News
Plans to Legalize E-Cigs in Thailand Still On
Thailand’s minister of digital economy and society insisted he is still pushing to legalize e-cigarettes in the country despite initial backlash and pushback he received when he first announced his plans last October. Read more
BAT Launches Plant-Based Biotech
British American Tobacco (BAT) launched KBio Holdings Limited (KBio), a biotech incorporating BAT’s plant-based technology capabilities and Kentucky BioProcessing Inc (KBP), BAT’s wholly owned US plant biologics subsidiary. Read more
Singapore and Malaysia Considering NZ-Like Ban
Singapore and Malaysia are both considering adopting a smoking ban for the next generation similar to that of New Zealand’s. Read more
Cigarette Sales Soar for First Time in Decades
Cigarette sales in the US sold to wholesalers and retailers increased from 202.9 billion sticks in 2019 to 203.7 billion in 2020 says a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report. Read more
BAT Sticks to Financial Forecasts; PM Says Mergers Not Required for Smoke Free Future
British American Tobacco said it sees 2021 as a "pivotal year" as it backed its full-year profit and sales forecasts on Tuesday buoyed by strong demand for its "new categories" products as reported in Reuters. Read more
Indonesia To Raise Excise Tax 12% in 2022
The Indonesia finance ministry will raise cigarette excise taxes by up to 12%, as reported in The Jakarta Post in breaking news. Read more
NZ: Lifetime Cigarette Buy Ban for Those Born from 2008 Onwards
Last week, New Zealand announced that anyone aged 14 and under in 2027 will never be allowed to purchase cigarettes there. Read more
KT&G Suspends US Operations Indefinitely
In a recent regulatory filing, South Korea's KT&G Corp. announced the suspension of its business in the United States for an unspecified period, according to a report in the Korea Herald. Read more
Tobacco Asia Podcast #4
Tobacco Asia’s Podcast #4 is a talk with Eric Piras, long time Asia cigar expert Read more
Vázquez Succeeds Abrunhosa at ITGA
During the International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA) 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM), c.e.o. António Abrunhosa announced his retirement after serving in the position since 1998. Mercedes Vázquez was appointed as his successor. Read more
Federal Court Strikes Down Philadelphia’s Flavored Tobacco Ban
Flavored tobacco products can continue to be sold in Philadelphia, at least for now, as a federal appeals court barred the city from enforcing a ban on the sale of such products... Read more
China Now Regulates E-Cigs Like Tobacco
Finalizing what for many saw as a foregone conclusion, China formally amended its state tobacco monopoly law to put the country’s burgeoning e-cigarette and vape firmly under control, as it does with the traditional tobacco business. Read more
US Cigarette Warnings Postponed Again
The US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas postponed the effective date of the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) required warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements final rule again, this time to January 9, 2023. Read more
Southeast Asia Tops World’s Smokers List
Despite dropping smoking rates globally, Southeast Asia has the world’s highest number of smokers, based on data from the fourth edition of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use Read more
Let’s Talk About Snus
A talk with CECILIA KIRDSTRAND ISAKSSON, director, public affairs, Swedish Match Read more
Mushrooms That Eat Cigarette Butts
According to various reports, mushrooms can be “taught” to eat and break down the plastics present in cigarette filters. Read more
Upcoming EU Plastic Packaging Requirements and the Tobacco Business
A new regular podcast series brought to you by Tobacco Asia magazine debuts on Tuesday afternoon CET (Germany standard time), November 2. Read more
Philip Morris International Moves to Connecticut in Summer 2022
Philip Morris International (PMI) announced that its new corporate headquarters will be located in the heart of Stamford, Connecticut, and will open in summer 2022. Read more
Plain Packaging and Gory Warnings Gain Global Momentum
New international report also shows 134 countries and territories now require graphic picture warnings on cigarette packages. Read more