News
China Tobacco Files for Hong Kong IPO
China National Tobacco Corp., the world’s largest tobacco producer by volume, has filed for a Hong Kong initial public offering for its overseas unit, China Tobacco International Inc. Read more
Mongol Tobacco Offers 19% Stake
Mongol Tobacco SO Co. Ltd. has announced a tender of a minimum of 19% of its company shares. Read more
Altria Buys Into JUUL
Altria Group, Inc. has announced it signed and closed a US$12.8 billion investment in JUUL Labs, Inc. Altria's investment represents a 35% economic interest in JUUL, valuing the company at $38 billion. JUUL will remain fully independent. Read more
Illicit Trade Global Pact Kicks In
A global pact to battle the illicit tobacco trade began in September with the World Health Organization hailing it as “game-changing” in eliminating widespread health-hazardous and criminal activity. Read more
Higher Cigarette Sales on Target
China National Tobacco Corp. announced in early November that it would reach its sales target for this year of 47.5 million crates of cigarettes. Read more
Considering Loose Cigs Warning
The Canadian government is considering putting a cancer warning label on every individual cigarette stick sold in the country. If passed, this will make Canada the first country in the world to do so. Read more
New Appointments at BAT
British American Tobacco's Nicandro Durante retires after nearly 37 years with the company, and eight years as c.e.o. Read more
Smoking Rates at Record Low
A November report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that cigarette use among American adults is at the lowest it’s been since CDC started collecting data in 1965. Read more
Cig Sales Ban in Prisons
The Thai Corrections Department director-general announced that a new regulation will ban the sale of cigarettes and tobacco at all prisons across the country. Read more
PMI’s Anti-Smoking Campaign
The UK branch of Philip Morris International launched its “Hold My Light” anti-smoking campaign with ads in several newspapers late October. Read more
Senators Mull Raising Excise Tax to Fund Healthcare
Senators are considering a possible increase of excise taxes on tobacco products to fund the proposed universal health care program. Read more
Plain Packaging to be Implemented
The government in Singapore announces it would introduce new plain packaging measures early in 2019 when all tobacco products will be packaged in a standardized size, shape, and drab brown color, free of any logos or images. Read more
Outside Help Wanted for Tobacco Control Strategy
In an online posting, Health Canada is asking contractors to prepare a report on the “value for money” of the longstanding, multi-million-dollar program that has sought to reduce the number of smokers in the country. Read more
Tobacco Consumption to be Reduced by 30% by 2022
Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health has announced that it is working with partners to reduce tobacco consumption, identifying it as a national target Read more
PMI and Dorna Extend Partnership
Philip Morris International Inc. and Dorna Sports S.L., the commercial rights holder for the world FIM MotoGP Championships, have extended their partnership until the end of 2021. Read more
FZEs Fueling Illicit Trade
According to Middle East experts in the black market trade, UAE’s landmark 100% tobacco tax has led half the smoking population to turn to cheaper, illicit cigarettes. Read more
Marijuana the Gateway Drug to Tobacco for Teens
Study indicates the change is because teens are smoking cigarettes and drinking less while the numbers for marijuana have held steady. Read more
Tobacco Tax Stamp Scheme in 2019
UAE’s Federal Tax Authority confirms it is set to introduce a new digital tax stamp scheme for tobacco products, which will come into effect at the beginning of 2019. Read more
Teen Vaping Not Leading to Cigarette Smoking
A new study from Georgetown University Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that we have passed the ‘tipping point’ and vaping is not driving teens to cigarettes. Read more
WTO Sides with PMI
The World Trade Organization has issued a ruling against Thailand’s regulations on cigarette imports. Read more