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  • Zest Gets Injunction Against FDA for Pouches

    Zest Gets Injunction Against FDA for Pouches

    Zest Brands LLC announced that it secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, allowing its ZEO Universe nicotine pouch products to remain on the U.S. market while the company challenges an FDA Refuse-to-File (RTF) decision related to its May 2022 Premarket Tobacco Product Applications. The injunction temporarily stays the FDA’s action as the case proceeds through the courts.

    According to the company, the court found Zest Brands is likely to succeed on claims that the FDA failed to adequately assess the impact of its 2021 PMTA regulations on small businesses, as required under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The court also indicated that aspects of the agency’s actions may have been “arbitrary and capricious.” Zest said it remains committed to working with the FDA to complete the PMTA process and is currently in discussions with strategic and financial partners to support future growth.

  • Kenyan Tobacco Farmers Protest Harsh Working Conditions

    Kenyan Tobacco Farmers Protest Harsh Working Conditions

    Tobacco farmers in Migori County, Kenya, are calling on the government to require leaf-buying companies to provide protective equipment, citing health risks linked to tobacco cultivation. Growers from Kuria, Suna West, and Uriri regions say more than 20,000 farmers could benefit from access to basic gear such as gloves, aprons, and masks, which they argue are necessary to reduce exposure to skin and respiratory illnesses associated with handling tobacco.

    Some farmers say they are currently bearing medical costs linked to tobacco-related ailments and accuse companies of not prioritizing worker safety, while also urging stricter enforcement of safety requirements in the sector. Tobacco firms operating in the region, including British American Tobacco and other leaf companies, have said protective gear is provided under existing arrangements or offered on credit, though they acknowledge cost and compliance challenges. The dispute comes alongside broader environmental concerns raised by officials, who warn that tobacco curing practices relying on wood fuel are contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation in parts of the region.

  • Bangladesh’s Bidi Prices Remain Unchanged for FY27

    Bangladesh’s Bidi Prices Remain Unchanged for FY27

    Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced today (June 9), during a parliamentary question-and-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad, that bidi prices and tax rates will remain unchanged in the FY27 national budget. The decision means there will be no increase in the retail price of bidis or adjustments to the existing tax structure, including the 15% VAT and 1% health development surcharge applied to the product.

    The announcement came in response to a parliamentary question on whether the government would raise taxes or retail prices on bidis through higher supplementary duties or revised pricing structures. The minister confirmed that the current framework will be maintained, keeping bidi taxation and pricing consistent with the previous fiscal year.

  • Oman Health Officials Call for Stronger Tobacco Laws

    Oman Health Officials Call for Stronger Tobacco Laws

    Public health experts in Oman are calling for stronger tobacco control legislation amid concerns over a rising tobacco and nicotine use threat, according to a recent article in the Oman Daily Observer. The report highlights warnings that smoking and related products are creating increasing pressures on healthcare systems.

    Experts cited in the article are urging policymakers to strengthen enforcement measures and expand regulatory frameworks to cover both traditional tobacco and newer nicotine products. The discussion also emphasizes concerns around youth exposure and industry marketing practices, with calls for tighter advertising restrictions, higher taxation, and broader prevention strategies aligned with international public health guidance.

  • Health Groups Urge China to Raise Tobacco Taxes

    Health Groups Urge China to Raise Tobacco Taxes

    A recent article in Caixin Global reports that China is facing sustained pressure on public health systems as its population ages and chronic disease rates rise, with smoking reduction remaining a key policy challenge. At a media briefing on tobacco taxation and health co-hosted by the Beijing Tobacco Control Association, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, and the University of International Business and Economics, experts highlighted tobacco tax increases as one of the most effective tools available to reduce smoking prevalence.

    Speakers at the briefing argued that higher tobacco taxes can both discourage consumption and support broader public health goals tied to China’s long-term disease burden. The discussion comes amid ongoing concerns that smoking rates remain relatively high despite existing control measures, reinforcing calls from health experts for stronger fiscal policies as part of a wider tobacco control strategy that also addresses demographic and healthcare system pressures.

  • New Report Predicts 17% Increase in Cigarette Market by 2032

    New Report Predicts 17% Increase in Cigarette Market by 2032

    Research and Markets released a new industry report today (June 9), projecting that the global cigarette market will grow from an estimated $637.7 billion in 2025 to $748.1 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%. The report highlights continued demand across global markets, with the flavored cigarette segment expected to reach $457.6 billion by 2032, while unflavored products are forecast to grow at a faster 3.1% CAGR. The U.S. cigarette market was valued at $197.3 billion in 2025, while China is projected to expand at a 4.2% CAGR to $162.5 billion by 2032. The report cites factors including affordability, cultural acceptance, peer influence, celebrity endorsements, and ongoing marketing efforts as key drivers of consumption. The 631-page report sells for $5,850.

  • AIR Updates Financials After Nasdaq Listing

    AIR Updates Financials After Nasdaq Listing

    AIR Global Plc released additional operating and financial details following its recent Nasdaq listing, reporting a closing price of $6.91 per share and approximately 160.39 million ordinary shares outstanding as of June 5. That total includes roughly 5 million shares subject to return under a Forward Purchase Agreement and 8.69 million earnout shares tied to future share-price milestones that had not been vested.

    The company also outlined the mechanics of its May 11 Forward Purchase Agreement with Harraden Circle Investments LLC, which covers 5 million shares and could provide AIR with approximately $52.45 million in gross proceeds if executed in full. AIR said it had net debt of about $268 million as of Dec. 31, 2025, excluding certain lease liabilities, derivative liabilities, and transaction-cost adjustments. The company added that it received approximately $2.3 million of cash in connection with its business combination with Cantor Equity Partners III and incurred transaction costs and fees of up to $55 million.

  • 19 AGs Urge F1 to Ban Nicotine Sponsorships

    19 AGs Urge F1 to Ban Nicotine Sponsorships

    A coalition of attorneys general from 19 states and jurisdictions has urged Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to end all sponsorships involving tobacco and nicotine products, including nicotine pouches. In a letter sent June 8, the coalition argued that nicotine-related sponsorships connected to Formula 1 teams and events could expose younger audiences to marketing for addictive products and undermine longstanding public health efforts aimed at reducing youth nicotine use.

    The letter cites Formula 1’s growing youth audience and increasing reach through social media, streaming platforms, and partnerships with consumer brands as factors heightening concern over nicotine product promotion. The coalition also referenced the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and noted that more than 160 public health organizations made a similar appeal earlier this year, calling on Formula 1 to eliminate tobacco- and nicotine-related sponsorships from the sport.

  • Ohio Court to Weigh Cities’ Tobacco Ban Rules

    Ohio Court to Weigh Cities’ Tobacco Ban Rules

    The Ohio Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments tomorrow (June 9) in a closely watched case that could determine whether municipalities have the authority to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products. The dispute centers on flavored tobacco bans enacted by several Ohio cities, including Columbus, Bexley, Grandview Heights, and Worthington, and on whether those ordinances are preempted by state law.

    While the case focuses on flavored tobacco products, the Columbus Dispatch says its implications could extend well beyond the nicotine category. The court’s decision is expected to clarify the scope of municipal “home rule” powers in Ohio and could influence how local governments regulate a range of industries and products. For tobacco and nicotine companies, the ruling may determine whether cities can continue to impose their own flavored product restrictions or whether such regulation will remain primarily under state control.

  • Philippine Health Groups Call for Science in Nicotine Control

    Philippine Health Groups Call for Science in Nicotine Control

    Health advocates, academics, and industry representatives urged Philippine lawmakers to base proposed amendments to Republic Act 11900 on scientific evidence, while stepping up enforcement against illegal vape products during a recent Senate hearing. Stakeholders argued that regulations should balance youth protection with access to smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers.

    Dr. Lorenzo Mata of Quit for Good said strict safeguards, including age restrictions and product standards, remain essential, while Professor Michael Eric Castillo of CAPS and Partners cautioned that overly restrictive rules could drive consumers toward the illicit market. The growth of unauthorized vape sales emerged as a key issue, with participants calling for stronger enforcement as the Senate reviews potential changes to the country’s vape law.