IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

AIR Global PLC (NASDAQ: AIIR), a producer of flavored shisha tobacco and next-generation nicotine products, reported an 11.1% increase in third-quarter 2026 revenue to $99.8 million and a 7.7% rise in adjusted EBITDA to $30.9 million. Revenue for the first nine months increased 6.0% to $306.7 million, but the company posted a $74.2 million net loss, affected by listing-related expenses and other costs. Its New Growth Categories (NGC) business generated $2.1 million in nine-month revenue and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $10.8 million. AIR maintained its 2026 revenue growth guidance of 4%–6%, while lowering its capital expenditure outlook and raising its year-end leverage forecast from approximately 2.1 times to 2.5 times. The company has submitted a U.S. PMTA for its Crown Switch pod vape, with future contributions from new products dependent on regulatory progress and commercialization.

SMOORE-owned vaping brand VAPORESSO introduced the VAST refillable open-system vape in October 2026, featuring Tri-Core Mesh technology that integrates three resistance configurations—0.8Ω, 0.6Ω and 0.4Ω—within a single pod. The device supports different operating modes and e-liquid types. The standard version features a 10mL pod, while a TPD-labelled configuration combines a 2mL pod with an 8mL refill container. The device has a 1,600mAh battery and a maximum output of 30W. VAPORESSO claims up to six pod refills and a tested coil lifespan of up to 150,000 puffs. The UK's MHRA published a related device notification on October 12. The official MSRP is $25.90, compared with a $35.90 listing on VAPORESSO's direct store.

Private antitrust litigation stemming from Altria's 2018 $12.8 billion investment for a 35% economic interest in JUUL is advancing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Direct purchasers, indirect purchasers and indirect resellers of JUUL products filed answering briefs this week seeking to preserve class certifications granted by a California federal court in February. Altria and JUUL argue that individual consumers and large distributors differ too much in purchasing terms to remain in a single direct-purchaser class, while a separate dispute concerns whether California antitrust law can apply to indirect purchasers across 27 jurisdictions. A September trial has been put on hold during the appeal.

DOJO officially launched the BLAST7K Fresh on September 17, 2026, introducing a UK-market prefilled pod product with 6ml of e-liquid and a manufacturer-rated capacity of up to 7,000 puffs. The device features a 1000mAh rechargeable battery, the INSTA-JUICED structure and COREX BLAST dual-mesh technology, while retaining compatibility with existing BLAST pods. The launch comes less than two weeks before the UK's Vaping Products Duty takes effect on October 1. At the new duty rate, 6ml of vaping liquid would correspond to £1.32 in VPD. DOJO has not stated that the product's 6ml format was designed in response to the new duty.

At the 2026 New Approaches Summit in New York, FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Bret Koplow said the PMTA pathway is “predicated on tobacco harm reduction.” He outlined four CTP priorities: youth prevention, helping adults quit or switch to lower-risk products, improving relative-risk communication, and reducing unauthorized products. Koplow also addressed flavored e-cigarettes, public risk perceptions, industry credibility and efforts to make PMTA reviews more efficient and predictable.

Italy's proposed 2027–2029 budget would bring forward scheduled tax increases for e-cigarette liquids and heated tobacco products from January 1, 2028, to July 1, 2027. The consumption tax coefficient for nicotine-containing e-liquids would rise from 20% to 22%, that for nicotine-free liquids and applicable flavorings from 15% to 17%, and the heated-tobacco coefficient from 41% to 42%. The bill would also introduce official retail price schedules for e-liquids, restrict exclusive agreements between retailers and suppliers, and limit single-brand-dominated displays, sales incentives and bundled offers. Importing, authorized warehousing and retailer sourcing arrangements would also change. The proposals remain subject to parliamentary approval and subsequent implementing regulations.