News
PMI CEO: “Cigarettes Belong in Museums”
Jacek Olczak, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) c.e.o. told media, politicians, and policy makers at the UnHerd Club in London that “cigarettes belong in museums” as he called on governments globally to accelerate the end of cigarettes. Read more
LIP Paper Patent Expires, Opens New Opportunities
Schweitzer-Mauduit International’s patent for low propensity cigarette paper expired recently in many European countries, opening new opportunities for cigarette and paper manufacturers. Read more
Altria Closer to Closing on NJOY Deal
Altria Group, Inc. announced that it made it past the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 on its deal to acquire NJOY Holdings, Inc. Read more
Malaysia to Table Generational End Game Bill
Malaysia’s health ministry will table the Control of Smoking Product for Public Health Bill, which includes the Generational End Game (GEG) policy during the ongoing second meeting of the second session of the 15th Parliament. Read more
BAT Names New C.E.O.
British American Tobacco (BAT) appointed finance director Tadeu Marroco as its new c.e.o. to succeed Jack Bowles with immediate effect. Read more
FDA Blocks 6,500 E-Cig Products
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued marketing denial orders (MDO) to 10 companies, which collectively manufacture and market approximately 6,500 flavored e-liquid and e-cigarette products. Read more
Portugal Clamps Down on Smokes and Vapes
In an effort to create a tobacco-free generation by 2040, Portugal's government proposed new legislation to restrict tobacco sales and to ban smoking in outdoor spaces next to public buildings... Read more
R.J. Reynolds Sues California Over Non-Menthol Cigarettes
Reynolds American Inc. announced that its subsidiary, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJRT), has filed a lawsuit against California state officials, including attorney general Robert Bonta... Read more
KT&G Records Strong Growth
KT&G Corporation, South Korea's leading tobacco manufacturer, announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2023. Read more
ONE USE Eco, the World’s First Disposable Vape Recycling System by AIRSCREAM UK
AIRSCREAM UK, a lifestyle brand with a mission to end tobacco harm has developed the AirsPops ONE USE Eco, an electronic cigarette system built around a modular design, reusability, and recycling. Read more
Tobacco Asia Podcast #20: Challenges on the Way to Cannabis Decriminalization in Germany
Having been a life-long advocate for decriminalizing cannabis, our podcast guest, Georg Wurth is the founder and managing director of the German Cannabis Association. Read more
JT Group Reports Q1/2023 Results
Revenue increased by 14.4% to ¥665.3 billion (US$4.89 billion), driven by an increase in the tobacco and pharmaceutical businesses as well as positive currency movements due to a weaker Japanese yen. Read more
Australia’s Crackdown on Vapes
In the largest anti-tobacco campaign in more than a decade, Australia announced that it will outlaw recreational vaping and tighten other e-cigarette regulations in an effort to curtail the alarming rise in teen vaping. Read more
New All-Time Low for US Smoking Rate
Recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that cigarette smoking dropped to a new all-time low last year, with 1 in 9 adults or about 11% saying they are current smokers. Read more
BAT Pays Over US$629M For Breaking N. Korea Sanctions
British American Tobacco (BAT) and its Singaporean subsidiary is paying a US$629 million criminal fine to the US Department of Justice and a US$508 million civil settlement with the Treasury Department... Read more
Juul Payouts Top US$2.5 Billion with Latest US$462 Million Settlement
Juul Labs reached a US$462 million settlement with six US states and the District of Columbia, to be paid over six years, resolving nearly all pending litigation against the e-cigarette maker. Read more
Americans Overwhelmingly Support Tobacco Harm Reduction
A survey released by Altria Group found two-out-of-three Americans support tobacco harm reduction, an established public health strategy that supports transitioning adult smokers who cannot or will not stop smoking... Read more
Imperial Brands On Track to Meet Full-Year Expectations
In a brief statement to the stock market, Imperial Brands stated that it was "on track to meet full-year expectations" through increases in profit and revenue, but cautioned that sales of its next-generation products (NGP) fell in the first half... Read more
JT Set to Invest Over US$2 Billion in Heated Tobacco Overseas
Japan Tobacco (JT) will invest ¥300 billion (US$2.25 billion) over the next three years to expand its heated tobacco stick products, with ¥200 billion set for marketing the sticks outside of Japan, reports Nikkei Asia. Read more
Tobacco Asia Podcast #19: China and the Global Supply of NGP
Our guest is Jason Tian, the international representative of 2Firsts which is the most subscribed professional news media reporting on China's e-cigarette industry. Read more