Market & legal data of the tobacco alternatives sector in Asia

12th March 2025: Bangladesh: Mohammad Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, announced that a committee is currently reviewing tobacco tax policies following discussions on the matter within the cabinet division. Speaking at a journalists' workshop, he also highlighted calls for the government to set a minimum price of BDT9 ($0.07) per cigarette stick in the upcoming budget by merging the lower and middle tax tiers for cigarettes. The increase will likely be extended to novel tobacco products as well.
12th March 2025: Thailand: The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand held a press conference to state its position against e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs). It highlighted the harmful effects of nicotine, especially on children and young adults, and the misleading marketing tactics of e-cigarette companies. The College has dismissed the harm-reductive properties that e-cigarettes and HTPs might have because its research shows they are very addictive products in themselves and lead to various health issues. It believes that the tax revenue from e-cigarettes would not outweigh the high cost of medical treatment for e-cigarette-related illnesses. It therefore urges lawmakers to maintain the ban on e-cigarettes and HTPs.
12th March 2025: Pakistan: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’s proposal to lower taxes on cigarettes and beverages, press reports. The IMF stated that these taxes cannot be reduced immediately but suggested that a revision may be considered in the next budget. Following this decision, the tax-paying tobacco industry expects tax revenue from the sector to decline to PKR243bn ($866m).
12th March 2025: Middle East: The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean published a post on 11th March on the social media platform X that called on smokers to quit smoking, highlighting that smoking might decrease life expectancy by ten years.
11th March 2025: Vietnam: The National Assembly is discussing the Draft Law on Special Consumption Tax and has decided to delete Article 12. Previously, the article stipulated that if new tobacco products were to be imported or produced, they would also be subjected to the increased special consumption tax. However, members of the parliament pointed out that this conflicts with National Assembly Resolution 173/2024/QH15, which bans electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The aim of the resolution was to limit harmful and addictive substances; therefore, allowing for the possibility of new tobacco products is contradictory.
10th March 2025: Israel: The Ministry of Health announced last week that smoking and vaping products will have to bear graphic health warnings according to a draft regulation that has been published. Until now, vaping products were only required to carry text health warnings, but with the new amendment they will also have to bear pictograms. In addition to vaping products and heated tobacco, products like chewing tobacco will also be required to carry graphic health warnings. The Ministry of Health aims to implement the new requirements within 14 months.
10th March 2025: India: The director general of health services, Atul Goel, has called for a total ban on tobacco and alcohol advertisements during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), the country's largest domestic cricket event. In a letter to IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, Goel requested a prohibition on all forms of tobacco and alcohol advertising within stadiums, a ban on stalls selling these products at the event, and measures to prevent players and commentators from promoting brands linked to tobacco and alcohol.
10th March 2025: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Office for the Special Mandate on vaporised nicotine and non-nicotine products, their devices, and novel tobacco products (OSMV) has called on stakeholders to provide comments on the draft Department Administrative Order (DAO) on “amended documentary requirements for the issuance of a statement of confirmation under Department Administrative Order 22-06 (2022)”. This DAO regulates the importation of vapes and novel tobacco products to prevent illicit trade, safeguard consumers, and streamline import procedures. The deadline for comment submission is 13th March 2025.
10th March 2025: Philippines: The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP), Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, Parents Against Vape, and the Sin Tax Coalition have called for higher taxes on tobacco products and stricter regulations on e-cigarettes, media reports. Doctors and public health advocates have declared an epidemic of tobacco and vaping use among Filipino youth.
10th March 2025: Kuwait: On 7th March, the credit rating agency Fitch Ratings published a commentary on Kuwait’s credit rating, indicating that there are plans to introduce “the long-delayed” excise tax in the fiscal year ending March 2026 (FY25), but with possible delays. It was previously reported that Kuwait was exploring an excise tax on a limited range of supplies, including tobacco and related products.
10th March 2025: Bahrain: On 9th March, the Shura Council of Bahrain gave its final approval on the draft law amending Article (20) of the Law on Combatting Smoking and Tobacco (law 8 of 2009). The bill introduces stricter penalties related to the prohibition of importing, distributing or selling any herbal or non-herbal materials for the purpose of using them as an alternative means of smoking tobacco, even if they do not contain nicotine. The bill was sent to the speaker of the Council of Representatives, to be subsequently forwarded to the prime minister in preparation for its submission to the king.
10th March 2025: Jordan: On 8th March, the minister of higher education and scientific research met with the presidents of Jordanian universities and discussed a number of issues, including the universities' implementation of the recommendations that had been recently approved by the Higher Education Council related to combating tobacco and smoking on campus. The recommendations ask universities to establish strategies to ensure the prevention of smoking in all its forms within university buildings and facilities, including university transportation, and prohibit the sale of tobacco in all its forms on university premises and within 200 m from their external boundaries.

LATEST ALERTS

Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Asia

GCC unified standard for electronic tobacco alternatives nears adoption

JTI’s growth driven by Vector Group deal and expansion in reduced-risk products

BAT’s heated tobacco sales decline, but offset by strong growth in modern oral

Japan: nicotine pouch market overview, 2024

The Middle East: nicotine pouch market overview, October 2024

Heated tobacco compatible hardware tracker insights, Q3 2024

Top changes that matter in this month’s Policy Radar update, Nov 2024 – Jan 2025

Top changes that matter in this month’s Policy Radar update, Oct – Nov 2024

Kuwait: heated tobacco and herbal heated product regulation, December 2024

Heated tobacco markets database

Herbal heated sticks tracker

Heated tobacco compatible hardware tracker

TobaccoIntelligence compliance calendar

Regulatory database: global alerts round-up, February

Global regulatory tracker: heated tobacco regulation, February

Sign up to our newsletter

LATEST ALERTS

Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Asia

Sign up to our newsletter

Start your FREE trial