IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

In an interview with CNN’s Chasing Life, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary warned that new health risks — from emerging opioids such as 7-OH to unregulated vaping products — are slipping through regulatory cracks. His remarks reveal the FDA’s growing challenge to balance harm reduction for adult smokers with youth protection and cross-border enforcement.

South Korea’s amendment to the Tobacco Business Act, which would classify synthetic nicotine vapes and vape liquids as “tobacco” for regulatory and taxation purposes, has been delayed once again. Despite the government stressing its urgency due to youth access and risks of illicit drug mixing, both ruling and opposition parties at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting agreed that the bill requires further discussion.

According to Business FM, Russia’s vape and e-liquid supply has tightened since mid-Aug; by early Oct top liquids had largely disappeared and prices rose ~50% vs early summer. Shops cite a two-year excise hike to RUB 44/mL and, from Aug, criminal liability for unmarked goods (large-scale from RUB 100k), prompting withdrawals. Some chains report compliant substitutes. A bill would let regions ban vape sales.

The case is valued at approximately 400,000 yuan, and two suspects have been taken into custody.Video footage released by authorities shows that the counterfeit products involved well-known market brands such as VELO, ZYN, and PABLO.

NEXA has introduced a disposable e-cigarette, NEXA FLEX, which is promoted as “Built in the USA,” highlighting domestic production and flavors developed for adult U.S. vaping consumers. The device retains features such as a transparent e-liquid chamber, Normal/Turbo dual modes, and up to 40,000 puffs, and is scheduled to launch in late November in Texas. Other brands, including SKE and FASTA, have also recently released products labeled as “Made in the USA” or “U.S.-assembled.”

UK police have carried out a nationwide crackdown under Operation Machinize 2, targeting illegal vapes, counterfeit goods, and grey-market businesses. Raids on more than 2,700 premises led to 924 arrests and the seizure of 111,000 illegal vapes, 70kg of cannabis, 4.5m cigarettes, and £10.7m in proceeds.