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  • Argentina Updates Tobacco, Nicotine Health Warnings

    Argentina Updates Tobacco, Nicotine Health Warnings

    Argentina’s Ministry of Health approved new graphic health warning requirements for cigarettes, combustible tobacco products, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine sticks, and nicotine pouches under Resolution 796/2026. The updated rules replace previous warning regulations and introduce a single mandatory warning for non-combustible nicotine products stating, “This product contains nicotine that is highly addictive.” The measure also updates packaging, advertising, point-of-sale signage, and smoke-free area requirements, while requiring cessation information and Ministry of Health contact details on product packaging.

    The resolution gives manufacturers and importers 180 days to comply with the new requirements and aligns implementation with Argentina’s existing nicotine product regulations. The ministry emphasized that the measure updates health warnings and labeling requirements but does not constitute a general authorization to market nicotine products.

  • Ex-LEO Breaking into Texas Pouch Market

    Ex-LEO Breaking into Texas Pouch Market

    Patriot Pouch announced the launch of its U.S.-made, tobacco-free nicotine pouches for retail and online sales, positioning the brand as a domestically manufactured alternative in the oral nicotine category. The company currently offers 6 mg nicotine pouches in four flavors, with 9 mg and 12 mg strengths planned, and said the products are available through its website and select gas stations and vape shops in the Weatherford, Texas, area. Patriot Pouch said wholesale pricing is $5 per can with a suggested retail price of $7.49, with current production capacity at 1,000 to 1,500 units per month.

    The company said its nicotine pouches are manufactured entirely in the United States and are marketed as tobacco-free products. Patriot Pouch was founded by Alex Duncan, a retired law enforcement officer and former U.S. Senate candidate in Texas, and is partnering with Diamond Hill Grassroots Media LLC for marketing and outreach.

  • Scandit Launches Automated, Age-Verified, Self-Checkout Solution

    Scandit Launches Automated, Age-Verified, Self-Checkout Solution

    Scandit announced the launch of its Age Verified Self-Checkout, a vision AI-powered age verification solution designed to automate purchases of age-restricted products, including tobacco and nicotine products, at self-checkout kiosks. The system enables customers to verify their age in under 10 seconds using a smartphone through facial age estimation or ID scanning, with no additional hardware or app required.

    Scandit said the technology can automatically complete about 80% of age checks, reducing staff intervention, improving compliance, and increasing self-checkout throughput while processing biometric and ID data entirely on the user’s device to meet privacy standards.

  • Western Balkans Commit to Stronger Tobacco Policies

    Western Balkans Commit to Stronger Tobacco Policies

    Health ministers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia adopted a WHO/Europe-backed declaration committing to strengthening tobacco control across the Western Balkans. The agreement calls for comprehensive smoke-free laws covering indoor public places, workplaces, and public transportation, along with stronger enforcement, public education, improved monitoring, and measures to shield tobacco control policies from industry influence. The declaration aims to reduce the region’s high tobacco use rates, where adult smoking prevalence ranged from 21% to 40% in 2024.

  • Vietnam Considering ID Verification to Buy Cigarettes

    Vietnam Considering ID Verification to Buy Cigarettes

    Vietnam’s Ministry of Health proposed requiring tobacco retailers to verify customers’ ages through chip-based national ID cards or the VNeID digital identity app when buyers appear under 18. The proposed amendments to the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms would also ban tobacco product displays and images in retail outlets, replacing current limits that allow limited pack displays. The ministry said the measures aim to reduce youth access to tobacco, strengthen enforcement, and support retailers’ compliance with age restrictions. The draft legislation is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for review in October.

  • Türkiye Expands Anti-Smoking Drive with Free Medication

    Türkiye Expands Anti-Smoking Drive with Free Medication

    Türkiye’s Health Ministry announced it will provide free smoking-cessation medication to 1 million people, regardless of health insurance status, as part of an expanded effort to reduce smoking rates. The medication will be distributed through tobacco dependence treatment and counseling centers nationwide. The initiative comes as the government prepares legislation to further restrict smoking in outdoor public spaces, including beaches and playgrounds, as part of a broader campaign to reduce tobacco use and its visibility.

  • Indian Court to Decide if Pouches Can be Sold at Airport’s Duty-Free Shops

    Indian Court to Decide if Pouches Can be Sold at Airport’s Duty-Free Shops

    An Indian government investigation found that nicotine pouches were being sold without required approvals at duty-free shops operated by a joint venture led by the Adani Group at Mumbai International Airport, prompting authorities to order sales to be halted and licenses obtained. According to court documents reviewed by Reuters, Adani is challenging the action, arguing India’s Drugs and Cosmetics Act does not apply to duty-free shops. The case, scheduled for a July 14 hearing, could establish how India regulates nicotine pouch sales at airport duty-free outlets as the government increasingly views the products as an unapproved public health risk.

  • Payment Providers Warn Retailers About Illicit Vapes

    Payment Providers Warn Retailers About Illicit Vapes

    Major U.S. payment providers and fuel retailers are warning merchants against selling unauthorized vaping products as enforcement against the illicit market intensifies. According to Reuters, Fiserv subsidiary CardConnect, along with BP, Marathon Petroleum, and Valero, advised partners over the weekend that selling unauthorized e-cigarettes could result in significant fines, loss of payment processing services, or other compliance actions. The warnings follow pressure from a coalition of U.S. state and local law enforcement officials and come after Mastercard cautioned it would investigate transactions involving illegal vape sales.

  • Vuse Unveils Collaboration at Berlin Fashion Week

    Vuse Unveils Collaboration at Berlin Fashion Week

    BAT Germany’s Vuse announced the expansion of its partnership with designer Marina Hoermanseder, unveiling a custom case for the Vuse Ultra device and Ultra Smart Pods during Berlin Fashion Week as part of the designer’s Spring/Summer 2027 show. Inspired by Vuse flavors, the accessory will be offered in three color variants — True Blueberry, Strawberry Fuchsia, and Elegant Tobacco — and will go on sale in October for €29 through Vuse’s website, selected retail locations, and the Vuse Loyalty Club. Following a successful collaboration with the designer last year, the new collection is part of Vuse’s “Follow your vibe” campaign, which emphasizes design, flavor, and personal expression.

  • UKVIA Forum Targets Vaping Policy Challenges

    UKVIA Forum Targets Vaping Policy Challenges

    The UK Vaping Industry Association will unveil new research on the expected impact of the UK’s Vaping Products Duty at its July 13 forum, including findings on consumer behavior, smoking cessation, illicit trade, and stop-smoking services. The association will also release results from a survey of more than 3,500 consumers highlighting the importance of flavors, along with Freedom of Information data on flavor use in local stop-smoking services. UKVIA said the findings are intended to inform debate on upcoming vaping regulations, retailer licensing, and enforcement against illicit sales as the UK prepares to implement the Vaping Products Duty in October.