IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

US state lawmakers and recycling groups are pursuing 2026 measures to address safety issues linked to vape waste through legislation, take-back programs and educational outreach. California’s State Assembly passed a bill to ban disposable vape pens, while New Jersey reintroduced an extended producer responsibility bill for e-cigarettes.

On Jan. 10, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach issued a consumer alert warning Kansans about dangerous vaping products from China marketed as “smart vapes.” The alert says these devices let children use games, social media, Bluetooth, music and more while simultaneously inhaling unregulated materials, and describes them as designed to entice teens and conceal their nature from parents.

As the U.S. nicotine pouch market moves toward regulatory clarity and rapid growth, attention is shifting from demand to execution. In an interview with 2Firsts, U.S.-based manufacturer Rena explains why manufacturing capacity, quality systems, and compliance readiness are becoming decisive factors before the market fully takes off.

Japan will adjust tobacco taxes from April 1, 2026, prompting Philip Morris International (PMI) to lift prices for its IQOS ILUMA tobacco sticks TEREA and SENTIA. Both products are set to rise by 40 yen per pack (about $0.3).

The Liverpool City Region is considering a region-wide clampdown on advertising for junk food, sugary drinks and vapes on publicly owned infrastructure. The move is framed as part of a broader push to promote healthier lifestyles and tackle deep-rooted health inequalities, with a particular focus on reducing children’s exposure to harmful marketing in public spaces. The plan is set to go before the Combined Authority on Friday.

The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue has led a nationwide destruction of illicit vape products, citing unpaid excise taxes and penalties amounting to 1.34 billion pesos(approximately US$22 million). Nearly 450,000 units are scheduled for destruction over three days across multiple revenue regions. The seized products violated excise tax laws due to non-payment of taxes, lack of internal revenue stamps, and non-registration of vape brands.