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
Imperial Expands U.S. Portfolio with Black Buffalo Acquisition
ITG said Black Buffalo’s differentiated positioning complements its existing oral portfolio and strengthens its long-term next-generation products strategy.
ALP Taps Conor McGregor as Pouch Brand Partner
The company said it plans to continue expanding retail and digital distribution as demand for oral nicotine products grows globally.
ACHE Cites Evidence That Youth Tobacco Measures Are Working
ACHE brought together public health experts and policy voices to discuss implications for tobacco harm reduction and future regulation.
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Pushing for 5% Tax Increases
Research found that 80% of respondents supported yearly tax hikes, while 72% believed higher tobacco taxes could help ease broader cost-of-living pressures.
CVA Touts Vaping as Path to Canada’s Smoke-Free Future
Association President Sam Tam said policymakers should rely on current evidence rather than “outdated statistics” when considering additional restrictions.
Tennessee Expands Vapor Product Definitions
The measure updates state tobacco and vapor product laws covering taxation, regulation, and enforcement.
BAT Encouraging Participation in EU’s Call for Evidence
The company said the initiative is intended to provide practical insight into how proposed regulatory changes could affect real-world product use.
PMI to Present at the dbAccess Global Consumer Conference
The event will provide an update on PMI’s strategy as it continues to position itself as a “smoke-free” consumer goods company.
Vendix Expands Tobacco Vending Machine Technology
Vendix will showcase touchscreen-enabled vending systems with capacities up to 1,400 packs, designed for indoor and outdoor installation.
Pakistan Intensifies Illegal Tobacco Crackdown
Systems are aimed at protecting tax revenue and formal businesses, estimating that the illegal cigarette trade costs the country more than $1.1 billion annually.
Bidi Workers Form Human-Chain Protest in Bangladesh
Workers presented a five-point demand that included maintaining current bidi tax rates, increasing working days, and raising prices on low-tier cigarette packs.
BAT Malaysia Reports First-Ever Loss
The company posted a net loss of $8.8 million for Q1, compared with a net profit of $5.8 million last year, with revenue declining by half.
France Sets Steep Fines in Pouch Ban
Restrictions cover the use, possession, and sale of nicotine pouches, with violations carrying penalties of up to five years in prison and fines reaching €400,000.
IQOS Ranks No. 74 in Global Brands
The company said that IQOS surpassed $10 billion in annual net revenues within a decade of launch, contributing significantly to PMI’s broader smoke-free business.
JTI, Authorities Trying to Dent Malaysia’s Illicit Market
JTIM estimated the country’s illicit cigarette incidence rate at 56.7%, representing roughly $1 billion in lost government revenue.
Vietnam Considering Generational Ban
The revisions would also prohibit e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other next-generation nicotine products.
BAT Kenya Says Proposed Laws Threaten 100K Jobs
The legislation includes bans on flavors, tighter regulation of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, and additional licensing obligations for retailers.
Fight Over Foreign-Sourced Vape Ban Continues in Texas Appeals Court
The acting Texas comptroller argues the office is protected by sovereign immunity and should not be subject to the lawsuit.
Vape Companies Challenge Pa. E-Cigarette Law in Federal Court
The lawsuit contends that the Pennsylvania law improperly intrudes into areas governed by the FDA’s premarket tobacco application process.
PMI Launches Five-City Tour as Part of America250 Initiative
The initiative builds on PMI U.S.’s previously announced $1 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, operations, and workforce development.
Scientist reveals nail salons are worse than “second-hand vaping”
Marina Murphy cited survey data indicating substantial public misunderstanding around vaping risks, including beliefs that vape aerosols are as harmful as cigarette smoke.
USSTC Moving Facilities from Tennessee to Kentucky
The Altria subsidiary will transition manufacturing from its Nashville facility to a new 270,000-square-foot plant to be built in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
FDA Releases Environmental Review for Oral Nicotine Products
According to the agency, these products reduce or eliminate secondhand and thirdhand exposure risks compared with combustible products.
NYT Report Draws Attention to RJR Donation and FDA Policy Shift
The report said Reynolds executives met with Trump shortly before the FDA issued guidance that could ease market access for certain flavored vape and nicotine pouch products.
EU Requests Feedback on New Tobacco Control Rules
The feedback period runs until June 15 and is expected to inform regulatory changes affecting traditional tobacco products as well as emerging nicotine categories.
ITC Posts 32% Increase in Cigarette Revenue
Performance across other segments was mixed, with the consumer goods division posting 15% revenue growth, while the agri-business segment declined about 16%.
Japan Review Raises Questions Over HTP Risks
A government panel claimed that some devices may produce higher levels of certain carcinogenic substances than conventional cigarettes.
EU Tobacco Scale Doesn’t Always Add Up
While the U.K. and the Netherlands earned their lofty rankings, top-ranked Ireland has a smoking rate higher than that of last-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina.
South Australia Reports Record-Low Smoking, Rising Illicit Concerns
The government signaled that additional reforms targeting illicit supply chains and organized crime are under consideration.
Malawi Tobacco Farmers Facing 91% Rejection Rate
Farmers claim the system unfairly favors contract tobacco, while independent growers face repeated rejections and mounting transport costs.
A New Direction for ENDS
Chris Allen explains the significance of FDA’s shift on flavored vapes and why it reflects a growing emphasis on evidence-based harm reduction, behavioral science and product safeguards.
PMI Announces Andolina as Next CFO
Andolina, currently president of PMI’s Europe Region, has been credited with driving strong smoke-free growth and financial performance.
Scandinavian Reports Steady Progress in Seasonally Low Quarter
The company maintained its full-year 2026 guidance, expecting constant-currency net sales growth of -2% to +2%, EBIT margin of 13.0%–14.5%
South Carolina Approves Tax on HNB
The bill keeps the current 3.5 mill tax on traditional combustible cigarettes unchanged and maintains the 5% of manufacturer’s price tax for other tobacco products.
Universal Ups Dividend, Sets Annual Meeting for Aug. 4
The CEO said the dividend increase reflects the strength of the company’s business strategy, operational consistency, and long-term customer relationships.
JT Receives Dividend from Subsidiary
The company approved a surplus dividend distribution of $470 million at a board meeting held on May 18, with payment expected on May 20.
Durbin Urges RFK Jr. to Reject Flavored-Vape Progress
Durbin criticized the FDA’s recent authorization of flavored vape products and proposals to allow some nicotine products onto the market before full review.
BATB Sales Choked by Taxes, Illicits
British American Tobacco Bangladesh reported a sharp downturn in first-quarter FY2025-26 performance as higher tobacco taxes, consumer downtrading, and rising competition from illicit cigarettes weighed
FDA Targets ‘Disguised’ Nicotine Products in Retail Crackdown
Bret Koplow said no tobacco product should look like candy and described the practice as a tactic to mask the products’ true nature.
Imperial Backs UK’s Push to Fight Organized Crime
Under the initiative, offending premises will face tougher enforcement, including raids, closures, and asset seizures.
