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.
WSJ: Trump Ready to Fire Makary
While no official confirmation has been issued, sources indicated a growing consensus is that a leadership change at the FDA may be imminent.
PMI Warns Middle East Conflict Will Spur Illicit Trade in Asia
PMI estimates governments in the ASEAN region are already losing around $4 billion annually in cigarette excise revenue, with an additional $2 billion lost from illegal vaping products.
Capital Group Acquires 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Shares Top $122
It comes amid sustained foreign buying momentum, with investors purchasing 800,000 shares worth $96.6 million over 19 consecutive trading sessions.
JTI Reports Revenue Up 15%
The company maintained its full-year outlook, forecasting revenue of $23.7 billion and operating profit of $5.9 billion.
Imperial Offers Guidance to Retailers Over UK Law
Imperial said further government guidance and a detailed implementation roadmap will be critical in helping retailers understand compliance requirements.
NSW Ups Penalties for Landlords With Tenants Selling Illicit Products
Under the new law, offenders face up to 12 months’ imprisonment and fines of up to $118,800.
Dr. Iqbal Lambat, Star Agritech CEO, Passes
Lambat built Star Agritech into a significant player in tobacco leaf sourcing and export, expanding operations across Africa and other key growing regions.
KT&G Reports 27% Increase in Q1 2026
The company’s global combustible cigarette business saw strong performance, with shipment volumes increasing 15% and operating profit rising 56.1%.
Turning Point Sales Up 16.8% in Q1 2026
The company said it is investing heavily to capture growth in the evolving nicotine category, particularly in nicotine pouches.
PMI Calls for Lower Cigarette Taxes in Meeting With Australian Govt
The company told lawmakers that narrowing the price gap between legal and illegal products could help shift consumers back into regulated channels.
Belgian Health Minister Calls Tobacco Industry ‘Criminal’
He said a court decision forced the government to reverse its ban on cigarette sales in supermarkets, undermining part of its strategy to reduce tobacco accessibility.
Court Upholds ATF’s Action on Calif. Tribe’s Cigarette Sales
The decision affirms the application of state-level tobacco regulations to certain intertribal sales conducted remotely.
Villiger Announces Schüpbach as New CEO
Schüpbach brings experience from leadership roles at Schleuniger Group and Regent Lighting, as well as earlier positions at Bystronic and ABB.
22nd Century Reports $4.1M in Revenue as it Focuses on Future
The company said it is gaining traction with adult smokers, with products now available in more than 2,000 stores across 20 states, with plans to expand to 5,000 this year.
AIR to Open Manufacturing Facility in Romania
The site, located near Bucharest, is projected to produce more than 4,000 tons of flavored shisha molasses annually and create over 150 jobs.
PMI Talks Illicit Trade, Tobacco Reforms in Pakistan
The delegation highlighted that an estimated 45–47 billion untaxed cigarettes are sold annually, contributing to revenue losses of around $1.3 billion.
Ispire Revenue Down, But ‘Stabilized’ After Strategic Repositioning
It highlighted multiple growth drivers, including operational manufacturing in Malaysia, nicotine pouch supply, and upcoming vapor ODM partnerships.
Vapes Thriving in Hong Kong Despite Ban
Reporters were able to purchase vapes through social media channels, with sellers offering home delivery and little concern about enforcement.
Altria, Juul Seek Pause in Antitrust Case Pending Appeal
The companies argue that the appeal raises significant legal questions and that continuing the case could result in unnecessary litigation.
FDA Expands AI Capabilities to Improve Efficiency
The FDA said the enhanced AI infrastructure is designed to improve efficiency and support faster decision-making.
PMI’s Net Revenue Tops $40B for 2025
PMI reaffirmed its outlook for continued growth through 2026–2028 and its commitment to shareholder returns.
Argentina Lifts Alternative Product Ban, Imposes New Regs
The new rules replace a previously prohibitive regime and aim to bring a largely informal market under formal oversight.
Charlie’s Holdings Talks Opportunities as FDA Flavor Stance Shifts
The company said its ability to combine pending applications with advanced access-restriction systems could align with evolving FDA expectations.
The Conglomerate Cigar Brands Are Losing Inside ChatGPT — and the Retailer Channel Is the Reason Why
Cigar Aficionado’s 2025 Cigar Insider Retailer Survey told the same story Cigar Insider has told every year for the last decade. Padrón at #1, Arturo
Tobacco Price Gap Driving Irish Customers Cross-Border
Survey data of 1,000 adults found that 28% had bought tobacco outside Ireland, with Spain accounting for 48% of those purchases.
Saint Lucia Launches National Anti-Smoking Campaign
The initiative targets changing consumption patterns, including increased vaping and public use of tobacco and cannabis.
Cigarettes to Return to Belgian Supermarkets in 2027
A court found that restricting tobacco sales in shops over 400 square meters while allowing smaller retailers to continue was discriminatory.
FDA Authorizes Four New ENDS Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized four Glas electronic nicotine delivery system products through the PMTA pathway, including Classic Menthol, Fresh Menthol, Gold,
WSJ Reports Trump Pressuring FDA to Move on Flavored Vapes
The FDA has so far authorized only 41 vape products for sale in the U.S., all in tobacco or menthol flavors.
Zimbabwe Suspends Tobacco Buyer Over Pricing Concerns
TIMB said it had identified concerning pricing patterns that could distort competition and harm grower viability.
Pakistani Tobacco Growers Want FBR Raids Stopped
Growers alleged harassment during enforcement actions and demanded the withdrawal of law enforcement personnel from tobacco processing units.
CORESTA Hosting Tobacco Plant Breeding Webinar June 24
The session will explain how new varieties are tested in the field, including how trial design changes depending on the type of tobacco and stage of development.
Tennessee Amends Penalties for Underage Tobacco Use
The law allows courts to impose a range of measures, including up to 50 hours of community service and a $50 fine.
Turning Point Announces Quarterly Dividend
The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per common share, payable on July 10 to shareholders of record as of June 19.
The FDA’s evolving approach to youth-risk mitigation
Lilian Ortega explains the latest developments from regulators across pouches and ENDS and the latest enforcement of rules in the United States.
Dutch Flavor Ban Backfires: Report
Cigarette consumption rose by approximately 1% in 2024, while 27% of former vapers reported increased smoking or initiation after the policy change.
Nicokick, Northerner Expand GOVX Discount for Military Appreciation Month
The initiative is positioned as an extension of ongoing discount programs aimed at public service workers, and coincides with Memorial Day observances.
22nd Century Announced May 7 Financial Call
Company CEO Larry Firestone and CFO Dan Otto will review performance, outline progress, and provide an update on plans for the remainder of 2026.
Survey Says Pakistan’s Tobacco Control Not Working
The study found that only 22 of the 477 identified brands in circulation were consistently compliant, with 455 failing to meet at least one regulatory requirement.
Clashing Protests On Both Sides of Bangladesh’s Tobacco Tax Debate
While one group called to end bidi work, bidi workers called for higher wages and the removal of taxes on the sector.
