Oral health: Vaping inflicts damage and can lead to ‘irreversible’ problems

The Federal Trade Commission sent a warning letter to Lucky Bar Holdings LLC over “Made in the USA” claims tied to Fifty Bar vape products, saying staff had reason to believe the products may be imported in whole or in significant part despite unqualified U.S.-origin marketing claims.

As cigarette markets face long-term pressure, major tobacco companies are increasingly turning to nicotine pouches in search of growth beyond combustible tobacco. Reuters has examined whether nicotine pouches can become the next strategic growth platform for companies including Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco. PMI strengthened its position through the acquisition of Swedish Match and its ZYN brand, while BAT and JTI continue expanding their own nicotine pouch portfolios. The category has gained attention because of its smoke-free, device-free format, but regulation, youth-use concerns and market scale will determine whether it can become a long-term growth engine.

Germany has expanded take-back obligations for disposable vapes from July 1, 2026, requiring consumers to be able to return used devices at stores that sell such products, including kiosks, petrol stations and vape shops, as e-cigarette regulation extends from sales to waste management and lithium-battery safety.

Norwich City Council is set to debate a proposed vape deposit scheme that would require consumers to pay an extra refundable £5 per device at purchase, with the money returned when the device is handed back, as recent recycling-facility fires, including a major Widnes blaze reportedly very likely caused by a vape, draw greater attention to the risks of improperly discarded lithium-battery devices.

Japan Tobacco International is stepping up its heated tobacco push in South Korea with Ploom AURA. Since its official launch in April 2026, the device's limited First Edition and Glacier White version have sold out, while distribution has expanded across Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and airport duty-free channels. The rollout marks JTI's third major attempt to build a stronger heated tobacco position in South Korea, following Ploom TECH in 2019 and Ploom X Advanced in 2024. At the group level, JT plans to invest about ¥800 billion, approximately $5 billion, in reduced-risk products from 2026 through 2028, with heated products and Ploom identified as its primary investment priority.

The UK’s Vaping Products Duty (VPD), scheduled to take effect in October 2026, is prompting retailers to assess how different vape categories may be affected. UK retailer Vape HQ has estimated potential price changes under the new volume-based tax system, showing that 100ml shortfill e-liquids could see prices rise from around £12.99 to £39.39, a 203% increase, while 2ml prefilled pod vape kits could rise from £5.99 to £6.52, an increase of about 9%. The estimates highlight how a volume-based tax structure creates uneven cost impacts across product categories.