Alan Zhao

Co-founder & CEO @2Firsts
Focused on the global nicotine industry — science, compliance, innovation, and business.

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

Congratulations to NUBIZ on unveiling its latest event preview.

As an official media partner, 2Firsts will provide full coverage and share key updates with our global audience.

Stay tuned.

#NUBIZ #InterTabac #2Firsts #NGP

https://t.co/auYGCfDlXa

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

At the ITGA & Afubra Americas Workshop, grower groups from five countries called for stronger regional cooperation and balanced, evidence-based regulation.

Our report also includes data on major tobacco-producing countries in the Americas.

Follow 2Firsts for more on tobacco regulation, nicotine market transition and farming communities.

https://t.co/noTaV1o5au

#Tobacco #Nicotine #Agriculture #SupplyChain #ITGA

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

China’s tobacco duty-free market is being reshaped by changing cross-border travel patterns.

As outbound business travel grows, repeat purchases and brand trust may matter more. As inbound travel from developing markets rises, demand may become more diverse in taste, format and price.

A China-based view on duty-free tobacco consumption.

#TobaccoIndustry #DutyFree #TravelRetail #ChinaMarket

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

As the EU reviews its tobacco and advertising rules, Dr Garrett McGovern and Dr Carmen Escrig shared views with 2Firsts on relative risk, adult smokers’ alternatives, flavours, consumer switching and scientific input.

Thanks to both experts. More evidence-based views are welcome.

https://t.co/Tixnu9Gp0d

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

New nicotine is reshaping tobacco far beyond consumption and regulation.

In a contributed article to 2Firsts, Samrat Chowdhery examines why India’s tobacco transition is stalling — and what it reveals about tobacco farming, rural livelihoods and the global nicotine supply chain.

#Tobacco #Nicotine #India

https://t.co/NciutYTGGb

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

Russia’s vape compromise is facing early tests.

Perm Krai moved ahead with restrictions before federal legislation was fully adopted, raising questions over regional authority, enforcement and market fragmentation.

#Russia #Vaping #Nicotine

https://t.co/hRS3aFVTq4

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

U.S. vape market access is increasingly shaped by state registries, import enforcement and distributor compliance checks.

In a 2Firsts interview, AVM President Allison Boughner said state product registries and white-list systems are having the most immediate impact on the market.

#FDA #PMTA #ENDS

https://t.co/eigUYi81Sr

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

China’s e-cigarette exports fell to $694M in April 2026, down 20.9% YoY and the lowest April level in three years, according to China Customs data compiled by 2Firsts.

April was the first full month after China removed VAT rebates for certain e-cigarette products.

#2Firsts #China #VapeIndustry #ENDS #SupplyChain
https://t.co/ibLsbWonNu

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

The EU has opened online feedback on revising tobacco products and advertising rules, marking a new step in the TPD/TAD review.

2Firsts analysed 855 early submissions from the Commission’s “Have Your Say” portal.

Key themes: differentiated regulation, flavours, harm reduction, illicit trade, youth protection and economic impact.
https://t.co/RWyledOQs3

#TPD #EURegulation #NicotinePolicy

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

FDA warned eight retailers over unauthorized nicotine pouches and dissolvable tobacco products resembling candy, breath strips and cough drops.

Retailers cited: https://t.co/sTurTcY41T, https://t.co/127oHbajgo, https://t.co/ItIaxVc89m, https://t.co/aAbJiHfovS, https://t.co/qaqiGHyZRw, Smoker Business, https://t.co/gkUufUbsr6 and https://t.co/s9rtdCtZtF.

The case highlights rising scrutiny of packaging, youth appeal and retail compliance.

#FDA #PMTA #NicotinePouches

https://t.co/NjVxscx463

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | $RLX
RLX Technology’s Q1 net revenue rose 96.2% YoY to RMB 1.586B, with international business accounting for 72.3%.

Beyond the numbers, the filing points to deeper globalization: European operations, Shenzhen-based Nexus supply-chain integration, and broader product formats are becoming key signals to watch.

#RLX #RELX #Vaping #ENDS #Nicotine #ChinaBusiness #2Firsts

https://t.co/RSbUC0cfmU

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, 2Firsts published a report on a recent Nature Health Comment by Robert Beaglehole, Ruth Bonita and Tikki Pang.

The authors argue that regulated smoke-free nicotine products could help accelerate the decline of smoking worldwide.

This debate needs more diverse, evidence-based discussion from scientists, researchers, public health experts, regulators and industry stakeholders.

#NicotineScience #WorldNoTobaccoDay

https://t.co/5r66zTvjvV

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

$AIIR closed down 18.6% on its first Nasdaq trading day, after AIR Global completed its SPAC combination with Cantor Equity Partners III.

The bigger question for the hookah industry: can a fragmented, venue-based category become a scalable public-market story?

#AIIR #Nasdaq #Hookah #Shisha #2Firsts

https://t.co/zzu1cfDG39

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

@2FIRSTS has created an infographic on @WHO 's first global report on nicotine pouches.

Key points: rapid market growth, youth appeal, product risks, regulatory gaps, WHO recommendations — and why the report is a warning, not a full risk assessment.

https://t.co/TAkzCwJ15P

#NicotinePouches #WHO #Regulation

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

CBP, with the U.S. Coast Guard and FDA, seized 18M+ illegal vapes worth $175M+ in “Operation Red Mist.”

Two details:

The May 13 release came the same day President Trump arrived in Beijing.
CBP cited 41 FDA-authorized vape products, though FDA’s May 5 Glas MGOs suggest 45.

2Firsts will keep tracking U.S. vape enforcement and FDA authorization updates.

#FDA #CBP #PMTA #Vaping

https://t.co/L32o16aW4A

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

Argentina moves from prohibition toward regulation for new tobacco and nicotine products.

Our Spanish-language article examines cautious optimism among adult consumers and local businesses, as well as concerns over flavor limits, registration costs, market access and implementation.

https://t.co/ByhoH7kiOr

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

Argentina’s new nicotine rules mark a shift from prohibition to registration, traceability and health surveillance.

In a @2FIRSTS interview, Juan Facundo Teme discussed local reactions, market-access concerns and why Argentina matters for Latin America’s nicotine policy debate.

#Argentina #NicotinePolicy #throatpie

https://t.co/3Qds9o1Cdz

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

https://t.co/vDItgG8IOV

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

Any regulatory ban is, at its core, a redrawing of the line between state power and individual rights.

In many cases, bans do help society move forward and can protect freedom. But a few points are worth keeping in mind:

1. Faced with a problem, regulators generally have two options. One is to take responsibility by building better systems, better enforcement, and better solutions. The other is to ban. In essence, a ban shifts the burden of solving the problem onto those being regulated.

2. When a ban strays too far from public norms and everyday habits, it often produces widespread non-compliance. And once non-compliance becomes widespread, it can create more room for discretionary enforcement while weakening respect for the law itself.

3. A ban may bring regulators short-term political credit, but its long-term consequences are borne by society as a whole. If the outcome is good, someone will claim the credit. If it turns out badly, responsibility often disappears—and “following the proper process” becomes a shield.

A personal reflection—just one way of thinking about global nicotine regulation.

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

We welcome more expert views on Europe’s shifting regulatory landscape. To publish with @2FIRSTS or speak with us in an interview: [email protected]

[Alan Zhao @Alan_2Firsts]

EU novel tobacco regulation is entering a sharper phase of change.

In his 2Firsts guest contribution, Carlos Cabrera analyzes the current direction, the risks ahead, and what companies should prepare for now.

#2Firsts #EURegulation #TobaccoRegulation #Compliance

https://t.co/AXpytFFUFn