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  • Bangladesh Approves Strict New Tobacco-Control Measures

    Bangladesh Approves Strict New Tobacco-Control Measures

    Bangladesh’s Council of Advisers approved the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 on December 24, paving the way for stricter tobacco control measures. The ordinance proposes a ban on the use, production, and marketing of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and “similar items,” while expanding the definition of tobacco products to include nicotine pouches.

    The amended law also prohibits the use of all tobacco products in public places and public transport, with designated smoking areas subject to government directives. Advertising, promotion, and display of tobacco products—including online marketing—would be fully banned, and enforcement powers strengthened through expanded definitions of public places and transport.

    In addition, the ordinance increases mandatory health warnings on tobacco packaging from 50% to 75% of the pack surface. The government said the measures are aimed at significantly reducing tobacco use and strengthening public health protection nationwide.

  • MCTC Demands Probe After Bribe Claims

    MCTC Demands Probe After Bribe Claims

    A day after claims that a former health minister was offered RM50 million ($12.5 million) to drop the generational endgame (GEG) provision from a tobacco control bill, the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) has called for an independent public inquiry into alleged tobacco industry interference in national legislation. The alleged bribe, offered and rejected by Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, has raised concerns over public sector integrity and the rule of law.

    MCTC president Prof. Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy said any attempt to influence legislation through financial inducements constitutes a serious criminal offence, adding that failure to report an attempted bribe may also breach the law. The council said the allegations reinforce earlier admissions that tobacco and vape industry lobbying influenced the removal of the GEG provision from the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.

    Calling the issue a matter of national integrity and public interest, MCTC urged authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, to launch a transparent inquiry into the alleged offer and broader industry influence. The group also renewed calls for stronger safeguards against tobacco industry interference, including a political financing law and a binding code of conduct aligned with WHO tobacco control standards.

  • FDA Hosting PMTA Roundtable for Small ENDS Manufacturers

    FDA Hosting PMTA Roundtable for Small ENDS Manufacturers

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Federal Register notice announcing a roundtable discussion with small tobacco product manufacturers on February 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. The meeting will focus on gathering feedback on premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) submissions for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and is open for public viewing.

    Participation in the roundtable is limited to 30 representatives from manufacturers with fewer than 350 employees who have previously submitted an ENDS PMTA, including applications that are still pending with the FDA. The discussion will give small manufacturers an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives on the PMTA process, including challenges related to product characterization, manufacturing controls, pharmacological studies, adult benefit research, and toxicological assessments.

    Manufacturers interested in participating as panelists must send an email to register by January 27, 2026, with selections made on a rolling basis and limited to one representative per company. Non-panelists and members of the public will be able to watch the roundtable virtually via information posted on the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products website. The meeting will be recorded and captioned.

  • Thailand Police Bust Illegal Vape Production Hub

    Thailand Police Bust Illegal Vape Production Hub

    Thailand’s Cyber Crime Police dismantled a large-scale illegal e-cigarette production and storage operation in Pattaya, arresting a 36-year-old Chinese national and seizing vaping products and equipment valued at more than 10 million baht ($320,000). Authorities recovered thousands of ready-to-use pods, empty cartridges, coils, devices, large quantities of e-liquid, and manufacturing equipment from a rented house used as the operation’s base. Police said the crackdown aligns with national efforts to curb the illegal trade of prohibited vaping products, particularly those distributed through online platforms and tourist areas.

  • PerfectVape Launches Customer Loyalty Program

    PerfectVape Launches Customer Loyalty Program

    Vape retailer PerfectVape announced a new points-based loyalty program, allowing customers to earn rewards and discounts through purchases and social media engagement. Shoppers earn points per dollar spent, which can be redeemed for discounts of up to $250, as the company looks to strengthen customer retention and brand loyalty in the vaping market.

  • Leaf Forge Appoints New Operations Director

    Leaf Forge Appoints New Operations Director

    Leaf Forge, an affiliate of Xcaliber International, named Steven Crossland as its new Director of Operations. Crossland brings more than 10 years of leadership experience in the tobacco and manufacturing sectors, most recently serving as Vice President of Cut Rag Sales at Hail & Cotton.

    In his new role, Crossland will oversee day-to-day operations, optimize supply chain performance, coordinate production schedules, and support Leaf Forge’s long-term growth strategy. Xcaliber CEO Derrick Taylor said Crossland’s industry expertise will be key as the company expands its operational infrastructure.

  • Bribery Claim Rekindles Malaysia Tobacco Policy Controversy

    Bribery Claim Rekindles Malaysia Tobacco Policy Controversy

    Malaysia’s tobacco and vape policy debate resurfaced after a senior PKR figure alleged that tobacco companies offered a RM50 million bribe to drop the proposed generational endgame (GEG) ban on tobacco and vape sales to future generations. According to Malaysia Now, Sivamalar Genapathy, a PKR deputy secretary-general and former aide to ex-health minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, claimed the offer was rejected, but confirmed no report was made to anti-corruption authorities—raising legal and political questions under Malaysia’s MACC Act, as not reporting a bribe is an offense punishable by a fine and up to 10 years in prison.

    The allegations revive scrutiny of the government’s earlier decision to abandon the GEG provision in the Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill, a move criticized by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and public health groups as capitulating to industry interests. The episode adds renewed pressure on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, highlighting ongoing tensions between public health objectives, regulatory decisions on vaping and nicotine, and the influence of tobacco industry lobbying in Malaysia.

  • Study Finds All Nicotine Products Pose Heart Health Risks

    Study Finds All Nicotine Products Pose Heart Health Risks

    A new review published in the European Heart Journal finds that nicotine, regardless of how it is consumed, raises blood pressure, harms blood vessels, and increases the risk of heart disease, challenging perceptions that vaping or other alternatives are safer for cardiovascular health. The researchers said all nicotine products—including vapes, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco, shisha, and cigarettes—can damage the heart and blood vessels, with risks extending to both users and people exposed to secondhand smoke or vapor.

    After analyzing decades of research, the authors warn that the rapid growth of vaping, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouch use—especially among teens and young adults driven by flavors and social media marketing—could worsen public health outcomes. Researchers found that secondhand exposure to smoke and vapor can impair vascular function in non-users, prompting calls for stricter regulation.

  • Don Emmanuel Cigars Enters South African Market

    Don Emmanuel Cigars Enters South African Market

    Don Emmanuel Cigars has announced its expansion into South Africa, marking the brand’s first entry into the African continent. Distribution will be handled by Amano Cigars, a leading South African importer and distributor that also operates the Pedro Portia Cigar & Champagne Lounge in Gauteng. The move follows recent expansion across the Caribbean and Latin America, driven by growing demand for the brand’s debut line, Anunnaki, co-blended with master blender Eladio Díaz and produced in the Dominican Republic.

    All three Anunnaki vitolas—Anu, Ki, and Corona Fina—will be available in South Africa. Company executives said the expansion reflects a disciplined international growth strategy focused on markets with established premium cigar cultures and appreciation for craftsmanship.

  • Pennsylvania Vape Registry Bill Draws Opposition From Both Sides

    Pennsylvania Vape Registry Bill Draws Opposition From Both Sides

    Vaping industry representatives and anti-smoking advocates are both opposing legislation moving through Pennsylvania’s General Assembly that would establish a statewide list of sanctioned nicotine vape products, according to the Altoona Mirror. The state Senate has passed an amended version of House Bill 1425, which would require vape products to appear on a state-managed directory—based on FDA authorization—to be legally sold, and the bill now returns to the House for a concurrence vote.

    Supporters say the measure would help prosecutors crack down on illicit vape sales, but critics argue it would disproportionately benefit large tobacco companies whose products dominate the FDA registry, while forcing hundreds of independent vape shops out of business. Industry groups warn thousands of jobs could be affected, while public health advocates contend the bill could legitimize flavored products that appeal to youth. Under the proposal, manufacturers would face registration fees, and retailers selling non-listed products could be fined, with enforcement beginning after a phased implementation period.