IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

Philip Morris Malaysia Managing Director Naeem Shahab Khan met Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on September 17 and presented the company's shift from conventional cigarettes toward alternative products. The mufti said a product could be considered halal if it is clean, its side effects are not harmful or can be controlled, and it does not involve excessive waste. His remarks did not mention IQOS or any other specific PMI product and did not amount to a new product-specific religious ruling. It was at least the second publicly reported engagement between Philip Morris Malaysia and a Malaysian religious institution over cigarette alternatives within six months.

South Korean electronics component supplier ITM Semiconductor is reshaping its business portfolio after a decline in Apple-related protection circuit business, expanding its supply of vape devices and cartridges to KT&G. According to News1 on August 18, 2026, ITM’s vape-related revenue rose 24.8% year on year to 75.5 billion won in the first half of 2026. The company began mass production of vape devices at its Cikarang, Indonesia facility in January 2026, strengthening export manufacturing capacity. Meanwhile, Samsung-related protection circuit sales continued to grow, providing support during the transition.

Australia's federal government introduced a new illicit tobacco enforcement bill on September 10 that would strengthen evidentiary presumptions, representative sampling, seizure and forfeiture procedures, proceeds-of-crime powers and obligations for customs and logistics operators. The proposal follows the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Act 2026, which took effect in August and increased penalties while expanding investigative and asset-recovery tools. Together, the reforms extend Australia's crackdown from tougher criminal sanctions into import, logistics and evidentiary enforcement.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration published a final decision on September 25 to classify 6-methylnicotine as a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard, effective October 1, 2026. TGA said the chemical has been reported in e-cigarette liquids sold in Australia and marketed as nicotine-free or nicotine alternatives, while evidence also indicates its use in preparations such as oral pouches. The government originally proposed a Schedule 7 classification but ultimately adopted the stricter Schedule 9 designation, citing acute toxicity, dependence risk, use in unapproved consumer products and misleading marketing.

BAT Rothmans says it previously considered exiting South Korea's vaping market because of competitive pressure from unregulated products, but is now reassessing conditions following changes to the country's nicotine regulatory framework. Vuse and other BAT vaping products remain available through existing distribution channels. The statement followed a South Korean media report that interpreted BAT's broader withdrawal from selected Vapour markets as a full exit from South Korea. Meanwhile, Philip Morris International launched VEEV inPRIME in the country in June and began expanding distribution to around 14,000 convenience stores and other retail channels in July. The contrasting moves highlight differing investment strategies as South Korea's regulated vaping market evolves.

JTI Philippines has expanded the Nordic Spirit nicotine pouch portfolio in the Philippines with two new variants, Dark Pop and Red Frost. Both products maintain the brand’s tobacco-free nicotine pouch positioning, with Dark Pop featuring a fizzy cola profile with citrus and sweet notes, while Red Frost combines cool mint with sweet red berry flavors. The two variants are now available through Philippine online retail channels.