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.
FDA Renews Modified Status for IQOS Products
Under the renewed orders, Philip Morris can state that the IQOS system heats rather than burns tobacco, resulting in lower production of harmful substances.
Fire at AOI Facility Extinguished by Sprinklers
The blaze that originated in a customer area was contained by the building’s sprinkler system before firefighters arrived, limiting damage to a localized section.
13 State AGs Urge Credit Cards to Block Illicit Vape Sales
The officials are asking Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover to identify and remove merchants selling illicit products.
KT&G to Cancel $1.3B Treasury Shares
The decision, approved by the board, follows recent changes to Korea’s commercial law and is aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
Malawi Tobacco Has Record Earnings Despite Falling Prices
The 2026 season is expected to face pressure, with production forecast at 197,000 tons against demand of about 170,000 tons.
Vanuatu Eyes Single Cigarette Sales
Compliance officers are targeting retailers selling “single sticks,” incorporating tobacco control into routine inspections.
Illicit Cigarettes Dominate South Africa’s Tobacco Market
Illicit cigarettes account for around 60% of South Africa’s market, according to new research from the University of Cape Town.
NACS Urges Action Against Illicit Chinese Vapes
NACS is urging a coordinated government response, including enforceable commitments from China to restrict exports that violate U.S. regulations.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Sales Surging After Slow Start
Volumes rose sharply to nearly 115 million kilograms compared to 67.6 million kgs a year earlier, despite light buying during the first two weeks of the season.
FDA Releases Wave 8 PATH Study Data
The PATH Study is a household-based, nationally representative, longitudinal study of adults and youth (12-17 years old) in the United States.
Judge Issues Final Ruling on Decade-Long ‘Premium Cigar’ Definition
The ruling provides regulatory clarity and removes premium cigars from key FDA oversight requirements.
Alabama Extends Indoor Smoking Ban to Vapes
Under the changes, vaping will be prohibited in the same public places where traditional tobacco smoking is banned, including workplaces, restaurants, and government buildings.
Tasmania Intensifies Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco
The crackdown is set to be reinforced by new legislation, with the Public Health Amendment Bill 2026 introducing tougher penalties, new offences, and powers to shut down businesses.
Indonesia’s Tax Strategy Not Impacting Smoking Rates
Despite a 23% tax increase in 2020 and steady annual rises since, cigarette affordability has remained largely unchanged.
Altria to Host Q1 Webcast April 30
CEO Billy Gifford and CFO Sal Mancuso will discuss the Company’s first-quarter business results and answer questions.
Indonesia to Enforce New Vape Rules from July
The rules will introduce a minimum age of 21, restrict advertising, set limits on nicotine content, mandate pictorial health warnings, and create smoke-free areas.
Namibia Moves to Tighten Regs on Vapes, Alternative Products
Health officials say the reforms aim to close regulatory gaps and curb illicit trade, with plans to join international protocols targeting the black market.
Organigram Completes Sanity Acquisition with BAT Backing
The deal marks the final deployment of funds from the Jupiter strategic investment pool and strengthens Organigram’s position in the European cannabis market.
Altria Raises Cigarette Prices Across Most Brands
Herzog said she expected BAT to make a similar increase soon, and that she would be watching to see whether deep-discount cigarette manufacturers move on price.
Scandinavian Approves Dividend, Board Changes at AGM
Shareholders approved the company’s 2025 annual report and 72-cent dividend per share, while backing the remuneration report and board compensation for 2026.
Nicokick, Zone Expand NASCAR Partnership with Product Launch
The campaign includes the exclusive launch of a new zone Cranberry pouch and a limited-edition flavor mix tied to driver Kyle Busch.
SNP Proposes Vape Display Ban if Re-elected
The proposal builds on existing measures and reflects broader efforts to tighten controls on nicotine products amid concerns over rising youth usage.
French Group Urges Stricter Vape Controls, Plain Packaging
The group is pushing for measures including plain packaging, stricter rules on flavor naming, and a ban on online sales.
Russian Retailers Pull Vapes Ahead of Potential Ban
Regional authorities said the initiative follows a 2025 self-regulation program that encouraged businesses to exit the vape market.
BAT Chair Reaffirms Growth Targets at AGM
Jobin called for evidence-based regulation to support alternatives to cigarettes and said BAT remains well-positioned to deliver long-term value as it advances its strategy.
Illicit Cigarette Trade Surges in Latin America and Canada
The Americas now have the highest global incidence of illicit tobacco, driven by steep tax increases and regulatory pressures.
PMI Hosting Q1 Webcast April 22
The webcast will be hosted by Emmanuel Babeau, Group Chief Financial Officer, and will include discussion of PMI’s financial results and a Q&A session with the investment community.
Western Australia Tightening Tobacco and Vape Laws
The government said further reforms are planned for later in 2026, including stricter rules for landlords and licensing.
Sweden Fights Against France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
The dispute has escalated politically, with Swedish lawmakers seeking EU intervention and warning of potential legal action.
Filtrona Offers White Paper on Regulation’s Impact on Filtration Sector
Filtrona highlights rising cost implications tied to plastics legislation and lifecycle emissions.
Imperial Flags Share Losses, Leans on H2 Growth for FY26
The shift comes as Imperial accelerates its five-year strategy to expand alternatives while stabilizing its core tobacco business.
Pyxus Named Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP
The recognition places Pyxus among the top tier of global companies for its work engaging contracted growers and suppliers on climate action across its value chain.
Australian Banks Flag 300 Suspicious Illicit Tobacco Cases
The illegal tobacco market, which is estimated at up to $6.9 billion and as much as 60% of total sales, is increasingly tied to organized crime.
Poland Moves to Tax Induction E-Cigarettes
Devices and liquid tanks using electromagnetic induction will be classified as e-cigarettes and subject to an $11.20 per unit tax.
Pakistan Battling Illicit Cigarettes as Farmers Seek Balance
The illicit market costs around $720 million annually and now exceeds 50% of total consumption, with cheaper untaxed products undercutting legal sales.
Hong Kong Banning Public Use of Alternative Products
The measure applies to electronic cigarettes, e-liquids, and herbal cigarettes, with violators facing fines of up to $6,500 and up to six months’ imprisonment.
NZ Retailers Want Crackdown to Avoid Australia’s Illicit Tobacco Crisis
Retail NZ is urging coordination between police, customs, and the Ministry of Health, tougher penalties, and an independent roundtable to address the issue.
New “Forgotten Smoker” White Paper from PMI U.S. Warns That America Didn’t End Smoking; It Just Moved On—and 8 in 10 Americans Surveyed Demand a Better Approach
PMI U.S. is released new national polling and a white paper, The Forgotten Smoker, that pushes back on the notion that smoking is a “solved” public health issue.
Kentucky Overhauls Tobacco and Vape Licensing Laws
The bill also repeals transitional licensing rules, requires rapid implementation of regulations, and applies some provisions retroactively to January 1.
PM Urges Court to Uphold FDA Graphic Rule Ruling
The company argued that the district court correctly found the FDA failed to follow required administrative procedures when developing the rule.
