Cheryl K. Olson is a California-based public health researcher who specializes in behavioral health issues and consults on tobacco product behaviors via McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors. She spent 15 years on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. In this section we feature a selection of Olson’s contributions to Tobacco Reporter
NACS Urges Action Against Illicit Chinese Vapes
NACS is urging a coordinated government response, including enforceable commitments from China to restrict exports that violate U.S. regulations.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Sales Surging After Slow Start
Volumes rose sharply to nearly 115 million kilograms compared to 67.6 million kgs a year earlier, despite light buying during the first two weeks of the season.
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.
Judge Issues Final Ruling on Decade-Long ‘Premium Cigar’ Definition
The ruling provides regulatory clarity and removes premium cigars from key FDA oversight requirements.
Alabama Extends Indoor Smoking Ban to Vapes
Under the changes, vaping will be prohibited in the same public places where traditional tobacco smoking is banned, including workplaces, restaurants, and government buildings.
Tasmania Intensifies Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco
The crackdown is set to be reinforced by new legislation, with the Public Health Amendment Bill 2026 introducing tougher penalties, new offences, and powers to shut down businesses.
Indonesia’s Tax Strategy Not Impacting Smoking Rates
Despite a 23% tax increase in 2020 and steady annual rises since, cigarette affordability has remained largely unchanged.
Altria to Host Q1 Webcast April 30
CEO Billy Gifford and CFO Sal Mancuso will discuss the Company’s first-quarter business results and answer questions.
Indonesia to Enforce New Vape Rules from July
The rules will introduce a minimum age of 21, restrict advertising, set limits on nicotine content, mandate pictorial health warnings, and create smoke-free areas.
Namibia Moves to Tighten Regs on Vapes, Alternative Products
Health officials say the reforms aim to close regulatory gaps and curb illicit trade, with plans to join international protocols targeting the black market.
Organigram Completes Sanity Acquisition with BAT Backing
The deal marks the final deployment of funds from the Jupiter strategic investment pool and strengthens Organigram’s position in the European cannabis market.
Altria Raises Cigarette Prices Across Most Brands
Herzog said she expected BAT to make a similar increase soon, and that she would be watching to see whether deep-discount cigarette manufacturers move on price.
Scandinavian Approves Dividend, Board Changes at AGM
Shareholders approved the company’s 2025 annual report and 72-cent dividend per share, while backing the remuneration report and board compensation for 2026.
Nicokick, Zone Expand NASCAR Partnership with Product Launch
The campaign includes the exclusive launch of a new zone Cranberry pouch and a limited-edition flavor mix tied to driver Kyle Busch.
SNP Proposes Vape Display Ban if Re-elected
The proposal builds on existing measures and reflects broader efforts to tighten controls on nicotine products amid concerns over rising youth usage.
French Group Urges Stricter Vape Controls, Plain Packaging
The group is pushing for measures including plain packaging, stricter rules on flavor naming, and a ban on online sales.
Russian Retailers Pull Vapes Ahead of Potential Ban
Regional authorities said the initiative follows a 2025 self-regulation program that encouraged businesses to exit the vape market.
BAT Chair Reaffirms Growth Targets at AGM
Jobin called for evidence-based regulation to support alternatives to cigarettes and said BAT remains well-positioned to deliver long-term value as it advances its strategy.
Illicit Cigarette Trade Surges in Latin America and Canada
The Americas now have the highest global incidence of illicit tobacco, driven by steep tax increases and regulatory pressures.
PMI Hosting Q1 Webcast April 22
The webcast will be hosted by Emmanuel Babeau, Group Chief Financial Officer, and will include discussion of PMI’s financial results and a Q&A session with the investment community.
Western Australia Tightening Tobacco and Vape Laws
The government said further reforms are planned for later in 2026, including stricter rules for landlords and licensing.
Sweden Fights Against France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
The dispute has escalated politically, with Swedish lawmakers seeking EU intervention and warning of potential legal action.
Filtrona Offers White Paper on Regulation’s Impact on Filtration Sector
Filtrona highlights rising cost implications tied to plastics legislation and lifecycle emissions.
Imperial Flags Share Losses, Leans on H2 Growth for FY26
The shift comes as Imperial accelerates its five-year strategy to expand alternatives while stabilizing its core tobacco business.
Pyxus Named Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP
The recognition places Pyxus among the top tier of global companies for its work engaging contracted growers and suppliers on climate action across its value chain.
Australian Banks Flag 300 Suspicious Illicit Tobacco Cases
The illegal tobacco market, which is estimated at up to $6.9 billion and as much as 60% of total sales, is increasingly tied to organized crime.
Poland Moves to Tax Induction E-Cigarettes
Devices and liquid tanks using electromagnetic induction will be classified as e-cigarettes and subject to an $11.20 per unit tax.
Pakistan Battling Illicit Cigarettes as Farmers Seek Balance
The illicit market costs around $720 million annually and now exceeds 50% of total consumption, with cheaper untaxed products undercutting legal sales.
Hong Kong Banning Public Use of Alternative Products
The measure applies to electronic cigarettes, e-liquids, and herbal cigarettes, with violators facing fines of up to $6,500 and up to six months’ imprisonment.
NZ Retailers Want Crackdown to Avoid Australia’s Illicit Tobacco Crisis
Retail NZ is urging coordination between police, customs, and the Ministry of Health, tougher penalties, and an independent roundtable to address the issue.
New “Forgotten Smoker” White Paper from PMI U.S. Warns That America Didn’t End Smoking; It Just Moved On—and 8 in 10 Americans Surveyed Demand a Better Approach
PMI U.S. is released new national polling and a white paper, The Forgotten Smoker, that pushes back on the notion that smoking is a “solved” public health issue.
Kentucky Overhauls Tobacco and Vape Licensing Laws
The bill also repeals transitional licensing rules, requires rapid implementation of regulations, and applies some provisions retroactively to January 1.
PM Urges Court to Uphold FDA Graphic Rule Ruling
The company argued that the district court correctly found the FDA failed to follow required administrative procedures when developing the rule.
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.
Pakistani Tobacco Growers Raise Tax, Pricing Concerns
The Governor voiced support for farmers and proposed forming a joint committee, including growers, to address the issues through consultation.
Former China Tobacco Head Expelled from CPC for Corruption
Han was found to have accepted gifts, cash, and valuables, improperly influenced hiring decisions, and sought benefits for others in business dealings.
PMI Principal Partner of Ferrari Hypersail Racing Project
The project is positioned as a platform for cross-industry innovation in aerodynamics, energy efficiency, and advanced control systems.
Nepal Debates Revival of Janakpur Cigarette Factory
Proponents of revival say the facility could be modernized through improved technology and private-sector participation to restore jobs and industrial output.
S. Korean Retailers Brace as Vapes Get Reclassified as Tobacco
Trade groups say numerous specialty vape shops are preparing to close rather than attempt to register, as they are unlikely to obtain authorization.
HTPs Drive Record In-Flight Smoking Reports in Japan
Authorities believe the growing use of heated tobacco products — now accounting for over 40% of domestic tobacco sales, per the Tobacco Institute of Japan — has contributed to the increase.
