IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

Japan Tobacco (JT) has announced a new flavor for its Ploom brand’s premium EVO smoke sticks: “EVO Honey Lemon Crystal.” The product will be rolled out in stages, beginning with an early release through official channels in December 2025, followed by a nationwide launch across convenience stores and tobacco retailers in January 2026, priced at JPY 550 (approximately USD 3.7).

The EUIPO has ruled that Imiracle failed to demonstrate actual commercial use of its “Elfbar Crystal” brand in Slovakia, and therefore rejected in full the company’s opposition to Shenzhen SKE Technology’s application to register the “Crystal” trademark. The EUIPO noted that the sales records submitted by Imiracle were limited in scope and that the product packaging was in Ukrainian, which it found insufficient to prove that the products had been placed on the Slovak market.

As nicotine pouches gain global traction as a lower-risk alternative to smoking, questions are emerging about their potential oral health effects. In a 2Firsts interview, Stingfree AB founder Bengt Wiberg discusses why gum irritation and oral lesions warrant closer scrutiny within the broader framework of tobacco harm reduction.

Results from Mexico’s ENCODAT 2025 indicate a structural shift in tobacco and nicotine use: past-month combustible tobacco use among the general population (ages 12–65) declined to 15.1%, down from 17.6% in 2016, while past-month e-cigarette use increased to 2.6%, up from 1.1%.

The Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires issued a health alert to the public and health teams over increased circulation, promotion and consumption of nicotine pouches. It said the disposable oral products dissolve in the mouth without combustion or vapor and are marketed as tobacco-free, but contain nicotine and have a high addictive potential.

Russian Finance Ministry has drafted amendments allowing regional governments to ban the retail sale of vapes and e-liquids between September 1, 2026, and September 1, 2031. Regions must enact their own legislation and notify the Federal Service for Alcohol and Tobacco Control (Rosalkogoltabakkontrol), which will publish a list of participating regions.