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
JTI to Increase Heated-Tobacco Investment by 60%
JTI is targeting an average 15% market share across the 29 markets where Ploom operates, with Poland and Italy among its priorities.
Geek Bar Leads with Youth Vapers
The analysis of the 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 5.2% of students currently vaped, while approximately 460,000 used nicotine pouches.
China Destroys $355M of Illicit Tobacco, Nicotine Products
Investigations of more than 4,500 smuggling cases have led to seizures of 1.3 billion cigarettes, 150,000 cigars, and 39.8 metric tons of cut tobacco.
Türkiye Eyes Electronic Age-Verification for Tobacco Sales
The Health Minister said about 33% of Türkiye’s population uses tobacco and that the country sold 160 billion cigarettes, equivalent to 8 billion packs, in 2025.
Russia Attacks JTI Subsidiary in Ukraine
JTI said the factory had been struck several times and that operations were suspended before the latest attacks. The company said all employees were safe.
Imperial Targets FY26 Growth, Announces £1.5B Buyback
The company expects adjusted operating profit growth within its 3% to 5% guidance, high-single-digit adjusted earnings per share growth, and £2.2B in free cash flow.
Ill. Rep Questions FDA Review of Vape Rules
He also requested communications between FDA officials and Altria, Reynolds American, their subsidiaries, and other parties involved in challenges to the rules.
Russia to Allow Regional Vape Sales Bans
The measure will run through 2032, with regions able to adopt their own laws imposing the bans.
GAO Finds FDA Holding 130K Tobacco Applications to End 2025
The FDA received more than 26.6 million applications from 2018 through 2025 and completed reviews of about 26.5 million.
BAT Bangladesh Appoints Corporate Affairs Head
Momshad Ali Khan has more than 20 years of experience in corporate affairs, government relations, regulatory strategy, and strategic communications.
Philippines Requires Safety Certification for Nicotine Pouches
Products must meet World Health Organization reference procedures for nicotine content, pH level, and water activity.
KT&G Opens Second Indonesian Plant
The facility in Pasuruan has an annual capacity of 21 billion cigarettes, joining the Surabaya plant to bring KT&G’s total Indonesian capacity to 35 billion cigarettes.
UK Smoking Rate Falls as Vaping Remains More Common
In Great Britain, 5.4 million adults reported using e-cigarettes daily or occasionally, compared with 4.8 million current smokers.
Eight EU Countries Seek Broad Nicotine Restrictions
The countries called for maximum nicotine limits, standardized products and devices, plain packaging, and broad flavor restrictions.
French Retailers Cite Cross-Border Tobacco Trafficking
A pack that costs nearly €13 in France can be purchased for about €5.50 in Italy and between €5 to €6.25 in Spain.
Germany Steps Up Enforcement Against Illegal Vapes
More than 7.6 million nicotine-containing disposable vapes had been imported illegally into Germany, resulting in an estimated €33.3 million in lost excise tax.
Netherlands Calls for EU ‘Market Freeze’ on New Nicotine Products
The Netherlands is preparing to restrict domestic tobacco sales, with specialty tobacco shops set to become the only legal retail outlets for tobacco from 2032.
Ireland to Raise Tobacco and Vape Duties
Responsible Vaping Ireland said the e-liquid tax increase will add pressure to retailers already facing higher operating costs.
Portugal Moves to Regulate Nicotine Pouches
They are already sold and taxed under a category created in the 2026 State Budget, but their regulatory status has prompted debate.
South Korea Sees Surge in Nicotine-Free Vape Imports
Imports of nicotine-free e-cigarette liquid in South Korea more than doubled to $9.2 million in the first eight months of 2026 from $4.5 million a year earlier.
Austria’s Tobacco Industry Defends Vapes, Pouches
The industry’s comments come as nicotine pouches have been brought under Austria’s tobacco-monopoly system, with sales restricted to licensed tobacconists.
NCR Voyix Integrates TruAge Digital Age Verification
NCR Voyix said the solution is designed to strengthen compliance for age-restricted purchases without adding steps for store employees.
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Market Reaches New Milestone
PMI’s IQOS leads the category with 70% market share, followed by JT’s Ploom at 16.4% and BAT’s glo at 14.3%.
Netherlands Plans National Vape Excise Tax
The State Secretary for Finance said the tax rate has not yet been determined, but the government wants vaping to become roughly as expensive as smoking tobacco.
South Korea’s Tobacco Companies Take Different Strategies on Alternatives
KT&G is focusing on premium products, PM Korea is expanding into liquid e-cigarettes, and BAT is strengthening its heated-tobacco lineup.
Queensland Legal Cigarette Sales Surge After Illicit Crackdown
The increase contrasts with a largely flat national market and comes as Queensland has stepped up efforts to shut down illicit tobacco, vape, and nicotine pouch retailers.
Tanzania Orders Tobacco Buyers to Pay Farmers by Oct. 30
AOI announced that it completed payments to growers and other stakeholders, disbursing $64.7 million across the tobacco value chain.
Kenya Approves Signature Leaf Acquisition of Mastermind Tobacco Assets
Mastermind was founded in 1987 by a former BAT Kenya executive, and grew to become Kenya’s second-largest cigarette manufacturer before financial problems.
Zimbabwe Urges Tobacco Farmers to Diversify
The board highlighted export opportunities for higher-value crops, including blueberries, macadamia nuts, avocados, citrus, and specialty horticultural products.
FDA Releases Transparency Roadmap
The initiative comes as FDA says it intends to evaluate changes to the PMTA framework.
ITGA Seeks Stories for World Tobacco Growers’ Day
ITGA said contributions may include messages recognizing tobacco growers, their role in the sector, or the importance of their voices.
Newsweek Names States with Toughest Vape Laws as CA Plans Ban
California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Utah have enacted statewide restrictions on flavored vaping products.
BAT Survey Highlights Potential Impact of UK Vape Rules on Retailers
BAT said restrictions on flavors, standardized packaging, and product displays could make it harder for retailers to manage stock and could contribute to missed sales.
JT Wins HR Wellness Award
JT’s “Wellness Advance” initiative addresses health issues related to gender differences and supports employee well-being and career development.
Scandinavian Announces Retailer Tariff Refunds
STG has a 7% import charge to account for tariffs of 12.5% on goods imported from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, and 10% on goods from Honduras.
UK Vaping Duty Takes Effect
Manufacturers, importers, and warehousekeepers are responsible for the duty, with existing unstamped inventory eligible to be sold through March 31, 2027.
Scandinavian, JT Complete Break, Moro Transaction
The transaction includes the transfer of certain inventories to Japan Tobacco, with proceeds to be included in the group’s free cash flow.
Alabama Expands Indoor Vaping Ban, Imposes New Vapor Tax
The Bill expands the definition of smoking to include vaping in locations such as restaurants, workplaces, stores, health facilities, educational facilities, airports, and government buildings.
Lucy Goods Partners with NBA Hall-of-Famer
Lucy Goods said it has retail agreements with Circle K, Kwik Trip, Maverik, RaceTrac, Sheetz, and Wawa, and is on pace to exceed its 2026 revenue targets.
FDA Seeks New Scientific, Consumer Voices for Advisory Committees
The recruitment could be relevant to the tobacco sector because FDA advisory committees can provide independent scientific and consumer input on FDA-regulated products.
