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.
Charlotte’s Web Closes BAT Transaction, Adds $10 Million Equity Injection
Charlotte’s Web Holdings has completed a two-part transaction with BT DE Investments, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, that converts existing debt to equity and
Alaska Vape Tax Heads to Governor’s Desk
Four years after Governor Dunleavy vetoed a similar measure, the Alaska Legislature passed Senate Bill 24, imposing the state’s first tax on electronic cigarettes and
Arizona Advances Landmark Vape Bill
The Arizona Senate passed House Bill 4001 on May 26 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 24-2, establishing the state’s first formal regulatory framework for
Thailand Considers Generational Nicotine Ban
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is studying a Nicotine-Free Generation policy that would permanently prevent children and young people born after a specified year, or within
Minnesota Communities Push Flavored-Vape Bans as FDA Eases Restrictions
As the Trump administration signals a softer stance on flavored vapes , anti-tobacco advocates in Minnesota are intensifying efforts to restrict flavored nicotine products at
UK Price Cap Could Raise Billions and Cut Deaths, U. of Bath Study Finds
Research published by the University of Bath Tobacco Control Research Group and the University of Sheffield’s Addictions Research Group provides the first real-world modelling of
Artesano del Tobaco Announces Three New Releases
Artesano del Tobaco has shared updates on three upcoming releases — two slated for 2026 and one targeting 2027. The announcements came via an email
Israel Climbs European Tobacco-Control Ranking Despite Lagging Taxes
Israel ranked 10th out of 37 countries in the 2025 Tobacco Control Scale, a European report published by the Smoke Free Partnership, which evaluates tobacco
Graphic Cigarette Warnings May Nudge Smokers Toward Vaping, Study Finds
New research from Washington State University, published in the Journal of Business Ethics, finds that graphic anti-smoking warnings on cigarette packaging may produce an unintended
Universal Corporation Posts Lower FY2026 Profit on Impairment, Tobacco Write-Downs
Universal Corporation reported financial results for the fiscal year and fourth quarter ended March 31, 2026, with full-year sales and other operating revenue of $2.92
Taiwan Plans Confiscation and Fines for E-Cigarette Possession
Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare is moving to amend the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act so that mere possession of e-cigarettes would be subject to
Vapers’ Alliance Faults South Africa’s Nicotine Policy on World Vape Day
In a press release timed to World Vape Day 2026, the World Vapers’ Alliance argued that South African lawmakers are moving in the wrong direction
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco to Leave Nashville for Kentucky by 2028
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco plans to relocate its manufacturing operations from its Germantown facility in Nashville to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, ending a presence in the city that
J.C. Newman Ships Fourth LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has begun shipping the fourth installment of its LeRoy Neiman Collector’s Edition, a limited release built around the work of the
Warfighter Tobacco Ships 10th Anniversary and San Andres Releases
Warfighter Tobacco Co. has begun shipping the two new cigars it introduced at the 2026 PCA Convention & Trade Show: the Warfighter 10th Anniversary and
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.
