Nicotine Whispers: 2026 | Weeks 5 & 6
Alchem NicSelect™ Nicotine Whispers
Welcome to Nicotine Whispers – a biweekly news digest on global developments in nicotine and tobacco, compiled by Alchem NicSelect™ in collaboration with PharmaCompass.
Stay informed on the latest regulations, market trends, and insights shaping the NGND industry.
Weeks 5 and 6 Highlights:
Germany
Germany Proposes Vape Flavour Ban, Including Menthol
A German draft regulation targets 13 e-cigarette additives, including menthol, prompting medical experts to warn it could push adults back to smoking and boost the black market.
USA
PMI Reports Strong 2025 Results Driven by Smoke-Free Growth
PMI posted 7.3% full-year revenue growth in 2025, with smoke-free products accounting for 41.5% of net revenues and rising 15%. IQOS, VEEV, and ZYN volumes increased, supporting over 43 million estimated adult smoke-free users worldwide.
Netherlands
Netherlands to Raise Nicotine Purchase Age to 21
The Netherlands plans to increase the legal nicotine age from 18 to 21, covering both tobacco and vaping products, following a broader European trend. Industry warns it may drive black market sales, while health advocates praise it as a step toward a smoke-free generation.
China
China Brings Nicotine Pouches Under State Monopoly
China now regulates nicotine pouches and smokeless tobacco like cigarettes, banning unlicensed sales and limiting new investments.
Belarus
Belarus to Tighten Vape Trade Licensing in 2026
Belarus plans stricter licensing for e-cigarettes and e-liquids in 2026 to curb youth use, targeting manufacturing, import, wholesale, and retail non-compliance.
Ireland
BAT Ireland Urges Licensing for Vape and Nicotine Products
BAT Ireland wants vape licenses extended to nicotine pouches and stronger enforcement to stop underage sales and illegal trade.
Italy
BAT to Invest €500M in Trieste Plant to Boost Next-Gen Tobacco
BAT plans to expand Italy’s Trieste hub with 16 new production lines for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco by 2027. The company emphasizes local supply chains, Italian tobacco sourcing, and aims for non-combustible products to reach 50% of revenue by 2035.
Morocco
Morocco Sets Mandatory Standards for Smoke-Free Products
From February 2026, e-cigarettes, muassel, and nicotine pouches in Morocco must meet new rules on composition, labelling, traceability, and safety. The measures aim to improve consumer protection and market oversight.
UK
UK Nicotine Market 2026: Pouches and Pod Vapes Drive Growth
Nicotine pouches surged 79% in UK convenience stores, while pod-based vapes grow amid disposable bans. Retailers face a shifting market as cost pressures, tax changes, and value tobacco shape consumer behaviour.
USA
Altria Reports Lower 2025 Revenues Amid Cigarette Volume Decline
Altria’s 2025 net revenues fell 3.1%, with cigarette shipment volumes down 10% for the year and EPS impacted by impairment charges. Oral nicotine pouch brand on! grew 10.9% annually, gaining share despite overall category declines.
Norway
Norway Bans Cross-Border Online Sales of Nicotine Products
Since 1 January 2026, Norway has prohibited private individuals from ordering tobacco and nicotine products from abroad via online or distance sales.