AUSTRALIA & NZ
Tobacco Regulation: New Zealand
November 2026: New Zealand Moves Toward Legalizing Nicotine Pouches Despite Public Health Opposition New Zealand is considering legalizing the commercial sale of nicotine pouches and other oral nicotine products as part of broader reforms to its tobacco and nicotine regulatory framework. The initiative follows a September 2026 Cabinet decision to
Australia: Cigarette Market
November 2026: Australian States Consider A$50 Billion Lawsuit Against Major Tobacco Companies Over Healthcare Costs Australian state governments are considering a proposal to pursue up to A$50 billion (c.US$34 billion) in compensation from major tobacco companies to recover public healthcare costs associated with smoking-related diseases. The proposal, developed by a
Tobacco Regulation: Australia
September 2026: TGA Classifies 6-Methylnicotine as a Schedule 9 Prohibited Substance to Close E-Cigarette Loophole Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has officially decided to list 6-methylnicotine as a Schedule 9 Prohibited Substance in the Poisons Standard, with an implementation date set for October 1, 2026. This regulatory action directly targets
Australia: Nicotine Pouches
July 2026: New Australia Regulations Ban Personal Importation of Nicotine Pouches The Australian Government has established new regulations to restrict access to nicotine pouches, citing concerns over public health and the growing appeal of these products to younger demographics. Under the new rules, which take effect on July 24, 2026,
New Zealand: Cigarette Market
April 2026: New Zealand Cigarette Market Under Pressure as Illicit Trade and Vaping Weigh on Industry Performance British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Brands have reported weaker financial results, highlighting mounting structural pressures on New Zealand’s legal tobacco market, including a rapidly expanding illicit trade, high excise taxes, and accelerating
New Zealand: Vapes
February 2026: New Zealand Approves First Quit‑Vaping Medicine as Youth Use Climbs New Zealand’s medicines regulator Medsafe approved the country’s first product specifically indicated to help people quit vaping, marking a milestone in clinical support for nicotine dependence. The product now recommended for this purpose is Nicorette QuickMist, a nicotine mouth
New Zealand: Nicotine Pouches
December 2025: New Zealand Lawmakers Debate Plans for Oral Nicotine Products New Zealand lawmakers debated the Government’s plans for regulating oral tobacco and nicotine products, including products such as nicotine pouches and Swedish-style snus, during a Health Select Committee session in December. The Government had previously agreed in principle to
Australia: Vapes
October 2025: TGA issues a warning to online delivery service providers not to breach the laws regarding the supply and advertising of vaping products The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a warning to online delivery service providers not to breach the Australian laws regarding the supply and advertising of vaping
New Zealand: Heated Tobacco
July 2025: Heated tobacco product tax cut is extended by two years The tax break for heated tobacco products is extended for two years in New Zealand. In July 2024, the Government reduced the excise tax on heated tobacco by 50% for one-year trial subject to an evaluation. The aim
