News
Altria Increases Cigarette Volume in Q2
Altria Group Inc. has seen its cigarette volume increased by 0.3% in the second quarter of the year despite steady declines in smoking rates and new obstacles to the tobacco industry. Read more
ITC's Q1 Profits Jump
ITC Limited reported a 12.6% YoY profit growth to INR3,173.94 crore (US$455.59) for the quarter ended June 2019. Read more
Philip Morris Trying to Get Thai Government to Reverse Vaping Ban
Philip Morris Thailand is trying to start talks with the Thai government to find constructive methods to reduce harm caused by smoking, which includes vaping. Read more
E-Cig Regulations Coming for China
China, home to the majority of the world’s e-cigarette manufacturers, is planning to regulate e-cigarettes. Read more
Ministries Instructed to Curb Tobacco Consumption
Cambodia’s National Assembly has instructed ministries to curb smoking in public as a government official highlights a decrease in the consumption of tobacco goods. Read more
Tracking System Could Waste Billions
The Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa says a rushed new system for tracking cigarettes would see a multi-billion tender awarded to a monopoly yet may fail to curb illegal cigarette trade. Read more
Flat Cigarette Tax Approved
The cabinet has approved a flat tax on all cigarette packets and soft drinks to try to plug a gaping budget deficit. Read more
Excise Tax Hike Approved
Philippines’ Senate has approved a bill raising the excise taxes on tobacco products and imposing duties on vape products. Read more
Country is EU’s Contraband Tobacco Leader
KPMG’s “Stella Report,” commissioned by Philip Morris International, reported that Greece has the highest rate of contraband cigarettes in the European Union, costing governments €690 million in revenues last year. Read more
Tobacco and Alcohol to be Taxed 100%
Since June 15, 100% tax on tobacco, alcohol, energy drinks, and pork meat is levied in Oman. Read more
Malnutrition More Cause of Disease than Tobacco
The Physicians Association for Nutrition says malnutrition ranks ahead of tobacco, lack of exercise, and obesity in the cause of disease. Read more
Tax Hike Planned
The ministry of health and sports is planning to annually raise taxes on tobacco and tobacco-related products. Read more
Billions Lost from Tobacco Tax Discrepancies
A US Government Accountability Office report found that the federal government lost out on US$2.5-3.9 billion in revenue since 2009 by not taxing pipe tobacco products at the same higher rate of cigarettes. Read more
Beverly Hills First to Implement Tobacco Sales Ban
Beverly Hills is set to become the first US city to have a sweeping ban on nearly all tobacco products. Read more
Petition to Legalize HNB Exceeds Expectations
A petition to legalize heat-not-burn tobacco products and subject them to the same health and welfare surcharges as other tobacco products has exceeded expectations. Read more
Government Website Endorses Vaping
The ministry of health has launched Vaping Facts, a new project website endorsing and educating about vaping products as valuable harm reduction tools for current smokers. Read more
Oliver Kutz Takes Control at ITG Brands
Oliver Kutz has taken over as c.e.o. and president of ITG Brands, replacing Dan Carr, who had served in those posts for 16 months. ITG said Carr stepped down “to pursue other interests.” Read more
Multi-million Fine Write-Off for SEKAP
Greece’s government has submitted an amendment in parliament writing off a €44 million fine the state had imposed on tobacco company SEKAP over smuggling infractions. Read more
Imperial Tobacco’s Entire 2018 Profits Distributed as Dividend
Imperial Tobacco Distribution Bulgaria announced that it will distribute a dividend to its sole owner Imperial Tobacco Overseas Holdings. Read more
Mobile App Reports Tobacco Violations
The government created a mobile phone application, Stop Tobacco, to report tobacco-related violations. Read more