TobaccoReporter logo

Blog

  • Malaysian MPs Want Vape Liquid Declared Controlled Poisons 

    Malaysian MPs Want Vape Liquid Declared Controlled Poisons 

    Two Malaysian MPs are calling on the government to ban nicotine vape liquids as “controlled poisons” following the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against a High Court ruling that restored liquid nicotine to the Poisons List. Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and Kuala Langat MP Ahmad Yunus Hairi urged the Health Ministry to announce a ban on recreational nicotine vape sales and the Finance Ministry to stop collecting excise duties on the products. 

    The MPs also called for refunds of more than RM354 million ($88.5 million) in excise duties collected since April 2023, arguing that continued taxation conflicts with the products’ legal status. The government’s decision leaves nicotine-containing vape liquids classified as Group C poisons under Malaysia’s Poisons Act, meaning recreational sale is prohibited unless prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist, creating significant regulatory and commercial uncertainty for the vaping industry. 

  • Trump Taps Prominent Pastor to Advise on Tobacco Policy   

    Trump Taps Prominent Pastor to Advise on Tobacco Policy   

    Today (Sept. 1), President Donald Trump announced the appointment of prominent faith leader Pastor Darrell Scott as an adviser for tobacco ⁠health issues on a committee that advises the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Scott’s stated mandate is to mitigate the severe economic and medical toll of tobacco-related diseases within historically overlooked and underserved American communities. According to Reuters, the high-profile appointment leverages a trusted, long-term administration surrogate to spearhead public health outreach through localized, faith-based networks rather than traditional bureaucratic channels.  

    This appointment signals a tactical shift toward demographic-specific public health intervention following aggressive administrative spending cuts to the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Industry analysts expect the administration to utilize Scott’s grassroots community influence to bypass downsized federal agency structures, replacing broad national media campaigns with targeted, community-level advocacy.   

    Scott’s urban-focused mandate directly intersects with a loosening federal framework on Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), according to Reuters. This regulatory pivot is underscored by the Food and Drug Administration’s recent marketing authorization of multiple ZYN nicotine pouch products, explicitly framed by the agency as population-benefit alternatives to help adult smokers switch from combustible cigarettes.   

  • Ruling Could End Reynolds’ Vuse Alto Royalty Payments to Altria  

    Ruling Could End Reynolds’ Vuse Alto Royalty Payments to Altria  

    Law360 reported that R.J. Reynolds has secured a potentially significant reduction in the long-term costs associated with its Vuse Alto business, after a North Carolina federal court ruled that a sublicense obtained from Juul Labs ends Reynolds’ obligation to make future patent royalty payments to Altria Client Services. The dispute stems from a 2022 jury decision finding that Vuse Alto infringed three Altria patents, resulting in an approximately $95.2 million damages award. Reynolds was later ordered to pay a 5.25% royalty on positive net sales of the affected products.  

    According to Law360, Judge William L. Osteen Jr. found that the Juul sublicense authorized Reynolds’ continued use of the relevant patent rights, eliminating the basis for future infringement royalties. The court rejected Altria’s argument that defects in part of the sublicense invalidated the entire agreement, citing its severability provision. Law360 reported that Altria said potentially “hundreds of millions of dollars” in future royalties were at stake. The ruling does not affect the earlier infringement finding or past damages, but could eliminate Reynolds’ 5.25% royalty payments on future covered Vuse Alto sales.  

  • BAT Completes CFO Leadership Transition   

    BAT Completes CFO Leadership Transition   

    Dragos Constantinescu officially began his position as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of British American Tobacco today (Sept. 1), according to separate LinkedIn posts by BAT and CEO Tadeu Marroco. The appointment was first announced in April. Constantinescu returns to BAT after previously spending 16 years with the company across senior finance, strategy and general management roles before leaving in 2019, where he most recently served as CEO of Asahi Europe & International.  

    Constantinescu’s return completes BAT’s CFO leadership transition, with interim CFO Javed Iqbal moving to his permanent role as Director, Digital and Information. BAT said Constantinescu’s international experience across the nicotine and broader FMCG sectors, combined with his previous knowledge of the company, will support its ongoing “A Better Tomorrow” transformation, strategic priorities and focus on sustainable growth and shareholder returns.  

  • MVCC Desires Regulatory Certainty for Vape Industry  

    MVCC Desires Regulatory Certainty for Vape Industry  

    The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) called on the government to maintain regulatory certainty for the vape industry following its decision not to pursue an appeal concerning the legal status of nicotine in vape products. MVCC Secretary-General Ridhwan Rosli said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) was developed through an extensive legislative process involving government agencies and industry stakeholders and should continue to serve as the basis for regulating vape and other smoking products. He stressed that the industry had supported regulation and made significant investments to comply with requirements covering products, packaging, labelling, registration, and business operations.  

    MVCC warned that changes to the legal position could create uncertainty for businesses that have made investment and operational decisions based on Act 852. The chamber said it does not oppose regulation or measures addressing public health, product misuse, or enforcement concerns, but believes these issues should be tackled through stronger enforcement or targeted amendments rather than undermining the existing framework. MVCC is urging the government to ensure consistent implementation of Act 852 while balancing public-health objectives with the sustainability of businesses, employees, distributors, and retailers across the vape industry.  

  • JT Expanding Nordic Spirit Line  

    JT Expanding Nordic Spirit Line  

    Japan Tobacco (JT) will expand its Nordic Spirit refresh pouch portfolio beginning October 6 with three new variants—Sweet Mint Medium, Sweet Mint Strong, and Cool Mint X-Strong—available through the CLUB JT online shop at ¥500 ($3.10) per pack. The launch broadens the brand’s offering across three stimulation levels, targeting consumers seeking smoke- and odor-free oral nicotine products that can be used hands-free.  

    At the same time, JT will expand distribution of the previously limited Tropical Mix Medium and Cool Mint Strong variants nationwide through retailers including Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and NewDays. JT said the wider rollout signals its continued investment in expanding Nordic Spirit’s retail presence and product range in Japan, while leveraging customer demand for its existing limited-channel products.  

  • PMI CEO Speaking at Barclays  

    PMI CEO Speaking at Barclays  

    Philip Morris International announced it will participate in the 2026 Barclays Global Consumer Conference on September 8, with Group CEO Jacek Olczak scheduled to take part in a live fireside chat at approximately 9:45 a.m. ET. The session will be webcast live, with an archived version available for six months following the event.  

    The appearance will provide investors and the broader market with an opportunity to hear directly from PMI’s CEO on the company’s business outlook and strategic priorities. The webcast will be accessible through PMI’s investor relations platform and its mobile IR app.  

  • Swedish Election Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Talks 

    Swedish Election Threatens EU Tobacco Tax Talks 

    According to a Euractiv article today (Aug. 31), EU diplomats expect limited progress on the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) at the September 14 meeting, as Sweden’s national election the day before could leave Stockholm without a firm position while coalition negotiations take place. The proposed TED would raise tobacco taxes across the EU and is linked to plans to generate €11.2 billion annually for the bloc’s next long-term budget. The file stalled after Sweden objected to proposed taxation of nicotine pouches, with Stockholm seeking to protect its traditional snus market. 

    Prolonged talks could also complicate Ireland’s efforts to secure a Council agreement in October and potentially lead Sweden to abstain from a key vote expected at the October 9 ECOFIN meeting. According to Euractiv, Ireland expects September discussions to focus mainly on technical issues rather than resolving political differences. The next Swedish government is likely to face continued pressure over snus and nicotine taxation, while EU officials remain focused on the bloc’s longer-term ambition to become both smoke-free and nicotine-free. 

  • Kutsaga Promotes Drought-Ready Tobacco Ahead of El Niño 

    Kutsaga Promotes Drought-Ready Tobacco Ahead of El Niño 

    Kutsaga Research is promoting drought-tolerant and fast-maturing tobacco varieties as Zimbabwe prepares for an expected El Niño-induced drought in the 2026/27 season. The regional outlook from SARCOF-33 forecasts below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across much of Southern Africa from October 2026 to March 2027. 

    Kutsaga’s portfolio includes KRK71 and KRK75, which have deep-rooting characteristics that help plants access moisture, and T78–T81, which mature rapidly to escape late-season moisture stress. The institution is also promoting float seedbed technology and T77, a Trichoderma harzianum-based biological solution supporting root health. 

    Kutsaga is testing LPG- and biogas-fueled curing systems to reduce reliance on conventional energy sources. The broader strategy combines climate-resilient varieties, improved seedlings, water management and alternative energy to help tobacco farmers shift from reacting to drought to planning for climate risks. 

  • Africa’s Tobacco Production Rises Despite Global Decline 

    Africa’s Tobacco Production Rises Despite Global Decline 

    Africa’s tobacco-leaf production increased nearly 9% between 2012 and 2024, even as global production fell by almost 19%, according to a new WHO analysis. Africa accounted for around 11% of global output in 2024, with Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Uganda producing most of the continent’s tobacco. East Africa alone accounts for nearly 90% of African tobacco-leaf production. 

    At the same time, Africa’s cigarette import bill more than doubled, from $833 million to $1.8 billion, highlighting a growing imbalance between raw-leaf exports and manufactured cigarette imports. WHO is calling for greater investment in crop diversification and economically viable alternatives for tobacco farmers, alongside stronger tobacco-control measures.