South Korea is set to change its rules on nicotine products: as of April 24, 2026, following the revision of the Tobacco Business Act by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, all products containing nicotine — including synthetic nicotine — will be reclassified as “tobacco”. The stated objective is to close a “loophole” that had allowed the sale and promotion of electronic cigarettes and vaping liquids, particularly those containing synthetic nicotine, under a less regulated framework. As a result of this reclassification, e-cigarette liquids will, for the first time, [...]

As of January 1, 2026, Norway prohibits private individuals from purchasing tobacco products from abroad through online sales (so-called cross-border sales). The Norwegian Customs Agency (Tolletaten) reserves the right to detain, confiscate, and destroy goods imported in breach of the ban, without any reimbursement. With specific reference to vaping, the ban includes: electronic cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine; electronic cigarettes and nicotine-free e-liquids with characterising flavours. However, the legislation provides for some exceptions: the import of electronic cigarettes and nicotine-free e-liquids with tobacco flavour is permitted; a very specific [...]

On January 16, 2026, the Mexican government published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) a reform presented as a “public health” measure, significantly strengthening the sanctions framework applicable to vaping products. The provisions entered into force in the days immediately following publication and triggered enforcement measures with practical consequences also for foreign nationals. The central element of the reform is its supply-chain approach: it is not merely a matter of restricting retail sales, but of targeting commercial activities connected to vaping products, including so-called “analogous electronic systems”, [...]

On 30 December 2025, Bangladesh adopted the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing a full ban for production, import/export, storage, sale, of e-cigarettes and comparable categories of products, with immediate impact across the entire supply chain. Severe penalties apply, including up to 6 months’ imprisonment and/or fines of up to Tk 500,000 (approx. €3,506.55). The definition of “tobacco products” is expanded to also include nicotine pouches. In short, the country is taking a prohibitionist approach, with a high enforcement and penalty risk for both operators [...]

Azerbaijan has announced its intention to introduce new legislation on e-cigarettes, aimed at strengthening control mechanisms and establishing a new penalties framework. The implementing details (including fine amounts and enforcement tools) will be set out through secondary legislation following adoption of the law. The main stated rationale is the protection of minors and the reduction of use among young people, referring to World Health Organization (WHO) data indicating significantly higher e-cigarette use among minors than among adults. The proposal also aims to introduce a clearer and more distinct classification [...]

China has recently introduced the first official regulatory framework for the nicotine pouches market and, more broadly, for oral nicotine products through a measure dated 6 January 2025 (published on 9 January 2026). The new rules entered into force immediately, bringing an end to a long-standing regulatory gap. The STMA (State Tobacco Monopoly Administration) defines “smokeless products” as products consumed orally, nasally, or through external use, without combustion. This definition explicitly includes pouches, snus, and chewing tobacco, but also oral strips and nicotine patches. The most significant change is [...]