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.

Product | IVG Pro 15K Enters European Retail Channels, Expanding High-Capacity Pod System Segment
Product | IVG Pro 15K Enters European Retail Channels, Expanding High-Capacity Pod System Segment
UK vape brand IVG has introduced the IVG Pro 15K, a high-capacity pod system combining a 2ml prefilled pod with a 10ml refill container to deliver up to 15,000 puffs. Unlike conventional high-puff disposable vapes, the IVG Pro 15K adopts a reusable device structure, reflecting a broader shift in the European vape market toward longer-use-cycle products and reusable hardware ecosystems.
Jul.14
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
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Maduro Distributors, Inc., doing business as Loon, on July 15, 2026, alleging that the company illegally manufactured, distributed and sold flavored vapes that appeal to minors.
Jul.16
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
British American Tobacco’s New Category revenue rose 18% at constant rates in the first half of 2026. Nicotine-pouch brand Velo expanded rapidly, while Vuse recovered as U.S. enforcement against illicit e-vapor products strengthened. Heated-tobacco platform glo remained under pressure, and cigarettes continued to provide most of the group’s profit and cash. Compared with PMI and JT, BAT has more routes to growth—but also greater regulatory, investment and execution risks across its broader portfolio.
BAT
Jul.30
Philippine Local Governments Urge Marcos to Prioritize Smoke- and Vape-Free Bill
Philippine Local Governments Urge Marcos to Prioritize Smoke- and Vape-Free Bill
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the Smoke- and Vape-Free Bill, seeking a nationwide legal framework for tobacco and vape regulation. Local government leaders said national legislation would help standardize enforcement and strengthen public health measures. The proposal remains at the advocacy stage and has not yet become law.
Jul.29
EU Trade Department Faces Scrutiny Over Contacts With Tobacco Industry
EU Trade Department Faces Scrutiny Over Contacts With Tobacco Industry
European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho has opened an inquiry into how the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade handles interactions with the tobacco industry. The case follows a complaint from a civil society organisation that alleges regular, unnecessary and non-transparent contacts between DG TRADE and tobacco industry representatives, raising questions over compliance with the EU’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The inquiry remains ongoing, and the Ombudswoman has not reached any finding of maladministration.
Aug.24