IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

The Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) concluded in Geneva on November 22, with 160 Parties adopting major decisions on tobacco and nicotine regulation, environmental protection, sustainable financing, and tobacco industry liability. A landmark decision mandates a complete ban on the use and sale of tobacco and all novel nicotine products across all UN premises worldwide.

A licensing meeting in Bradford was told that the rising use of cannabis vapes is a “threat to the younger generation”. E-cigarettes containing THC are illegal for recreational purposes but have been found on sale in the district.

South Korea will implement amendments to its Tobacco Business Act on April 24, 2026, officially classifying synthetic nicotine liquid e-cigarettes as tobacco. This marks the first revision of the legal definition of tobacco since 1988. Once in effect, synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes will be subject to existing tobacco regulations, including health warnings, advertising restrictions, smoke-free area enforcement, and youth protection measures.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration has announced that establishments selling vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco products with medicinal or therapeutic claims must secure Licenses to Operate. Such products are also required to be registered as pharmaceutical products through the Center for Drug Regulation and Research. The FDA urged stakeholders to comply with the new requirements to ensure product safety, efficacy and quality.

The Guardian reports that British American Tobacco urged Zambian ministers to drop or delay ad and sponsorship bans and to soften a draft tobacco bill by shrinking health warnings, easing flavour restrictions and lowering penalties. Critics said the stance is hypocritical given similar rules apply in the UK.

RLX Technology Inc. (NYSE: RLX) announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2025. The company reported net revenue of RMB 1.13 billion, up 49.3% year-on-year, and adjusted net profit of RMB 295.4 million, up 1.4% quarter-on-quarter. International business contributed 72% of total revenue, reflecting robust financial performance and continued shareholder returns.