Interview Vapouround: New "Best Nicotine Pouch" award focuses on innovation and public health

Oct.29.2024
Interview Vapouround: New "Best Nicotine Pouch" award focuses on innovation and public health
The 9th annual Vapouround Awards ceremony was held in Birmingham, recognizing excellence in the e-cigarette industry.

Recently, the 9th Vapouround Awards ceremony was held in Birmingham. Hosted by the e-cigarette industry media platform Vapouround, the event aimed to recognize outstanding brands, products, and industry leaders in the e-cigarette industry for their innovation and quality, in order to promote the healthy development of the industry. 2Firsts was invited to attend the event and had in-depth discussions with the organizers.

 

 

The e-cigarette industry is facing significant challenges, with the addition of a new "Best Nicotine Pouch" award

 

 

The organizers introduced that the Vapouround Awards was established in 2016 and this year marks the ninth edition of the event. The original intention of the event was to recognize brands and products that have excelled in innovation, creativity, and public health, particularly companies that provide safer alternatives. The Vapouround Awards focus on advancements in technology and creativity, while also providing a platform for global industry leaders to communicate and develop.

 

Over the past year, the global e-cigarette industry has faced a series of serious challenges, including bans on disposable e-cigarettes, flavor restrictions, increased taxes, and strict scrutiny on social media. However, even in such a complex market environment, the industry has shown strong adaptability and resilience. To better reflect the diverse market demands, this year's Vapouround Awards have added two new categories, "Best Nicotine Pouch" and "Best Alternative Nicotine Product", to recognize the industry's focus on and response to alternative solutions.

 

Emphasis on safety standards and effective market strategies

 

The organizers stated that the judging for Vapouround's major awards is divided into three main categories:

  • Product Awards -  The flavour and hardware products are decided by independent judges in a blind taste test.
  • Public Choice Awards -  These are decided by the public via an online vote.
  • Industry Awards - These are decided by the Vapouround team.  

 

The organizers stated that in the highly competitive global brand environment, the Vapouround Awards highlight brands that excel in marketing, consumer insights, innovation, and compliance. The award-winning brands not only demonstrate high levels of creativity and precise understanding of customer needs, but also prioritize strict safety standards and effective marketing strategies.

 

The organizers plan to enhance the breadth and influence of the award ceremony by adding award categories that reflect industry trends.

 

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

Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Swedish nicotine pouch brand Kelly White is building its strategy around adult female consumers. Founder and CEO Sophia Wilsby told 2Firsts that women accounted for around 70% of the brand’s repeat customers on HAYPP in Sweden in 2025. The interview explores female consumer segmentation, product and design differentiation, gender stereotypes, packaging regulation, and how independent brands can compete with global players such as ZYN and VELO while considering funding, partnerships and future ownership options.
Business
Sep.24
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
Key provisions of the UK's Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will take effect on Oct. 29, extending an age-18 sales restriction to all vaping and non-medicinal nicotine products. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the change brings zero-nicotine vapes within statutory age-of-sale rules and also covers products including nicotine pouches, strips and pearls. The law will also prohibit proxy purchasing for under-18s, consumer-facing vending machines, promotional giveaways and substantial discounts intended to promote vaping and nicotine products.
Regulations
Oct.10
NAS 2026 | Former FDA Tobacco Chief Mitch Zeller Calls for Shift From “End Game” to “End State”
NAS 2026 | Former FDA Tobacco Chief Mitch Zeller Calls for Shift From “End Game” to “End State”
At the 2026 New Approaches Summit in New York, former FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller called for the tobacco harm reduction debate to shift from the traditional “end game” toward defining a desired “end state.” He also highlighted unresolved concerns around dual use, argued that biomarkers of exposure may be more meaningful than cigarettes-per-day in assessing risk reduction, and said nicotine misperceptions remain a major barrier to public health progress.
Sep.25
Product | JT Launches Three Autumn-Limited Ploom Tobacco Sticks in Japan Across EVO, MEVIUS and CAMEL Brands
Product | JT Launches Three Autumn-Limited Ploom Tobacco Sticks in Japan Across EVO, MEVIUS and CAMEL Brands
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) launched three limited-edition autumn tobacco sticks for its Ploom heated tobacco devices in Japan on October 16, 2026, under the EVO, MEVIUS and CAMEL brands. All three are regular tobacco variants with seasonal packaging. Each pack contains 20 sticks, priced at ¥620, ¥590 and ¥570, respectively, including tax. The products are compatible with all Ploom devices and are sold in limited quantities exclusively through the CLUB JT online store while supplies last.
product
Oct.20
JTI Invests ₱2.1 Billion to Upgrade Batangas Manufacturing Hub, Adds First Southeast Asia DIET Facility
JTI Invests ₱2.1 Billion to Upgrade Batangas Manufacturing Hub, Adds First Southeast Asia DIET Facility
JTI Asia Manufacturing Corp. has invested ₱2.1 billion, or about $37 million, in its manufacturing site in Malvar, Batangas, Philippines, to expand tobacco-processing capabilities. About ₱1.9 billion is allocated to JTI's first Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco, or DIET, facility in Southeast Asia, while more than ₱177 million has been spent on expanding its Controlled Atmosphere treatment facility. The Batangas plant supplies the Philippine market and exports to 22 overseas markets, making it one of JTI's key manufacturing hubs in Asia.
Sep.24
Product|AIR Files U.S. PMTA for Crown Switch. Can Greentank's Chip Technology Deliver a Compliance and Competitive Advantage?
Product|AIR Files U.S. PMTA for Crown Switch. Can Greentank's Chip Technology Deliver a Compliance and Competitive Advantage?
AIR Global PLC (NASDAQ: AIIR) announced on November 5, 2026, that it had submitted a Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Crown Switch, its rechargeable pod vape platform. First launched in Germany in November 2025, the device uses Quantum Chip atomization technology developed by Canadian vaporization technology company Greentank Innovations. German retail versions feature 2mL prefilled pods containing 18mg/mL nicotine in six flavors, while AIR has separately tested two 5% nicotine formulations intended for U.S. development. AIR invested $20 million in Greentank in July and reported approximately $3.4 million in U.S. PMTA-related regulatory costs for the first nine months of 2026. The Crown Switch application has been submitted, but the FDA has not granted marketing authorization.
product
Nov.13