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
E-Cigarette Directories Did Not Reduce Flavored Sales: Study
Products not listed on state directories accounted for more than half of vape sales in all three states.
Imperial Urges Retailers to Weigh In on UK Consultation
The company says retailer input will be important given the potential costs and operational disruption associated with changes to store layouts, displays, and packaging.
Reynolds Provides $200K to Support NC Farmers, Food Access
The program’s first year served more than 384,000 people, distributing more than 250,000 pounds of fresh produce sourced from 27 local farms.
UK Survey Highlights Vape Waste and Recycling Confusion
Only 12% correctly estimated that more than 10 million vapes are discarded in the UK each week.
Maldives’ Cigarette Imports Likely to Jump
The import duty was increased to $0.52 per cigarette in 2024 to encourage cessation, but the government subsequently reversed the increase to $0.26 from July 2026.
FDA’s Koplow Closes ‘Stimulating’ GTNF 2026
Survey data show that the percentage of adults who correctly understand that FDA-authorized e-cigarettes are generally less harmful than cigarettes actually declined from 2012 to 2022.
Is Science Impacting Policy or Policy Impacting Science? GTNF 2026
Scientists have raised concerns that evidence supporting harm reduction and flexible regulation is being overlooked.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail: GTNF 2026
Innovation in the nicotine sector is increasingly being shaped by regulation, consumer needs and the ability of companies to test, fail, and iterate.
Up-and-Coming Nicotine Innovators
Emerging nicotine companies said regulatory barriers, consumer education and the infrastructure surrounding products are increasingly shaping innovation.
Innovation Requires Regulatory Viability: GTNF 2026
Innovation in tobacco and nicotine products is advancing rapidly, but companies must account for regulation, product standards and consumer needs alongside science and technology.
Illicit Market Threatens Harm Reduction Progress
The growing illicit nicotine market is creating risks for brand protection, consumer safety and tobacco harm reduction.
GTNF Keynote Challenges Tobacco Control’s Approach
Dessart said climate policy has embraced collaboration with industry, while a restrictive interpretation of FCTC has ignored tobacco-industry stakeholders.
Climate Policy and Sustainability Take Center Stage at GTNF 2026
The panel examined how the industry is responding to environmental pressures through sustainability strategies, regulation, and government cooperation.
FDA Names Koplow as Tobacco Center Director
Koplow served at FDA since 2011, including as senior counselor to the commissioner, and most recently serving as CTP’s acting director.
Surviving a Global Trade System: GTNF 2026
The panel focused on cross-border challenges involving taxes, tariffs, regulation, movement of goods and services, and labor.
Supply Chain Resilience will Depend on Regulatory Readiness: GTNF26
The panel emphasized that regulation—not supply disruptions alone—will remain one of the biggest risks facing suppliers as new nicotine products and requirements continue to emerge.
BAT Releases 352-Page Omni Update at GTNF 2026
“It’s a manifesto and a mandate. A manifesto to change and a mandate for action,” said BAT’s Kingsley Wheaton.
GTNF 2026 Opens with Focus on Harm Reduction, Innovation, Regulation
The forum’s mission of “honest dialogue” and finding common ground in evidence “has never been more important or critical to people who smoke.
Report Finds EU Lagging in Fight Against Illicit Tobacco
The auditors estimate the illicit tobacco trade costs the EU and its member states about €13 billion in lost revenue annually.
Imperial Acquires Owner of Helwit Nicotine Pouches
The acquisition more than doubles Imperial’s existing modern oral market share in Sweden, where the company operates through Skruf AB.
PMI Raises 2026 Full-Year EPS Forecast on Currency
CEO Jacek Olczak addressed investors today (Sept. 8) at the 2026 Barclays Global Consumer Conference in Boston.
Cabbacis Files Trademark Applications for X95 Cigarette
X95 is a tobacco cigarette containing approximately 95% less nicotine than conventional commercial cigarettes and no hemp.
Nicotine-Like Products Expose Blind Spot in Korean Vape Rules
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to complete a safety assessment of 6-methylnicotine this year and examine other nicotine-imitation substances.
Nordic Spirit Named Official Nicotine Pouch Partner of Co-op Live
Under the long-term partnership, Nordic Spirit will conduct in-venue activations for adult nicotine consumers and sell its nicotine pouches at selected bars throughout the arena.
PMI U.S. Launching Campaign Around Zyn’s ‘Click’
The campaign will be introduced to retailers and distributors at the National Association of Convenience Stores Show in October.
ALP Partners with Matchroom Boxing in European Expansion
The company said the Matchroom deal is its first major partnership in the U.K. and Ireland.
Davidoff Leaves ProCigar
The company’s Dominican operation was a founding member of ProCigar. Davidoff said it will continue working to support the cigar industry’s sustainable growth.
Hungary Emerging as Key Link in EU’s Illegal Cigarette Trade
The report found sophisticated facilities capable of making hundreds of thousands of cigarettes, with extensive networks to move products into Western Europe.
UKVIA Launches Campaign to Preserve Vaping
UKVIA is challenging measures including plain packaging, tighter flavor and display restrictions, a planned advertising and sponsorship ban, and the upcoming duty.
Investigative Article Focuses on Chen Zhi and Cuba’s Struggling Cigar Market
Decades of underinvestment in production, coupled with skyrocketing prices and recent geopolitical blockades, have alienated traditional cigar enthusiasts.
Australia’s Coalition Looking to Stop Illicit Tobacco, Gangs
The Coalition estimates organized crime groups make up to $4.8 billion annually from illicit tobacco, with proceeds funding drugs, money laundering, and violence.
Altria Sues FDA Over Product Review System
Altria says the agency has failed to meet the statutory 180-day review deadline and argues that recent FDA changes still have not resolved the backlog.
Reynolds Defends Policy Advocacy Amid Wyden’s Probe
Reynolds defended its advocacy for reduced-risk products while rejecting the pay-to-play allegations.
Indonesia Looking to Bring Illegal Cigarettes Into Fold
The government is preparing an additional cigarette excise tier that Purbaya hopes will give illegal producers a pathway to legalize their operations.
Malaysian MPs Want Vape Liquid Declared Controlled Poisons
The government’s decision leaves nicotine-containing vape liquids classified as Group C poisons under Malaysia’s Poisons Act.
Trump Taps Prominent Pastor to Advise on Tobacco Policy
Today (Sept. 1), President Donald Trump announced the appointment of prominent faith leader Pastor Darrell Scott as an adviser for tobacco health issues on a committee that
Ruling Could End Reynolds’ Vuse Alto Royalty Payments to Altria
The judge found that the Juul sublicense authorized Reynolds’ continued use of the relevant patent rights, eliminating the basis for future infringement royalties.
BAT Completes CFO Leadership Transition
Constantinescu returns to BAT after previously spending 16 years with the company across senior finance, strategy and general management roles.
MVCC Desires Regulatory Certainty for Vape Industry
MVCC warned that changes to the legal position could create uncertainty for businesses that have made investment and operational decisions based on Act 852.
JT Expanding Nordic Spirit Line
The wider rollout signals its continued investment in expanding Nordic Spirit’s retail presence and product range in Japan.
