Author: Marissa Dean

PMTA Deadline Approaching

Courtesy: US FDA
Manufacturers of nontobacco nicotine (NTN) products on the market as of April 14, 2022, that wish to continue to market their products are required to submit a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by May 14, 2022.
The May 14 deadline is only for applicants submitting electronically, as required by the FDA. Applicants can, however, request a waiver from the FDA to submit a PMTA in a different format. An application submitted in hard copy must be received by the FDA no later than 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, May 13.
The FDA received from the U.S. District Court of Maryland a 14-day extension to file the first PMTA status reports required by the court’s revised remedial order on April 29.
“The extension request is supported by good cause. Compiling the information needed for the status report has required considerable time and effort, and defendants have been working with plaintiffs to resolve any ambiguities about which applications will be covered in the status report,” the motion states.
The new law additionally provides that an NTN product with a tobacco-derived “previous version” that received a negative action on a PMTA from the FDA, such as a refuse-to-file or marketing denial order, may not continue to be marketed after May 14, 2022, without receiving a marketing granted order from the FDA.
Such products must be removed from the market, even if a new PMTA is submitted, until the marketing granted order is received, according to the agency. Products on the market after July 13, 2022, without an FDA marketing granted order are in violation of section 910 of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and may be subject to FDA enforcement.
For products not on the market on April 14, 2022, a PMTA must be submitted to the FDA and marketing authorization must be received before the product can be sold in the United States.
May 12, 2022
Innokin Launches Lota Vaporizer

Photo: Oleksandr | Adobe Stock
Innokin Technology has launched Lota, it’s new sub-brand of vaporizers, according to a company press release.
Innokin is partnering with Aquios Labs for the Lota. Aquios Labs is a new technology firm that enables water-based e-liquid.
Lota will initially launch with a portfolio of three water-based devices, each with their own position for specific global markets and consumer needs: the Lota Enviro, F600 and Prefilled Pod Kit, according to a company press release.
“Innokin has always believed in embracing new technology,” said George Xia, Innokin’s co-founder. “When first introduced to Aquios Labs, our product development team was impressed with the unique advantages of water-based vaping. Through this exciting partnership, Innokin is proud to launch the Lota brand, offering high-performance water-based vaping in our continued quest of tobacco harm reduction across the globe.”
May 12, 2022
Zimbabwe: Decline in New Tobacco Growers

Photo: Tobacco Reporter Archive
The number of new tobacco growers in Zimbabwe for the 2021–2022 season has declined by 50 percent compared to the previous year, according to a report in The Herald.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), 756 of the new registered farmers are from the communal sector, 244 are A1 farmers, 38 are from the small-scale commercial sector and 56 are from the A2 sector.
Meanwell Gudu, TIMB chief executive, attributed the decline in new registrations to viability issues. “The decline witnessed in terms of registration of new tobacco growers can be attributed to viability issues. The cost of production is going up and the growing demand of the U.S. dollar component in the operations,” he said. “Even farm laborers now demand payment in foreign currency. So without development funding, it becomes a challenge for new tobacco farmers to register.”
Meanwhile, average prices for tobacco exports have marginally increased this year.
“There [are] increased exports, which is a clear reflection of the opening up of the economy post-Covid-19 lockdowns, and there are improvements in logistics,” Gudu said.
So far, Zimbabwe has exported tobacco worth $307.8 million this season compared to $222.2 million in the same period last year.
May 12, 2022
PMI Reaches Gender Balance Goal

Photo: Tobacco Reporter Archive
Philip Morris International has reached its global company-wide target to improve gender balance, ensuring at least 40 percent female representation in managerial roles by 2022, according to a company press release.
Jacek Olczak, CEO at PMI, commented, “I am immensely proud of PMI’s vision, commitment and achievement in ensuring equal opportunities are given to all in the workplace, irrespective of gender. Meeting this target demonstrates that our inclusion and diversity strategy is working. Diverse profiles, backgrounds and perspectives allow us to make better and more considered decisions as well as contribute to better and more sustainable performance. I firmly believe that a culture of fairness, inclusion and diversity [is] crucial to PMI’s progress in achieving a smoke-free future and will continue to benefit the company as we become more reflective of our consumer base.”
“What gets measured really does get done,” said Silke Muenster, chief diversity officer. “This was a whole company effort requiring everyone to take responsibility. I am delighted that we have met our target on time but recognize that we still have a long way to go on our diversity, equity and inclusion journey. With this in mind, we have our next gender representation target: 35 percent of women in senior roles by 2025.
“Having a truly diverse workforce is an essential part of our goal to achieve a smoke-free future. I am very proud of the progress we have made to date, and I am confident about achieving more in the future.”
PMI has also been recertified as a global EQUAL-SALARY organization for the second time since 2019 by the independent EQUAL-SALARY Foundation. The recertification verifies that PMI continues to pay female and male employees equally for equal work in the more than 90 markets where PMI operates.
The EQUAL-SALARY Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization based in Switzerland. The EQUAL-SALARY certification verifies that organizations have sustainable policies and practices to ensure that they pay their male and female employees equally for equal work.
May 12, 2022
Zovoo Launches Dragbar 600S with More Balanced Taste

Photo: Tobacco Reporter Archive
Zovoo launched its disposable Dragbar 600S on May 9.
The new device features an upgraded design of five flower-shaped air inlets, which allows for a more evenly distributed airflow. This creates a more comfortable and balanced taste experience, according to Zovoo.
“Without sacrificing user experience or changing external dimensions, it optimizes the internal space structure of the atomizing rod and enlarges the battery capacity to 500 mAh for durability. This new product delivers enormous value in addition to excellent daily experience,” the company wrote in a press release.
Inheriting the high-quality characteristics and positioning of the company’s previous DRAG series products, the Dragbar 600S adopts GENE chip technology that was developed by ICCPP, the parent company of Zovoo.
GENE has an “innovative and upgraded oil lock design structure that allows users to safely operate without oil leakage,” according to the company. “In addition, the more efficient atomization ability ensures that every drop of tobacco oil is safe and fresh, and the taste experience is consistent.”
The first offerings of the Dragbar 600s includes 10 flavors, including strawberry ice, peach ice and “O.M.G.” In addition, 10 new flavors will be available at a future date.
“Quality and taste are the core to impress consumers and the soul of electronic atomizers. Zovoo always adheres to the concept of ‘user focus’ and constantly develops new disposable vapes to meet the ultimate needs of users all over the world,” the company wrote in its release.
May 10, 2022
Bangkok to Impose Tobacco Tax

Photo: anankkml | Adobe Stock
According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the city will implement its first-ever tobacco tax. The new structure will tax each cigarette up to THB0.10 ($0.003) satang per stick, according to Thaiger.
The Tobacco Tax for Local Maintenance is intended to limit tobacco consumption, and the tax collected will be used “for maintenance of Bangkok city,” according to Suthathip Son-iam, permanent secretary of the BMA.
Other jurisdictions in Thailand already have tobacco taxes in place, and many companies previously warehoused their cigarettes in Bangkok to avoid paying taxes prior to distribution.
“The new tobacco tax can be announced after the city finished amending the Bangkok Administration Act of 1985 to include tax collection and other related clauses under the Plans and Process of Decentralization to Local Government Organization Act of 1999,” according to Son-iam. Previous attempts to amend the act failed.
There is no date for the tax’s introduction as of yet; the Cabinet must approve it first.
May 6, 2022
Hong Kong Police Make First E-Cig Ban Arrests

Photo: Svetliy | Adobe Stock
Hong Kong police arrested two men, who are being held in custody under suspicion of selling and possessing a poison in Part 1 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations as well as selling alternative smoking products, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The arrests follow the implementation of a new e-cigarette ban.
The new law went into effect last weekend, banning the import, sale and manufacture of electronic cigarettes, heated-tobacco products and herbal cigarettes. Those caught breaking the law are subject to a maximum fine of HKD50,000 ($6,370) and six months’ imprisonment. Under the law, consumers are still allowed to use vaping products.
Police seized 94 boxes of suspected nicotine-containing electronic cigarette cartridges and 74 smoking devices from a mobile retail outlet in Mong Kok.
“The government appeals to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others,” said a Department of Health spokesperson.
May 6, 2022
Hausmann Retires From Pyxus International

Photo: jovannig | Adobe Stock
Carl L. Hausmann intends to retire from the Pyxus International’s board of directors effective as of the 2022 annual shareholders meeting, according to a company press release.
Hausmann was appointed to Pyxus’ board of directors in October 2020 and serves on the environmental, social, governance and nominating committee as well as the audit committee. Additionally, Hausmann served as a member of the board of directors of Pyxus International’s predecessor, Alliance One International, from June 2013 to August 2018.
“On behalf of the board of directors, as well as Pyxus’ management team, we thank Carl for his guidance and many contributions over the years,” said Pyxus President and CEO Pieter Sikkel. “His extensive experience in the agricultural industry, thorough understanding of our operations and support of our ESG framework has been instrumental in establishing the foundation necessary to position Pyxus for success moving forward. It has been a privilege to work with Carl during both of his board appointments, and we wish him all the best in the years to come.”
The board of directors plans to fill Hausmann’s seat with an independent director, though this may not occur until after the company’s 2022 annual shareholders meeting.
May 6, 2022
Philippines: Illegal Cigarettes Cost Country Billions of Pesos

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
The Philippine government is losing about PHP26 billion in taxes annually due to illicit cigarettes, according to The Manila Bulletin.
About 13 percent of cigarettes sold in the Philippines are illegal, stated PBA Party-List Representative Jericho Jonas B. Nograles, citing a Euromonitor International report.
“Euromonitor estimates [that] in some areas in Mindanao, six of 10 cigarettes sold in retail are illegal,” Nograles said.
Outside Mindanao, illegal tobacco trade is prominent in Bataan (31.6 percent), Palawan (24.8 percent), Nueva Ecija (22.2 percent) and Zambales (11.5 percent).
In 2021, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected nearly PHP180 billion in excise taxes from the tobacco industry. The BIR also estimated that the government lost PHP3.8 billion in revenue from 2018 to 2021 due to illicit trade.
Meanwhile, the Customs’ apprehensions on illicit tobacco products reported foregone excise taxes of PHP2.9 billion from 2019 to 2022.
April 8, 2022
EU Rules Thwart Danish Plan to Restrict Smoking

Photo: Zerbor
The Danish government’s plan to ban those born after 2010 from buying nicotine products has been blocked by the European Union’s rules, reports EURACTIV.
The Danish government’s health reform package was introduced in March of this year but immediately faced feasibility questions.
EU rules make it impossible for member states to ban or restrict tobacco marketing. “The ministry of health, therefore, considers that a ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to people born in 2010 or later would require an amendment to the European Tobacco Products Directive,” wrote Health Minister Magnus Heunicke in a parliamentary answer earlier this week.
April 8, 2022