Impact of IQOS Patent Invalidation on Chinese E-Cigarette Industry

Jan.09.2023
Impact of IQOS Patent Invalidation on Chinese E-Cigarette Industry
PMI-BAT patent battle over IQOS temporarily ended, gives Chinese e-cigarette companies more opportunities. Learn from the experience on Jan 12.

In December, the patent war between Philip Morris International (PMI) and British American Tobacco (BAT) temporarily concluded with the invalidation of the IQOS core patent in the UK. In the game between the two tobacco giants in the European market, PMI's four heat-not-burn (HNB) patents were ruled invalid, greatly reducing the risk of HNB products entering the European market and presenting more opportunities for electronic cigarette manufacturers in Europe. So, how does the invalidation of the IQOS core patent affect Chinese electronic cigarette companies? How should Chinese electronic cigarette companies respond to patent issues when going global? What experience can Chinese electronic cigarette companies gain from this patent war?


On January 12th at 2 pm, 2FIRSTS held a seminar on the PMI-HNB Resistance Heater Patent Lawsuit. The event featured keynote speakers from the Beijing Zhong Lun Wende (Kunming) law firm and tobacco industry expert lawyer Tang Shunliang, who provided a comprehensive overview of the patent disputes between two major tobacco companies. They also explored the profound implications for Chinese e-cigarette manufacturers following the breakthrough of the HNB resistance heater patent barrier.


Live broadcast explanation


Title: Seminar on Patent Litigation Case of "PMI-HNB Resistance Heater


Date and Time: January 12th, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.


Speaker: Lawyer Tang Shunliang


Content arrangement:


Key Patent Litigation Analysis for BAT and PMI from 2020 to 2022.


2. Analyzing the Legal Documents to Understand the Battle Strategies between Two Tobacco Giants.


3. In-depth analysis of the core patented technology scheme of the resistance heating element.


What risks and opportunities do export-oriented e-cigarette companies face?


Summarizing the experience in handling foreign patents from PMI patent case.


After the lecture, there will be a dedicated session for discussion and questions, and we encourage active participation and communication.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28
Malaysia Police Plan Saliva Tests at Roadblocks to Detect Synthetic Drugs Mixed Into Vape Liquids
Malaysia Police Plan Saliva Tests at Roadblocks to Detect Synthetic Drugs Mixed Into Vape Liquids
Malaysian police plan to use saliva test kits at roadblocks to detect drivers using synthetic liquid drugs marketed as “Piu Piu” and “Magic Mushroom,” substances that authorities say are mixed into vape liquids and inhaled through e-cigarette devices, raising road-safety concerns and adding pressure on vape regulation.
Jun.29
Product | OLIVEBAR Launches RAZ PRO 85K, Combining Up to 85,000 Puffs With a Transparent Pod Design
Product | OLIVEBAR Launches RAZ PRO 85K, Combining Up to 85,000 Puffs With a Transparent Pod Design
OLIVEBAR has introduced the RAZ PRO 85K disposable vape, featuring up to 85,000 puffs, a transparent e-liquid pod, and a Mega HD display. As competition in the ultra-high-puff disposable segment continues to intensify, the new device reflects an industry shift from simply increasing puff counts toward enhancing visual interaction and user experience.
Jul.03
Product | JT Upgrades with2 Infused Tobacco Capsules With Double-Size BIG PACK
Product | JT Upgrades with2 Infused Tobacco Capsules With Double-Size BIG PACK
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) announced that it will introduce a BIG PACK version of all five tobacco capsule variants designed for its with2 infused tobacco system. Scheduled for release in Japan on August 4, 2026, the refreshed packaging doubles the contents from five capsules and one cartridge to ten capsules and two cartridges while maintaining the same flavors and formulations
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
Philip Morris International (PMI) has confirmed plans to bring its IQOS heated tobacco device to Argentina by the end of 2026, after the Argentine government lifted long-standing restrictions and created a regulatory framework for heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Michael Olise’s World Cup Locker-Room Photo Puts Nicotine Pouches in the Sports Business Spotlight
Michael Olise’s World Cup Locker-Room Photo Puts Nicotine Pouches in the Sports Business Spotlight
Several European sports outlets have reported on a suspected nicotine pouch seen in French footballer Michael Olise’s locker photo, bringing football’s long-running “snus” culture back into public view and highlighting brand visibility, product classification and public-health debate around nicotine pouches in sports settings.
News
Jun.25 by 2Firsts Perspectives