Author: Marissa Dean

Mckinney Appoints Fearon

Image: McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors
McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors has appointed Ian Fearon as its new chief scientific officer.
Fearon brings over 15 years of experience in the field of tobacco harm reduction, with a specific focus on clinical and behavioral studies of these products. His deep understanding of regulatory submissions in the United States and Europe will enable McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors to provide unparalleled support and guidance to clients navigating the complex regulatory landscape.
Prior to joining McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors, Fearon held key leadership positions at renowned organizations in the industry. As the senior director of clinical and regulatory affairs EMEA at Juul Labs, he played a vital role in advancing the scientific understanding of tobacco and nicotine products and supporting the Juul premarket tobacco product application submission.
Fearon also served as the director of tobacco research at Celerion, where he contributed significantly to the development of clinical evidence to support regulatory filings. Furthermore, his tenure as principal scientist and head of clinical research at BAT solidified his reputation as a thought leader in this space, according to McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors. Fearon has published more than 60 papers, including more than 20 on tobacco/nicotine product assessment, which have generated more than 3,200 citations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ian as our chief scientific officer,” said Willie McKinney, CEO of McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors. “His extensive experience and deep knowledge of tobacco and nicotine science and worldwide regulations make him an invaluable asset to our team. With Ian’s guidance, we will continue to provide exceptional scientific and regulatory consulting services to our clients, facilitating their success in bringing innovative consumer products to market.”
As the chief scientific officer, Fearon will oversee the company’s scientific operations, lead strategic initiatives and drive innovation in the regulatory science domain.
June 1, 2023
European Elections Could Affect Vaping

Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
Elections in several European countries could affect support of reduced-risk nicotine products like e-cigarettes, according to Tamarind Intelligence Policy Radar research.
Governments in Europe are the most likely to officially support reduced-risk products.
According to Tamarind Intelligence, forthcoming elections in Finland, Spain, Ireland and the Czech Republic as well as elections for the European Parliament could be significant in determining the future of the products.
“Our analysis of official attitudes toward e-cigarettes and other tobacco harm reduction products shows some clear global trends,” said Tamarind Intelligence Editorial Director Barnaby Page. “For example, European countries tend to have more favorable attitudes while Asian countries tend to be much more polarized.
“However, the laws in this area can change very rapidly—sometimes because government itself changes or at other times because issues such as underage vaping or the environmental impact of disposable vapes come into the spotlight.”
Researchers expect worldwide regulation of reduced-risk products to become stricter, especially in upper-middle-income and high-income countries. Flavored products are expected to receive the most attention with countries proposing bans on the products.
June 1, 2023
FDA Cracks Down on Illegal Disposables

Credit: Waldemarus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to 30 retailers, including one distributor, for illegally selling unauthorized tobacco products. The unauthorized products were various types of Puff and Hyde brand disposable e-cigarettes, which were two of the most commonly reported brands used by youth e-cigarette users in 2022. The Puff products include Puff Bar.
“Protecting our nation’s youth from tobacco products—including disposable e-cigarettes—is a top priority for the FDA,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf. “We’re committed to holding all players in the supply chain—not just manufacturers but also retailers and distributors—accountable to the law.”
According to the FDA, the warning letters are part of a nationwide blitz to crack down on the sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes that are popular with youth—specifically Puff and Hyde products. The blitz included investigations of hundreds of retailers and distributors across the country. All products cited in the warning letters are disposable e-cigarettes, which are the most commonly used e-cigarette product type among youth. Puff Bar and Hyde were the first and third most popular brands used by youth who reported using e-cigarettes, according to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Among youth e-cigarette users, about 20 percent reported usually using Puff Bar or Hyde brand products in 2022.
“Since becoming director of CTP [Center for Tobacco Products], I’ve been crystal clear that FDA will not stand by while retailers and distributors seek to profit off illegally selling products that are well known to appeal to youth,” said Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “Retailers and distributors play a key role in keeping unauthorized tobacco products off the shelves, and if they fail to do so, we’re committed to taking appropriate action.”
To date, the FDA has authorized 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices. These are the only e-cigarette products that currently may be lawfully sold in the U.S. The distribution or sale of unlawfully marketed products is subject to enforcement action.
June 1, 2023
KT&G Appoints Junior Board

Photo: KT&G
KT&G has appointed members for the third term of its Sangsang Junior Board.
The Sangsang Junior Board is a collaborative body for improving corporate culture, aiming to facilitate communication between young members and management.
To help meet this objective, the board appointed KT&G CEO Baek Bok-in as an honorary member.
For the third term of the Sangsang Junior Board, KT&G selected eight individuals through an internal recruitment process. The selected members will serve for 10 months.
In this third term, the board plans to drive corporate culture innovation to help KT&G achieve its vision of becoming a “global top-tier” leader. Furthermore, the board will promote vision alignment and implement improvements in working methods through meetings with management.
“Improving corporate culture and innovating work methods from a fresh perspective will be the fundamental competitiveness for realizing our ‘global top-tier’ vision,” said Baek Bok-in. “Together with the third term of the Sangsang Junior Board, we will strive to establish a corporate culture where all members are respected and work passionately toward creating a company where everyone wants to work.”
May 31, 2023
Swisher Pledges $1 Million in Philanthropy

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Swisher, a family-owned company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, pledged $1 million in donations in 2023, reports GlobeNewswire.
With a refreshed strategy led by Marisa Brighton, Swisher’s senior director of community engagement, the 162-year-old company is placing a renewed emphasis on supporting community causes that tie directly to its core values and shared priorities with employees.
Swisher’s philanthropic efforts will focus on four key areas, including supporting the nation’s heroes and families, community health and well-being, community revitalization, and higher education through strategic partnerships and programs.
“Swisher has long been recognized for its dedication to community service and philanthropy in Jacksonville and beyond,” stated Brighton. “We are reigniting our legacy by forging deeper connections and cultivating enduring partnerships that enhance the quality of life for our community.”
This revitalized focus on community engagement aligns closely with the vision of Swisher President and CEO Neil Kiely.
“As a family-owned company, we carry a profound sense of responsibility to make meaningful investments in the communities where we live and operate,” said Kiely. “Marisa shares this passion and is already establishing key partnerships with esteemed and trustworthy community service providers.”
Swisher commits to investing a minimum of $1 million in community causes and philanthropic initiatives throughout 2023, with a primary focus on Jacksonville.
This investment will be channeled through partnerships with local and national organizations that align with Swisher’s core values and strategic focus areas.
May 31, 2023
FDA Commissioner Laments Lawsuits

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf has lamented the FDA’s ongoing tobacco industry litigation following the agency’s attempt to regulate e-cigarettes, according to Politico. The FDA is facing over 40 lawsuits from companies whose premarket tobacco product applications have been denied.
“We are in a legal battle every single day, and it’s draining on the agency,” Califf said at the annual public meeting of the Reagan-Udall Foundation. “It has a big impact and a much bigger impact than I thought.”
“None of us expected 27 million applications for vaping,” he said.
Califf also noted that enforcement is difficult when it comes to illegal product. “I find myself in the midst of really an epic struggle … when I think of how to enforce when you have an industry that is amazingly creative.”
Califf hinted that the FDA would meet with the Department of Justice soon to discuss enforcement but declined to say more: “Stay tuned on that one.”
May 31, 2023
TMA to Host TPMP Workshop

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TMA is collaborating with EAS Consulting Group to host a one-day workshop on tobacco product manufacturing practices (TPMPs) on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport.
The workshop will include expert speakers from manufacturers, suppliers and law firms to give a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the proposed regulation, its impact on business and the ability to hear shared experiences.
The event is open to all industry stakeholders interested in attending, though space is limited.
Registration is currently open.
May 31, 2023
BAT Malaysia First-Quarter Profits Down

Image: SewcreamStudio | Adobe Stock
BAT Malaysia’s first-quarter net profits were MYR40.32 million ($8.76 million) compared to MYR52.28 million a year prior, according to the New Straits Times. Group revenue declined 25 percent.
The decline in revenue was due to lower volume prompted by the increase in vape usage and persistent tobacco black market, according to BAT Malaysia.
The company’s total market share was 51.5 percent, a decline of 0.4 percent compared to the first quarter of 2022.
“BAT Malaysia is maintaining the growth trajectory of its strategic brands within its premium, aspirational premium and value-for-money segments,” said Nedal Salem, managing director of BAT Malaysia.
“This is in tandem with the company’s aim to deliver combustible value growth to support its multicategory portfolio of reduced-risk products.”
“[W]e aim to continue growing our tobacco-heating product, Glo, which represents our efforts to offer a choice of reduced-risk alternatives to adult smokers,” Salem said. “We will also focus on investing in our VFM [value-for-money] brands and maintaining leadership in the premium segment.”
Short term, the company expects the economic environment to continue exerting pressure on financial performance. “We expect this challenging operating landscape to stretch disposable income, leading to downtrading from legal products to tobacco black market options.
“Nevertheless, in the medium term, we are confident that economic conditions will improve whilst the government looks at introducing balanced regulations on vapor and accelerating their interventions to reduce the tobacco black market,” according to the company.
May 31, 2023
Fiji Tobacco Farming Increasing

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Tobacco farming in Fiji is increasing, according to FBC News.
With tobacco cultivation taking only three months in Fiji, many farmers are turning to the crop as an easier, faster agricultural endeavor. BAT offers support for tobacco farming in the area as well.
“Before, it’s really doing cash crop from the farm and then load it and take it to the market and sell, but this one, it’s different; the market is there,” said one farmer.
Tobacco farming is significantly easier than traditional sugar cane farming, according to another farmer. “Sugar cane farming is very hard. This one [tobacco] is only 3 [months to] 4 months, 4 months finished, which is a good, big amount.”
BAT offers access to quality seeds and modern farming techniques as well as training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives. BAT employs more than 300 farmers across Fiji.
May 30, 2023
New Company Offers Tobacco-Free Nicotine Products

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The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched Badael, a new company offering tobacco-free nicotine products, reports the Saudi Gazette. Badael will offer its products across Saudi Arabia by the end of 2023 with an aim to expand regionally and internationally in the long term.
The PIF announced the establishment of Badael in the run-up to the World Health Organization’s World No Tobacco Day. The company aims to develop, manufacture and distribute innovative products targeted to reduce smoking prevalence and promote healthier lifestyles by offering tobacco-free and less harmful alternatives.
Badael will also aim to deliver on the PIF’s localization mandate by supporting domestic manufacturing, sourcing raw materials, knowledge transfer and development of intellectual property.
The company’s products will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia. Badael aims to provide new economic opportunities and create jobs in the area.
May 30, 2023