BAT Japan announced it will support and sponsor the outdoor culture market “DIGGIN DEEP 2026 DAIKANYAMA,” held on March 7 and 8, 2026 at Daikanyama T-SITE, and will set up a special booth for the oral tobacco brand VELO at the venue. The booth will feature product displays and trial experiences, including the new product Velo Smooth Peppermint Medium, which went on sale on Feb. 2.

Newly published patent filings indicate that China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), is exploring nicotine pouch technologies capable of releasing gas during oral use. The designs include carbon-dioxide microcapsules that burst in the mouth and effervescent systems that generate gas through chemical reactions with saliva, suggesting efforts to introduce new sensory dynamics into modern oral nicotine products.

Haypp, an online retailer of alternative nicotine products, has confirmed it is exiting the UK vape category as it shifts focus to the oral nicotine market. The company said analysis of its sales data showed increasing adoption of nicotine pouches across its six international markets: the UK, the USA, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden.

GEEK BAR announced its return to the European market and the release of its pod-based product, SPARK, which will begin rolling out across select European countries starting in March. SPARK features a battery-status display interface and a fast-charging battery. It offers a 1.1Ω prefilled pod (up to approximately 1,000 puffs) and a 0.8Ω refillable pod, along with multiple new flavors tailored for Europe.

Japan Tobacco (JT) has introduced the new Nordic Spirit nicotine pouch brand in Japan. The Cola Fizz Medium flavor began early sales on March 3, 2026 via the CLUB JT online shop, and will be rolled out sequentially from April 6 through nationwide channels including 7-Eleven, Lawson, and NewDays. The Berry Mix Medium flavor is expected to launch on CLUB JT around mid-March.