top news
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Malawi Tobacco Commission Faults Farmers for Poor Handling, Rejections
Malawi’s Tobacco Commission has issued a stern warning to tobacco farmers over poor handling practices that it says are damaging the country’s leaf quality, depressing prices, and driving up rejection…
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New York Taxes Nicotine Pouches at 75% Under Enacted Budget
Nicotine pouches in New York will now be taxed like other tobacco products such as cigars, following Governor Kathy Hochul’s signing of the state’s $268 billion budget into law on…
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Harm Reduction Advocates Slam WHO’s First Nicotine Pouch Report
The World Health Organization’s first-ever report dedicated to nicotine pouches, a 152-page document titled “Exposing marketing tactics and strategies driving the global growth of nicotine pouches,” which was released May…
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Study Finds Herbal Cigarettes May Match or Exceed Tobacco’s Harms
A new study from researchers at IIT Bombay and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign challenges the assumption that “tobacco-free” and “nicotine-free” cigarettes are safer to smoke, finding that herbal cigarettes…
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Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco Gain Share in Italy as UK Volumes Slide
Cigarette and cigar volumes fell sharply in two key European markets during the four weeks ending in mid-May, according to Nielsen data cited by Bank of America, declining 14.3 percent…
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Brazil Readies Crackdown on Crime in Betting, Tobacco Sectors
Brazil’s government is in the final stages of preparing operations targeting organized crime in the online betting and tobacco sectors, a senior government official with direct knowledge of the matter…
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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New York Taxes Nicotine Pouches at 75% Under Enacted Budget
Nicotine pouches in New York will now be taxed like other tobacco products such as cigars, following Governor Kathy Hochul’s signing of the state’s $268 billion budget into law on…
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Brazil Readies Crackdown on Crime in Betting, Tobacco Sectors
Brazil’s government is in the final stages of preparing operations targeting organized crime in the online betting and tobacco sectors, a senior government official with direct knowledge of the matter…
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Former HHS Secretary Urges FDA to Reach the “Forgotten Smoker”
In an opinion piece, Dr. Tom Price — a physician, former member of Congress, and former Secretary of Health and Human Services who spoke at ATNF 2025 — argues that…
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Alaska Vape Tax Heads to Governor’s Desk
Four years after Governor Dunleavy vetoed a similar measure, the Alaska Legislature passed Senate Bill 24, imposing the state’s first tax on electronic cigarettes and related products. The bill passed…
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Arizona Advances Landmark Vape Bill
The Arizona Senate passed House Bill 4001 on May 26 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 24-2, establishing the state’s first formal regulatory framework for alternative nicotine products including e-cigarettes…
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Thailand Considers Generational Nicotine Ban
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is studying a Nicotine-Free Generation policy that would permanently prevent children and young people born after a specified year, or within a defined age group when…
Agriculture & Sustainability
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Malawi Tobacco Commission Faults Farmers for Poor Handling, Rejections
Malawi’s Tobacco Commission has issued a stern warning to tobacco farmers over poor handling practices that it says are damaging the country’s leaf quality, depressing prices, and driving up rejection…
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Malawi Tobacco Farmers Facing 91% Rejection Rate
Farmers claim the system unfairly favors contract tobacco, while independent growers face repeated rejections and mounting transport costs.
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Zimbabwe Reminds Tobacco Farmers Stalk-Destruction Deadline Passed
TIMB is also urging farmers to conduct soil testing before planting to optimize fertilizer use, improve leaf quality, and reduce input costs.
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CORESTA Extends Abstract Deadline
The event is calling for papers in Agronomy & Leaf Integrity, Phytopathology & Genetics, Product Science, and Product Technology.
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Zimbabwe Tobacco Eyes Record Output, Concerned About China
Growers report increasing concerns over debt exposure, fees, and pricing, particularly within systems dominated by Chinese contractors.
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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.
Science & Innovation
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Study Finds Herbal Cigarettes May Match or Exceed Tobacco’s Harms
A new study from researchers at IIT Bombay and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign challenges the assumption that “tobacco-free” and “nicotine-free” cigarettes are safer to smoke, finding that herbal cigarettes…
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UK Price Cap Could Raise Billions and Cut Deaths, U. of Bath Study Finds
Research published by the University of Bath Tobacco Control Research Group and the University of Sheffield’s Addictions Research Group provides the first real-world modelling of a proposed “polluter pays” tobacco…
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Graphic Cigarette Warnings May Nudge Smokers Toward Vaping, Study Finds
New research from Washington State University, published in the Journal of Business Ethics, finds that graphic anti-smoking warnings on cigarette packaging may produce an unintended consequence: rather than quitting, some…
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Japan Review Raises Questions Over HTP Risks
A government panel claimed that some devices may produce higher levels of certain carcinogenic substances than conventional cigarettes.
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Survey Finds Widespread Confusion Over Nicotine Risks
It said 73% think vaping is as harmful as, or more harmful than, smoking; 60.6% said the same of nicotine pouches, and 64.9% incorrectly believed nicotine causes cancer.
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How LIMS supports GMP compliance
Regulators are no longer just inspecting facilities; they are interrogating data.
Business & Finance
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Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco Gain Share in Italy as UK Volumes Slide
Cigarette and cigar volumes fell sharply in two key European markets during the four weeks ending in mid-May, according to Nielsen data cited by Bank of America, declining 14.3 percent…
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Charlotte’s Web Closes BAT Transaction, Adds $10 Million Equity Injection
Charlotte’s Web Holdings has completed a two-part transaction with BT DE Investments, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, that converts existing debt to equity and brings in fresh capital. The…
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Artesano del Tobaco Announces Three New Releases
Artesano del Tobaco has shared updates on three upcoming releases — two slated for 2026 and one targeting 2027. The announcements came via an email to the company’s subscriber list…
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Universal Corporation Posts Lower FY2026 Profit on Impairment, Tobacco Write-Downs
Universal Corporation reported financial results for the fiscal year and fourth quarter ended March 31, 2026, with full-year sales and other operating revenue of $2.92 billion, roughly in line with…
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J.C. Newman Ships Fourth LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has begun shipping the fourth installment of its LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition, a limited release built around the work of the late artist and cigar enthusiast.…
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Warfighter Tobacco Ships 10th Anniversary and San Andres Releases
Warfighter Tobacco Co. has begun shipping the two new cigars it introduced at the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show: the Warfighter 10th Anniversary and the Warfighter San Andres. The…
Around the Industry
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Harm Reduction Advocates Slam WHO’s First Nicotine Pouch Report
The World Health Organization’s first-ever report dedicated to nicotine pouches, a 152-page document titled “Exposing marketing tactics and strategies driving the global growth of nicotine pouches,” which was released May…
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Minnesota Communities Push Flavored-Vape Bans as FDA Eases Restrictions
As the Trump administration signals a softer stance on flavored vapes , anti-tobacco advocates in Minnesota are intensifying efforts to restrict flavored nicotine products at the local level. A coalition…
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Vapers’ Alliance Faults South Africa’s Nicotine Policy on World Vape Day
In a press release timed to World Vape Day 2026, the World Vapers’ Alliance argued that South African lawmakers are moving in the wrong direction on nicotine policy by aligning…
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U.S. Smokeless Tobacco to Leave Nashville for Kentucky by 2028
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco plans to relocate its manufacturing operations from its Germantown facility in Nashville to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, ending a presence in the city that has spanned more than a…
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ACHE Cites Evidence That Youth Tobacco Measures Are Working
ACHE brought together public health experts and policy voices to discuss implications for tobacco harm reduction and future regulation.
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CVA Touts Vaping as Path to Canada’s Smoke-Free Future
Association President Sam Tam said policymakers should rely on current evidence rather than “outdated statistics” when considering additional restrictions.
Thought Leaders
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A New Direction for ENDS
Chris Allen explains the significance of FDA’s shift on flavored vapes and why it reflects a growing emphasis on evidence-based harm reduction, behavioral science and product safeguards.
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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.
