ask Ninth Circuit to Preserve Antitrust Classes in Case Over Altria’s $12.8 Billion Investment
Private antitrust litigation stemming from Altria's 2018 $12.8 billion investment for a 35% economic interest in JUUL is advancing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Direct purchasers, indirect purchasers and indirect resellers of JUUL products filed answering briefs this week seeking to preserve class certifications granted by a California federal court in February. Altria and JUUL argue that individual consumers and large distributors differ too much in purchasing terms to remain in a single direct-purchaser class, while a separate dispute concerns whether California antitrust law can apply to indirect purchasers across 27 jurisdictions. A September trial has been put on hold during the appeal.
Sep.23
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
The Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union is using bilateral talks to push the bloc’s Tobacco Taxation Directive toward a political agreement in November. According to Law360, citing an EU official, Sweden is unwilling to accept a minimum excise threshold above €20 per kilogram for nicotine pouches. Council negotiations have already lowered the European Commission’s original proposal, but a May 2026 presidency compromise still set the minimum at 10% of the tax-inclusive retail price or €30 per kilogram in 2028-29, with higher levels later.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives