Tobacco Asia

36 tobaccoasia PRODUCT NEWS 产品新闻 BNN chief Suyudi Ario Seto told lawmak- ers the agency has identified a growing trend of narcotics distributed through vape products. Laboratory testing by the agency revealed that 35 out of 341 vape liquid samples contained illicit substances. Of those, 11 tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids, one contained metham- phetamine, and 23 contained etomidate, an anesthetic classified as a Category II narcotic under Indonesia's health regulations. Officials argue that restricting vape devices could help curb drug consumption by removing a delivery mechanism. Authorities also pointed to the rapid emergence of new psychoactive substances, with 1,386 identified globally and 175 already detected in Indonesia. The proposal aligns with tighter controls across Southeast Asia, where several countries, including Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, have already banned vape products. However, industry stakeholders have pushed back against a blanket ban, arguing that misuse stems from illegal products rather than regulated retail channels. "Vape is a legal product regulated under various policies. What must be eradicated is its misuse, not the product itself," one industry representative said. Retailers also said inspections show licensed outlets do not sell narcotic-laced liquids and called for stronger enforcement against illicit supply chains instead of prohibiting the category. The draft law remains under discussion, with policymakers continuing to gather input from multiple stakeholders before finalizing the legislation. PMI Bets on Ukraine Pouches Ukraine is tightening oversight of nicotine pouches even as Philip Morris International (PMI) ramps up investment to expand its Zyn brand in the country. PMI said it will invest US$10 million this year to grow its nicotine pouch portfolio in Ukraine, following a US$5 million investment last year. The company plans to broaden its Zyn range and support distribution, infrastructure, and consumer awareness as demand rises. The expansion includes the rollout of Zyn Mini Dry, a lower-moisture format that, unlike traditional pouches, do not contain water, glycerin, or essential oils, making the pouches "dry," providing a slower nicotine release and a smoother user experience. The new pouches will initially be imported from Sweden, with nicotine strengths ranging from 1.5 mg to 6 mg. PMI expects the nicotine pouch segment in Ukraine to grow by about 20% annually, positioning the category as a key part of its smoke-free strategy. At the same time, Ukrainian lawmakers are moving to impose stricter rules on the category. The parliamentary health committee has advanced draft bill No. 14110-d, which would ban the sale of nicotine pouches and similar products, including snus, to minors. Lawmakers say the measure addresses gaps in existing tobacco regulations, which do not fully cover tobacco-free nicotine products. Under current rules, nicotine pouches can be sold without clear age restrictions, prompting concerns about youth access. The proposed legislation would also tighten limits on advertising and promotion, reflecting broader public health concerns about nicotine use among younger consumers. Officials argue that regulatory updates must keep pace with the rapid emergence of alternative nicotine formats. The bill does not seek to ban nicotine pouches outright for now but instead aims to align their regulation more closely with existing tobacco control measures, bringing clearer rules to a fast-growing segment. KT&G Develops Edible Nicotine KT&G is developing a new category of so-called "edible tobacco" products that deliver nicotine without combustion, as part of its broader push into next-generation formats, according to The Elec. Industry sources revealed in early April that the company is working on smokeless nicotine products designed for oral absorption and is prepar- ing a pilot production line in Korea. Equipment for the line will come from PNT, a supplier known for battery and display manufacturing systems. This project marks the first confirmed case of KT&G building production facilities for such products domestically. A company official said the initiative remains in an early development phase, adding that while KT&G has explored next-generation products—including nicotine pouches alongside e-cigarettes and vaporizers—it has not finalized plans for launches in Korea or overseas. KT&G signaled its interest in the nicotine pouch segment last year when it joined Altria in acquiring a European nicotine pouch company. Globally, competition in nicotine pouches continues to intensify. Philip Morris International leads the US market with its Zyn brand, holding a 74% share, while British American Tobacco targets growth in Europe and the US with Velo. FDA Weighs Flavored Vape Approvals US regulators have signaled they may allow certain flavored e-cigarettes on the market if manufacturers demonstrate the products help adult smokers switch from combustible cigarettes without significantly increasing youth use. A new draft guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlines how the agency plans to evaluate flavored vaping products submitted for marketing authorization. The framework suggests that flavors such as mint, coffee, tea, and spices including clove or cinnamon could qualify for approval if companies show they deliver clear benefits for adult smokers and that those benefits outweigh risks to young people. The agency continues to view fruit, candy, and dessert flavors as posing a greater public-health risk because of their appeal to adolescents, meaning those products would face a higher evidentiary threshold in regulatory reviews. Under the guidance, manufacturers must provide evidence that flavored products attract adult smokers more effectively than tobacco-flavored versions and that the public-health benefits outweigh potential youth uptake. So far, FDA has authorized only 41 e-cigarette products, all in tobacco or menthol varieties. The latest e-cigarette approved is a tobacco-flavored one made by US company Glas, highlighting FDA's cautious approach. For now, the draft guidance does not immediately authorize any new flavored products. Instead, it signals how FDA will weigh evidence in future applications, potentially opening the door for some flavored e-cigarettes while keeping strict scrutiny on products that could appeal strongly to youth.

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