News
WHO Reports on New Tobacco Products
The World Health Organization has released reports on “novel” tobacco products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic non-nicotine delivery systems, and heated tobacco products. Read more
UAE Postpones Ban on Water Pipes, E-Cigs Without Tax Stamps
The Federal Tax Authority is postponing the implementation of a ban on supplying, transferring, storing, and possession of water pipe tobacco and electrically heated cigarettes in the UAE that do not carry digital tax stamps. Read more
Germany Gives In and Bans Tobacco Ads
Germany, the last country in the EU that still allows tobacco products to be advertised at the cinema and on street posters, will soon be banning tobacco ads in its streets. Read more
InterTabac 2020 Postponed One Year to 2021
The InterTabac and InterSupply trade fairs planned for 2020 will not be held this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The regularly held annual exhibitions are postponed to September 16-18, 2021. Read more
Millions Smoking More During Covid-19 Pandemic
A new survey has found that about 2.2 million people in the UK may be smoking more than usual during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Cigs Proclaimed ‘Haram’
Turkey's Directorate of religious affairs says cigarettes are haram (“sinful”) in Islam due to the Maide and Araf sections of the Quran during a speech on National Smoking Cessation Day. Read more
FDA/Tobacco Companies Request Delay in Implementing New Graphic Warnings
Tobacco manufacturers will most likely receive a three-month reprieve in instituting a new set of 11 cigarette graphic warning labels, extending the date from June 18, 2021, to October 16, 2021. Read more
Tobacco Sales Ban Re-instated in South Africa as Covid-19 Measure
South African smokers suffering through a total tobacco sales ban since late March, got their hopes up recently when the easing up of coronavirus lockdown measures included allowing tobacco sales again. Read more
Cigarette Prices Rise in UK
Under the chancellor’s new rules, beer, wine, and cider prices have been capped, however cigarette prices have risen almost immediately. Hidden in the small print of Budget 2020 is a rise by up to 6% across the board. Read more
Schipol Goes Smoke-Free
Schipol International Airport has gone smoke-free since April 1, as it closed the last of its designated smoking areas located in the secured parts of the airport and the price of tobacco in the Netherlands went up. Read more
Gutkha Ban Mulled
The Yogi Adityanath government is mulling a ban on the manufacture and sale of paan masala and gutkha. Read more
BAT Works on Vaccine
British American Tobacco has announced that it is working on a potential coronavirus vaccine through its US biotech subsidiary – with the first batches possibly ready by June. Read more
Executive Changes at China Tobacco International (HK)
China Tobacco International Company Limited announced that Zhang Hongshi tendered his resignation as an executive director and general manager. Read more
Court Fines PM
A Thai court recently fined the local unit of tobacco company Philip Morris THB130 million for dodging tax on cigarette imports from Indonesia. Read more
New Chief at PM America
Martin King, formerly Philip Morris International’s chief financial officer, has been appointed c.e.o of Philip Morris USA, a newly-created position. Read more
Smokers Ration, Prices Soar
A 21-day lockdown imposed by the state government left habitual smokers in a frenzy, and many have ended up rationing the number of cigarettes they smoke, one puff at a time. Read more
Tobacco Firm Helps Students
Alliance One Tobacco Tanzania Limited has donated construction materials worth TZS23.9m (US$10,400) to support the construction of girls’ dormitories and toilets in Tabora and Uyui districts. Read more
Demand Steady Amid Covid-19
Despite health and respiratory concerns as well as slowing customer traffic, the tobacco category for convenience stores may prove resilient during the growing coronavirus problem. Read more
Billions Lost in South Africa's Taxes
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni announced in his 2020 budget that there would be a renewed focus on illicit and criminal activity. Read more
Europe Smokes in Lockdown
European governments are ensuring that smokers and vapers can keep up their habits while they hunker down at home in lockdowns to stem the spread of coronavirus. Read more