IQOS Smoking Room at Manila International Airport

Based on combined reporting from Xinhua and Xinwen Lianbo, 2Firsts reports that Chinese Premier Li Qiang has issued a rare directive at a State Council executive meeting to launch comprehensive, full-chain enforcement against illicit tobacco activities.

Japan Tobacco (JT) is adding four new EVO variants for its Ploom heated tobacco range—Green Mint, Cacao Mint Crystal, Tropical Lime Crystal and Sakura Regular—set to launch in two waves on Jan. 22 and Feb. 3. The initial release will be via the CLUB JT online store and Ploom retail stores.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says the state will crack down on illegal flavored vapes by creating a registry identifying which vapor products may be legally sold. The governor directed the state Department of Taxation and Finance to establish a “Vapor Products” registry, with products not on the list treated as illegal.

China Business Journal, citing a review of policy documents released by the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration in early 2026, said China’s latest e-cigarette rules target credit-based regulation, capacity controls and national standards revisions.Alan Zhao, co-founder of 2Firsts, said tighter oversight will speed consolidation, curb noncompliance and reduce destructive competition.

Malaysia’s Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court decision to convict a known personality for promoting vape has set an important legal precedent for enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act (Act 852).

Following approval by the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill is set to be tabled in the Senate to impose strict controls on the sale, marketing and use of vapes and e-cigarettes in Islamabad.