IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

The Australian government is preparing a new crackdown on the illicit tobacco market, including stronger penalties, expanded police surveillance powers and tougher asset seizure measures.

Malaysian police seized 3,200 suspicious e-pods with ketamine liquid, arresting two men in Johor Bahru's drug distribution bust.

Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE) has registered a non-legislative motion (PNL) in Congress seeking to curb the use of vapes and nicotine pouches by restricting sales to authorised channels and banning sales online and in non-specialist shops. The proposal says the current “lack of control” in commercialisation facilitates tax evasion and breaches existing health and environmental rules.

Korean postal system launches nationwide heated tobacco device recycling through post offices and mailboxes, aiming to increase recycling rates.

Thai Customs said on March 18 that it had seized more than 27.3 million foreign cigarettes and 205,445 vape products and related devices in mid-February, with a total value of more than THB 169 million.

Singapore Parliament passes law to significantly increase penalties for e-cigarette possession, use, import, and sale, effective May 1.