News
Altria Launches iQOS in US
Altria Group Inc. introduced its heat-not-burn product, iQOS, to the market, five months after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave IQOS the greenlight in the United States. Read more
China Online E-Cig Shut Down?
China’s State Administration of Markets and State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, published a notice on their websites, saying the regulator "urges e-cigarette producers, retailers, or individual sellers to temporarily close online sales websites." Read more
US to Ban all Flavors Except Tobacco and Menthol
The US is reportedly moving ahead with plans to ban all flavored vaping products other than those with tobacco and menthol flavors. Read more
An FDA First: Endorsing A Less Harmful Tobacco Product
The US Food and Drug Administration has, for the first time, endorsed a brand of tobacco pouches as less harmful than cigarettes. This marks the government’s first backing of a reduced-risk tobacco product. Read more
2019 China International Cigar Expo Takes Place Nov.21-22
The 2019 China International Cigar Expo will be taking place at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center with more than 50 domestic and foreign enterprises. Read more
Asia’s First for Plain Packaging
Thailand has become the first country in Asia, and 16th in the world, to roll out plain packaging. Read more
New Record for InterTabac 2019
InterTabac has set a new visitor record with 13,800 guests this year. Approximately 42% of the visitors came abroad, including from the US, China, Chile, South Africa, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Turkey. Read more
PMI/Altria Merger Up in Smoke
Philip Morris International has called off talks about a US$200 billion merger with Altria Group, Inc. Read more
Vapers Turning to Cigarettes
E-cigarette users are now turning to cigarettes to help them quit vaping. Some are former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes, and some are taking up cigarettes for the first time. Read more
BAT to Cut 2,300 Jobs
British American Tobacco will cut 2,300 jobs as it creates a “more efficient, agile, and focused” company as it shifts away from traditional cigarettes to new products. Read more
BAT Launches Two New HNB Products in Japan
British American Tobacco is launching two new tobacco heating products, Glo Pro and Glo Nano, in Japan, following the earlier launch of the Glo Sens in Tokyo. Read more
UN Memo Questions Tobacco Ban
An internal UN document that appears to question an existing ban on tobacco company engagement with the United Nations is raising a few eyebrows, following its publication by journalist Colum Lynch at Foreign Policy. Read more
Smoking Age Raised in NY
New York will raise its smoking age from 18 to 21 under legislation recently signed into law. The change, which takes effect after 120 days, will apply to the sales of traditional tobacco products as well as electronic cigarettes and vaporizers. Read more
GM Tobacco Applications
US researchers have genetically engineered tobacco plants that can produce medical and industrial proteins in the field. This successful move outdoors from a laboratory setting could provide the opportunity to grow in bulk. Read more
ITC Q1 Profits Jump
ITC Limited reported a 12.6% YoY profit growth to INR3.17 billion (US$455.59 million) for the quarter ended June 2019. Read more
WT Asia Moves to Surabaya
WT Asia returns to Indonesia for the seventh time this October and finds a new home in Surabaya. WT Asia will take place at the Grand City Convex Convention Hall from 16-17 October 2019. Read more
Illegal Products Cost RM6 Billion
The government could potentially lose as much as US$1.43 billion in taxes from cigarettes and vaping products due to poor enforcement against smugglers, Japan Tobacco International Berhad (JTI Malaysia) recently announced. Read more
Facebook to Restrict Content
Facebook is rolling out a new policy to restrict sales and limit content related to alcohol and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Read more
PMI Saga Continues
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam says the dispute involving Philip Morris International (PMI) is “not over yet.” Read more
New Team, New Offices at NewCo
NewCo Global Tobacco Service & Trade GmbH has appointed a new team now working at its new German offices, following a decision to create a NewCo team with all departments under one roof. Read more