China: heated tobacco, herbal heated tobacco, oral tobacco and nicotine pouch regulation

The Chinese State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) is responsible for regulation and administration of the tobacco sector. It is also the main tobacco supplier. According to the newsletter in 2018 published by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and Electronic Cigarette Administration Measures in 2022, heated tobacco is classified under tobacco regulation. This means that heated tobacco is subject to state-run trade management.

The regulatory landscape for oral tobacco products and nicotine pouches in China presents a mixed picture. Oral tobacco products like chewing tobacco and snus are already under a national regulatory framework, but growing health concerns are expected to drive stricter controls by Chinese authorities. Despite their current lack of guidelines, nicotine pouches are likely to face stricter monitoring in the future.

This two-report bundle provides a detailed analysis of the current regulatory framework in place for heated tobacco, herbal heated products, oral tobacco and nicotine pouches in China, covering all policy areas.