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
PMI Announces New Regional Leadership
All four regional presidents report to Frederic de Wilde, CEO of PMI International, which oversees the business unit generating the majority of PMI’s global revenue.
CTIHK Expects Potential 30% Revenue Decline
The warning underscores CTIHK’s continued dependence on traditional tobacco supply chains, with tobacco leaf imports and exports.
UK Vaping Duty Expected to Generate £565M by 2030
The new rules are expected to affect duty-free retailers serving UK-bound passengers, potentially reducing purchase volumes and prompting adjustments.
Vermont Tightens Tobacco Regulations
The legislation expands statutory definitions to include “tobacco substitutes” and significantly increases licensing costs.
Illinois Caps Premium Cigar Taxes
Industry groups said the change is intended to reduce the tax burden on premium cigar retailers and consumers while improving tax parity.
Study Smoking Rates Impacted by Social Norms
The study found that states with stronger support for smoking restrictions generally had lower smoking rates.
National Rally Set to Oppose EU Tobacco Tax Report
The report rejects the European Commission’s proposal for higher taxes on newer nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches.
Malawi’s Tobacco Sales Drop 28% in First Eight Weeks
A total of 62.1 million kg of tobacco was sold at an average price of $2.08 per kg.
Zimbabwe Cracking Down on Fake Tobacco Seed
It described the distribution of fake seed as “agro-terrorism,” warning that it threatens crop productivity, farmer incomes, and the integrity of the tobacco industry.
NSW Premier Backs Review of Tobacco Excise Tax
His comments align with those of politician Pauline Hanson, who this week urged the federal government to cut tobacco excise rates.
Bangladesh Health Advocates Criticize Tobacco Tax Measures
Advocates noted that low-tier brands account for nearly 75% of the cigarette market and proposed merging the low and medium tiers.
BAT Repositions Vuse Alto on U.S. Price Tier
The strategy strengthens Alto’s role as BAT’s core mid-priced closed-system vape product.
EPP Accused of Being Tobacco ‘Mouthpiece’ Ahead of Vote
The debate comes as the EU considers significant revisions to tobacco and nicotine regulations that could affect product availability.
N.C. Politicians Call for Relief for Tobacco Farmers
The lawmakers said tobacco production costs rose 30% between 2021 and 2025, compared with an 18% increase across U.S. agriculture overall.
Kentucky Tobacco Farm Gets DOL Reprieve Over Visa Enforcement
The case stems from allegations that the farm violated H-2A temporary agricultural worker program requirements involving wages, recordkeeping, and worker housing.
Pakistani Tob. Growers Call to End Export Tax
The group also opposed a proposed minimum indicative price of $1.89 per kilogram for Virginia tobacco in the 2026-27 budget.
NACS Calls for Fact-Based Approach in EU Tob. Directive Review
Europe’s convenience retail sector comprises more than 684,000 outlets generating more than €250 billion in annual revenue.
ABF Announces $1.3M Illicit Tobacco Seizure
The operation follows a seizure earlier this month involving more than 100,000 cigarettes and 39 kg of loose-leaf tobacco.
LA Passes Two Tobacco, Vape Bills
The law also mandates that tobacco and vapor products move through a regulated manufacturer-to-wholesaler-to-retailer supply chain.
Haypp Announces Zyn Ultra Launch Across U.S.
Zyn Ultra nicotine pouches are available through its U.S. online retailers, Nicokick.com and Northerner.com, as of June 15.
Man Arrested in Indonesia for Running Labubu Vape Ring
A raid in Medan resulted in the seizure of 862 vape cartridge tubes, dozens of vape liquid bottles, and more than 10,500 branded vape packages.
Korea Signals Tobacco Policy Overhaul, Price Increases
Cigarette prices have remained at $2.97 per pack since 2015, well below the $6.51 referenced in the government’s 2026–2030 National Health Promotion Plan.
Philippines Hosting Third International Tobacco Summit
Officials estimate the country lost about ₱$2.4 billion in revenue from illicit tobacco over the last two years, with 85.6% of e-vapes sold in the Philippines classified as illegal.
Pakistani Farmers Slam 11 Different Tobacco Taxes
Industry representatives claim tobacco supports thousands of families and is a key provincial crop, but say it is being disproportionately taxed.
NZ Retailers Want Action as Illicits Climb
Treasury figures indicate tobacco excise revenue fell to $852 million in 2024–25, down about $1.2 million from the previous year.
Kazakhstan Loosening Hookah Regs
The government of Kazakhstan is backing a shift from stricter restrictions on hookah businesses toward a regulated licensing framework, with the Ministry of Finance estimating
Health Canada Issues Recall for Zyn, Siberia Pouches
The recall covers Siberia 35 mg pouches and Zyn 6 mg varieties across multiple flavors.
Bulgarian Tobacco Farmers Urge EC to Consider Rural Impact of Regs
Growers said decisions made in Brussels could have significant consequences for tobacco-dependent regions across Bulgaria and the EU.
PCA Launching New Initiative in Mexico
It will bring together importers, retailers, hospitality professionals, brands, and adult consumers for training and market engagement.
Article Examines S. Africa’s Intentions vs Consequences in Tobacco Control
“The disagreement is not about whether that goal is worthy. It is about whether this instrument, in this country, at this moment, is likely to achieve it.”
10% of Korean Teenagers Say Smoking Looks ‘Cool’
Researchers identified a strong link between exposure to smoking content, perceiving smokers as attractive, and greater tolerance toward smoking.
Kenya Looking to Crack Down on Shisha Offenders
Officials proposed tougher regulations targeting shisha, including fines of up to $7,700 and prison terms of up to six months.
Netherlands Rules Out Disposable Vape, Filter Bans
They said a national ban on disposable vapes would conflict with EU tobacco rules, despite concerns about environmental damage and fire risks linked to waste processing incidents.
FDA Memo Questions Flavored-Vape Reversal: AP
Regulators explained that the Glas flavored vapes “did not have to demonstrate added adult benefit,” because young people were unlikely to use them.
Nicotine Pouch Use Surging with Young Canadians
Researchers said the rapid growth was unexpected and noted that only about one-third of pouch users were cigarette smokers.
Indonesia Customs Seizes 8M Illegal Cigarettes
The shipment, valued at $710,000, included OK BOLD and imported Double Happiness cigarettes concealed under livestock feed on a truck traveling from Java to Sumatra.
Pouch Popularity Forcing Retailers to Reshape the Backbar
Retailers said regulatory uncertainty and rapidly changing manufacturer priorities are forcing constant adjustments to shelf space and assortment decisions.
PM Italia Fined €7M for ‘Smoke-Free’ Language
Philip Morris Italia rejected the findings and said it will appeal, arguing that the terminology complies with Italian and European Union regulations.
BlackRock Increases Stake in KT&G
BlackRock announced that it acquired an additional 467,350 shares of KT&G over the past four months, increasing its stake in the Korean company from 5.01%
Malaysian Police Want Vape Ban as Devices Used for Drugs
They said criminal syndicates are increasingly using vape devices to distribute new psychoactive substances, raising concerns about youth uptake and drug abuse.
