1. Smore International announced financial data for the first quarter of 2024

On April 11, Smore International announced its financial data for the three months ending March 31, 2024. The announcement showed that the pre-tax profit was approximately 399.7 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 25.2%; the after-tax profit was approximately 339.5 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.8%; the total comprehensive income during the period was approximately 309.8 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%.

2. The police in Xiao County, Anhui, China, destroyed more than 150,000 sets of illegal vapes

Recently, the Xiao County Public Security Bureau and the County Tobacco Monopoly Bureau carried out a centralized destruction activity of illegal items in the “Xiao County 1.29 Illegal Vape Operation Case”. At a centralized destruction point at a thermal power plant in Xiao County, after dump trucks dumped the loaded vapes, bulldozers All vape products are pushed into the thermoelectric furnace for incineration. A total of 150,000 units (sets) of cigarette cartridges, smoking accessories, and finished vapes were destroyed in this operation, and the amount involved was more than 10 million yuan.

3. US FDA issues 119 warning letters to retailers of ZYN Nicotine Pouches

On April 4, the FDA announced that it had issued 119 warning letters and filed 41 civil penalty complaints to physical retailers involved in the sale of various flavors of ZYN Nicotine Pouches to minors between October 2023 and February 2024.

The FDA stated that in order for new tobacco products to be legally sold in the United States, they must obtain FDA authorization. To obtain FDA authorization, a product application must be submitted, which includes providing sufficient scientific evidence to prove that the product meets the necessary public health standards required by law.

4. British vape company invests 153 million to enter Malaysia

British vape company Airscream said it will move its global headquarters to Malaysia and invest 100 million ringgit (approximately US$20.93 million) in its business in Malaysia over the next five years. Currently, the company has set up administrative, sales and marketing departments and warehouses in Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor state, Malaysia, and has nearly 40 employees locally.

Airscream founder and CEO Sam Ong said the company’s decision was driven by Malaysia’s strong market performance and well-established vape industry ecosystem, which is poised for further growth.

5. Six states in the United States have passed PMTA registration bills

On April 5, the Governor of Kentucky signed House Bill 11 into law, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. This makes Kentucky the sixth state in the United States to pass the PMTA registration bill, the other five states being Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Utah.

States that pass registration bills will only allow the sale of vapes authorized by the FDA, but the details of legislation vary from state to state. Currently, only 23 tobacco-flavored vape products are authorized by the FDA.

6. Nepal prepares to ban vape products

The information officer of Nepal’s National Center for Health Education, Information and Communication said the country is preparing to ban vapes to curb the increasing use of vapes among young people. In 2023, Nepal imported 3.2 million vapes worth an estimated Nepalese rupee 210 million. Currently, a letter of intent to ban vaping has been sent to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population.

7. Brazil to re-evaluate vape sales ban

Brazil’s Health Supervision Agency will re-evaluate the ban on the sale of vape products and is expected to lift the ban that has lasted for more than ten years. The discussion is scheduled to take place next Wednesday (April 17). In a public consultation of 13,390 people held last year, 37% supported a ban on vape sales, while 59% opposed the ban or had reservations. Among health professionals, 61% support a vape ban, while 32% oppose it.