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
FDA and CBP Seize $34M in Illegal E-Cigarettes in Chicago
The team uncovered shipments of various illegal e-cigarette products, almost all of which originated in China and were intended for shipment to various U.S. states.
Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Healthcare Practitioners are Mistaken About Nicotine
A new survey found 47% of U.S. healthcare practitioners mistakenly believe nicotine is a carcinogen, while 19% are unsure.
CVA Says Vape Numbers are Being Misrepresented
“Certain anti-vaping organizations continue to misrepresent data, inflating perceptions of youth vaping prevalence to justify restrictive policies.”
PMI India Pushing T&T to Curb Illicit Trade
Similar systems have been successfully deployed in UK, Russia, Jordan, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Hungary Dismantles $67M Illegal Cigarette Network
Authorities confiscated 156 tons of tobacco, 1 million packs of counterfeit cigarettes, and three full cigarette production lines.
Pakistani Tobacco Exporters Urge for Competitive Tax Model
Pakistani tobacco exporters warned that the current tax structure “poses a challenge,” especially for smaller players.
Thoughts on FDA Reform
Prioritizing Education on Smoke-Free Alternatives By Dr. Tom Price The recent marketing authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of 20 Zyn nicotine
Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Healthcare Practitioners are Mistaken About Nicotine
47% mistakenly believe nicotine is a carcinogen and 19% are unsure, despite scientific consensus that the harms of smoking are from the burning of tobacco.
GWI Study: Majority of Vapers Support Disposable Vape Ban
31% of smokers say they are using vapes to reduce cigarette smoking, while 21% say they are using vapes to help quit smoking altogether.
Philippines Eyes Tobacco Tax Changes as Illicits Worsen
“One vape product is not the same as the consumption of one pack of cigarettes. The government will be losing a lot as vape is consumed for a longer period of time.”
Nepal to Require 100% Warnings on Tobacco Packaging
Warning messages in Nepali and “fatal” color images will be printed on the inside and outside of boxes, packets, wrappers, cartons, parcels, and packaging materials.
Scandinavian Reports Q1 Results
Net sales for the first quarter 2025 increased 1.3% to DKK 2 billion ($300 million) with a negative organic net sales growth of 8.8%.
Malaysian State Gets Aggressive with Ads as it Eyes Vape Regs
Officials have been instructed to immediately seize and confiscate advertisements related to e-cigarette products in the state.
Vietnam Seeks Feedback on Cambodian Tobacco Import
This item will be eligible for a special preferential import duty rate of 0% when imported into Vietnam.
Reno Reporters Stumble into Counterfeit Zyn
The tested product only contained 4.5mg of nicotine, contrary to the 6mg advertised, and additionally contained six methyl nicotine, an additive that should not have been in there.
Koplow Tabbed New CTP Chief
Koplow has been with the FDA since 2011, serving as senior counselor to the commissioner in the Immediate Office of the Commissioner since early 2020.
U.S. Tops List for Importing Dominican Cigars
Purchasing power, culture, and relatively low tariffs have 74% of Dominican cigars going to the U.S. market.
Trucking Company Sued for Overcharging Smokers
Numerous class-action suits have been filed against employers alleging that health plan surcharges related to tobacco use violate federal compliance requirements.
Online Retailer Acquires Wholesaler
Best Cigar Prices, an online retailer, brought wholesaler Alliance Cigar under its fold.
Maldives Warned Generational Ban Fraught with Problems
The bill would prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2007, making it the first generational smoking ban in the Asia-Pacific region.
Singapore’s Vape Crackdown Seized $31M in Products
Nearly 18,000 people were cited for possession and use of vapes in Singapore after authorities stepped up enforcement efforts.
Monaco Tightens Tobacco Regs, Raises Legal Age to 18
Over the months, the bill, with its 14 articles, has been the subject of numerous amendments.
Australia’s Latest Tobacco Regs Looming
Australia gave manufacturers five months to comply and retailers three months to transition, and will be enforced starting July 1.
U.S. Customs Seize 749 Cartons of Cigarettes from Cruisers
Two female passengers who disembarked an ocean liner in Long Beach had 10 pieces of luggage full of cigarettes.
Zimbabwe Posts Single-Day Tobacco Sales Record
Zimbabwe set a single-day sales record with 7.2 million kg coming off the auction floor, the same day it saw a season-high price of $6.20 per kg.
Finland Seizes 10M Cigarettes in Transnational Network Case
Authorities said the cigarettes were transported using regular logistics channels in a way that closely mimicked legitimate cargo operations.
Pakistan Insists No New Taxes on Tobacco Farmers
Pakistan said it is committed to the promotion of agriculture, and that no new regulations or taxes have been imposed on the tobacco crop or landowners.
Ispire Announces New CFO, Operations Savings
Ispire Technology Inc. announced the appointment of Jie “Jay” Yu as the new CFO and expects to save $10.2 million in operations this year.
Riot Labs Launches Four New 0MG Flavors
The founder and CEO of Riot Labs said the launch of 0mg for the revolutionary device will give adults an easy-to-use alternative to disposables to quit smoking.
Foundation Cigar Latest to Up Prices from Tariff
Foundation is the fifth major cigar company to make such an announcement, but did not detail the amounts of the increase.
Papua New Guinea Bans Vapes
Health Minister Elias Kapavore announced the ban May 13, saying he was concerned about the effects tobacco products had on people between the ages of 11 and 17.
Study: Shisha to Increase 90% at Hospitality Venues
The study, conducted with 400 hospitality businesses in Spain, Germany, the U.S., and the UAE that offer shisha, aimed to explore future demand and trends in the growing shisha market.
The Trailblazer
Godfrey Phillips’ Chairwoman Dr. Bina Modi Sits Down with Tobacco Reporter to Talk the Future of the Industry, Women’s Leadership, and More
Imperial’s CEO, Bomhard, Retires
Stefan Bomhard will retire after five years in the job. Chief financial officer Lukas Paravicini will be promoted to CEO October 1.
SKE Unveils Eight New Products Ahead of UK Disposables Ban
“We firmly believe that the regulatory changes within the UK represent an opportunity for innovation and change.”
Philippines’ Vape Stamp System Working
Tax authorities vowed to intensify efforts to catch and charge noncompliant players in the growing vape market.
Philippine Government Urged to Fight Illicit Trade with Lower Taxes
Officials suggested lower tax rates on cigarettes to replenish the country’s declining revenues as the price disparity between legal and illicit products worsens.
Already Struggling with Illicit Trade, Pakistan Being Pushed to Raise Tobacco Taxes
Officials said massive tax evasion in the tobacco sector is costing the country’s economy nearly $1.1 billion, and that only one out of 10 trucks carrying illicit cigarettes is caught.
Vietnam’s Cigarettes “Too Affordable”
Even with the country’s 75% “special consumption tax,” a pack of cigarettes can still cost as little as 27 cents.
22nd Century Sees 50% Jump from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025
Its first quarter 2025 saw net revenues increase from $4 million to $6 million and gross profit losses declined from $1.3 million to $600,000.
