Meeting between State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and PMI

PMI by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.16.2024
Meeting between State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and PMI
Head of State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, Wang Gongcheng, met with Philip Morris International executives in Beijing on January 16.

On January 16th, Wang Gongcheng, a member of the Communist Party group and Deputy Director of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, held a friendly meeting in Beijing with the visiting delegation of Paul Riley, President of East Asia and Australia Region, as well as global duty-free operations leader of Philip Morris International (PMI).

 

The heads of the External Affairs Division, Development Planning Division, Supervision and Administration Division for Monopolized Sales, Economic Operations Division, China National Tobacco Sales Corporation, and China Tobacco International Limited attended the meeting.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

On-Site Report | After FDA Announces Review of PMTA Framework, CTP Director Details Reform Priorities
On-Site Report | After FDA Announces Review of PMTA Framework, CTP Director Details Reform Priorities
FDA CTP Director Bret Koplow used his FDLI keynote in Washington to outline how the agency is rethinking the PMTA framework. He discussed category-specific review, nicotine pouch and sPMTA pilots, AI-assisted review, a 70% reduction in pending applications, and a major staffing constraint: CTP currently has only nine scientific review teams. He also reaffirmed tobacco harm reduction while stressing youth protection, flavored products, risk communication, and the challenge of unauthorized e-cigarettes.
Regulations
Oct.06
Russia Expands Temporary Administration of JTI Assets in Second Round: From Four to All Seven Russian Entities, With Approximately $9.5 Billion in Related Assets
Russia Expands Temporary Administration of JTI Assets in Second Round: From Four to All Seven Russian Entities, With Approximately $9.5 Billion in Related Assets
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.
company
Nov.09
Product | Juul Labs Launches Upgraded JUUL2 Kit in UK With Four Pods at £9.99 and USB-C Charging
Product | Juul Labs Launches Upgraded JUUL2 Kit in UK With Four Pods at £9.99 and USB-C Charging
Juul Labs UK has introduced an upgraded JUUL2 Starter Kit for the UK market in October 2026, retaining a recommended retail price of £9.99 while doubling the number of included pods from two to four. The kit contains Crisp Menthol, Virginia Tobacco, Mango and Watermelon pods. The updated device replaces the previous proprietary charging dock with a USB-C port and offers longer battery life. The kit also features reduced packaging and retains a two-year limited warranty. Distribution is scheduled through major UK retailers, wholesalers, convenience stores and the JUUL UK website.
product
Oct.15
Reynolds Puts Nearly 183,000 U.S. Contracted Outlets Under Age-Verification Rules, Covering 94% of Volume — Can It Shift an Unauthorized Vape Market?
Reynolds Puts Nearly 183,000 U.S. Contracted Outlets Under Age-Verification Rules, Covering 94% of Volume — Can It Shift an Unauthorized Vape Market?
Reynolds American says nearly 183,000 U.S. retail outlets are under contract, with its Retail Marketing Plan Contract covering about 94% of company volume and requiring point-of-sale age verification. The company combines those contracts with We Card, TruAge, NACS-linked infrastructure and POS integration, while enhanced Vuse Pro retail rules add ID scanning, purchase limits and stronger underage-sales accountability. The initial Vuse Pro rollout targets about 50,000 stores. The system is taking shape as unauthorized vapor products remain dominant in parts of the U.S. market: a 2026 study estimated they accounted for 69.4% of tracked brick-and-mortar e-cigarette dollar sales in December 2025.
Special Report
Oct.15
South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%
South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%
South Korea's government unveiled its first Tobacco Harm Management Basic Plan for 2027–2031 on October 29, 2026, proposing broader testing of vaping and heated tobacco products while excluding nicotine analogs such as 6-methyl nicotine. Synthetic nicotine came under tobacco regulation on April 24, and a June investigation found 6-methyl nicotine in 12 liquid inhalation products marketed as nicotine-free. Customs data released in September showed that imports of nicotine analog solutions fell 83.3%, from 12 metric tons in January–April to 2 metric tons in May–August. By September 20, imports had reached approximately 15 metric tons for the year, with 99.99% originating from China. Customs authorities have tightened pre-clearance testing and supply-chain documentation requirements, while the MFDS expects to complete its assessment of nicotine analog hazards by the end of 2026.
Regulations
Nov.04
Sweden Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Deal as Nicotine Pouch Duty Dispute Looms Over November 9 Meeting
Sweden Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Deal as Nicotine Pouch Duty Dispute Looms Over November 9 Meeting
Sweden is expected to oppose a European Union proposal to raise minimum tobacco excise duties, Law360 reported on October 26, 2026, citing an EU official. A provisional Council agenda dated October 23 confirms that the tobacco taxation package is scheduled for discussion at the November 9 finance ministers' meeting, where member states will seek a general approach. The proposed reforms would raise minimum taxes on conventional tobacco products and establish EU-wide excise rules for vaping liquids, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. Sweden supports harmonising tobacco taxation rules but objects to requiring nicotine pouches to bear the same minimum tax burden as certain smoking tobacco products. As EU indirect tax legislation requires unanimous Council approval, Swedish opposition could block the proposal in its current form.
Regulations
Oct.29