top news
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Universal Reports Strong First-Half 2026, Announced Dividend
Operating income rose 18% to $102 million, reflecting product mix and currency impacts. Net income increased 64% year-over-year to $43 million.
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Turning Point Reports Record Q3 2025
The CEO said results “exceeded expectations,” with strong growth of Modern Oral products and progress toward white pouch production lines by early 2026.
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Netherlands Increases Fines for Illegal Vape and Cigarette Sales
First-time offenders will face a €2,040 fine, rising to €3,060 for a second offence. Large companies with over 50 employees could be fined €4,040.
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KT&G Reports Record Q3 Results, Raises Annual Outlook
KT&G raised its annual revenue and profit guidance to double-digit growth and reaffirmed shareholder returns, including a $4.14 minimum dividend.
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ASEAN Could Lose $11B to Illicit Tobacco Trade by 2028
Crime Stoppers International highlighted the link between illicit tobacco and organized crime, including narcotics, human trafficking, and counterfeit goods.
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Illegal Tobacco Costs Australia Billions, Fuels Crime
Illicit tobacco is part of a growing $53.5 billion organized crime burden, alongside illegal vapes, according to the report.
Upcoming Events
Global Regulation
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Russia’s FSB Shuts Down Major Illegal Vape Supplier in Tula Region
Authorities said a 27-year-old resident organized the sale of unmarked electronic cigarettes, vapes, and liquids in violation of labeling laws.
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Most Shops Comply with Abu Dhabi Tobacco and Vape Regulations
ADRA Director-General Mohammed Muneef Al Mansoori emphasized that the low number of infractions reflects widespread compliance and the success of awareness campaigns.
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Thailand’s Fast-Tracked Vape Ban Sparks Concerns
“Rushing through a total ban during national mourning demonstrates either disorganization or deliberate predatory timing,”
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Expert Urges Nigeria to Embrace THR for Health, Economy
In Nigeria, the 2015 Tobacco Control Act regulates traditional tobacco but does not cover alternative nicotine products, creating regulatory gaps.
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Bhutan Implements 115% E-Cigarette Tax
The Tobacco Control Rules and Act are also being updated to explicitly cover e-cigarettes, vapes, and heated tobacco products.
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Maldives Implements First Generational Tobacco Ban
The legislation also imposes a nationwide ban on electronic cigarettes and vaping products, including their use, possession, importation, and manufacture.
Agriculture & Sustainability
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Zimbabwe Sees Steep Decline in Registered Tobacco Farmers for Next Season
TIMB said thus far, 83,000 farmers registered for next season, down 43,000 from last year.
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Farmers, Economy in Jeopardy as Tobacco Remains Unsold in Malawi
Farmers say many took out loans expecting to repay them through sales, but with buyers pulling back and prices falling, they are now trapped in debt.
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Pakistani Court Strikes Down Local Tobacco Excise Duty
The petitioners challenged the $0.18 per kilogram levy on unmanufactured tobacco, arguing that excise duties fall exclusively under federal jurisdiction.
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Philippine Tobacco Growers Call for Stronger Action Against Smuggling
This year, around 11.8 billion sticks of illegal cigarettes are expected to be sold in the Philippines, representing roughly 9.4 million kilos of tobacco.
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Malawi: Agricultural Center Opens to Help Tobacco Farmers Diversify
Global Action estimates that 800,000 Malawian farmers have begun diversifying crops as a layer of insurance.
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Pakistan Tobacco Farmers in Crisis as PTB Surplus Order Flouted
Farmers report that companies are buying tobacco below the Minimum Indicative Price and failing to honor payment terms, forcing growers to sell at throwaway prices to middlemen.
Science & Innovation
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BAT Launches Yoti Age Estimation System in Channel Islands
The initiative is part of BAT’s wider European deployment of Yoti technology, now active in over 600 stores, showing a 99% accuracy rate,
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PMI Pushes Smoke-Free, Green Agenda in Egypt
PMI has invested $14 billion in smoke-free innovation since 2008, with nearly all of its R&D now dedicated to alternatives to cigarettes.
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Global Survey Finds Strong Support for Smoke-Free Alternatives
“There is strong demand globally for fact-based policies that keep pace with innovation and deliver better outcomes for society.”
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Bloomberg Reports on Uncertain Future of FDA Nicotine Rule
The piece details how cigarette makers argued the proposed nicotine standard is technically and legally unachievable.
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Study Finds Nicotine Pouches May Aid Smokers in Quitting
Findings suggest that pouches are being used as harm-reduction tools, even though they are not officially authorized as smoking cessation aids.
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CORESTA Launches Public Knowledge Repository
With smart search and flexible browsing features, the repository aims to simplify comparison and selection of measures for research projects.
Business & Finance
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Universal Reports Strong First-Half 2026, Announced Dividend
Operating income rose 18% to $102 million, reflecting product mix and currency impacts. Net income increased 64% year-over-year to $43 million.
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Turning Point Reports Record Q3 2025
The CEO said results “exceeded expectations,” with strong growth of Modern Oral products and progress toward white pouch production lines by early 2026.
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KT&G Reports Record Q3 Results, Raises Annual Outlook
KT&G raised its annual revenue and profit guidance to double-digit growth and reaffirmed shareholder returns, including a $4.14 minimum dividend.
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Haypp Reports Q3 2025 Results Amid U.S. Expansion Investments
Key developments included the return of ZYN to the U.S. market, early indicators of strong sales, and continued growth in Swedish and German vaping and heated tobacco products.
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Turning Point Reports Strong Q3 2025
The company highlighted Modern Oral sales of $36.7 million, up 628% from last year, with U.S. white pouch production lines expected to qualify in H1 2026.
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PMI to Restructure Organization in 2026
First announced with its third-quarter financials, the changes will become effective January 1, 2026.
Around the Industry
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FDA Establishes Closing Date for Public Comments on MRTP Renewal Applications for IQOS Products
FDA established the closing date for the public comment period for several IQOS heated tobacco products submitted by Philip Morris.
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Massachusetts Weighs Philip Morris Punitive Damages Appeal
The 2022 case produced one of the largest tobacco verdicts in state history, awarding $8 million in compensatory damages and $1 billion in punitive damages.
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Universal Announces New Board Member
Universal Corporation appointed Gregory A. Trojan to its board of directors, effective immediately.
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UK Public Strongly Backs Regulation of Nicotine Pouches, Survey Finds
According to the survey, 84% of respondents want the government to introduce new rules governing nicotine pouches, aligning their regulation with that of cigarettes and vapes.
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Vaping Overtakes Smoking in UK
The ONS reported that 10% of adults in Great Britain used e-cigarettes daily or occasionally in 2024, overtaking the 9.1% who still smoke cigarettes.
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AIR Partners with Snoop Dogg for New Hookah Flavors
The partnership blends Al Fakher’s expertise in hookah craftsmanship with Snoop Dogg’s cultural influence.
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.