top news
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Germany Plans to Ban Disposable E-Cigs
The government plans to introduce a draft bill following reports of increased fires at waste facilities linked to improperly discarded devices.
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Texas Court Says Nicotine Pouches Taxable as Tobacco
The court determined that since nicotine is derived from tobacco, they meet the criteria for taxation despite not containing traditional tobacco leaf.
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Finland’s Kokoomus Plans Generational Tobacco Ban
The proposal, included in a broader program outlining policy goals through 2040, will be voted on at the party’s congress in June.
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Spain’s Tobacco Prices Rise Again
The changes reflect a pattern of frequent, incremental price updates driven by manufacturer submissions, rising production costs, and inflation.
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Philippines’ Health Renews Total Vape Ban Push
It is urging stricter enforcement of existing regulations under the Vape Regulation Act, particularly provisions restricting flavored products that may appeal to minors.
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Indonesia Stepping Up Vape Surveillance
BPOM signaled a more targeted approach, focusing on stricter control of illegal products lacking excise stamps rather than blanket prohibition.
Upcoming Events
ATNF 2026
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ATNF Talks Challenges in Communicating Tobacco Harm Reduction
Public health experts, physicians, and industry representatives to examine why reduced-risk messaging is failing to reach adult smokers.
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Farrelly, Industry Experts Debate Ways to Improve PMTA Pathway
The discussion focused on the disconnect between the framework and real-world market dynamics, with panelists agreeing the current system needs to improve.
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ATNF Panel Focuses on Harm Reduction for Adult Smokers
The discussion challenged prevailing narratives in public health, particularly the strong emphasis on eliminating all nicotine use and the skepticism toward dual use.
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FDA, Industry Leaders Explore Product Standards at ATNF
The discussion centered on whether clearer product standards could reduce uncertainty in the PMTA process, shorten timelines, and create more predictable pathways.
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ATNF Explores Shifting Dialogue in Tobacco Harm Reduction
The panel focused on the evolving relationship between public health and the industry, noting a gradual shift from outright exclusion toward cautious engagement.
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ATNF Panel Examines State-Level Policy Challenges for Harm Reduction
Speakers noted that policymakers are often making decisions without a clear grasp of existing frameworks, definitions, or scientific standards.
Global Regulation
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Germany Plans to Ban Disposable E-Cigs
The government plans to introduce a draft bill following reports of increased fires at waste facilities linked to improperly discarded devices.
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Finland’s Kokoomus Plans Generational Tobacco Ban
The proposal, included in a broader program outlining policy goals through 2040, will be voted on at the party’s congress in June.
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Philippines’ Health Renews Total Vape Ban Push
It is urging stricter enforcement of existing regulations under the Vape Regulation Act, particularly provisions restricting flavored products that may appeal to minors.
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Indonesia Stepping Up Vape Surveillance
BPOM signaled a more targeted approach, focusing on stricter control of illegal products lacking excise stamps rather than blanket prohibition.
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FDA Changes PMTA Structure
“This is a ground-breaking announcement for American consumers who deserve a wealth of options as they try to leave cigarettes behind.”
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WSJ: Trump Ready to Fire Makary
While no official confirmation has been issued, sources indicated a growing consensus is that a leadership change at the FDA may be imminent.
Agriculture & Sustainability
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Zimbabwe Suspends Tobacco Buyer Over Pricing Concerns
TIMB said it had identified concerning pricing patterns that could distort competition and harm grower viability.
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Pakistani Tobacco Growers Want FBR Raids Stopped
Growers alleged harassment during enforcement actions and demanded the withdrawal of law enforcement personnel from tobacco processing units.
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CORESTA Hosting Tobacco Plant Breeding Webinar June 24
The session will explain how new varieties are tested in the field, including how trial design changes depending on the type of tobacco and stage of development.
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Malawi Tobacco Market Rocked by Widespread Rejections
Officials say excess production has forced buyers to tighten purchasing volumes and quality standards, leaving many farmers unable to sell their crop.
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Philippines’ NTA Addressing Tobacco Market Pressures
Officials highlighted a sharp drop in leaf prices—from over $1.60 per kilo to around $1.20—along with rising production costs and delayed support funding.
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Malawi Faces Oversupply as Tobacco Season Opens
Major buyers, including JTI Leaf, Alliance One, and Limbe Leaf, are collectively targeting volumes well below expected output.
Science & Innovation
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FDA Expands AI Capabilities to Improve Efficiency
The FDA said the enhanced AI infrastructure is designed to improve efficiency and support faster decision-making.
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The Conglomerate Cigar Brands Are Losing Inside ChatGPT — and the Retailer Channel Is the Reason Why
Cigar Aficionado’s 2025 Cigar Insider Retailer Survey told the same story Cigar Insider has told every year for the last decade. Padrón at #1, Arturo Fuente at #2, Drew Estate…
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Report: Misconceptions Hurting Alternative Nicotine Products
The disconnect suggests that public understanding may be shaped more by media framing and social discourse than by underlying usage data.
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PMI Announces FDA Reauthorization of IQOS as MRTP
The agency reaffirmed that available scientific evidence supports a measurable and substantial reduction in harm compared to combustible cigarettes.
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FDA Releases Wave 8 PATH Study Data
The PATH Study is a household-based, nationally representative, longitudinal study of adults and youth (12-17 years old) in the United States.
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Researchers Map Final Steps of Nicotine Biosynthesis
Researchers uncovered a five-enzyme “dynamic metabolon” that coordinates the final assembly, stabilization, and transport of nicotine inside plant cells.
Business & Finance
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Haypp Resumes Sales in Alabama
The company said it will offer more than 300 products in the state through direct-to-consumer delivery, particularly targeting areas with limited retail availability.
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PMI Warns Middle East Conflict Will Spur Illicit Trade in Asia
PMI estimates governments in the ASEAN region are already losing around $4 billion annually in cigarette excise revenue, with an additional $2 billion lost from illegal vaping products.
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Capital Group Acquires 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Shares Top $122
It comes amid sustained foreign buying momentum, with investors purchasing 800,000 shares worth $96.6 million over 19 consecutive trading sessions.
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JTI Reports Revenue Up 15%
The company maintained its full-year outlook, forecasting revenue of $23.7 billion and operating profit of $5.9 billion.
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KT&G Reports 27% Increase in Q1 2026
The company’s global combustible cigarette business saw strong performance, with shipment volumes increasing 15% and operating profit rising 56.1%.
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Turning Point Sales Up 16.8% in Q1 2026
The company said it is investing heavily to capture growth in the evolving nicotine category, particularly in nicotine pouches.
Around the Industry
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Texas Court Says Nicotine Pouches Taxable as Tobacco
The court determined that since nicotine is derived from tobacco, they meet the criteria for taxation despite not containing traditional tobacco leaf.
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Spain’s Tobacco Prices Rise Again
The changes reflect a pattern of frequent, incremental price updates driven by manufacturer submissions, rising production costs, and inflation.
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Imperial Offers Guidance to Retailers Over UK Law
Imperial said further government guidance and a detailed implementation roadmap will be critical in helping retailers understand compliance requirements.
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Dr. Iqbal Lambat, Star Agritech CEO, Passes
Lambat built Star Agritech into a significant player in tobacco leaf sourcing and export, expanding operations across Africa and other key growing regions.
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PMI Calls for Lower Cigarette Taxes in Meeting With Australian Govt
The company told lawmakers that narrowing the price gap between legal and illegal products could help shift consumers back into regulated channels.
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Belgian Health Minister Calls Tobacco Industry ‘Criminal’
He said a court decision forced the government to reverse its ban on cigarette sales in supermarkets, undermining part of its strategy to reduce tobacco accessibility.
Thought Leaders
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The Conglomerate Cigar Brands Are Losing Inside ChatGPT — and the Retailer Channel Is the Reason Why
Cigar Aficionado’s 2025 Cigar Insider Retailer Survey told the same story Cigar Insider has told every year for the last decade. Padrón at #1, Arturo Fuente at #2, Drew Estate…
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The FDA’s evolving approach to youth-risk mitigation
Lilian Ortega explains the latest developments from regulators across pouches and ENDS and the latest enforcement of rules in the United States.
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The Arithmetic of Harm
Why the World Cannot Afford America’s Regulatory Model By Dr. J. Preston Campbell, Cancer Researcher, Harm Reduction Scientist Heavy lifetime smoking kills approximately half of long-term users. That is not…
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The Butt Stops Here
Because filters are small, lightweight, and routinely discarded in public spaces, they are disproportionately represented in stormwater runoff and shoreline debris counts despite their size.
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Rethinking Nicotine Regulation
How harm reduction, illicit markets, and regulatory gridlock are reshaping the future of nicotine policy in the United States.
