InterTabac: Key Highlights and Trends in Global Tobacco Industry

Oct.11.2024
InterTabac: Key Highlights and Trends in Global Tobacco Industry
The 44th InterTabac International Tobacco Exhibition in Dortmund wraps up, attracting industry professionals globally for discussions on trends.

The 44th edition of the InterTabac International Tobacco Exhibition in Dortmund has successfully concluded in September. As a significant event in the global tobacco industry, the exhibition attracted tobacco manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and industry experts from around the world. As the official media partner of this tobacco exhibition, 2Firsts conducted an in-depth discussion with Nina Kupferschmidt, the PR and content manager of the event organizer, exploring the highlights, industry trends, and the challenges and opportunities facing this year's exhibition.

InterTabac: Key Highlights and Trends in Global Tobacco Industry
Nina Kupferschmidt | Image source: LinkedIn


Nina stated that, facing dual challenges of changing consumer demands and stricter government regulations, the tobacco industry is focusing on key issues of sustainability and harm reduction. This year's exhibition attracted numerous international exhibitors and introduced the first ever nicotine pouch industry exchange event, receiving widespread attention.

InterTabac: Key Highlights and Trends in Global Tobacco Industry
PouchXchange | Image Source: InterTabac Official Website


The first nicotine pouch industry exchange event was attended by over 800 companies.

InterTabac: Key Highlights and Trends in Global Tobacco Industry
InterTabac exhibition hall map | Image source: InterTabac official website


Nina specifically pointed out that at this year's Dortmund Tobacco Expo, the PouchXchange event was introduced for the first time. The main theme of this event was the future development of nicotine pouches and snuff. Nina stated that this event was the highlight of the expo, as it provided an exclusive platform for industry representatives to come together in a relaxed environment. It successfully brought manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and scientists together, promoting in-depth dialogue and collaboration within the nicotine pouch and snuff industry.


Previously, 2Firsts also discovered at the Dortmund exhibition that nicotine pouches were receiving a lot of attention. Not only did the number of exhibitors significantly increase, but posters of various brands of nicotine pouch products could be seen everywhere outside the exhibition hall.


At the same time, the exhibitors' booths showcased the latest products within the industry. Some exhibitors even launched exclusive product lines targeting trade attendees specifically for the Dortmund Tobacco Exhibition, demonstrating the industry's vitality and spirit of innovation.


Nina mentioned that the tobacco exhibition this time has attracted over 800 exhibitors from nearly 70 countries. Participants can experience products, innovations, and services from all industry sectors in the exhibition hall. Approximately 94% of participants indicated that they would continue to attend the exhibition the following year.


It is worth mentioning that this year's exhibition has seen an increase of nearly 56% in international participants, including professionals from countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, as well as South American countries like Ecuador, Brazil, and Argentina. In Asia, participants from China, Indonesia, India, and South Korea have become the main force. Meanwhile, the number of participants from countries such as the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Egypt is also quite significant.


In addition, about 44% of the attendees are from Germany, gathering in Dortmund to discuss and exchange the latest trends in the tobacco industry.


Sustainability and minimizing harm are key issues, as the industry faces dual challenges.


Nina mentioned that the key topics at this exhibition are sustainability and harm reduction, which exhibitors are particularly focused on this year. This interest is evident not only in the discussions in the exhibition hall but also in the level of participation in our activities.


Nina mentioned that the exhibition team organized several discussions and presentations on sustainability and harm reduction. The most popular presentations were "The Future of Nicotine Technology: Innovations and Progress in NGP Products" and "Smokeless Nicotine Pouches and Their Potential Contribution to Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Scope Review".


In the face of dynamic changes in the global tobacco industry, Nina believes that the industry is now facing a dual challenge of changing consumer demands and tightening government regulations, especially the former. Manufacturers are constantly addressing these challenges, needing to integrate key issues such as sustainability and harm reduction into product development while meeting customer needs.


Nina stated, "Our goal is to help exhibitors grasp the latest trends, understand regulatory changes in different markets, and incorporate these key issues into their business strategies to drive sustainable development across the industry.


We hope the Dortmund trade show can provide real added value - we can achieve this by maintaining the quality of exhibitors, as well as continuously developing new forms of information dissemination and activities in collaboration with partners based on industry needs.


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

UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
The UK Insolvency Service said YSK Enterprises imported large quantities of vapes from China in 2023, with a shipment addressed to the company declared as medical nebulizers before Border Force found 352,688 vaping products. HMRC calculated nearly £15 million ($20.3 million) in unpaid VAT and customs duty, alongside about £437,000 in corporation tax. Two directors were disqualified for nine years. The case predates the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which will introduce vape-specific excise and duty-stamp requirements from October 2026.
Regulations
Sep.11
U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on Oct. 6 questioned the FDA over its plan to reassess and potentially replace the 2021 PMTA regulatory framework, asking the agency to identify provisions it may change or eliminate, state whether current scientific evidentiary standards will be maintained, and disclose communications with Altria, Reynolds and other parties challenging the rule. Krishnamoorthi led a congressional investigation into JUUL and youth vaping in 2019 and has since remained active on e-cigarette regulation and enforcement.
Regulations
Oct.08
PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%
PMI Pushes Smoke-Free Business in Latin America as Argentina Lifts Heated Tobacco Ban, Mexico City Share Tops 7%
Philip Morris International (PMI) showcased IQOS heated tobacco systems and nicotine pouch products at Technovation 2026 in Buenos Aires on October 7–8, presenting research on consumer attitudes, regulatory developments and illicit cigarette trade across Latin America. PMI Chief Global Growth Officer Stefano Volpetti said smoke-free products accounted for more than 7% of the Mexico City market. Argentina repealed its heated tobacco ban in May 2026 and introduced registration requirements for tobacco and nicotine products, while local media reported nicotine pouch sales in Mendoza. A PMI-commissioned survey found that only 8% of respondents across four Latin American countries were familiar with nicotine pouches. A separate KPMG study estimated illicit cigarette consumption at 77 billion sticks across 11 markets in Latin America and Canada in 2025.
PMI
Oct.13
Charlie’s Bets on Age-Gating and 678 PMTA Assets as U.S. Vape Enforcement Landscape Shifts
Charlie’s Bets on Age-Gating and 678 PMTA Assets as U.S. Vape Enforcement Landscape Shifts
Charlie’s Holdings said in its latest shareholder letter that it is moving to commercialize PACHA products and monetize its PMTA assets as the FDA changes enforcement priorities for unauthorized ENDS products. Thirty PACHA SKUs were previously tentatively identified for a proposed public list of products that the FDA generally does not intend to prioritize for enforcement. Charlie’s is also preparing test-market sales of age-gated flavored disposables and says it currently holds 678 PMTA-related product assets while seeking additional strategic transactions and partnerships.
Sep.11
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
Korea Customs Service has tightened import controls on nicotine-analog and nicotine-free e-cigarette liquids, placing the products under 100% document review and subjecting all e-cigarette liquid import declarations to pre-clearance ingredient analysis. As of September 20, 2026, South Korea had imported about 15 metric tons of nicotine-analog liquids, 99.99% from China, and about 316 metric tons of nicotine-free liquids, including roughly 315 metric tons, or 99.7%, from China. The measures follow South Korea's April expansion of its tobacco definition to include synthetic nicotine products and include new checks on Chinese manufacturing, transaction and export documentation.
Sep.24
FDA Authorizes JUUL2, Cites Adult Switching Amid Efforts to Speed PMTA Reviews
FDA Authorizes JUUL2, Cites Adult Switching Amid Efforts to Speed PMTA Reviews
The FDA authorized the JUUL2 device and tobacco- and menthol-flavored pods on Aug. 28, bringing the number of authorized e-cigarette products to 48. The agency highlighted complete switching among adult smokers, with six-week switching rates reaching 28.4%–49.3% for the menthol pod. The decision comes as FDA works to speed PMTA reviews, reduce application backlogs and expand authorized e-cigarette and nicotine-pouch products while maintaining enforcement priorities for unauthorized products.
Regulations
Aug.29