Hawaii-based vaping company Volcano eCigs plans to close all 13 physical retail stores on December 31, 2026, affecting approximately 56 employees. Volcano operates retail, wholesale, proprietary product and online sales businesses and has previously described itself in legislative testimony as Hawaii's largest independent vape retailer and wholesaler. Its operating company, Jocor Enterprises LLC, filed a formal closure notice on November 4, citing changes in the state's regulatory environment. From January 1, 2027, Hawaii will restrict the sale, acquisition and possession of vaping devices and e-liquids not listed in a state product directory, alongside separate restrictions on certain disposable devices. The closure concerns Volcano's physical retail network; the company has not announced the termination of wholesale or online operations.

Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) confirmed on November 9, 2026, that all seven of its Russian entities had been placed under temporary administration after a second presidential decree added three companies to the four designated a day earlier. The additional entities are associated with importing, management, holdings and the former supply of Ploom heated-tobacco devices. JT disclosed approximately ¥1.5 trillion in Russian business-related assets as of September 30, including ¥360 billion in cash and deposits, and approximately ¥200 billion in liabilities. Under its revised FY2026 forecast, Russia accounts for about 25% of adjusted operating profit. JT said operations in Russia were continuing, while the financial impact remained under assessment.

Philip Morris International (PMI) is expanding the international footprint of BONDS by IQOS, its lower-priced heated tobacco platform. The company's third-quarter 2026 SEC filing shows that BONDS devices and BLENDS tobacco sticks were available in 15 markets at the end of September, up from eight at the end of June. In November, PMI announced plans to extend sales from three to 17 Japanese prefectures and introduced BONDS in Spain and Morocco. The platform uses ROUNDHEAT external heating technology and proprietary tobacco sticks, separate from the IQOS ILUMA system. In Japan, BONDS retails for ¥2,980, approximately 25% below ILUMA i ONE, while BLENDS costs ¥570 per pack. PMI management says BONDS targets cigarette smokers who have not adopted heated tobacco. Separate sales and revenue figures remain undisclosed.

A U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) administrative law judge issued an initial determination on October 20, 2026, finding that certain Glas vaping devices, cartridges and components infringed 12 claims across two patents asserted by JUUL, constituting a violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The judge recommended a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order against the Glas respondents. Five months earlier, the FDA authorized four Glas e-cigarette pods, including mango, blueberry and two menthol variants. The patent investigation concerns device and cartridge structures and is separate from FDA premarket review. The proposed import restrictions have not become final, and their product-level scope remains unresolved.

During its coverage of Altria's booth at NACS Show 2026, 2Firsts documented product displays that prompted questions about U.S. tobacco advertising warning requirements. Following public comments from a former FDA official, 2Firsts sought responses from Altria and independently consulted U.S. regulatory lawyer Azim Chowdhury. Altria maintained that its B2B communications complied with applicable laws, while Chowdhury explained that federal warning rules provide no general trade-show exemption for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The special report examines the broader regulatory implications.