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.

illicit vapes in Liverpool store

Closure hat-trick for Liverpool illicit vape retailer

February 17, 2026

A Liverpool convenience store has been ordered to close for the third time in less than three years after being caught selling...

vaping outdoors

England consults on banning vaping in playgrounds, schools and hospitals

February 17, 2026

The UK government has launched a consultation on plans to ban smoking, vaping and heated tobacco use in playgrounds, education settings and...

BAT

BAT’s smokeless growth gathers pace despite vape headwinds

February 17, 2026

British American Tobacco (BAT) added 4.7 million smokeless consumers in 2025, taking its total to 34.1 million, as the tobacco giant accelerated...

China's Tobacco monopoly law

China regulator orders e-cigarette makers to halt new plants

February 17, 2026

China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration issued a notice on Friday (13 February) aimed at curbing price wars in the e-cigarette industry, directing...

Philip Morris

India sticks to e-cigarette ban in snub for Philip Morris

February 17, 2026

India has ruled out relaxation of a ban on e-cigarettes that would have allowed heat-not-burn tobacco products, dealing a blow to a...

vape ad ban

Ad regulator upholds complaint against Golden Vape over promotional eBay listings

February 11, 2026

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against Golden Vape UK Ltd, ruling that a series of promotional claims for nicotine-containing...

Philip Morris

Philip Morris launches new IQOS ILUMA i ONE

February 10, 2026

Philip Morris Limited (PML), the UK and Ireland affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), has announced the launch of the latest innovation...

HMRC

HMRC urges vape firms to ready for Vaping Products Duty registration

February 10, 2026

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has reminded manufacturers, importers, and warehouse keepers involved with vaping products to prepare for registration for Vaping...

nicotine

Sweden’s ‘smoke-free’ progress puts nicotine pouch crackdown under pressure

February 7, 2026

Sweden’s rapid march towards smoke-free status is becoming an “inconvenient reality” for policymakers seeking to restrict safer nicotine alternatives, a Member of...

Geekvape Wenax M Starter Kit

Geekvape and Geek Bar rack up 14 international design awards in 2025

February 7, 2026

Geekvape and Geek Bar have secured a combined 14 international design awards in 2025, underlining a sustained push into user-led product design...

PMI Smokefree products

PMI reports robust 2025 results with smoke-free revenues close to $17bn

February 6, 2026

Philip Morris International (PMI) on Friday reported a strong set of full-year results for 2025, driven by rapid growth across its smoke-free...

E-Cigarette

New research flags ‘reverse spin bias’ in e-cigarette reviews, raising concerns over how vaping evidence is presented

February 3, 2026

A newly published academic commentary has raised fresh questions about how evidence on vaping for smoking cessation is interpreted and communicated, after...

Illegal vapes

Crackdown nets 116,000 illegal vapes and tobacco in Hampshire in 2025

February 3, 2026

More than 116,000 illegal vapes and tobacco products worth an estimated £138,000 were seized by Hampshire County Council’s Trading Standards team last...

Retailers ,Smoke-Free

Retailers see education as key to unlocking smoke-free growth in 2026: survey

February 3, 2026

Retailers believe that better shopper education will be crucial to driving further growth in the smoke-free category in 2026, according to new...