Author: Staff Writer

Vape Shops in England and Wales Reopen

Photo: Oxford Vapours
Vape shops across England and Wales are expecting huge numbers of customers—including many smokers seeking expert help and guidance to quit—when they reopen on Monday.
More than 2,000 vape shops across the U.K. are preparing to reopen their doors to customers again on April 12 after the government confirmed the next stage of lifting lockdown restrictions will proceed as previously announced.
Nonessential retail outlets, including vape shops, will be able to reopen their doors from Monday across England and Wales. In Scotland, however, nonessential retail must remain shut until Monday, April 26.
The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) welcomes the relaxing of restrictions as the latest step on the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, especially as this coincides with the hugely successful month-long awareness campaign VApril.
Run by the UKVIA and now in its fourth year, VApril aims to help educate smokers on how to successfully quit conventional cigarettes by transitioning to vaping.

The closure of retail outlets has been especially difficult for some users of vaping products who have struggled to get hold of equipment and advice.
John Dunne, director general, UKVIA
This year’s VApril campaign kickstarted with a webinar featuring leading industry experts, including UKVIA Director General John Dunne, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vaping Chair Mark Pawsey, Global Legal and Regulatory Strategist at Andina Gold Corp. Patricia Kovacevic and former Director of Action on Smoking and Health Clive Bates.
“The closure of retail outlets has been especially difficult for some users of vaping products who have struggled to get hold of equipment and advice that they needed and who might well have returned to smoking over the past few months,” said Dunne.
“I am so pleased that the wider vape retail sector in England and Wales is now able to reopen its shop doors on Monday 12th April and begin trading again.
“Given the evidence that vaping is at least 95 percent less harmful than smoking, according to Public Health England, it is vital that smokers are now given all the advice they need on making the switch from smoking both in store and using online advice, including the VApril website.”

We are fully committed to achieving a tobacco-free country by 2030, and, with our expert staff now able to open back up the stores, we are ready to help any smoker make the switch.
Doug Mutter, director, VPZ
“We are delighted to have our stores reopen after another lengthy lockdown,” said Doug Mutter, director at VPZ. “From the click-and-collect services alone, we have already seen a huge number of smokers coming forward looking for advice and guidance on their quit journey.
“It has been over a year now that smokers have been struggling with getting expert advice and the selection of products they need from specialist retailers. Vaping retailers have been the last remaining service where people can get help and advice on how best to quit smoking, so we are fully expecting a very busy couple of months.
“We are fully committed to achieving a tobacco-free country by 2030, and, with our expert staff now able to open back up the stores, we are ready to help any smoker make the switch.”
“We are so pleased to be able to give the service we are renowned for to our local customers once again,” said Dan Greenall, managing director at Oxford Vapours.
“Like many other businesses, despite managing to stay afloat during the past 12 months, we have seen a huge drop in aiding smokers on their journey to switching to a less harmful alternative.
“Vaping is personal and guidance is essential to ensure a successful switch attempt. Education through brick-and-mortar retail is the best way to help people looking to make a switch to the less harmful alternative.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time for smokers looking to quit, with the UKVIA recently launching VApril 2021—a dedicated educational campaign to help inform adult smokers of the options available to them and to support those wanting to switch on to vaping.
“Now [that] we can reopen our stores, we are truly able help people make the switch and support the government’s efforts for a smoke-free England by 2030.”
April 9, 2021
Zimbabwe Wants $5 billion Tobacco Industry

Photo: Taco Tuinstra
Zimbabwe wants to create a $5 billion tobacco industry by 2025, reports Bulawayo24, citing Agriculture Minister Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
Speaking at the opening of the Zimbabwe tobacco marketing season on April 7 in Harare, Masuka told stakeholders that the government would increase funding of both large-scale and small-scale tobacco farmers to increase output.
Masuka said agriculture remained one of the key sectors in the quest to transform the country into an upper-middle-class economy.
According to the minister, plans are underway to increase tobacco production to 300 million kg per year.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board expects sales of about 200 million kg this year, up from 184 million kg in the previous season, due to favorable rains.
Tobacco merchants expect to spend around $500 million on Zimbabwean tobacco this year, generating much-needed foreign currency for the country.
The industry is also one of the largest employers in a country suffering from widespread unemployment, despite vast agricultural and mineral resources.
The global tobacco market size was valued at nearly $850 billion in 2019.
April 9, 2021
Major Bonuses for 22nd Century Executives

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
The chief executive of 22nd Century Group received $675,000 bonus, bringing his total compensation for fiscal 2020 to $1.04 million, reports The Winston-Salem Journal, citing a regulatory filing this week.
James Mish became chief executive on June 22.
22nd Century said when Mish was hired that his starting base salary would be $450,000 annually.
President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Zercher received a 26.1 percent jump in salary to $366,451. He was promoted to president during the period before Mish was hired.
Zercher received a $366,100 bonus, stock awards valued at $447,831 and total compensation of $1.21 million, up 20.3 percent.
John Franzino was hired in June as chief financial officer and treasurer. He was paid $158,213 in salary, a $125,000 bonus and total compensation of $435,248.
22nd Century reported a $19.7 million loss for fiscal 2020 compared with a $26.5 million loss in fiscal 2019. The company derives most of its revenue from producing traditional cigarettes for third-party customers.
The company is awaiting a Food and Drug Administration decision on its modified-risk tobacco product application, which would allow it to advertise products as reduced harm or reduced risk compared with traditional cigarettes.
A specialist in low-nicotine cigarettes, 22nd Century expects to benefit greatly from an FDA plan to mandate nonaddictive nicotine levels in cigarettes.
22nd Century will hold a virtual shareholder meeting on May 20.
April 9, 2021
Video: Debating the ‘State of Vapor’

Industry experts debated the challenges and opportunities facing the vapor business to mark the start of VApril 2021, the annual awareness campaign launched four years ago by the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) to help educate smokers on how to successfully quit conventional cigarettes by transitioning to vaping.
Participants in the debate included John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA; Mark Pawsey, MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vaping; Patricia Kovacevic, global legal and regulatory strategist at Andina Gold Corp.; and Clive Bates, director of Counterfactual Consulting and former director of Action on Smoking and Health.
The discussion centered around the repercussions of the pandemic on the vaping industry and vapers; how the sector moves on from the events of the last 12 months; how regulatory review this year and COP9 can be a defining moment and accelerate the shift toward a vaping-driven smoke-free society; addressing the misperceptions of vaping, which are deterring adult smokers from making the switch to less harmful alternatives; and the opportunity for the VApril campaign to take the mantle and in the future make smoking in Britain a thing of the past.
The 2021 VApril month-long initiative will for the second year running be largely digitally based due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Vape businesses up and down the country, together with vaping trade associations around the world, are getting behind the special month.
Smokers can visit a special campaign VApril website, which provides a special guide, the Switch on to Vaping Plan, to help them make a successful switch to vape products and in doing so break their smoking habits. They can also have their questions answered by an online expert panel.
April 9, 2021
John Pritchard Joins FDLI Committee

Photo: Ekkasit919 | Dreamstime.com
22nd Century Group Vice President of Regulatory Science John Pritchard has joined the Food and Drug Law Institute’s (FDLI) Tobacco and Nicotine Products Committee.
The committee brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including public health researchers, leaders of nongovernmental organizations and members of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products, to discuss tobacco product regulation and policy.
“We are proud that John has been invited to serve on the highly regarded FDLI Tobacco and Nicotine Product Committee and to represent 22nd Century in this forum,” said James A. Mish, CEO of 22nd Century Group, in a statement.
“Our organization is fortunate to have a number of experts on our leadership team, and it is important that we play an active role in moving the tobacco industry forward to reduce the harm caused by smoking.”
“With respiratory health front and center in everyone’s minds, there has never been a more critical time to advance effective public health policy and regulation in the area of tobacco control,” said Pritchard.
“Cigarette addiction is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and having the opportunity for multi-stakeholder dialogue is an essential part of achieving this. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the FDLI, and I look forward to contributing my experience to the organization.”
With respiratory health front and center in everyone’s minds, there has never been a more critical time to advance effective public health policy and regulation in the area of tobacco control.
John Pritchard, vice president of regulatory science, 22nd Century Group
Pritchard started in his regulatory role at 22nd Century in 2019 and brings more than 20 years of scientific and regulatory experience in the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries as well as public health experience to the committee.
April 8, 2021
High Hopes as Zim Tobacco Season Opens

Photo: Taco Tuinstra
Zimbabwe’s tobacco farmers were optimistic about the upcoming marketing season as the markets opened April 7, according to a report in The Chronicle.
The marketing season, which traditionally starts between February and March, was delayed due to Covid-19. The country expects to benefit from high demand with projected volumes at around 200 million kg. An initial crop assessment report indicates that farmers planted 125,177 hectares of tobacco this season compared to 117,049 hectares last season.
TIMB statistics show that by March 19, 2021, a total of 145,625 farmers had registered for tobacco production and selling.
Farmers also look forward to good prices as they have produced a high-quality crop due to the favorable rains.
Under a new foreign currency retention scheme, farmers will receive 60 percent of their tobacco earnings in U.S. dollars and 40 percent in local currency. Last year, the ratio was 50-50.
“The foreign currency will help us break even and remain with a profit,” said George Seremwe, president of the Tobacco Association of Zimbabwe.
The foreign currency will help us break even and remain with a profit.
George Seremwe, president, Tobacco Association of Zimbabwe
Earlier, farmers’ representatives had warned of a debt trap facing Zimbabwean tobacco growers.
Last year, farmers complained after they were hit by the fixed official exchange rate at the start of the season, which did not reflect the real market value exhibited by the volatility of the local currency at that time.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe have built up a set of rules to ensure both contractors and farmers are committed and act fairly.
Copies of legally binding contracts were submitted to the TIMB, and the deadline was last September. The contracts had to be supported by proof of inputs distributed using paid up invoices or payment plans with suppliers.
April 7, 2021
‘Tax Hikes Unnecessary After Stimulus Plan’

Photo: AzamKamolov from Pixabay
The recently passed U.S. federal stimulus plan negates the need for tobacco tax increases, according to Tom Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO).
As of March 19, lawmakers in 20 states had introduced bills to raise cigarette and/or tobacco product taxes, according to a Convenience Store News report.
At the same time as states were reviewing tax hike proposals, the U.S. Congress recently passed a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, and President Joe Biden subsequently signed the American Rescue Plan into law.

There is no reason to raise taxes when they have all this stimulus money coming into their state treasury.
Tom Briant, executive director, NATO
“This stimulus plan may be an important factor in determining whether or not states pass legislation increasing cigarette, tobacco and/or vapor taxes,” Briant said during a virtual education session of the Tobacco Plus Expo 2021 in March.
Along with $1,400 individual stimulus checks, the American Rescue Plan includes $350 billion specifically set aside for direct, unrestricted aid to states, cities and counties.
NATO is reaching out to lawmakers in the states with pending cigarette and tobacco tax increase bills with the message that proceeding is not necessary.
“There is no reason to raise taxes when they have all this stimulus money coming into their state treasury,” Briant pointed out.
April 7, 2021
Hanske to Lead SWM’s Tobacco Division

Photo: SWM
SWM International has appointed Katrin Hanske as vice president and general manager of tobacco and alternative solutions (TAS) within its engineered papers division, effective May 1, 2021.
Hanske has more than 20 years of experience in the semiconductor, paper and chemicals industries, most recently as global senior vice president of supply chain operations at Orion Engineered Carbons in Luxembourg. She has worked in the U.S., Asia and Europe and holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering microelectronics from the Dresden University of Technology as well as a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wolverhampton Business School.
TAS is a new business unit focused on supporting the SWM’s tobacco industry customers with tobacco, paper and next-generation products.
Under Hanske’s leadership, the TAS business will work to strengthen SWM’s position in the tobacco industry while exploring opportunities in alternative markets.
We have a real opportunity to deliver excellence to our tobacco industry customers and to fuel growth opportunities in adjacent areas.
Katrin Hanske
“I am delighted to be joining SWM at an exciting time of transformation for engineered papers,” said Hanske in a statement. “We have a real opportunity to deliver excellence to our tobacco industry customers and to fuel growth opportunities in adjacent areas through innovation and sustainable product offerings. I look forward to being part of this next successful chapter for the company.”
April 7, 2021
Hungary Raises Cigarette Taxes

Photo: Walkerssk from Pixabay
Following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), Hungary has raised the excise tax on tobacco to historic heights, reports Hungary Today.
In March, the CJEU said Hungary had failed to comply with European Union regulations by keeping the excise tax on tobacco products below the required threshold.
Under EU guidelines, the excise tax on tobacco products must reach 60 percent of the average retail price and at least €90 ($107) per 1,000 cigarettes. The 60 percent ratio does not apply to prices above €115 per 1,000 cigarettes.
While the EU argued that Hungary’s lower tax rate distorted competition within the bloc and violated EU health protection regulations, the government said it wanted a gradual hike and a “fairer system”—one that takes into consideration the differences between member states’ tax systems and their populations’ varied income levels.
In the Hungarian government’s view, the EU regulations also neglect the fact that countries on the union’s eastern borders face steeper competition from cigarette smugglers and black market imports.
Following a tax hike of 7.3 percent on Jan. 1, an additional 4.8 percent hike took effect on April 1 in Hungary.
Critics say the recent price increases put cigarettes out of reach for many smokers.
Following the most recent increase, a pack of cigarettes costs HUF1,700–1,800 ($5.62–$5.95), approximately HUF200–250 more than at the end of last year. This means that someone who smokes one pack per day will spend roughly HUF51,000–55,000 per month for cigarettes, which amounts to about half of the current net minimum wage.
In a recent poll, 23 percent of Hungarian smokers said they would quit because of price hike; 10 percent said they would switch to roll-your-own tobacco; and 8 percent would switch to vaping products. Twenty-two percent insisted they would keep smoking.
There are roughly 2.5 million smokers in Hungary, nearly one-third of the adult population.
April 7, 2021
IOTO Expands Into Hemp Sheets

IOTO will leverage its experience in tobacco to serve the hemp industry.
(Photo courtesy of IOTO)
IOTO International, a U.S. and Brazil-based manufacturer of homogenized wrapper, cut filler and binder, has expanded its Yerba Mate, Chamomile and other herbal homogenized sheet offerings to include premium reconstituted hemp sheet.
Utilizing qualified and tested hemp flower, leaf or stem supplied by customers (or directly sourced locally by IOTO), the company is now able to offer customized manufacture of hemp sheet to the specific herbal content requirements of its clients.
“Demand for hemp smoking wrappers in the USA has increased exponentially over the last two years as brand developers have brought novel hemp cigarettes, cigars, hemp wrappers and hemp cones to the market,” said Helder Tullio, director of operations at IOTO, in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the majority of the hemp wrap available today is generic and not crafted to meet the specific smoking qualities required by brand owners.
At IOTO, we are set up to run both small-scale and high-volume production, and we are able to meet the specific formulation needs of the client.
We can help make smaller brands more viable and give them real points of differentiation.
Helder Tullio, director of operations, IOTO
“Given our scaled manufacturing approach, we can work with smaller initial production runs and ultimately grow with brand owners as sales volumes expand. In effect, we can help make smaller brands more viable and give them real points of differentiation from the generic hemp wrapper offerings that are in the market today.
“The IOTO hemp wrapper is a highly durable hemp sheet, and we believe our manufacturing process gives us a distinct edge over competitors and delivers a superior quality hemp sheet for clients. In addition, IOTO’s capabilities in flavor development also help our customers meet their targeted taste profile requirements when making flavored hemp sheet.”
April 7, 2021