Clive Bates is the director of Counterfactual Consulting and the former director of Action on Smoking and Health (U.K.). On this page we feature a selection of his contributions to Tobacco Reporter.
Wyden Seeks Records Over Donations and Policy Changes
Wyden requested records concerning regulatory actions affecting flavored e-cigarettes and kratom products.
Zimbabwe Posts Record Tobacco Production, Prices Fall
The decline in prices renewed calls from the TIMB and growers to diversify into horticulture and other cash crops to reduce exposure to market volatility and climate risks.
Pakistan Seals Five Tobacco Purchase Centers
The sealed centers included facilities operated by Frontier Traders, Atta-ur-Rehman & Company, Ali Leaf Traders, Khyber Tobacco Company, and AK Tobacco Traders.
Nigerian Health Groups Oppose Tobacco Control Bill
The coalition said the bill would allow broader advertising, online sales, retail displays and product sampling for non-combustible products.
UAE Sets Minimum Excise Price for E-Liquids
The Ministry of Finance said the measure is designed to improve tax compliance and ensure consistent standards across tobacco and electronic smoking products.
Philippines Customs Battling Seized-Cigarette Theft
The commissioner said employees found violating the policy will be immediately removed from service and face administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings.
Ohio Weighs Authority to Enforce Illegal Vape Sales
Retailers argued that enforcement of federal tobacco marketing laws rests exclusively with the FDA, while Ohio officials contended the state has the authority to protect consumers.
Universal Reports Weak Q1 as Oversupply Harms
The company posted an operating income of $2.3 million, down 93%, and a net loss of $5 million.
KT&G Raises Forecast After Record First-Half
Second-quarter revenue increased 9.9% year over year to $1.2 billion, while operating profit rose 18.5% to $290 million.
BAT Announces Marketing Board Changes
CMO Luciano Comin is set to retire and will be succeeded by Pascale Meulemeester, currently regional director for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA).
AIR Global to Report 1H 26 Results on Aug. 20
AIR Global PLC announced it will report its financial results for the six months ended June 30, on Aug. 20.
Pakistan Growers Demand Greater Transparency
Growers claimed multinational tobacco companies have reduced purchasing quotas while domestic companies have not finalized contracts in line with PTB regulations.
Industry Leader Jimmy Hill Dies at 89
Kimberly Foley praised Hill’s unwavering support for U.S. tobacco farmers and his commitment to strengthening the industry’s global competitiveness.
Pyxus Maintains FY2027 Outlook Despite Lower Q1 Sales
Despite the weaker top line, the company cut its net loss to $7.3 million from $15.8 million a year earlier.
EU Tobacco Use Falls to 16.5% in 2025
Among member states, Bulgaria, Sweden, and Croatia recorded the highest rates of daily use, while the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, and Luxembourg had the lowest.
Universal Ingredients Executive O’Keefe to Retire
The company has begun a search for his successor, with O’Keefe remaining in his role until a replacement is appointed.
VTA Poll Finds Support for Science-Based Vape Regulation Reform
The survey found 71% support replacing the current FDA PMTA framework with science-based standards.
RJR Seeks to Overturn $34.5M Verdict
The appeal is the latest in a series of post-Engle tobacco cases in Florida, where cigarette manufacturers continue to challenge large jury awards.
BAT Bangladesh Appoints New Managing Director
It said Benidze’s experience in business transformation, portfolio development, and commercial growth positions him to lead the company’s next phase.
South African Health Officials Call for Harm Reduction
The comments come as Parliament prepares to begin clause-by-clause deliberations on the tobacco bill following approval of its desirability in June.
FDA Authorizes Four New on! Nicotine Pouches
The FDA said the newly authorized products contain lower levels of most harmful constituents than traditional oral and smokeless tobacco products.
Turning Point’s Modern Oral Boosts Q2 Growth
The company said growth in its FRE and ALP nicotine pouch brands supported stronger retail distribution and market penetration.
AOI Launches Climate-Resilient Tobacco Seeds in Tanzania
The company said the new varieties are designed to support more sustainable tobacco production and improve farmer income through higher productivity and better crop quality.
Drought Delaying NC Tobacco Crop
Plants are running four weeks behind, with insufficient moisture reducing transplant survival, limiting herbicide effectiveness, and increasing weed pressure.
Côte d’Ivoire Implements Plain Packaging for Tobacco
The measure completes the implementation of the country’s 2019 Tobacco Control Act and aligns with recommendations under the WHO FCTC.
Pakistan Senate Panel Expands Probe Into Alleged Cigarette Smuggling Case
The panel ordered the FBR to identify officials responsible for media briefings and directed the FIA to investigate targeted smear campaigns against lawmakers.
Judge Signals Uphill Battle for Vapes Challenge PA Registry Law
The court’s comments suggest Pennsylvania’s case could hinge on whether the plaintiffs can identify meaningful legal distinctions from the North Carolina and Iowa precedents.
ASF Launches LOOP in South Africa
ASF said South Africa, the largest nicotine pouch market in Africa, will serve as a strategic base for broader regional expansion.
China Identifies E-Cigarettes as Trade Friction Hotspot
The United States launched 17 trade remedy investigations during the month, more than three times the total initiated by all other countries combined.
Experts Recommend Physicians Use Vape to Help Smokers Quit
Researchers from the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Treatment Network published new recommendations in the JAMA encouraging healthcare providers to discuss nicotine e-cigarettes
South Korea Scrutinizing ‘Nicotine-Free’ Vape Claims
The market has grown rapidly since April, when synthetic nicotine products became subject to tobacco regulations and higher taxes.
PA Defends Flavored Vape Law in Constitutional Challenge
Pennsylvania maintains that the law serves legitimate public health objectives and that courts have consistently recognized broad state authority to regulate e-cigarettes.
Philippines Requires Nicotine Companies to Register Brands
The updated BIR registry includes 192 entries across 14 manufacturer, importer, and exporter classifications.
Bulgaria Raises Tobacco Excise Taxes
The accelerated excise increases are intended to boost government revenue and align with ongoing EU discussions on higher minimum tobacco tax rates.
BAT Reports H1 Growth, Raises Confidence in 2026 Outlook
Smokeless products reached 35 million consumers and accounted for 19.8% of group revenue, while New Category contribution rose 54.7% to £257 million.
JT Group Reports Strong H1 Performance
Core revenue rose 10.6% at constant currency, supported by a $973 million price/mix contribution and a $31.6 million favorable volume variance.
Universal to Report Fiscal Q1 Results Aug. 6
The call will be webcast on the company’s website and will be available for replay through Nov. 6.
BAT Faces Expanded Class-Action Claims over Natural American Spirit
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s refusal to certify the 12-state “safer cigarette” class.
Experts Call for Stronger Tobacco Control Across Africa
The program, organized by the Africa Center for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research, is training participants to monitor industry activity and conduct research.
Decision Nears in Brazil’s Tobacco Health-Cost Lawsuit
The Court will decide whether the country’s largest cigarette manufacturers are liable for health damages associated with the marketing and sale of their products.
