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  • COP10 to Reject Harm Reduction: Briefing

    COP10 to Reject Harm Reduction: Briefing

    Photo: Alesmunt

    Tobacco harm reduction will be absent at the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), according to new briefing paper published by the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR).

    Scheduled for Nov. 20-23 in Panama City, COP10 will have a significant influence how tobacco policies are implemented at a national level, which in turn will determine the future of safer nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products and nicotine pouches.

    To determine the potential impact of the conference on tobacco harm reduction, the GSTHR analyzed the COP10 agenda and supporting documents.

    The GSTHR’s analysis indicates that at present, tobacco harm reduction and its potential to reduce smoking-related death and disease are entirely missing from the proceedings. The publicly available documentation ahead of the FCTC COP10 presents safer nicotine products as a threat to tobacco control rather than as potential tools to support a switch from smoking and reduce high-risk tobacco use.

    Parties to the FCTC are expected to be encouraged to classify and regulate nicotine vapes, snus, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products in the same way as tobacco and combustible tobacco. This risks removing or reducing access to safer options from people who already use them and may return to smoking—and from people who smoke and have the potential to switch and improve their health, according to the GSTHR, which is a project of Knowledge Action Change (KAC).

    The WHO and FCTC Secretariat’s refusal to engage with evidence from multiple countries that have witnessed accelerated declines in smoking rates is unscientific and unjustifiable.

    Gerry Stimson, director, KAC

    “Having observed the WHO’s activities on this issue for some time, many are unsurprised that the FCTC COP10 meeting papers reveal a concerning direction of travel,” said KAC Director Gerry Stimson in a statement.

    “The WHO and FCTC Secretariat’s refusal to engage with evidence from multiple countries that have witnessed accelerated declines in smoking rates is unscientific and unjustifiable. Their repeated characterization of safer nicotine products as a threat to tobacco control runs directly counter to what should be the overarching goals of the Convention–to reduce smoking-related deaths and disease as rapidly and effectively as possible.

    “People who use safer nicotine products are barred and have no voice at the FCTC COP10. Those Parties who have successfully adopted and supported access to these products as effective tools for smoking cessation must ensure that their own progress is not hindered by COP decisions—and that the potential for tobacco harm reduction is given due consideration by all Parties present in Panama next month.”

  • Panel: Reinforcing Scientific Research

    Panel: Reinforcing Scientific Research

    During the Reinforcing Scientific Research panel held as part of September’s Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum in Seoul, South Korea, New Zealand-based Marewa Glover, director of the Center of Research Excellence on Indigenous Sovereignty and Smoking, made the point that the forum had heard many times how there is a need for tobacco and nicotine policies to be grounded in science and, therefore, evidence-based. There is, in fact, no disagreement on this point between tobacco control officials and tobacco harm reduction (THR) advocates, she said. However, care needs to be exercised because a form of evidence has been appropriated by some opposed to THR, and they are driving a broad social change agenda aimed at instituting a utopia where, for instance, no one would ever use drugs. They used scientific platforms loaded with people who shared their views to spread their ideology. They redefined the meanings of words so that unproven assertions became facts and facts became lies. To combat such views, she added, it is necessary for THR advocates to produce demonstrably robust research as part of a project that includes a communication strategy identifying stakeholders and how the information is to be gotten to them.

    Glover had been asked three questions by moderator, Mark Littlewood, director general of the Institute of Economic Affairs: What needed to be done to reinforce scientific research into tobacco and nicotine?; who should form the audience for the research findings?; and how should the findings of junk science be challenged?—questions he also posed to the rest of the panel.

    Kai-Jen Chuang, professor in the Department of Public Health at Taipei Medical University, explained that THR is not taught as part of medical degrees in Taiwan and therefore is not a well-recognized term, even though harm reduction principles are engaged in other areas. In fact, vapes were banned in Taiwan on March 22 this year. What is taught is health promotion and, more latterly as part of social-work courses, disaster reduction. He pointed out, nevertheless, that health promotion, disaster reduction and THR have similar goals, so those from outside Taiwan wishing to engage at conferences with public health officials over THR principles should present their papers, translated into Chinese, as health promotion studies. Nevertheless, he warned that it would be difficult, because of their training, to convince public health people of all stripes of the efficacy of using new technology to reduce the harm caused by smoking. The starting point for getting across messages about THR, he added, should be scholars with open minds, and from there, the focus could move to journalists and politicians.

    Riccardo Polosa, professor of internal medicine at the University of Catania and founder of the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), said there is a need to reinforce quality science that has good repeatability. Repeatability, he added, is currently in crisis and not just in respect of tobacco control science, so the CoEHAR has established a comprehensive repeatability program pertaining to research into toxicity and biology in respect of combustion-free, nicotine-containing products. The program involves setting up and researching in seven laboratories with the same equipment and the same procedures to come up with super strong findings. Another thing that is needed, Polosa said, is to shift the focus from risk to harm. Relative risk has been studied for a decade now, and it is an easy win if combustible products are compared with combustible-free products. So now is the time to look at the absolute risk and show that it is low and that the level of harm is super low. This would provide a better position from which to convince governments, regulators and the public. Polosa had some good news on junk science, which he said is easy to debunk because it is junk, though this takes energy and time and requires a willingness to do it. A global network of scientists is actively rebutting junk science articles, though the challenge now is to speed up this process of rebuttal.

    Picking up on an earlier comment about uncertainty, Konstantinos Farsalinos, research fellow at the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, made the point that uncertainty is inherent in science and essential to human progress. There is nothing wrong with uncertainty provided that it is not used to maintain the status quo, especially where the status quo has failed miserably. It is important, also, that uncertainties are not used as the basis for decision-making, which needs to be based on current knowledge. But one problem being faced today is that current knowledge is not being used to make decisions [about THR]; rather, decisions are being made on the back of the abuse of uncertainties [that the long-term use of THR strategies are unknowable at this stage]. Revisiting the 1986 Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion by the World Health Organization, Farsalinos said, it is obvious that it was basically talking about harm reduction in our everyday lives. Everything, even medicine itself, was a harm reduction science because it was not possible, probably, to cure any disease besides certain infections. We were treating diseases and reducing the adverse effects and consequences of diseases. This was all known. What is needed now is the reinforcement of the applicability of scientific data, of which there is a lot, on decision-making, something that has not happened in many parts of the world. Finally, Farsalinos said that he has had bad experiences in rebutting junk science even though he has been successful. Basically, he had run into a wall behind which people had decided what they believed and were casting around for the data to support their predetermined views. With science, you have to do the opposite of that, he said.

  • Keynote: Julian Cheung

    Keynote: Julian Cheung

    The 2023 GTNF conference theme of “Change the Conversation. Change the Outcome.” was reiterated by keynote speaker Julian Cheung, anti-illicit trade operations director for Japan Tobacco International’s Asia-Pacific region. Cheung spoke on changing the conversations about illegal trade.

    Before working with JTI, Cheung worked for the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong, bringing much experience to the subject of anti-illicit trade.

    She noted that there are many aspects to anti-illicit trade operations, including investigations, collecting evidence and looking at the forensics of samples. JTI works closely with law enforcement agencies to stop illicit trade, according to Cheung.

    Behind the contraband, Cheung said, is often organized crime, which takes advantage of shifts in supply and demand and sees tobacco as a “high-profit, low-risk” market.

    The illicit tobacco trade “impacts us all,” she said. Many jurisdictions have attempted to limit tobacco product usage and illicit trade through increased excise taxes, which has only led to more illicit trade—back to supply and demand; the demand is high, and if organized crime can offer supply at lower prices, they will profit rather than the licit industry. Online commerce, too, has made it easier for illicit products to flood the market. Consumers do not have an easy way to determine whether the products they order online are illicit or legal, regulated products. Online sales increased during the Covid-19 pandemic as many “nonessential” businesses closed either temporarily or permanently.

    Cheung expressed a need for greater cooperation between governments, industry and law enforcement agencies at national and international levels to help combat illicit trade. The tobacco industry has a role to play, she said. Policies should be better balanced with deterrents that disrupt the financial gain of criminal networks.

    “Let’s switch the narrative on illegal trade and act together,” Cheung said. “Through innovative strategies, cooperations and a focus on disrupting the financial foundation of these criminal networks, we can curtail the illegal trade and safeguard our communities and economies.”

  • Keynote: Brian King

    Keynote: Brian King

    When Brian King speaks, people come to listen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) director’s keynote address was easily the best attended session of GTNF 2023. King’s speech served as an overview of the current state of the CTP and an outline of the center’s main priorities over the next few years.

    King said that the CTP has made considerable progress in reducing combustible cigarette smoking in the United States, which he contends as one of the most remarkable public health achievements of the past century. He hopes that those declines continue, given that “we do know” that combustible smoking is responsible for the overwhelming burden of death from using combustible tobacco.

    Tobacco use continues to cost the U.S. government a considerable amount of money—to the tune of $600 billion per year from both direct healthcare costs and lost productivity, according to King. He said there are important human health benefits as well as financial benefits for regulators to continue to focus on reducing combustible use in the United States. As a part of this focus, he said, the CTP is continuing to make inroads when it comes to premarket tobacco production application review.

    “We have a new director of our Office of Science who has jumped in headfirst to continue to fiercely lead our 550-plus scientists on application review …. We have processed 99 percent of those and continue to finalize the remaining 1 percent. I’m hopeful that in the coming months and years, we will get back to what was intended to be a premarket approval process,” said King. “In the meantime, we have authorized 23 e-cigarettes, all tobacco flavored. So, it is possible. We have had successful authorizations. But again, I can’t reinforce enough the importance of providing that sound and robust science to inform on potential authorization.

    “And it is possible, as you can see. There will be more authorizations in the future, but it’s important that we have that science to support those decisions. As I noted earlier, we also continue to fold in the nontobacco nicotine work into our broader portfolio around regulation. We did receive a million applications, which I don’t think anyone anticipated. I will say that we are making great numbers. We are 99.9 percent through with the review of those. I will say that 100 percent is very imminent.”

    King said that when it comes to products that are illegally on the market (having received a marketing authorization and are not currently under review by the CTP), the CTP is mindful of the importance in exercising all authorities that it has to ensure that people are complying with the law. He said that the FDA has given retailers the information they need to comply with the law through a list of authorized products (the 23 products that have been authorized for sale). The CTP also continues to ramp up efforts in terms of training, education and outreach across the supply chain, particularly to retailers.

    “We also continue to do surveillance inspection investigations. This is something that occurs on a daily basis. We have arrangements with all 50 states and territories to continue to do investigations. We have issued many warning letters for flavored disposable e-cigarettes, which we know are particularly popular for youth,” said King. “There’s been a variety of blitzes that have occurred monthly throughout the summer. I will say there are more to come. We are going to continue to conduct those blitzes and making sure that we are routinely monitoring, particularly with a focus on those products that we know have high youth appeal.

    “On balance, we are also continuing to do work around issuing import alerts. I was a little tickled by all the attention that the import alert on Elf Bar got. That’s nothing new, folks. We’ve been doing that for many years. It was suggested it was something seismographic, but we’ve been doing import alerts for quite some time. And we do use those as, again, another tool in our toolkit to make sure that we are addressing not only the products that are already in the country but preventing illegal products from entering the country.”

    As of Sept. 31, the FDA has issued over 1,200 warning letters for online investigations. For manufacturers, the CTP has sent more than 800 warning letters, with more than 750 letters for e-cigarettes. Beginning earlier this year, the FDA also issued the first civil money penalties against manufacturers for violations for illegal e-cigarette sales. He said civil money penalties will remain a part of the CTP’s tools to combat illicit sales.

    “We also issued the first six injunctions in coordination with the Department of Justice. I got a lot of flak for that as well about enlisting the Department of Justice. And I will remind folks that the FDA doesn’t have an independent litigation authority. If folks do not comply with the law, we will escalate further, as has been evidenced by these actions, which again are going to be part of our broader portfolio moving forward,” said King. “Everyone is going to be held accountable across the supply chain. We do want to make sure that we address the bad actors in a meaningful way. We also continue to pursue no tobacco sale orders among retailers as well. This has traditionally been issued for underage sales. But again, we’re committed to using the full scope of our authorities granted through Congress.”

    King added that education is also a priority for the CTP. The center is ramping up efforts to address misinformation in the continuum of risk for nicotine products. He mentioned that he recently wrote a commentary where he highlighted the importance of opportunities and considerations for addressing misperceptions in nicotine. “There is science that exists in that there are misperceptions around the continuum of risk and also nicotine. And so, we do have opportunities that are present, but we have to follow the data-driven pandemic-based approach,” he explained. “That said, I’m putting my money where my mouth is …. We’re working with the National Institutes of Health for a funding opportunity to get more data on public health communication messaging about the continuum of risk.

    “And as noted in that funding announcement, we’re looking for data both for the target population, which is called smokers, but also unintended populations, particularly youth. This is several million dollars on an annual basis, and we look forward to that kickstarting and getting data to inform our work.”

    King said the CTP will also continue to gather input from the industry and the public. The CTP is creating a new office within the Office of the Center Director and is looking to hire a new director for Policy and Partnerships. “That posting is public,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to seeing those who have applied and getting someone in that seat to meaningfully oversee the product regulation portfolio across the center, particularly as we get that strategic plan in place.”

    During the closing of his address, King said that he continues to be big on communication and stakeholder engagement. He expects to provide the industry with more opportunities for communication with the CTP. “I know that you’ll see in the future an evolution of our messaging. Both through our press releases, our social media and our [overall] messaging to make sure that we are clearer, simpler and more digestible,” he said. “I’ve been a bureaucrat for many years, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t communicate effectively with the general public. I think we can do better. I know we can do better.”

  • Zimbabwe Tobacco Export Earnings Up

    Zimbabwe Tobacco Export Earnings Up

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Zimbabwe has recorded a 26 percent increase in export earnings from tobacco products, according to The Herald.

    Export earnings were USD603 million in the January 2023 to August 2023 period, up from USD477 million in the same 2022 period, following the operationalization of the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCT).

    Zimbabwe exports partly or whole stemmed/stripped tobacco or not stemmed/stripped tobacco, tobacco refuse, cigars, cheroots and cigarillos containing tobacco, cigarettes and manufactured tobacco.

    Volume increased 13 percent, and the average price increased 12 percent.

    Of the exported product, 71 percent was partly or wholly stemmed/stripped tobacco, and 19 percent was tobacco refuse, the same trend from 2022.

    “There has been a significant increase in shipments to the Far East as shipping constraints have eased,” said Rodney Ambrose, CEO of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association. “Also, a higher value crop has been exported to select destinations. Unfortunately, the same growth cannot be said of growers’ earnings. The future of the tobacco sector remains positive, provided we can address issues around growers’ viability and sustainability.”

    “Credit must be given to farmers who continue to grow the crop even if they are breaking even or making a loss with the hope that one day, they will make a profit,” said George Seremwe, chairman of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association. “Contractors also should be thanked for rendering support to farmers. However, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) must work on reducing or eliminating the participation and licensing of surrogates (middlemen) who are putting huge markups on their services to the detriment of farmers.”

    Farmer profitability can only be enhanced if all stakeholders work to reduce production cost with the TIMB enforcing contract pricing and monitoring the delivery of adequate inputs to farmers on time, according to Seremwe.

    The government and tobacco stakeholders came up with the TVCT with the aim of creating a USD5 billion industry by 2023.

    Export of tobacco products has been on an upward trend, with earnings of USD795 million in 2020, USD837 million in 2021 and USD998 million last year. By the end of this year, earnings are expected to exceed USD1 billion.

  • Pacific Cigarette Co. in Voluntary Business Rescue

    Pacific Cigarette Co. in Voluntary Business Rescue

    Image: iridescentstreet

    The Pacific Cigarette Company (PCC) was granted a request to be placed under voluntary business rescue following an assessment by revenue authorities that alleged tax violations and outstanding obligations, leaving the company facing liability in the amounts of USD19.3 million and USD79.8 billion, reports The Herald.

    The tax liability also put the company in an insolvent position, according to the PCC, formerly Savanna Tobacco Company.

    The PCC connects the financial issues to foreign currency challenges faced by Zimbabwe in 2005, when the PCC entered a partnership with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and piloted toll manufacturing to survive the introduction of 50 percent foreign currency surrender requirements on exports.

    “Through toll manufacturing, PCC and other businesses were able to source raw materials from their customers, ensuring their sustainability, while complying with the RBZ’s 50 percent foreign currency surrender requirements,” the company said.

    “Then the Reserve Bank governor promoted toll manufacturing as a durable business model for companies facing similar foreign currency challenges.

    “Since then, the toll manufacturing model has been our accepted raw material funding model, removing the need for PCC to finance the working capital for export raw materials.

    “In June this year, without any notice, Zimra performed a spectacular U-turn that has undermined the stability of the business and deemed the raw materials funded by our customers as income, subject to VAT,” according to the PCC.

    “They also levied an arbitrary markup and interest penalties on PCC for the tax assessment period 2018 to 2020, to which we have objected.

    “The issued tax assessments against the company impose tax liabilities amounting to USD19.3 million and USD79.8 billion.” The PCC alleges that Zimra garnished all its bank accounts. “Next, Zimra took the unprecedented step of instructing our customers to pay Zimra any monies owed to PCC, effectively closing off all the company’s income streams.

    “In an effort to get the garnish lifted, PCC submitted a payment plan proposal while awaiting the determination of the objection, which payment plan was rejected by the tax authority,” said the PCC.

    “Zimra’s unprecedented actions on false tax violations have regrettably placed PCC in an insolvent position, forcing the company’s directors to place the business under voluntary business rescue to safeguard the interests of all creditors and stakeholders whilst the company continues to try and amicably resolve the matter with the tax authority.

    “PCC applied to be placed under voluntary business rescue on Oct. 2, 2023, and the Master of the High Court Oct. 4, 2023, appointed Mr. Reuben Mukavhi of Rubaya-Chinuwo Law Chambers Legal Practitioners as the corporate business rescue practitioner,” according to the company.

    “The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is not in a position to comment in the public domain on the tax affairs of an individual taxpayer as the law through the preservation of secrecy protects clients’ right to confidentiality,” Zimra said.

    The PCC is Africa’s second-largest indigenous tobacco company and Zimbabwe’s first locally owned cigarette company.

  • Oman to Implement Plain Packaging

    Oman to Implement Plain Packaging

    Image: mbruxelle

    Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) announced that the mandatory standard for plain packaging of tobacco products will be effective April 2024, according to the Daily Muscat.

    “The ministry requests tobacco companies and local compliance firms to follow Ministerial Decision No. 2023/67, which requires implementing Omani Standard OS1655 for plain packaging of tobacco products. This becomes mandatory from April 4, 2024,” the MoCIIP said in a statement.

    The ministry issued a decision on the standard in March 2023 and deemed it a binding Omani standard specification.

    The standard requires that at least 65 percent of the packaging include a public health warning, picture and a message to quit while the rest of the packaging displays the brand name in a standardized font and color.

  • Korea to Require Ingredient Disclosure

    Korea to Require Ingredient Disclosure

    Image: luchschenF

    South Korea’s National Assembly approved the Law on the Control of Harmful Effects of Tobacco during its full session on Oct. 6, according to The Korea Bizwire. The law mandates the disclosure of the types and amounts of harmful ingredients used in cigarettes.

    The law will take effect two years after it is officially announced. It is expected to be put into practice by October 2025.

    Following implementation of the law, cigarette makers, importers and distributors will have to regularly test harmful ingredients in their products every two years and disclose the results and information on ingredients in the cigarettes with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

    Data about the dangerous ingredients will be made available to the public online. The Tobacco Harmfulness Control Committee will decide which specific harmful components will be disclosed.

    E-cigarettes, including liquid and cigarette varieties, are also included in the law.

    Previously, South Korea disclosed tar and nicotine levels in cigarettes but did not examine or reveal content of carcinogenic substances, including naphthylamine, nickel, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic and cadmium.

  • Kenya Wants to Ban BAT Nicotine Pouches

    Kenya Wants to Ban BAT Nicotine Pouches

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Kenyan legislators are urging the government to ban the sale of BAT’s nicotine pouches Velo and Lyft, reports 2Firsts.

    Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha was questioned about the products during a parliamentary address.

    The Kenyan Tobacco Control Act (KTCA) states that all packaging of nicotine pouches and tobacco products must contain warnings in English and Kiswahili. Sabina Chege, Member of Parliament, showed two boxes of Velo nicotine pouches, which only displayed a reminder that Velo contains nicotine, which can be addictive. The argument by experts is that nicotine also poses serious health risks.

    Allowing import and sale of the pouches could jeopardize the well-being of Kenyan youth, according to Chege. In response, Nakhumicha suggested the formation of a technical team to investigate the KTCA and make recommendations.

  • New Habanos Vitola for Duty-Free Shops

    New Habanos Vitola for Duty-Free Shops

    Habanos S.A., the state-run distribution arm of Cuban cigars, announced a new size of the Hoyo de Monterrey called the Destinos.

    The new vitola will be exclusive to duty-free shops at travel ports around the world, excluding the United States.

    The Destinos measures 5 and  7/10 (145mm) x 49 and was unveiled during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes, France. This is an event for duty-free retailers.

    “The Hoyo de Monterrey Destinos travel humidor is a perfect choice for Habanos-loving travelers who enjoy thick-gauge vitolas and appreciate the light strength that is a hallmark of the Hoyo de Monterrey brand,” a Habnaos representative told Tobacco Reporter. “This is a great opportunity to enjoy all the aromas and flavors of Hoyo de Monterrey’s blend anywhere in the world.”

    Within the general Cuban naming system, this will be known as the sutiles and is reportedly the first Cuban cigar made in this size.

    It will be available in “travel humidors” in counts of 20 sticks. There was no timeline for release or pricing given.