
Depending on the season and on who you ask, tobacco accounts for between 40 and 70 percent of Malawi’s export earnings.
In a good season, the golden leaf generates a relative level of wealth in the countryside and earns the nation much-needed foreign currency to import the products and services it cannot produce at home.
In a bad season, there will be poverty in the villages.
Read our special report to learn how Malawi is diversifying to make its economy more resilient and prepare for a future with less tobacco.

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?

Ispire Announces Huge Malaysian Expansion
“This is the first and only nicotine manufacturing license issued in Malaysia approved by both the Federal and State authorities.”

Study: Risks and Reasons for Intravaginal Tobacco Use
Women use intravaginal tobacco for yeast infections, enhancing sexual pleasure, improving pregnancy and labor outcomes, and treating various health conditions.

Former China Tobacco Head Sentenced to 16 Years
Ling Chengxing was sentenced to 16 years in prison, fined $560K, and ordered to return $6 million, found guilty of accepting bribes and abusing power.

Zimbabwe Tobacco Production up 21%
The TIMB said 190.3 million kg, worth $641.5 million, had been sold by contract growers, while 10.3 million kg, worth $36.7 million, was sold through auction.

Universal Announces Dividend Increase, Sets Annual Meeting
Universal declared a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share, and set the company’s Annual Meeting for August 5.

Poland’s Bill to Ban Sale of Vapes, Pouches to Minors Moves Forward
The bill will also restrict the use of non-nicotine vapes in public, mirroring the regulations applied to traditional tobacco products and e-cigarettes with nicotine.

Armenia Tobacco Firm Exampted from Duties
DrimCompany has pledged to invest nearly $25 million and create 100 jobs.