Observation | As China’s Nicotine Pouch Supply Chain Cools, Market Focus Accelerates Abroad

Aug.28
Observation | As China’s Nicotine Pouch Supply Chain Cools, Market Focus Accelerates Abroad
China’s nicotine pouch sector saw a sharp decline in exhibitors and traffic. Insiders cite tighter regulation and rising overseas competition, with many firms turning to Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, and some building factories in Indonesia for growth.

Shenzhen, August 27, 2025 - From August 26 to 29, the 6th Vape Industry Chain Exhibition was held in Shenzhen, where 2Firsts visited the venue and conducted research on the latest trends in the e-cigarette supply chain.

 

At last year's exhibition, nicotine pouches were experiencing rapid growth, with a variety of related companies such as non-woven fabric, packaging, and manufacturing equipment showcasing their products. The booths were crowded with visitors, making it a highlight of the event and demonstrating the high level of interest in this product category within the industry at that time.

 

However, there has been a noticeable change in the situation this year. The number of exhibitors related to nicotine pouches has sharply decreased, and the popularity of exhibitors' booths has also significantly declined. Industry insiders generally believe that tightening regulations in China, coupled with intensified overseas competition, have led to a cooling of the overall enthusiasm of the nicotine pouch industry chain compared to last year.

 

A supplier of nicotine pouch packaging equipment told 2Firsts that their business focus has now shifted to overseas markets, primarily expanding growth opportunities in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Russia. At the same time, the source revealed that domestic companies have purchased equipment to establish a nicotine pouch production base in Indonesia, in order to cope with domestic policy restrictions and take advantage of the relatively relaxed industrial environment in Southeast Asia.

 

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

TSA: E-cigarette Lithium Batteries Pose Explosion Risk, Banned from Checked Luggage
TSA: E-cigarette Lithium Batteries Pose Explosion Risk, Banned from Checked Luggage
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has once again reminded travelers that e-cigarettes and their lithium-ion batteries must not be placed in checked baggage due to the serious risk of fire. The relevant regulations apply to all domestic and international flights. Passengers who violate the rules are not only engaging in dangerous behavior but may also be committing a federal offense.
Aug.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Research Brief | Altria Study Finds Limited Impact of Massachusetts Flavor Ban on Adult Smoking Rates
Research Brief | Altria Study Finds Limited Impact of Massachusetts Flavor Ban on Adult Smoking Rates
A replication study by Altria scientists published in AJPM Focus evaluated the effect of Massachusetts’ comprehensive flavored‐tobacco ban,the study found that while Massachusetts’ smoking rate continued to decline after the ban, it did not fall faster than in comparison states without flavor bans. Overall, Massachusetts fell from about 14.1% to 10.7%, while comparison states fell from 18.5% to 14.8%. The authors conclude that, for adult smoking prevalence, no additional net decline attributable
Sep.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia Considers Implementing Stricter Measures on E-Cigarettes Amid Rising Usage, Following Singapore's Model
Malaysia Considers Implementing Stricter Measures on E-Cigarettes Amid Rising Usage, Following Singapore's Model
Malaysian public health experts and organizations are calling on the government to follow Singapore's lead in treating e-cigarettes as a drug issue and implementing stricter penalties to curb the surging use among teenagers. An official from the Penang Consumers' Association pointed out that many e-cigarettes contain the addictive substance etomidate, the misuse of which could endanger health. He criticized young people, especially females, for being nonchalant about the dangers of e-cigarettes.
Aug.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk on Vaping Policy: Crackdown on Independent Vape Firms Could Force Adult Users Back to Cigarettes and the Black Market
U.S. Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk on Vaping Policy: Crackdown on Independent Vape Firms Could Force Adult Users Back to Cigarettes and the Black Market
Charlie Kirk published an opinion piece in April criticizing current e-cigarette regulations, arguing that excessive oversight and litigation are not genuinely aimed at protecting youth but rather driven by political and corporate interests. He noted that this approach would force millions of adult users to lose access to low-risk alternatives, potentially pushing them back to cigarettes or toward black market products, ultimately harming public health.
Sep.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesia’s BNN: No Full Vape Ban Like Singapore, Focus on Controlling Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances
Indonesia’s BNN: No Full Vape Ban Like Singapore, Focus on Controlling Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances
The Chief of Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Marthinus Hukom, stated that Indonesia will not follow Singapore in imposing a total ban on e-cigarettes. Instead, the country will strengthen regulation on vape liquids containing narcotics or psychotropic substances. Recently, BNN confiscated about 1,800 vaping devices containing etomidate and ketamine, and the cases have been handed over to the Ministry of Health and the police.
Aug.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Smoore International Falls Over 6% Again; H1 Net Profit Down Nearly 28%, Short-Term Profitability Pressured by Higher R&D Spending
Smoore International Falls Over 6% Again; H1 Net Profit Down Nearly 28%, Short-Term Profitability Pressured by Higher R&D Spending
Smoore International (06969) continued to decline after its earnings release, falling more than 6% in early trading today. As of press time, the stock was down 5.08% at HK$19.23, with a turnover of HK$466 million.
Aug.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai