4 tobaccoasia Issue 2, 2026 March / April
60 60
30 30
Universal C.E.O. Pitches 'Next
100 Years' Plan
Malaysia Vape Ban:
A Nation at the Crossroads
CONTENTS
Publisher/Founding Editor
Glenn Anthony John
gaj@octobermultimedia.com
Managing Editor
Nattira Medvedeva
nam@octobermultimedia.com
Contributing Editor
Thomas Schmid
ths@octobermultimedia.com
Special Correspondents
Timothy Donahue
Dr. Allen Liao
Stefanie Rossel
Art Director
Somjet Thitasomboon
Translations
TobaccoChina Online
Administrative Assistant
Aek Jekaram
Subscriptions/Office Assistant
Malisa Kongkatitum
malisa@tobaccoasia.com
Sales Director
Emerson Leonard
edl@octobermultimedia.com
Director, October Inter Co Ltd
Boonthin Tubsongkroh
Editorial/Circulation
Offices Tobacco Asia
October Inter Co. Ltd.
Thamatee Building,
159/19 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 110,
Ramkhamhaeng Road, Sapansung,
Bangkok 10240
Tel +66 2 373 2658.
info@octobermultimedia.com
www.tobaccoasia.com
12 Q&A: Understanding
China's New Nicotine
Regulation
FRONT Feature
18 The Dynamics of the Illicit
Tobacco Trade
22 COP11 & MOP4 Prioritize
Regulation and Enforcement
PRODUCT Feature
30
Malaysia Vape Ban: A
Nation at the Crossroads
36 China's Quiet Cigarette
Market Evolution
40 Rebirth of Chinese-Style
Cigarette Brands
MANUFACTURING Feature
48 Shisha Flavors in MENA:
Tradition Meets Innovation
LEAF TOBACCO Feature
56 The Art of Transplanting
60 Universal C.E.O. Pitches
'Next 100 Years' Plan
CLOSING Feature
66
Central Asia's Tobacco
Market on the Rise
70 Nicotine Rebrand: Health
Villain to Wellness Tool
Features
Departments
8 From the Editor
14 Front Page News
26 Product News
44 Manufacturing News
52 Leaf News
64 Closing News
74 Events
74 Advertisers Index
On the Cover…
Tobacco Asia Issue 2, 2026 (March / April)
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