Stay on top of the tobacco industry. Get weekly highlights straight to your inbox. Become a Free member today: Tobacco Insider – Free Membership
—
US FDA – Tobacco: News
To crack down on illegal foreign vapes, the FDA has issued a proposed rule that closes a major loophole by holding international tobacco manufacturers to the same standards as American businesses. Currently, domestic companies must register their facilities and list their products with the agency, but foreign manufacturers do not. If finalized, the new rule will require overseas companies to register with the FDA and provide granular data on products bound for the U.S., including nicotine strengths, flavors, and e-cigarette battery specs. The agency plans to use this data to ramp up international inspections and cut off the supply of illegal, youth-appealing vapes before they ever reach U.S. ports.
Read More: US FDA – Tobacco: News
Heated Tobacco: Markets
Philip Morris International (PMI) plans to launch its heated tobacco device, IQOS, in Argentina by the end of 2026, reactivating previously frozen investment plans. This move follows a major regulatory shift by the Argentine Ministry of Health, which lifted a 2011 prohibition on alternative nicotine products in favor of a strictly regulated, heavily taxed, and traceable framework. With early-adoption markets like Japan and parts of Western Europe reaching maturity, PMI is targeting Argentina’s estimated 7 million smokers as a key geographic area for fresh growth.
Read More: Heated Tobacco: Markets
ALP Nicotine Pouches
ALP, the fast-growing U.S. nicotine pouch brand co-owned by Tucker Carlson and Turning Point Brands, is launching an aggressive expansion into 11 European markets starting in July 2026. Currently holding a top-five position in the U.S., the brand aims to become the number two nicotine pouch brand in the EU by 2030 through a phased online rollout, followed by physical retail availability. To support this growth, ALP has secured a manufacturing partner in Lithuania to scale production and signed former UFC world champion Conor McGregor to front its international marketing campaign.
Read More: ALP Nicotine Pouches
Global Tobacco Control
Global sales of nicotine pouches have surged by 660% since 2020, according to a new report by industry watchdog STOP. The market is heavily consolidated, with Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, and Altria controlling over 75% of global sales, leveraging their massive infrastructure to scale rapidly into top markets like the U.S., Scandinavia, and emerging lower-income nations. The watchdog warns that growth is heavily fueled by youth-appealing flavors and lifestyle marketing, high-strength variants, and a rising trend of “poly-use,” with companies frequently capitalizing on lagging regulatory and tax frameworks to secure early market dominance.
Read More: Global Tobacco Control
USA: Nicotine Pouches
Cigarettes still dominate 71% of the $71.7 billion U.S. nicotine retail market despite a 2.4% decline year-over-year. Meanwhile, the $11.6 billion smokeless category grew by over 8%, driven entirely by rapid double-digit growth in nicotine pouches, offsetting sharp declines in traditional moist snuff, chewing tobacco, and legacy snus brands. The competitive landscape is also tightening; market leader Altria (35% share) is facing intense pressure from Philip Morris International (33% share), though PMI’s ZYN growth has recently flattened due to fierce competition from British American Tobacco’s VELO Plus line, prompting PMI to counter with its new ZYN Ultra range.
Read More: USA: Nicotine Pouches
USA: Illegal Vapes
Following pressure from a bipartisan coalition of 25 U.S. state attorneys general, Shopify is set to prohibit the sale of all vape products on its e-commerce platform in the United States. The blanket ban applies regardless of FDA authorization, directly targeting the digital infrastructure supporting the estimated $9 billion illicit U.S. disposable vape market. This platform crackdown coincides with a move by Mastercard instructing financial partners to tighten merchant oversight, signaling a coordinated push by payment networks and digital platforms to choke off the online supply chain for unauthorized e-cigarettes.
Read More: USA: Illegal Vapes
Smoking Cessation Products
The U.S. FDA has issued a Complete Response Letter declining to approve Achieve Life Sciences’ smoking cessation drug, cytisinicline, citing incomplete product labeling and unresolved issues at a third-party manufacturing facility. The setback is strictly procedural, as the agency raised no concerns regarding the drug’s safety or clinical efficacy, which were backed by successful Phase 3 trials. Achieve anticipated the delay following a poor inspection at its former contractor and has already transferred production to Adare Pharma Solutions, with plans to resubmit its application in Q4 2026 for a potential decision in early 2027.
Read More: Smoking Cessation Products
Tobacco Regulation: South Korea
South Korea is evaluating its first cigarette tax hike since 2015, following comments from the Health & Welfare Minister and a commitment in the country’s Sixth National Health Promotion Plan (2026–2030) to align tobacco pricing with the OECD average. Pack prices have remained stagnant at ₩4,500 (US$3.30) for over a decade despite 20% inflation, prompting public health experts to argue that the real price of cigarettes has eroded. Public sentiment is largely supportive of a change, with a recent survey revealing that 63% of respondents favor an increase, though the majority prefer a gradual rise toward ₩6,000 and eventually ₩10,000 per pack.
Read More: Tobacco Regulation: South Korea
Philippines: Tobacco Market
The Philippine Bureau of Customs has seized ₱7.2 billion (US$120 million) worth of illicit tobacco and e-cigarette products since January 2026, driven by intensified enforcement and port monitoring. The seizures comprise ₱5.6 billion in illicit cigarettes and ₱1.6 billion in illegal vapes, with totals expected to rise as authorities target smuggled manufacturing machinery. This crackdown comes as the Bureau of Internal Revenue estimates that tobacco smuggling costs the country up to ₱52 billion annually in lost taxes.
Read More: Philippines: Tobacco Market
Southeast Asia: Tobacco Market
Data from the Royal Malaysia Police through April 2026 recorded hundreds of cases of vape devices and e-liquids laced with dangerous synthetic drugs, including MDMA, methamphetamine, and synthetic cannabinoids. Commenting on the findings, Malaysia’s Health Minister stated that the evidence provides a strong basis for considering a nationwide ban on all vape products. The proposed ban is currently under government consideration.
Read More: Southeast Asia: Tobacco Market
