top news
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JTI Announces Flores as GM of Global Travel Retail
She has 25 years of experience at JTI across Europe—including Geneva, Copenhagen, and Vilnius—and served as GM for JTI Switzerland for more than three years.
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BAT Japan Launching Two New Velo Flavors
Both products come in 15-pouch cans priced at $2.30 and will be available from February 2.
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Selected Tobacco Opens Spain’s First Premium Cigar Factory in 50 Years
A key feature is what the company describes as the world’s largest multi-cedar-lined humidor, consisting of 24 individual aging rooms.
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JTI to Launch Four New EVO Flavors
The variants—Green Mint, Cacao Mint Crystal, Tropical Lime Crystal, and Sakura Regular—will be sold in 20-stick packs at $3.50 each.
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Indonesian Cig Tax Plan Comes with Risk: Economist
A senior economics researcher said law-abiding manufacturers could face new competition if past compliance is effectively penalized by regulatory changes.
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PMI Positive After FDA’s Zyn Hearing
FDA scientists said the “totality of the evidence” shows Zyn contains substantially lower levels of harmful chemicals than cigarettes.
Upcoming Events
Global Regulation
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Vietnam Looking to Tighten Tobacco Regs
The draft introduces clear definitions for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, strengthens responsibilities of government agencies, and adds new prohibitions.
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Indonesia Considers Special Tax for Illegal Cigarettes
The government says formalizing illegal production could generate additional revenue, but the plan has sparked concern among industry players.
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Aussie Tobacco Retailers Warned to File for Licenses
Tobacco Licensing Victoria, supported by Victoria Police, will enforce compliance with penalties of up to $114535 and five years’ jail for individuals selling without a license, with businesses facing fines…
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TCA: Alternative Products Jeopardize Georgia’s Smoke-Free Ambitions
The TCA is urging stronger “endgame” measures, including equal taxation of all tobacco and nicotine products and tighter controls on e-cigarettes.
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Hong Kong Cracking Down on Smoking at Construction Sites
The proposed ban follows the deadly Tai To fire in November and would be implemented through amendments to subsidiary legislation next month.
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FDA Releases Meeting Materials for Zyn’s MRTP Application
The materials include a draft agenda, background documents, and draft questions for committee consideration for the January 22 meeting.
Agriculture & Sustainability
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Withheld Funds Crippling Philippine Tobacco Farmers
Farmers warn that the failure to remit funds threatens livelihoods and has crippled critical programs intended to support farmer self-reliance and local development.
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Zimbabwe’s Increased Efficiency Base for Market Growth
Registered farmers declined 19.3% to 101,443, yet planted area increased 21.7% to 113,536 hectares.
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Philippines Planting New Sources for Tobacco-Curing Fuel
The program is intended to reduce pressure on natural forests while providing additional livelihood opportunities for tobacco-farming communities.
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Zimbabwe Tells Tobacco Farmers to Stop Planting, Get Tending
A national crop and livestock assessment later this month is expected to confirm strong early performance and yield prospects.
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New Tractors Strengthening Cuba’s Tobacco Production
In Pinar del Río, which produces 70% of Cuba’s tobacco, 75 tractors were delivered alongside photovoltaic systems for irrigation and lighting.
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Zimbabwe Pushing Tobacco Processing for Value Addition
Zimbabwe, which produced a record 355 million kg of tobacco in 2025, has the potential to rise to 500 million kg by 2030.
Science & Innovation
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Seoul Rolling Out Public Smoking Booths
The first installations physically separate smokers from passersby and also distinguish between conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, assigning each to different structures.
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PMI Releases White Paper on Human Cognition in the AI Age
The paper says skills like critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability will become the “superskills” of the future, essential for organizations.
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MagicCube Investing in Phone Biometrics, AI Commerce
The funding will be used to accelerate R&D, strengthen AI security capabilities, and deepen integrations across global payment and identity ecosystems.
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Haypp Working to Increase Efficiency, Sustainability in Industry
The report says all new nicotine pouches have been tested against relevant standards, reflecting efforts to improve consistency in a fast-growing segment.
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Eagle Eye’s Solution Helps Retailers Maximize Conversion, Engagement
Eagle Eye said the solution can boost promotional efficiency, deepen customer engagement, and improve measurement for supplier brands.
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Truth Initiative Report Says Industry Targeting Youth
Data show that about one-third of youth and young adults used “smart” vapes in the past month, while nicotine pouches became the fastest-growing nicotine category.
Business & Finance
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BAT Japan Launching Two New Velo Flavors
Both products come in 15-pouch cans priced at $2.30 and will be available from February 2.
-
JTI to Launch Four New EVO Flavors
The variants—Green Mint, Cacao Mint Crystal, Tropical Lime Crystal, and Sakura Regular—will be sold in 20-stick packs at $3.50 each.
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IKT Announces New Distribution Structures for Asian Expansion
IKT said it contributes more than 20 years of tobacco R&D and manufacturing experience with an annual capacity of 250 million packs.
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Employee-Owned Transition for U.S. Cannabis Operator
Proceeds will finance 100% of the company’s equity to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, creating an ownership pathway for more than 500 employees.
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‘Billion Dollar’ Plxsur Sells for $97K: Bloomberg
The report said Plxsur unsuccessfully pursued a sale process, later sought debt financing, and explored funding proposals, all of which fell through.
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Universal Tabs Mittal as New CFO
Mittal brings 20 years of global finance, strategy, and business transformation experience, most recently serving as CFO of ADM Nutrition.
Around the Industry
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JTI Announces Flores as GM of Global Travel Retail
She has 25 years of experience at JTI across Europe—including Geneva, Copenhagen, and Vilnius—and served as GM for JTI Switzerland for more than three years.
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Selected Tobacco Opens Spain’s First Premium Cigar Factory in 50 Years
A key feature is what the company describes as the world’s largest multi-cedar-lined humidor, consisting of 24 individual aging rooms.
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PMI Positive After FDA’s Zyn Hearing
FDA scientists said the “totality of the evidence” shows Zyn contains substantially lower levels of harmful chemicals than cigarettes.
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Whole Foods Faces Class-Action for Surcharge on Tobacco-Using Employees
The suit claims that while employees can enroll in a tobacco cessation program, the surcharge is only removed prospectively and cannot be recouped retroactively.
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BAT Named Global Top Employer for 9th Straight Year
Chief People Officer Cora Koppe-Stahrenberg said the achievement reflects BAT’s continued investment in its people and culture as it transforms its business.
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Philippines to Investigate Politicians Complicit in Cigarette Smuggling
Officials warned of “impunity” in the entry of illegal cigarettes, noting that about half of sin tax collections fund healthcare programs such as PhilHealth.
Thought Leaders
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Differentiate and Give Smokers a Safer Alternative
Science says combustibles and non-combustibles are not the same, and pretending otherwise undermines the goals we are trying to achieve in public health.
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Opinion: WHO Is Wrong on Flavors — It’s Time to Stand Up for Harm Reduction and Common Sense
The slogan—Bright Product. Dark Intentions. Unmasking the Appeal—is both misleading and dangerous. And the question we ask ourselves: to what end?
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Thoughts on FDA Reform
Prioritizing Education on Smoke-Free Alternatives By Dr. Tom Price The recent marketing authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of 20 Zyn nicotine pouch products is a good…
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The Trailblazer
Godfrey Phillips’ Chairwoman Dr. Bina Modi Sits Down with Tobacco Reporter to Talk the Future of the Industry, Women’s Leadership, and More
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Don’t Gamble Your PMTA: Bet on Your Quality System
A PMTA is more than a regulatory formality. It’s a company’s game plan. A commitment to how the product will be manufactured, tested, controlled, and distributed.