Upcoming: Vape Business Award TBC
Kiran Paul

Kiran Paul

With a background that spans both the agility of startup environments and the established presence of Asian Media Group, Kiran tries to bring a well-rounded perspective to his work. His career as a journalist began at a dynamic news startup, where he honed his reporting and storytelling skills for five years, gaining valuable experience in a fast-paced and evolving media landscape. Since 2018, he has been contributing to Asian Trader, where a standout feature of his work has been his in-depth interviews with award-winning retailers, which he transforms into insightful profiles that appear in each issue. Since 2021, he has also been at the helm of the sister title, Vape Business.

Nordic Spirit new look

JTI unveils refreshed Nordic Spirit packaging to boost shelf standout

March 4, 2026

JTI UK has unveiled a refreshed brand identity for its Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches, introducing redesigned packaging aimed at improving shelf standout...

Haypp exits UK vape

Haypp exits UK vape category to focus on nicotine pouches

March 4, 2026

Online nicotine retailer Haypp has exited the UK vape category at the start of 2026 as it shifts its focus towards the...

Voopoo drag 6

Voopoo launches DRAG 6 mod with new chipset

March 4, 2026

Voopoo has officially launched its latest flagship box mod, the DRAG 6, introducing a new chipset, upgraded tank system and redesigned controls...

XQS nicotine pouch

Nicotine pouch brand XQS gets brand new look  

February 28, 2026

Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK has announced a re-brand across its entire XQS nicotine pouch range. The new-look packs are available to retailers...

prefilled pod kit vapes

UKVIA launches VapeVerify panel to challenge ‘bad vape science’ amid rising misperceptions

February 28, 2026

A new expert panel has been launched to scrutinise vaping research and challenge what organisers describe as “bad science”, amid growing concern...

Illegal vapes seized during Operation Machinize 2

Nearly 1.3 million illegal vapes seized across UK in 2025

February 28, 2026

About 1.3 million illegal vapes with estimated street value of at least £10 million have been seized across the UK over the...

Voopoo drag 6

Voopoo DRAG 6 tipped for March launch with next-gen chip and tank

February 28, 2026

Voopoo’s flagship DRAG mod line appears set for its next chapter, with the company hinting that the DRAG 6 is due to...

Nicotine pouches

UK earns ‘A’ rating in European nicotine pouch access index

February 25, 2026

The UK has been ranked among Europe’s most accessible markets for nicotine pouches, scoring 60 out of 70 and securing an ‘A’...

FDA, vape flavour restrictions quitting survey

Restricting vape flavours could disrupt quitting behaviours, survey finds  

February 24, 2026

Majority of UK vapers now use fruit and other sweet flavours to quit smoking and disruption in flavour choices might push them...

Imperial Brands blu vape Creamy Tobacco

Imperial Brands adds new Creamy Tobacco option to blu vape range

February 24, 2026

Imperial Brands has expanded its popular blu vape range with the launch of a new Creamy Tobacco flavour for blu bar kits...

nicotine products

Consumer groups urge Sweden to veto EU nicotine tax proposal

February 21, 2026

Consumer organisations representing vape and nicotine pouch users across Europe have urged the Swedish government to reject a proposed EU compromise on...

Haypp exits UK vape

Nicotine pouches could rival NRT as low-risk alternative to smoking, review suggests

February 21, 2026

Nicotine pouches could offer smokers a harm-reduction option with a risk profile similar to pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), according to a...

prefilled pod kit vapes

Vape users show no significant increase in cardiovascular disease risk, study finds

February 21, 2026

Exclusive vape users did not show a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with non-users, according to new research...

Local Vape Action Maidstone launch

Local Vape Action expands to Maidstone after compliance boost

February 17, 2026

A new Local Vape Action (LVA) pilot has launched in Maidstone following earlier schemes that delivered higher compliance rates and reduced illegal...