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.

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.

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.

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.

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.