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  • Filipino Leaders Press for Smoke-Free Bill

    Filipino Leaders Press for Smoke-Free Bill

    A coalition of Philippine local government leaders is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify House Bill 9603, the Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Bill, as urgent legislation. The proposed measure would establish a nationwide ban on smoking and vaping in indoor public spaces and workplaces, building on smoke-free ordinances already adopted by several cities and provinces.

    Supporters say the bill would strengthen enforcement, expand smoke-free zones, fund cessation programs, and create incentives for local governments that effectively implement tobacco and vaping control measures.

  • Nicokick Partners With Zone for PBR Event

    Nicokick Partners With Zone for PBR Event

    Nicokick.com announced its partnership with ITG Brands’ zone premium nicotine pouches for PBR Teams Wildcatter Days in Oklahoma City from July 31 to August 2. Under the partnership, Nicokick will be the exclusive online retailer for zone’s Spicy nicotine pouch lineup, including Jalapeño Lime, Spicy Strawberry, Spicy Mango, and the new Spicy Mix-Pack.

    Nicokick said zone sales on its platform increased 158% in 2025, making it one of its largest brands. The Spicy lineup will be available in 6 mg and 9 mg nicotine strengths, with Spicy Strawberry exclusive to Nicokick through October 2026 and Spicy Mango available online exclusively through the retailer for at least six months.

  • Don Abram Harris Cigars Files $8B Lawsuit Against PM USA

    Don Abram Harris Cigars Files $8B Lawsuit Against PM USA

    Don Abram Harris Cigars filed an $8 billion lawsuit against Philip Morris USA, an Altria subsidiary, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland over its use of the “Marlboro Man” trademark for a premium cigar. Founder Abram Harris alleges Philip Morris improperly interfered with the company’s trademark application and business operations, claiming the dispute led to the loss of a proposed $50 million investment. Philip Morris has argued the mark could be confused with its Marlboro cigarette trademarks, while Harris is seeking damages, a jury trial, and a court declaration supporting his trademark application.

  • Dutch Seize 1.2M Counterfeit Cigarettes at German Border  

    Dutch Seize 1.2M Counterfeit Cigarettes at German Border  

    Dutch authorities seized 1.2 million counterfeit cigarettes from a van near the German border during a joint Dutch-German police operation on the A7 near Bad Nieuweschans, arresting one suspect and transferring the case to customs for investigation. The seizure brings total illicit cigarette seizures in the Netherlands to 106 million so far this year, as authorities step up enforcement against tobacco smuggling amid high cigarette prices that have fueled demand for black market and cross-border tobacco purchases.

  • Indonesian Tobacco Groups Oppose New Controls

    Indonesian Tobacco Groups Oppose New Controls

    Indonesian tobacco industry groups are urging President Prabowo Subianto to delay implementing regulations under Government Regulation No. 28/2024, warning that proposed measures such as plain packaging, limits on tar and nicotine, and restrictions on additives could lead to job losses, lower sales, and increased illicit trade. The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) said it supports measures including a ban on underage tobacco sales, raising the minimum purchase age to 21, and requiring health warnings to cover 50% of packaging, but argued that standardized packaging for cigarettes and e-cigarettes would undermine legitimate businesses and reduce government excise revenue.

  • ALP Accelerating UK, European Expansion

    ALP Accelerating UK, European Expansion

    ALP Pouches announced its expansion into the UK and European markets as part of its international growth strategy. Founded in late 2024 as a direct-to-consumer brand, ALP said it became the top DTC nicotine pouch brand in the U.S. before entering retail, reaching nearly 1% of U.S. convenience store nicotine pouch sales within 90 days of its retail rollout, according to Nielsen data. The company is launching across 11 European markets in July, with a goal of becoming one of Europe’s leading nicotine pouch brands by 2030. ALP said it will support the expansion through retail partnerships and marketing initiatives, including a global partnership with UFC fighter Conor McGregor.

  • Pyxus to Announce Q1 2027 Financials Aug. 5

    Pyxus to Announce Q1 2027 Financials Aug. 5

    Pyxus International will report its first-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on Aug. 5 before U.S. markets open, followed by an earnings conference call and webcast at 9 a.m. EDT. The global agricultural company said it will release its results for the quarter ended June 30, along with a presentation on its investor relations website prior to the call, where management will discuss the company’s quarterly performance and outlook.

  • Labor Premier Breaks Ranks on Australia’s Tobacco Tax Policy

    Labor Premier Breaks Ranks on Australia’s Tobacco Tax Policy

    Calls are growing in Australia for the federal government to reconsider tobacco excise policy, with critics arguing high cigarette taxes are fueling the illicit tobacco market. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the “massive” excise, which adds about A$30 ($21) to a 20-pack of cigarettes, has created a price gap that benefits illegal sellers. He said the policy needs to be reviewed while emphasizing his opposition to smoking and tobacco companies.

    Former law enforcement officials and lawmakers also warned that seizures alone are not addressing the scale of the illicit trade. Former Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force officer Rohan Pike said enforcement efforts are only capturing a small portion of illegal tobacco entering the country, while Liberal MP Mary Aldred said the black market is contributing to organized crime concerns. The federal government has rejected lowering excise and said it remains focused on enforcement and border seizures.

  • Altria, Juul Ask 9th Circ. To Overturn Antitrust Classes

    Altria, Juul Ask 9th Circ. To Overturn Antitrust Classes

    Altria and Juul Labs are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to overturn a lower court’s decision certifying nationwide antitrust classes in litigation challenging Altria’s former investment in Juul. According to Law 360, the companies are arguing that the certified classes improperly combine a wide range of purchasers with differing legal claims under the laws of multiple states, making class treatment inappropriate.

    The underlying lawsuit alleges that Altria’s 2018 acquisition of a 35% stake in Juul reduced competition in the U.S. e-cigarette market after Altria withdrew its own competing vapor products. Plaintiffs claim the transaction allowed Juul to maintain higher prices and limited consumer choice. Altria and Juul deny the allegations and contend the district court erred by certifying classes that they say contain materially different groups of purchasers with varying legal and factual issues.

  • JT Acquires BREAK, Moro to Expand Combustibles in Europe

    JT Acquires BREAK, Moro to Expand Combustibles in Europe

    Following yesterday’s (July 22) announcement that Japan Tobacco Inc. was acquiring the BREAK and Moro fine-cut tobacco brands from Scandinavian Tobacco Group, the company said the deal is intended to strengthen its combustible tobacco business and support its long-term growth strategy. JT said expanding its fine-cut portfolio in Western Europe will improve returns in its combustibles business, reinforce its position in a key market, and help fund continued investment in reduced-risk products. The company added that the acquisition reflects its disciplined capital allocation strategy and is not expected to have a material impact on its financial performance.