Exclusive Interview: How Dholakia Tobacco Built the Rush Brand and Entered the Global Nicotine Pouch Market

Exclusive Interview: How Dholakia Tobacco Built the Rush Brand and Entered the Global Nicotine Pouch Market
Dholakia Tobacco, a 150-year-old Indian tobacco company, is expanding globally with its nicotine pouch brand Rush. At the 2025 World Vape Show, CEO Nihar Dholakia and marketing head Rahoul Naik shared how Rush differentiates through transparent ingredients, lifestyle branding, and adaptive market strategies. Despite regulatory hurdles, the company maintains pharmaceutical-grade standards and is targeting growth in both established and emerging markets.
Jul.11
Special Report | Ukraine’s Tobacco Market in Wartime: Cigarettes Dominate, All Nicotine Products Rise

Special Report | Ukraine’s Tobacco Market in Wartime: Cigarettes Dominate, All Nicotine Products Rise
Under the shadow of war, Ukraine’s tobacco consumption surged, with nearly half of adults smoking and cigarettes dominating the market. Use of heated tobacco and e-cigarettes also increased. The illicit market rebounded, lawmakers restricted advertising, and tax hikes were delayed, creating complex industry challenges.
Jul.11
2Firsts Interview with Alchem: Addressing Quality, Speed, and Regulation in Next-Gen Nicotine Solutions

2Firsts Interview with Alchem: Addressing Quality, Speed, and Regulation in Next-Gen Nicotine Solutions
As global regulations tighten and demand for smoke-free alternatives grows, the nicotine industry is rapidly evolving. In an interview with 2Firsts, Alchem discusses how enhanced purity, consistency, and technological innovation help address quality, speed, and compliance challenges.
Jul.10
Philippine Vape Industry Observers: Market Entering a “Turbulent Phase” Amid Growing Uncertainty

Philippine Vape Industry Observers: Market Entering a “Turbulent Phase” Amid Growing Uncertainty
Since July, the Philippine NBI has stepped up its vape crackdown, reclassifying illegal sales from commercial to criminal offenses and seizing over PHP 44 million in products. Industry insider Lucas sees this as both a response to the black market and a political power struggle. With legal channels shrinking and illicit trade rising, the vape sector faces unprecedented turmoil.
Jul.10
Special Report | The Global Flavor Shift: How Changing Tastes Are Driving Nicotine Product Innovation

Special Report | The Global Flavor Shift: How Changing Tastes Are Driving Nicotine Product Innovation
The global nicotine industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by shifting consumer tastes and evolving regulations. From shisha to nicotine pouches, flavor innovation is creating new opportunities across different product segments, redefining consumer preferences and shaping the future of nicotine worldwide.
Jul.09
Interview: Croatia’s IZY VAPE on Boosting Competitiveness and Compliance Amid Tighter EU Regulations

Interview: Croatia’s IZY VAPE on Boosting Competitiveness and Compliance Amid Tighter EU Regulations
At the 2025 Dubai World Vape Show, IZY VAPE CEO Rinor shared insights on the brand’s global operations, regulatory challenges, and industry competition. They emphasized plans to invest in automated production and closed-system devices to ensure compliance and respond swiftly to market changes.
Jul.08
Interview: UAE Vape Distributor My Vapery Urges Chinese Manufacturers to Focus on Function and Quality Over Excessive Design Innovation

Interview: UAE Vape Distributor My Vapery Urges Chinese Manufacturers to Focus on Function and Quality Over Excessive Design Innovation
UAE vape distributor My Vapery told 2Firsts the black market making up nearly 50%. Stronger enforcement has raised the legal market’s share to 60% despite high taxes. The company urges Chinese manufacturers to focus on functionality and quality over design innovations.
Jul.08
Interview: AIRSCREAM on Balancing Compliance and Market Demand Amid the Disposable Vape Crackdown

Interview: AIRSCREAM on Balancing Compliance and Market Demand Amid the Disposable Vape Crackdown
During the Dubai World Vape Show, AIRSCREAM executive Andrew spoke with 2Firsts about the brand’s strategies on compliance, large-capacity products, and nicotine alternatives. He underscored the company’s stance against disposable vapes and its commitment to long-termism and youth protection.
Jul.04
Interview with NASTY Founder: How a Market-Specific Brand Strategy Led to Rapid Success in South Africa

Interview with NASTY Founder: How a Market-Specific Brand Strategy Led to Rapid Success in South Africa
In an interview with 2Firsts, NASTY founder Pak Din explains how the brand quickly rose to the top of South Africa’s vape market by leveraging early planning and a localized strategy, successfully seizing the first-mover advantage in this emerging market.
Jul.03
Journal Digest | ITGA Tobacco Courier Issue 88: The Brazilian Model and the New Global Tobacco Landscape

Journal Digest | ITGA Tobacco Courier Issue 88: The Brazilian Model and the New Global Tobacco Landscape
As ITGA’s media partner, 2Firsts provides this digest summarizing Brazil’s tobacco model and key global production data, offering readers a clear industry overview.
Jul.02
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Most Read
1
Exclusive Interview: How Dholakia Tobacco Built the Rush Brand and Entered the Global Nicotine Pouch Market

2
Special Report | Ukraine’s Tobacco Market in Wartime: Cigarettes Dominate, All Nicotine Products Rise

3
2Firsts Interview with Alchem: Addressing Quality, Speed, and Regulation in Next-Gen Nicotine Solutions

4
Philippine Vape Industry Observers: Market Entering a “Turbulent Phase” Amid Growing Uncertainty

5
Special Report | The Global Flavor Shift: How Changing Tastes Are Driving Nicotine Product Innovation

6
Interview: Croatia’s IZY VAPE on Boosting Competitiveness and Compliance Amid Tighter EU Regulations

7
Interview: UAE Vape Distributor My Vapery Urges Chinese Manufacturers to Focus on Function and Quality Over Excessive Design Innovation

8
Interview: AIRSCREAM on Balancing Compliance and Market Demand Amid the Disposable Vape Crackdown

9
Interview with NASTY Founder: How a Market-Specific Brand Strategy Led to Rapid Success in South Africa

10
Journal Digest | ITGA Tobacco Courier Issue 88: The Brazilian Model and the New Global Tobacco Landscape
