Tobacco Asia

Tobacco Asia 19 David Lee, c.m.o., Besuki Raya Cigars. Yet the regulatory landscape is shifting, too. "Our inaugural model was the PIXL 6000, but that was a disposable, now banned in the UK since June 1, 2025." And other countries are following suit with disposable bans. "In Germany and France disposables have already been banned," Sze confirms. While some consumers are motivated by environmental concerns, others sim- ply prefer the convenience of reusable devices. "It's much easier to dispose of a pod than dispose of a device with an integrated battery," he explains, citing German recycling habits. Nevertheless, Sze also warns that bans may inadvertently fuel the grey market. "I've heard that presently 70% of all vapes sold in Europe are more or less fake or illicit or contain banned substances," he says. "Yet they are sold quite openly." He believes the EU retail sector needs 8-12 months to phase out non-compliant products. "We must educate consumers and retail- ers alike," he insists. Brand loyalty and product quality will be key differen- tiators in the coming year. "It's also a matter of convincing consumers they don't need an open tank product with leakage everywhere." In 2026, Sze expects the vape market to consolidate around compliant, high-performance devices, with consumer education and regulatory clarity driving the transition. Filters in flux: sustainability and the ESG imperative Hugo Azinheira, executive director for global research & innovation at Fil- trona, sees sustainability as the defining theme for filters in 2026. "There will be an increased interest in biodegradability, sustainability, and of course all the ESG credentials," he asserts. Lee also anticipates seasoned smokers shift- ing to more economical choices. "Money is tight- er these days," he says, "so more seasoned cigar smokers will probably shift to cheaper cigars." He adds that some consumers may transition from cigarettes to cigars, viewing them as a less harm- ful option. "I'm not saying that smoking cigars is healthy," he clarifies, "but it is much healthier than other tobacco products, because you do not inhale cigar smoke." In 2026, Lee expects the cigar sector to bal- ance tradition with accessibility, catering to both newcomers and veterans. "It's a fantastic oppor- tunity for us to get into more markets," he says, "especially since New World cigars tend to keep raising their prices through the roof." Puff politics: vaping's legal and consumer crossroads Frank Sze, founder of Ideotech and creator of PIXL, one of the UK's leading vape brands, sees 2026 as a pivotal year for the vaping sector. "Big puff products are already booming," he says, "and I think that trend will become ever stronger." Sze credits the success of legal big puff devices—like PIXL's 8000-puff 2-plus-10 model—with con- verting consumers from the illicit market. "The consumer really bought into the idea," he notes. Frank Sze, founder & managing director, Ideotech (PIXL).

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