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Tag: vape

  • OTP Driving Q3 Growth for U.S. Convenience Retailers

    OTP Driving Q3 Growth for U.S. Convenience Retailers

    Other tobacco products (OTP) continued to deliver strong performance for major U.S. convenience-store operators in the third quarter of 2025, according to earnings reports from Arko Corp., Murphy USA, and CrossAmerica Partners.

    According to CSP, Arko Corp. CEO Arie Kotler reported OTP sales up 16% year over year, with same-store sales rising 6.6% and category margins improving by more than 300 basis points, driven by store redesigns and enhanced promotions. CrossAmerica Partners also cited OTP as a key contributor to its higher merchandise gross margin, which grew by about 100 basis points. Meanwhile, Murphy USA highlighted strong gains in traditional smokeless and nicotine pouch sales. CEO Andrew Clyde said total merchandise margins rose 11.3%, while COO Mindy West noted nicotine pouch volumes surged 45%, jumping to 120% of prior-year levels in October through aggressive promotions.

  • Yocan Launches Kodo Star with Full Display Technology

    Yocan Launches Kodo Star with Full Display Technology

    Today (November 13), Yocan unveiled the Kodo Star, a compact 400mAh battery device featuring the company’s new Galaxy Full Display system, which the company says is the first of its kind in a pocket-sized vape. The device offers real-time voltage, session, and battery monitoring, with adjustable voltage from 1.8V to 4.2V, a 10-second smart preheat mode, and auto shutoff safety features. Measuring 57×23×18.5mm, the Kodo Star supports Type-C fast charging (0.8 hours) and 510 cartridges.

    Available in five colors—black, white, pink, purple, and blue—the Kodo Star “targets style-conscious, on-the-go users seeking performance, portability, and precision control.”

  • Vietnam Moves to Ban E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco

    Vietnam Moves to Ban E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco

    Vietnam’s Ministry of Health proposed adding e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to the list of prohibited business activities in the draft amended Law on Investment, aligning with National Assembly Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15, which bans production, trade, import, storage, transport, and use of these products from 2025.

    National Assembly Deputy Lê Hoàng Anh said that leaving e-cigarettes unregulated would expose youth to highly addictive nicotine products and provide a cover for criminals to smuggle narcotics. He emphasized the health risks, citing evidence that the devices contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals, and noted that teenagers using e-cigarettes are more likely to transition to conventional smoking.

    Anh urged lawmakers to include the prohibition in Article 6 of the Investment Law, framing it as a matter of public health and national responsibility.

  • Malaysian Teens Recruited by Syndicate to Sell Vapes

    Malaysian Teens Recruited by Syndicate to Sell Vapes

    Authorities and parents in Malaysia are being warned about unscrupulous syndicates recruiting teenagers to sell vapes at schools for lucrative commissions, reported China Press. Students are allegedly being hired as “runners,” and then encouraged to get their peers addicted so they can sell them devices. One independent Chinese school reportedly took action against a student caught selling vapes on campus, and staff “members were shocked when a syndicate member boldly called the school board pleading for leniency on behalf of the student.” Educational sources urged parents to monitor their children closely.

  • More Serious Charges Remain in Arkansas THC Vape Suit

    More Serious Charges Remain in Arkansas THC Vape Suit

    An Arkansas federal judge dismissed parts of a proposed class action alleging a retailer, vape manufacturer, and others conspired to sell vaping products containing THC above legal limits. While warranty claims and the Drug Dealer Liability Act counts were thrown out, the court allowed fraud, negligence, racketeering (RICO), and fraudulent transfer claims to move forward.

    The case involves allegations that products labeled as under the 0.3% THC threshold actually exceeded that limit and that fraudulent lab certificates were used. Cigarette Store LLC, Savage Enterprises LLC, and ACS Laboratory LLC were among those named in Smith et al. v. Cigarette Store LLC et al.

  • Bill Introduced to Allow FDA to Destroy Illicit Chinese Tobacco Products

    Bill Introduced to Allow FDA to Destroy Illicit Chinese Tobacco Products

    Last week, Senator John Cornyn and Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, joined by Senator Martin Heinrich and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, introduced the “Ensuring the Necessary Destruction of Illicit Chinese Tobacco Act,” also referred to as the “END Illicit Chinese Tobacco Act” (END). The legislation would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to seize and destroy adulterated, misbranded, or counterfeit tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes, imported from China, specifically giving the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authority to do so.

    “By giving the FDA destruction authority over these imports, this legislation would turn off the spigot of illicit e-cigarettes and vapes flowing from China and address the public health crisis sweeping across our nation,” Sen. Cornyn said.

    Lawmakers cited the public health risks posed by counterfeit products, which dominate illicit youth-used e-vapor brands. The END Act would extend the FDA’s existing destruction powers, currently applied to certain drugs and medical devices, to tobacco products.

    “We have seen too many illegal vapes slipping through the enforcement cracks, posing health and safety risks to Americans,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “The END Act will give federal agencies the tools that they need to destroy these counterfeit or misbranded goods before they reach our shelves.”

    The bill is supported by major health organizations—including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart and Lung Associations—and industry groups like 7-Eleven and Altria.

    The bill has been introduced, but no date for markup or committee hearing has been publicly posted thus far.

  • UK Public Strongly Backs Regulation of Nicotine Pouches, Survey Finds

    UK Public Strongly Backs Regulation of Nicotine Pouches, Survey Finds

    A new survey from Northerner UK found that the British public overwhelmingly supports stricter regulation of nicotine pouches and stronger safeguards for young people overall, as the government prepares to advance the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. According to the survey, 84% of respondents want the government to introduce new rules governing nicotine pouches, aligning their regulation with that of cigarettes and vapes. A further 82% support a licensing scheme for vape sales, while 81% back age restrictions on social media, and 75% approve of mandatory ID checks for online pornography.

    Markus Lindblad, head of external affairs at Northerner, said the results show strong alignment between the public, government, and responsible retailers.

    “At the moment, a legal loophole means that there is no minimum age limit on the purchase of nicotine pouches, and this has been exploited by unscrupulous retailers,” Lindblad said. “This survey shows that the public wants action, and there is strong support for the government’s move to close this loophole through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.”

  • Haypp Reports Q3 2025 Results Amid U.S. Expansion Investments

    Haypp Reports Q3 2025 Results Amid U.S. Expansion Investments

    Haypp reported Q3 2025 net sales of SEK 952.1 million ($95.2 million), an 0.8% increase, driven by strong performance in nicotine pouches, which accounted for 68% of total oral nicotine volume with like-for-like (LFL) volume growth of 21% (LFL excludes the impact of the ZYN shortage, U.S. state closures, and tobacco sales discontinuations.) Gross margin rose to 18.8%, while adjusted EBITDA reached SEK 53.0 million ($5.3 million) and adjusted EBIT was SEK 33.4 million ($3.3 million). Operating profit fell to SEK 6.2 million ($620,000) and net profit to SEK 4.5 million, reflecting a SEK 17.2 million ($1.7 million) litigation settlement.

    Key developments included the return of ZYN to the U.S. market, early indicators of strong sales, and continued growth in Swedish and German vaping and heated tobacco products, which now make up over 70% of Haypp’s Emerging segment. UK nicotine vaping and HnB sales will be discontinued in Q4 2025 pending regulatory clarity.

    “[The] U.S. return of Zyn, U.S. market developments and gross margin expansion strengthen our foundation for growth,” said Gavin O’Dowd, Haypp president and CEO. “The benefits of Zyn’s return will be realized in Q4 2025 with promising early indicators.”

    Haypp also completed most of its global e-commerce platform migration, improving infrastructure for agile growth. CEO Gavin O’Dowd emphasized that U.S. market developments, innovative product availability, and gross margin expansion are strengthening the company’s foundation for future growth.

  • Vaping Overtakes Smoking in UK

    Vaping Overtakes Smoking in UK

    For the first time, the number of adults in Britain who vape has surpassed those who smoke traditional cigarettes, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday (November 4). The ONS reported that 10% of adults (around 5.4 million people) in Great Britain used e-cigarettes daily or occasionally in 2024, overtaking the 9.1% (4.9 million) who still smoke. Cigarette smoking has now fallen to its lowest level since records began in 2011.

    Public health specialist Professor John Ashton said “many people are vaping but haven’t stopped smoking.” He cautioned that the long-term effects of vaping remain unknown and that youth uptake is becoming a growing concern. While smoking rates among young adults (18–24) have plummeted from 25.7% in 2011 to 8.1% in 2024, vaping remains most common in the 16–24 age group at 13%.

  • CVA Urges Education Over Prohibition as Youth Vaping Declines

    CVA Urges Education Over Prohibition as Youth Vaping Declines

    The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) is calling on federal and provincial health ministers to prioritize youth prevention and education programs over restrictive vaping bans, warning that prohibitionist policies could fuel the illicit market and push adult smokers back to cigarettes. CVA President Sam Tam said measures such as flavor bans would undermine harm-reduction efforts that have helped millions quit smoking, noting that tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Canada. The group emphasized that prohibition “leaves adult smokers with nowhere to turn except back to tobacco use,” threatening Canada’s goal of reducing smoking rates below 5% by 2035.

    Citing new Statistics Canada data, the CVA said youth vaping rates among Canadians aged 12–17 have fallen to 7.2% in 2025, nearly half the 2019 peak, crediting education-focused initiatives such as Health Canada’s “I Quit for Me” program. The association also highlighted research showing that flavored vaping products are crucial in helping adults switch from cigarettes, referencing studies by McGill University, Public Health England, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The CVA warned that banning legal, regulated products would drive consumers to the black market, where unregulated, high-strength nicotine products are easily accessible to youth. Instead, the group urged governments to back evidence-based regulation, support enforcement, and expand youth cessation resources rather than pursuing prohibitionist approaches.