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
WSJ Optimistic with Tobacco Stocks
“The taboo against owning cigarette stocks hasn’t gone away, but new gray areas are emerging.”
Netherlands Makes One of the Largest Illicit Nicotine Busts in Its History
Dutch authorities seized 277,000 illegal flavored vapes and 150,000 nicotine pouches.
Japan Shelves Tightening HTP Regulations
Public health experts on the advisory panel urged a more precautionary approach, while the ministry noted that HTPs now account for about 40% of all tobacco users.
Spain Busts Syndicate Making 8M Illicit Cigarettes a Day
Authorities seized more than 20 million counterfeit cigarettes, 38.4 metric tons of tobacco, 18 vehicles, and cash, with a combined value of more than €10 million.
Oettinger Davidoff Posts 2.5% Sales Growth
The company said it continued investing in manufacturing, opening a new blending center in the Dominican Republic and expanding its Honduras facility.
NC Budget Adds $1,000 Vape Shop Tax, Age Mandate
The budget measures have prompted calls from tobacco-control advocates to expand regulation beyond vaping products to include cigarettes, cigars, and nicotine pouches.
Study Says Vape Flavors Alter 3K Genes
The study found fruit flavors accounted for about 31% of the observed gene expression changes, compared with 2.9% for sweet flavors and 0.9% for mint or menthol.
Illicit Trade Picking Up in Wales
Trading Standards seized 272,740 illicit cigarettes, 85.25 kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and 9,694 illegal vaping devices so far this year.
THR Needed for HIV Care, Researcher Says
He said clinicians should adopt a broader harm reduction approach that supports patients who reduce smoking, even if they do not quit completely.
22nd Century Reportedly Losing Key Customer
The termination comes as it continues a financial restructuring that began in 2023, including reverse stock splits to maintain its Nasdaq listing.
Hawaii Bans Disposable Vapes
It will also require manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids sold in Hawaii to provide documentation demonstrating FDA authorization.
Human Smuggling Case Should Make UK Consider Dutch Bibob Act: Opinion
Under the Dutch system, licensing authorities can assess applicants and associated individuals using public records and law enforcement information.
Suriname Lawmaker Says Illicits Make Up 75% of Cigarette Market
He said the government is losing more than $13.5 million in tax revenue due to illegal trade, with cigarettes entering the market through rampant smuggling.
FTC Warns Seven Vape Companies Making ‘Made in USA’ Claims
Under FTC rules, products advertised as “Made in the USA” must be “all or virtually all” manufactured domestically.
Argentina Updates Tobacco, Nicotine Health Warnings
The resolution gives manufacturers and importers 180 days to comply with the new requirements and aligns with Argentina’s existing nicotine product regulations.
Ex-LEO Breaking into Texas Pouch Market
The company said its nicotine pouches are manufactured entirely in the United States and are marketed as tobacco-free products.
Scandit Launches Automated, Age-Verified, Self-Checkout Solution
The technology can automatically complete about 80% of age checks, improving compliance and increasing self-checkout throughput.
Western Balkans Commit to Stronger Tobacco Policies
The agreement calls for comprehensive smoke-free laws in line with those promoted by the WHO.
Vietnam Considering ID Verification to Buy Cigarettes
The proposed amendments would also ban tobacco product displays and images in retail outlets, replacing current limits that allow limited pack displays.
Türkiye Expands Anti-Smoking Drive with Free Medication
The initiative comes as the government prepares legislation to further restrict smoking in outdoor public spaces, including beaches and playgrounds.
Indian Court to Decide if Pouches Can be Sold at Airport’s Duty-Free Shops
Adani is challenging the action, arguing India’s Drugs and Cosmetics Act does not apply to duty-free shops.
Payment Providers Warn Retailers About Illicit Vapes
The warnings follow pressure from a coalition of U.S. state and local law enforcement officials involving illegal vape sales.
Vuse Unveils Collaboration at Berlin Fashion Week
BAT Germany announced the expansion of its partnership with designer Marina Hoermanseder, unveiling a custom case during Berlin Fashion Week.
UKVIA Forum Targets Vaping Policy Challenges
UKVIA said the findings are intended to inform debate on upcoming vaping regulations.
Israeli Health Study Says 40% of Population Exposed to Second-Hand Smoke
The findings come as Israel’s Supreme Court considers a case that could require government ministries to introduce regulations addressing residential tobacco smoke infiltration.
Philippines’ Tobacco Taxes Rise for First Time in Three Years
The increase was driven by a 29.2% rise in tobacco product removals to 2.9 billion units.
ASEAN Countries Feeling Illicit Cigarette Pressures
In Thailand, illicit cigarettes represented 23.6% of the market in 2025, up from 22.6% a year earlier.
Capital Group Increases KT&G Ownership to 8.22%
KT&G said the increased investment reflects recognition of its growth potential as the company continues to expand overseas.
Macau to Significantly Raise Vape Fines
Fines for illegally bringing e-cigarettes and other novel tobacco products into the territory will go from $480 to $1,200 as part of a broader legislative overhaul.
PMI Exec: Lack of Rules Boosts Illegal Segment
Nick Ricketts, PMI’s president of oral products, said regulatory clarity is essential for the development of nicotine pouch markets and the protection of consumers. In
Australia’s ‘Tobacco Wars’ See 10 Businesses Set Ablaze
Victoria Police said unknown offenders drove a vehicle into the shop before setting it alight and fleeing.
CAPHRA Says FDA’s Pouch Pivot Should Trigger Policy Rethink
The group called on policymakers to adopt evidence-based, risk-proportionate regulation.
Netherlands Provided PMI €1M for Subsidized Carbon Improvements
The funding was used at the company’s Bergen op Zoom factory to replace a natural gas installation with a heat pump system that reuses waste heat from production.
Armenia Raises Excise Taxes on Tobacco, Alcohol, Fuel
The measure introduces annual indexation of excise taxes, with tobacco rates set to increase by 7% each year and heated tobacco products rising 30% annually.
Tobacco-Free Pouches Are Not Milder Alternative for Mucosa: Study
Nicotine pouch users more frequently exhibited inflammatory changes, making their effects less predictable than those seen with traditional snus.
Court Says HHS Can’t Impose Civil Penalties on Vape Retailer
The court found that HHS could not impose civil monetary penalties through an administrative proceeding without affording the company the opportunity for a jury trial.
PCA Concerned Over FDA’s Proposed Tobacco Rules
It warned that many other products sold by its 3,500 retail members would be subject to new registration, recordkeeping, and inspection requirements.
ITGA Chief Calls for Better Incomes for Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Farmers
Tobacco farmers continue to bear rising production costs, climate-related risks, and increasing regulatory pressures while receiving shrinking returns.
Zimbabwe Moves to Tobacco Industry Act
Zimbabwe’s Cabinet approved the principles for amending the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act, clearing the way for the first major overhaul of the legislation since 1997.
Pakistan Revises Excise Duties
Pakistan’s Federal Budget 2026-27 left cigarette excise duty rates unchanged while increasing the federal excise duty on e-liquids for electronic cigarettes from Rs10,000 to Rs16,500
