News
South Africa Tobacco Ban Stays, Cigarette Prices Soar 250%
Despite studies revealing that South Africa’s ban on tobacco products during the lockdown due to the Covid-19 had the opposite effect of what the government had intended, the government has decided to introduce a new law keep ban in place. Read more
FDA vs Flavored E-Cigs
The US Food and Drug Administration has taken its next step in regulating e-cigarettes by sending warning letters to 10 companies selling flavored disposable cigarettes. Read more
Tobacco Sales Boost for Zimbabwe
Figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board show that, as of day 52 of trading, Zimbabwe’s tobacco sales have reached US$331.4 million after 137 million kilograms were put under the hammer. Read more
Tobacco Manufacturing in NZ Shutting Down
Imperial Tobacco’s plant in Petone, New Zealand’s only large-scale tobacco factory, has sold, effectively bringing an end to the country’s tobacco manufacturing industry. Read more
WHO Releases Reports New Tobacco Products
The World Health Organization has released reports on “novel” tobacco products in an effort claimed by the agency “to inform countries on the current state of scientific knowledge as well as regulatory and policy options available.” Read more
Contraband Takes Whopping 59% of the Malaysia Market
A recent report by Oxford Economics found that an alarming 59% of the cigarettes sold in Malaysia are from the illicit cigarette trade. Read more
FDA Allows PM to Market IQOS as 'Reduced Risk'
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of the IQOS tobacco heating system as a modified risk tobacco product with a reduced exposure claim. Read more
BAT and JTI Join Forces to Lift Ban
British American Tobacco South Africa and Japan Tobacco International have joined forces taking legal action to challenge the government’s extension of the ban on cigarette sales during level three of the national lockdown. Read more
Smoking May Help Parkinson’s
A six-decade follow-up study of nearly 30,000 British male doctors found that those who smoked tobacco when the study began in 1951 had a 30% lower risk of death from Parkinson’s disease. Read more
Altria Sues Reynolds Over Smokeless Tobacco Patents
Altria Group is suing a subsidiary of its largest competitor, Reynolds American, of infringing on patents owned by Altria for some e-vapor and smokeless tobacco products. Read more
FDA’s Requirement for Cigar/Smoking Tobacco Warning Labels Struck Down in US
A US court overturns a Food and Drug Administration rule on cigar, pipe tobacco, and other tobacco warnings. Read more
US$16.1 M for 47 Projects Announced
The Golden LEAF Board of Directors announced US$16.1 million in funding for 47 projects across five program areas. Read more
ITC Investigates Altria/PMA IQOS Patent
The US International Trade Commission announced it would be conducting an investigation into a legal dispute involving British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International in a heat-not-burn patent-infringement lawsuit. Read more
JTI Globally Extends Its Family Leave Policy Globally
Japan Tobacco International enhanced its global family leave policy for 44,000 employees, which will take effect from January 1, 2021. Read more
Altria Donates US$5M to Fight Inequality
Altria Group has announced an initial commitment of US$5 million to address systemic racism faced by Black Americans and advance social and economic equity. Read more
New C.E.O and C.F.O at 22nd Century
22nd Century Group announced that James A. Mish has been appointed chief executive officer, effective June 22, and John Franzino has been appointed chief financial officer. Read more
PM USA’s Second Graphic Warning Lawsuit
Philip Morris USA has filed the second lawsuit against the US Food and Drug Administration to challenge the agency’s updated graphic warning rule. R.J. Reynolds had also filed a similar suit previously. Read more
South Africa Upholds Ban on Tobacco Sales
A South African high court upheld the ban on tobacco sales which started in late March, striking down the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association’s claim that tobacco should be declared essential due to its addictive nature. Read more
Jordan Surpasses Indonesia: World’s Highest Smoking Rate
A recent report found that Jordan now has the world’s highest smoking rate, with 90.8% of those who smoke daily smoking manufactured cigarettes and “consume an average of 23 cigarettes a day." Read more
Australia to Ban E-Cig Imports
The importation of all e-cigarettes containing vaporizer nicotine (nicotine liquids and salts) and nicotine-containing refills will be prohibited in Australia starting July 1. Read more