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  • Arcus Launches Regulatory Monitoring Tool for Nicotine Sector

    Arcus Launches Regulatory Monitoring Tool for Nicotine Sector

    Regulatory compliance consultancy Arcus Compliance launched MAVRYX Assistant, a subscription-based software tool designed to help small businesses monitor regulatory requirements in the UK and Europe. The platform targets founders, start-ups, and brands in the nicotine and beauty industries, offering regulatory news summaries, regulatory horizon monitoring, an ingredients checker, product portfolio monitoring, and an AI-powered chat assistant. The ingredients checker identifies upcoming ingredient restrictions and provides countdowns to implementation deadlines to help businesses assess reformulation requirements.

    Developed over six years, the platform draws on Arcus Compliance’s regulatory expertise working with brands in more than 50 countries. Founder Lee Bryan said the tool is intended to give smaller businesses access to regulatory information traditionally available to larger companies with in-house compliance teams. MAVRYX Assistant is available in English, Korean, Spanish, and Chinese through 12-month subscriptions covering one, three, or five users. The company plans to expand into the U.S. and Asia in the first quarter of 2027, followed by a global rollout later in the year.

  • KT&G Launches HTPs in Kazakhstan

    KT&G Launches HTPs in Kazakhstan

    KT&G launched its FLEX heated tobacco device and FAIIM tobacco sticks in Kazakhstan recently, marking its entry into the country’s heated tobacco market. The products are locally branded versions of the company’s lil AIBLE device and AIIM sticks sold in South Korea. Initial distribution is limited to Almaty, with plans to gradually expand sales channels. KT&G has also opened a FLEX flagship store at Forum Mall in Almaty, offering product information, customer consultations, and other services.

    The launch is part of KT&G’s strategy to expand its next-generation products business internationally. The company said it is also working to establish local manufacturing facilities and expand distribution networks through its Kazakhstan subsidiary. KT&G said it plans to build on its existing conventional cigarette business while developing its heated tobacco presence in the market.

  • ALP Opens Pouch Pop-Up in NYC

    ALP Opens Pouch Pop-Up in NYC

    ALP is launching an advertising and retail campaign in New York City, including what the company describes as the first branded nicotine pouch flagship store in the United States. The ALP Saloon Pop-Up, located at 433 Broadway in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, features an Old West-themed retail environment. The campaign also includes out-of-home and guerrilla marketing, with a strong presence in the Times Square area, running from mid-November 2026 through January 2027.

    ALP CEO and co-founder Lorenzo De Plano said the initiative marks the company’s first effort to enter the New York City market, which it had previously avoided while focusing on rural areas. De Plano said the pop-up will introduce consumers to the brand and its products. The company said the campaign will include an event for media and selected creators.

  • Hawaii’s Largest Vape Retailer to Close Due to Changing Regs

    Hawaii’s Largest Vape Retailer to Close Due to Changing Regs

    Volcano E-cigs, Hawaii’s largest vape retailer, announced it will close all 13 of its stores across three islands on Dec. 31, citing new state laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2027, that prohibit disposable e-cigarette sales and restrict sales to products authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company, which has operated since 2009 and describes itself as Hawaii’s original vape shop, said the closures will result in approximately 56 layoffs. Chief Operating Officer Scott Rasak said the laws would eliminate the legal sales channel for many products currently carried by the retailer and could push sales into the black market. State Rep. Scot Matayoshi, a supporter of the legislation, said the measures are intended to restrict access to unauthorized products, particularly flavored products marketed to young people.

  • Indonesia’s MUI Declares Vapes Haram

    Indonesia’s MUI Declares Vapes Haram

    The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared the use, production, and sale of e-cigarettes and vapes haram (forbidden) under Fatwa No. 131 of 2026, signed Nov. 6 in Jakarta. The MUI cited health risks, environmental damage, nicotine addiction, and concerns that vaping devices could be used to consume narcotics, psychotropic substances, and other addictive drugs. The fatwa also explicitly prohibits using vapes to consume those substances and extends the prohibition to the production and trade of e-cigarettes.

    The MUI urged the Indonesian government and House of Representatives to draft legislation banning vaping and establishing penalties. It also called on the government to take immediate steps to control the distribution of e-cigarettes and protect the public from their alleged negative effects. The fatwa was signed by MUI Fatwa Commission Chairman Asrorun Niam Sholeh and Deputy Secretary General Aminuddin Yaqub, and acknowledged by MUI Chairman Anwar Iskandar and Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan.

  • T&T Association Seeks 25% Tobacco Excise Tax Reduction

    T&T Association Seeks 25% Tobacco Excise Tax Reduction

    The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) is urging the government to extend to tobacco manufacturers the 25% excise tax reduction granted to the alcohol industry, citing rising illicit cigarette sales and declining competitiveness among legitimate businesses. TTMA President Emil Ramkissoon made the request at the association’s awards dinner, saying illicit tobacco trade already exceeds 12.5% of the market and could increase following the implementation of a 100% excise tax on tobacco products.

    Ramkissoon also cited customs efficiency, port operations, regulatory processes, and the broader ease of doing business as priorities for local manufacturers.

  • Kenya Proposes Fine, 10-Year Prison Term for Shisha Violations

    Kenya Proposes Fine, 10-Year Prison Term for Shisha Violations

    Kenya’s Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs Control Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026, introduced by parliamentary majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, proposes prohibiting the production, sale, and promotion of shisha. The bill has completed its first reading in Parliament and would amend the country’s tobacco control law to classify shisha, with or without flavorings, as a tobacco product. It also proposes prohibiting the promotion, facilitation, or encouragement of shisha smoking and the use of nicotine pouches. Violations could carry fines of up to 5 million Kenyan shillings ($38,500), imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

    The proposed legislation would also increase penalties for smoking in prohibited places to a maximum fine of Sh100,000 ($770) and one year in prison. The same maximum penalties would apply to retailers selling cigarette packs containing fewer than 10 cigarettes. If adopted, Kenya would join Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda in banning shisha.

  • Japan, JTI Respond to Russian Seizure

    Japan, JTI Respond to Russian Seizure

    After Russian President Vladimir Putin placed Japan Tobacco International (JTI) assets under temporary administration, the Japanese government formally protested to Moscow and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the measure. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan sent senior government officials to Moscow, where they joined the Japanese ambassador in protesting the takeover of four Japan Tobacco manufacturing subsidiaries. Kihara said the government wants to ensure that the legitimate interests of Japanese nationals and businesses are protected. Economy and Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said Japan would continue communicating with Russia to protect Japanese companies’ assets, while Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said her ministry would coordinate with relevant government agencies and Japan Tobacco.

    Japan Tobacco issued the following statement:

    “The JT Group has continued its business operations in Russia in compliance with all applicable regulations and sanctions. However, we can confirm that, pursuant to a Russian presidential decree signed on November 5, among our entities in Russia, four manufacturing entities have been placed under temporary administration.

    “The JT Group is currently gathering further information regarding this matter, considering the options available to the Group, and assessing the potential impact on the Group.”

  • Pyxus Announces Transaction Support Agreement

    Pyxus Announces Transaction Support Agreement

    Pyxus International announced that it has reached a transaction support agreement with creditors holding a majority of its outstanding secured debt to restructure its capital structure through debt exchanges and an equity offering. The proposed transactions would convert approximately $92 million of debt into equity, repay $65 million of debt using equity offering proceeds, and extend maturities on approximately $300 million of remaining debt. The company plans to offer up to $85 million in common stock at $2.50 per share, with certain creditors committing to backstop $80 million of the offering.

    Creditors supporting the agreement hold 67.9% of Pyxus Holdings’ Intabex term loans, 74.9% of its Pyxus term loans, and 56% of its senior secured notes. Pyxus expects to launch the note exchange offer within 10 days of the agreement’s effective date, with the remaining transactions to follow. The company expects to complete the restructuring by Dec. 15, subject to required approvals and participation thresholds.

  • Weather Destroys More Than Half of Ecuador’s Tobacco Crop

    Weather Destroys More Than Half of Ecuador’s Tobacco Crop

    A severe crop failure in Ecuador linked to this year’s Super El Niño weather event could significantly reduce the supply of cigar wrapper tobacco. A.S.P. Enterprises Inc., one of Ecuador’s largest tobacco growers, has told customers to expect only 25% to 35% of their orders, according to Halfwheel. Company President and CEO David Perez attributed the shortfall to excessive rainfall that has destroyed much of the crop. Perez said the company still has 40% of its tobacco in the field but expects substantial additional losses. The 18-week growing season began well, but excessive rain during the middle six weeks and continued heavy rainfall during the final six weeks severely damaged the crop.

    Ecuador supplies wrapper tobacco to many major cigar manufacturers, including Connecticut shade, Cuban-seed, and Sumatra-seed varieties. A Halfwheel analysis of cigars introduced at the 2026 PCA Convention and Trade Show found that about one-third used Ecuadorian wrappers. Perez said the crop failure has also forced the company to send agricultural workers home early. Reduced wrapper supplies are expected to reach cigar manufacturers next year, although additional aging and processing mean consumers may not feel the effects for several years. Perez said the impact could be greater because some manufacturers have reduced wrapper inventories in recent years amid rising prices.