Core Viewpoint - The Spanish government has approved a proposal to ban smoking in outdoor areas such as terraces of bars and restaurants, aiming to enhance public health protection and adapt to changing consumption patterns and tobacco product markets [1]. Group 1: Proposal Details - The proposal includes a comprehensive smoking ban in enclosed public places and outdoor areas, including terraces, sports venues, children's play areas, bus stops, and educational institutions [1]. - Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, water pipes, and heated tobacco devices will be treated the same as traditional tobacco products under this proposal [1]. - The proposal also prohibits advertising, sponsorship, or promotion of the aforementioned products [1]. Group 2: Health Concerns - The Spanish Ministry of Health highlights a significant increase in the consumption and market share of these products, particularly among young people [1]. - Smoking is identified as a major public health threat, with 30% of cancer cases attributed to smoking [1]. - Approximately 25% of Spaniards smoke daily, and there is a growing trend of smoking among minors, with about 55% of adolescents aged 14 to 18 having tried e-cigarettes according to a 2023 government survey [1]. Group 3: Cultural Context - Terraces are an important part of the Spanish lifestyle, occupying large areas in major cities [2]. - Since 2005, smoking has been banned indoors in public places such as government offices, bars, and restaurants [2].

Core Viewpoint - The incident involving the mural depicting Lu Xun smoking has sparked significant public debate, leading to a complaint from a user advocating for non-smokers' rights, which resulted in the user's account being suspended for violating community guidelines [1][3][6]. Group 1: Complaint and Response - The complainant, Ms. Sun, argued that the mural misleads youth and requested its replacement, which has generated widespread discussion online [6]. - The scenic area responded to the complaint, emphasizing their commitment to respecting Lu Xun's legacy and maintaining the existing image of his hometown, while also stating that they have implemented smoking bans and have personnel to discourage smoking [8]. Group 2: Legal and Regulatory Context - Legal interpretations indicate that nicotine pouches have not received approval for production and sale in China, and their promotion may violate laws, as they do not meet the criteria for tobacco products [1]. - The scenic area plans to enhance smoking management by increasing no-smoking signs and promoting civil behavior among visitors, aiming to create a healthier tourism environment [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the controversy surrounding a mural of Lu Xun smoking in a public space, highlighting the clash between cultural representation and public health concerns. Group 1: Public Health Concerns - The mural of Lu Xun smoking has led to gatherings of people lighting cigarettes, which poses health risks to others in a public space where smoking is prohibited [6][13]. - The image of a public figure smoking may mislead youth and have negative influences, prompting calls for its removal [7][9]. Group 2: Cultural Representation - Lu Xun is historically known to smoke, and the mural is not a fictional representation but an acknowledgment of his real-life habits [11][12]. - The discussion raises questions about how to appropriately present Lu Xun's image in a way that is respectful and comfortable for all visitors [21]. Group 3: Misplaced Blame and Responsibility - The article argues that blaming the mural for smoking behavior is an error in attribution, suggesting that the focus should be on managing public smoking rather than altering cultural depictions [15][17]. - It emphasizes that educating youth about smoking should involve discussing Lu Xun's life and struggles with smoking rather than censoring his image [23][25]. Group 4: Broader Context of Complaints - The article critiques a trend where parents and individuals excessively complain about media representations, suggesting it reflects a lack of personal responsibility in guiding children [41][44]. - It highlights the absurdity of expecting all societal content to cater exclusively to children’s sensitivities, arguing for a balanced approach to education and exposure [49][50]. Group 5: Smoking Alternatives and Controversies - The article mentions a complainant who supports nicotine pouches, raising questions about the motives behind the complaint against the mural [52][54]. - It discusses the health risks associated with nicotine, suggesting that alternatives marketed as safer may still pose significant health threats [55][61].

Investment Rating - Industry rating is maintained as "Outperform the Market" [9] Core Insights - The new tobacco market continues to grow, with heated tobacco products leading in market size and nicotine pouches experiencing the fastest growth [2][3] - The global tobacco market is undergoing significant changes, with Japan's tobacco business expanding rapidly [4] - The global supply of tobacco leaves is facing shortages, leading to widespread price increases across the industry [14] Summary by Sections Electronic Cigarettes - In 2024, global e-cigarette sales are projected to reach $23.04 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.5% [3] - Sales of disposable e-cigarettes grew by 18.9% to 840 million units, generating $6.42 billion in revenue, up 19.6% [3] - Open system e-cigarettes saw sales of 85.16 million devices and 12.23 million liters of e-liquid, with revenues of $2.62 billion and $5.49 billion respectively [3] Traditional Tobacco Products - Traditional oral tobacco products, including chewing and snuff tobacco, are experiencing a decline, with 2024 sales expected to drop by 0.8% to 115,000 tons [3] - Revenue from traditional oral tobacco is projected to decrease by 0.1% to $13.82 billion [3] Nicotine Pouches - Nicotine pouch sales are expected to grow by 36.9% to 21.23 billion pouches in 2024, with revenue reaching $11.25 billion, a 51.0% increase [3] - The United States leads in nicotine pouch sales with 13.88 billion pouches sold [3] Heated Tobacco Products - Sales of heated tobacco products are projected to grow by 12.7% to $38.85 billion in 2024 [3] - The volume of heated tobacco devices sold is expected to increase by 11.7% to 45.26 million units, with revenue rising by 14.7% to $2.44 billion [3] Company Performance - Philip Morris International reported a net income of $14.66 billion from its smoke-free products, a 14.2% increase, accounting for 38.7% of total revenue [5] - British American Tobacco's Vuse e-cigarette sales declined by 5.9% to 616 million units, impacted by illegal disposable e-cigarettes in the U.S. [6] - Japan Tobacco's Ploom brand heated tobacco sales grew by 24.2% to 218,000 boxes, primarily driven by the Ploom X model [7] Market Dynamics - The global tobacco market is experiencing intense competition, with multinational companies showing divergent growth patterns [4] - The supply chain for tobacco is under pressure due to climate-related shortages and rising prices [14]

Group 1: Core Insights - The external trade environment is highly uncertain, and traditional domestic consumption is relatively weak, making it difficult to show an overall upward trend [1] - The investment logic suggests a bottom-up approach to select leading companies with differentiated competitive advantages and strong earnings certainty [1] Group 2: New Consumption Sectors - The overall consumption is under pressure, but some sub-sectors show high growth potential; companies are adapting to channel changes and industry opportunities [2] - In the personal care sector, domestic brands are leveraging e-commerce and product upgrades to gain market share, with recommendations for companies like Baiya Co. and Haoyue Care [2] - The AI glasses sector is expected to see accelerated product launches by 2025, with Mingyue Lens recommended for its unique advantages [2] - The emotional consumption sector is gaining traction, with recommendations for companies like Chenguang Co. that are investing in IP resources [2] Group 3: Traditional Consumption Sectors - The home and paper industries face pressure from the overall consumption environment; investment points include the ability of quality stocks to leverage policy support and operational advantages [4] - In the home sector, the expansion of subsidy categories and amounts in 2025 presents opportunities for leading companies like Oppein and Sophia [4] - The paper industry is closely tied to economic cycles, with recommendations for Sun Paper due to its cost control capabilities and upcoming production [4] Group 4: Export Sector - Due to high uncertainty regarding tariffs, companies with established overseas production capabilities are at an advantage; some export sectors are highly dependent on U.S. and Vietnamese production [5] - Companies with lower exposure to U.S. exports are considered safer, while certain sub-sectors still show high growth potential due to rigid demand and changing consumption habits [5] - Recommended companies in the export sector include Jiayi Co., Gongchuang Turf, and Deou Technology [5]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" and maintained [6] Core Insights - Philip Morris International (PMI) reported Q1 2025 revenue of $9.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.8% (10.2% adjusted) [3][4] - Revenue from smoke-free tobacco products reached $3.9 billion in Q1 2025, growing by 15.0% (20.4% adjusted), with its revenue share increasing to 42% from 39% in Q1 2024 [3][4] Summary by Sections Company Performance - PMI's heated tobacco unit (HTU) shipment volume reached 37.1 billion sticks in Q1 2025, an increase of 11.9%, with global market share for HNB products rising to 77% [9] - The number of IQOS users reached 32.2 million by the end of 2024, an increase of 3.6 million [9] Market Insights - In Japan, IQOS market share increased by 3.0 percentage points to 32.2% in Q1 2025 [9] - In Europe, IQOS products saw approximately 7.4% growth in Q1 2025, with market share in the EU rising by 1.2 percentage points to 11.4% [9] Product Growth - Nicotine pouch sales grew rapidly, with a shipment increase of 27.2% in Q1 2025, and the U.S. market saw a 53% increase in shipments [9] - PMI expects smoke-free product sales to grow by 12%-14% in 2025, with HTU products projected to grow by 10%-12% [9] Investment Opportunities - Recommended companies to watch include Yingqu Technology, Smoore International, and nicotine pouch-related companies due to the industry's growth potential [9]

Summary of the Conference Call on Oral Tobacco Market Industry Overview - The oral tobacco market, particularly nicotine pouch products, is experiencing rapid expansion, with the U.S. market growing 300 times from 2016 to 2021 and seven times from 2019 to mid-2022, indicating high industry vitality. The global market size is expected to reach $20-30 billion by 2030 [1][4] Key Insights and Arguments - The production threshold for oral tobacco is relatively low, but high-quality product development requires significant R&D investment. Philip Morris International (PMI) plans to invest $1.5 billion in R&D by 2025, focusing on raw material processing, formula design, nicotine release technology, and flavor optimization [1][5] - The oral tobacco industry participants are mainly pharmaceutical companies and e-cigarette firms. Pharmaceutical companies like Jingcheng Rundu and Henuo have advantages in release technology and nicotine supply, while e-cigarette companies rely on overseas channels for market coverage [1][6] - The cost structure of oral tobacco products includes low costs for cellulose, nicotine, and flavoring agents, totaling approximately 0.5-0.9 RMB per box, while packaging and labeling costs are higher, around 1 RMB per box. The technology content of non-woven fabric affects taste and nicotine release [1][8] Market Pricing and Cost Distribution - The retail price of oral tobacco products ranges from $5 to $10, with brand manufacturers' ex-factory prices around $2-3 and contract manufacturers' prices between $0.7 and $1. The material cost is approximately $0.2-0.3 [1][8] Regulatory Environment - Global regulations on oral tobacco vary. In the U.S., the FDA regulates it, requiring PMTA certification; European countries have different policies, with some regulated as food and others as tobacco. China currently has a relatively lenient regulatory environment, making it easy to purchase through e-commerce platforms [3][9] Market Share and Competitive Landscape - Large traditional tobacco companies dominate the global vaping and oral tobacco market, holding an 80% market share, with PMI accounting for 50% and British American Tobacco for 20%. The concentration in the oral tobacco market is higher than in the vaping market, with large companies having advantages in scale and R&D [3][10] Growth Trends and Future Outlook - The oral tobacco market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% in the coming years, with recent growth rates around 50%. Despite the current small market size, it shows significant potential compared to the $1 trillion traditional tobacco market [4][12] - PMI is the only nicotine pouch supplier in the U.S. that has passed FDA review, with total sales of 1 billion cans in 2024, of which nicotine pouches account for about 60%, achieving a 50% year-on-year growth [13] Domestic Market Developments - Domestic companies like Jingcheng Rundu are beginning to ramp up production, with expectations to reach 1-10 million boxes in the latter half of 2025. The rapid growth in overseas demand is increasing orders for domestic contract manufacturers [14][15] Conclusion - The oral tobacco market is characterized by high growth potential, significant R&D investment requirements, and a competitive landscape dominated by large traditional tobacco companies. The regulatory environment varies globally, impacting market dynamics. The focus should be on how domestic manufacturers can penetrate the overseas market and the overall supply capacity to meet rising demand [16]