IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

Moldova is introducing new sanitary standards for tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related goods, with regulations adopted on January 14 aimed at protecting public health and tightening control over tobacco sales. The rules include measures to limit minors’ access to tobacco products, including via online shops, and establish procedures for notifications, reporting and market monitoring.

GEEKBAR has announced a new round of restocking across multiple overseas social media platforms, bringing its flagship Pulse and Pulse X product lines back on sale, with several previously hard-to-find flavors returning simultaneously, alongside the launch of the new Thermal Edition.

Russia’s State Duma has approved, in its third reading, a law banning the sale of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes at public transport stops. The measure expands existing restrictions on tobacco sales at transport infrastructure facilities and aims to reduce accessibility, particularly among young people. The law includes an exemption for small settlements where such kiosks are the only sales points and will take effect on September 1, 2026.

Belarus is discussing the introduction of criminal liability for selling vapes and related nicotine-containing products to minors. During a meeting of the expert council, a draft law regulating tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine products received support from most members.

Mexico’s Senate passed a reform to the General Health Law banning the production, importation, sale, and advertising of e-cigarettes and vape products nationwide. The bill passed with 76 votes in favor, 37 against, and one abstention.

British American Tobacco’s Italian unit is partnering with digital identity firm Yoti to pilot facial-scan age verification at 119 pop-up stores nationwide, aiming to supplement traditional ID checks and prevent underage purchases of tobacco and nicotine products.