IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

The UK government will introduce a digital stamp system for all vape products, paired with new enforcement powers including £10,000 fines and possible imprisonment for illegal sales. The measures aim to curb the booming black market and complement restrictions under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, including future regulation of flavours, packaging, and advertising.

British American Tobacco (BAT) reaffirmed its 2026 guidance while announcing a £1.3 billion (approximately USD 1.65 billion) share buyback for FY26. The company expects around 2% growth in revenue and adjusted profit from operations for FY25. Accelerating New Category growth, driven by Velo Plus and improving U.S. Vuse performance, is expected to deliver double-digit H2 revenue growth.

The Maldives Customs Service has confiscated the largest single shipment of vapes since the national import ban took effect in November 2024. Officials searched a sea freight shipment on December 4 and seized 10,800 vape cartridges valued at approximately MVR 2.7 million (USD 175,000).

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the City of New York co-led a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general in urging Shopify Inc. to take stronger measures against merchants selling illegal e-cigarettes and other tobacco products through its platform. The letter calls for cooperation between Shopify and U.S. states to address the persistent sale of unapproved vaping products.

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) is calling on the government to clarify the regulatory framework for nicotine pouches in order to prevent high-strength and illegal products from entering the market, stressing that these products should not be targeted at minors.

Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) data show that more than a fifth of vape shops tested were still selling nicotine-inhaling vaping products to children, despite a ban on sales to under-18s that took effect on December 22, 2023.