Zhang Jianmin Meets with Bang Kyung-man, President of KT&G

Oct.25.2024
Zhang Jianmin Meets with Bang Kyung-man, President of KT&G
State Tobacco Monopoly Administration officials meet with KT&G President for friendly talks in Beijing.

On October 25, Zhang Jianmin, the Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, and the General Manager of China Tobacco Corporation, met with the visiting President of the KT&G, Bang Kyung-man, in Beijing for a friendly discussion.

 

Wang Gongcheng, member of the Party Group and Deputy Director of the National Bureau, met with him.

 

The leaders of the State Administration Office (Foreign Affairs Department), Development Planning Division, China Cigarette Sales Company, and China Tobacco International Limited attended the meeting. 

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | PIXL Adds 6ml PIXL 5K in UK Alongside 12ml PIXL 8000 as Vape Duty Takes Effect
Product | PIXL Adds 6ml PIXL 5K in UK Alongside 12ml PIXL 8000 as Vape Duty Takes Effect
Vaping brand PIXL has introduced the PIXL 5K reusable prefilled pod device in the UK, featuring a 2ml prefilled pod and a 4ml refill container with a combined e-liquid capacity of 6ml. The device uses 20mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid and is advertised to deliver up to approximately 5,000 puffs. Available through UK retailers by August 2026, the PIXL 5K sits alongside the existing 12ml PIXL 8000. The UK's Vaping Products Duty took effect on October 1 at £0.22 per millilitre, producing theoretical duty amounts of £1.32 and £2.64 for the two products' respective full refill sets.
product
Oct.10
AIR Q3 Sales Rise 11%, but New Products Generate Just $2.1 Million in Nine Months as U.S. Vape Push Awaits FDA Review
AIR Q3 Sales Rise 11%, but New Products Generate Just $2.1 Million in Nine Months as U.S. Vape Push Awaits FDA Review
AIR Global PLC (NASDAQ: AIIR), a producer of flavored shisha tobacco and next-generation nicotine products, reported an 11.1% increase in third-quarter 2026 revenue to $99.8 million and a 7.7% rise in adjusted EBITDA to $30.9 million. Revenue for the first nine months increased 6.0% to $306.7 million, but the company posted a $74.2 million net loss, affected by listing-related expenses and other costs. Its New Growth Categories (NGC) business generated $2.1 million in nine-month revenue and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $10.8 million. AIR maintained its 2026 revenue growth guidance of 4%–6%, while lowering its capital expenditure outlook and raising its year-end leverage forecast from approximately 2.1 times to 2.5 times. The company has submitted a U.S. PMTA for its Crown Switch pod vape, with future contributions from new products dependent on regulatory progress and commercialization.
Capital Markets
Nov.13
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the limited-edition IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Soundsorial Model in collaboration with French audio brand DEVIALET on October 1, 2026. Featuring sound-wave patterns, a silver-and-black finish and a gradient holder, the heated tobacco device is priced at JPY 15,980, including tax, and is available at four IQOS stores in Japan. According to Japanese media citing a PMJ representative, about 1,900 units were allocated to the Japanese retail market. A separate Soundsorial Collection, combining the device with DEVIALET Gemini II earbuds, includes 440 sets allocated to Japan for a membership prize draw.
product
Oct.23
Sweden Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Deal as Nicotine Pouch Duty Dispute Looms Over November 9 Meeting
Sweden Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Deal as Nicotine Pouch Duty Dispute Looms Over November 9 Meeting
Sweden is expected to oppose a European Union proposal to raise minimum tobacco excise duties, Law360 reported on October 26, 2026, citing an EU official. A provisional Council agenda dated October 23 confirms that the tobacco taxation package is scheduled for discussion at the November 9 finance ministers' meeting, where member states will seek a general approach. The proposed reforms would raise minimum taxes on conventional tobacco products and establish EU-wide excise rules for vaping liquids, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. Sweden supports harmonising tobacco taxation rules but objects to requiring nicotine pouches to bear the same minimum tax burden as certain smoking tobacco products. As EU indirect tax legislation requires unanimous Council approval, Swedish opposition could block the proposal in its current form.
Regulations
Oct.29
Product | PMI Launches TEREA Black Mint Pearl in Japan, Adding First Capsule Variant to Black Range With Nationwide Rollout From October 19
Product | PMI Launches TEREA Black Mint Pearl in Japan, Adding First Capsule Variant to Black Range With Nationwide Rollout From October 19
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched TEREA Black Mint Pearl on October 15, 2026, introducing the first capsule-equipped heated tobacco stick in the TEREA Black range for IQOS ILUMA devices. The product combines a strong menthol profile with a crushable mint capsule and is priced at ¥640 per 20-stick pack, including tax. Sales began at four IQOS stores and selected retail partners on October 15, with distribution expanding to convenience stores and other tobacco retailers nationwide from October 19. The launch brings Japan's TEREA portfolio to 28 variants, including 21 menthol-related products, or 75% of the range.
product
Oct.16 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Technology reported FY2026 revenue of about $96 million, down 24.7% year over year, as U.S. cannabis-vapor hardware and European e-cigarette sales declined by $17.4 million and $12.7 million, respectively. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 32.5% to $26.7 million, while quarterly gross margin fell to 6.3%. For FY2027, the company is prioritizing Malaysia manufacturing and vapor ODM while continuing to develop nicotine pouches, IKE Tech age-verification technology and G-Mesh licensing. Ispire has not separately disclosed the revenue or profit contribution of those newer businesses.
Regulations
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives