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Category: Around the Industry

  • Republic Brands Announces Major Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement Action

    Republic Brands Announces Major Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement Action

    Industry leader Republic Brands continues its crackdown on counterfeits. As part of its nationwide fight against fakes, Republic has filed five new lawsuits in New York and New Jersey against companies alleged to have sold counterfeit e-z wider products. Republic also cooperated with New Jersey State Police in their investigation of New Jersey distributor, Sunrise Wholesalers, resulting in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit booklets and a criminal counterfeiting charge against one of its operators. These measures are just the latest in Republic’s unwavering commitment to protecting consumers and preserving the integrity of the e-z wider brand.

    Don Levin, CEO of Republic, stated: “Our message is simple: if you sell fake Republic products, we will stop you. Whether you are a distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or the individual behind the operation, Republic will use every tool available under the law to protect its brands and the public. If you are engaged in counterfeiting, you should understand that you face not only significant civil liability, but also the possibility of criminal prosecution.”

    Republic’s newest lawsuits allege that national convenience store operators Atlantis Management Group LLC and Atlantis Fresh Market LLC, and wholesale suppliers Kings Cash and Carry Inc., Omega Wholesale Inc., Yemen City Plus Corp. d/b/a Yemen City Plus Wholesale Cash and Carry, and United Candy and Tobacco Co. Inc., sold counterfeit e-z wider papers on multiple occasions. Certain lawsuits also name the individuals believed to have directed, participated in, benefited from, or facilitated the counterfeiting activities as defendants.

    Over the past few years, Republic has filed numerous lawsuits to stop the sale of counterfeit products, participated in civil and criminal seizures, and obtained million-dollar judgments against multiple counterfeit sellers. Republic will continue its relentless pursuit to protect the public and its iconic family of brands, and encourages anyone who suspects counterfeit e-z wider products to report them to Republic.

    For information regarding suspected counterfeit products or press inquiries, please contact Republic at counterfeit@republicbrands.com or 1- 800-288-8888.

  • Irish Councilors Seek Tiered Tobacco and Nicotine Retail Licensing Fees

    Irish Councilors Seek Tiered Tobacco and Nicotine Retail Licensing Fees

    Limerick City and County councilors are urging the Irish government to revise planned tobacco and nicotine retail licensing charges for 2027, proposing a tiered fee structure instead of a flat annual charge of €1,800. Independent Councilor Ursula Gavan introduced the motion at a September Metropolitan District meeting, arguing that the proposed fee would disproportionately affect small independent retailers and could force some shops to close.

    Other councilors supported reviewing the system, citing rising operating costs and differences in the financial capacity of small retailers and supermarket chains. The proposal asks the minister responsible for enterprise, trade, and tourism to work with Revenue to revise the planned charges.

  • Italy Raises Prices for Selected Tobacco Products

    Italy Raises Prices for Selected Tobacco Products

    Italy increased prices by €0.20 on selected cigars, rolling tobacco, heated-tobacco sticks, and noncombustible inhalation products effective Oct. 14, following updated price lists issued by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency. Cigarettes were excluded from this round of increases, as their prices rose earlier in 2026. The changes are part of the government’s plan to increase tobacco excise taxes gradually from 2026 through 2028. Cigarette prices are forecast to rise by an average of approximately €0.25 per pack in 2027, although actual increases will vary by brand.

  • UK Authorities Seize More Than £1 Million in Suspected Illegal Tobacco

    UK Authorities Seize More Than £1 Million in Suspected Illegal Tobacco

    Authorities in Sunderland, England, seized 188,640 packets of cigarettes and 74.75 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco suspected of being illegally imported during an operation last month at a house in Easington Lane. Northumbria Police and Sunderland City Council’s trading standards team recovered the products, which are valued at more than £1 million, according to HM Revenue and Customs. An investigation is ongoing. Sunderland City Council and police urged the public to report suspected illegal tobacco sales, citing their impact on legitimate retailers and links to organized crime.

  • UK Vaping Industry Calls for Stronger Retail Enforcement

    UK Vaping Industry Calls for Stronger Retail Enforcement

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) is urging the government to strengthen enforcement against retailers violating tobacco and nicotine regulations as part of efforts to revitalize high streets. In evidence submitted to the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee, UKVIA Director Dr. Marina Murphy, head of scientific affairs at Haypp, said policymakers should distinguish compliant specialist vape shops from businesses that disregard rules on underage sales and product compliance.

    Murphy welcomed the forthcoming Retail Licensing Scheme but called for specialist nicotine retailers to be recognized as a separate category, with requirements for staff training, age verification, and responsible sourcing. UKVIA also urged higher penalties for violations and called for fines to fund Trading Standards enforcement, arguing that weak enforcement disadvantages compliant businesses.

  • China Destroys $355M of Illicit Tobacco, Nicotine Products

    China Destroys $355M of Illicit Tobacco, Nicotine Products

    Chinese authorities destroyed 188 million smuggled cigarettes, 55,000 e-cigarettes, and 2.7 metric tons of cut tobacco Oct. 12 as part of a nationwide crackdown on tobacco-related crimes. The coordinated operation took place in several regions, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Xinjiang. Since the start of 2026, a joint campaign involving 13 government departments, including the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, Ministry of Public Security, and General Administration of Customs, has led to investigations of more than 4,500 smuggling cases and seizures of approximately 1.3 billion cigarettes, 150,000 cigars, and 39.8 metric tons of cut tobacco and tobacco leaves. The seized products were valued at 2.37 billion yuan ($355.5 million).

    The campaign targets tobacco products manufactured illegally overseas and smuggled into China, with enforcement covering purchasing, transportation, storage, and sales. Authorities have increased inspections at ports and border areas and expanded international law enforcement cooperation to disrupt smuggling routes.

  • Türkiye Eyes Electronic Age-Verification for Tobacco Sales

    Türkiye Eyes Electronic Age-Verification for Tobacco Sales

    Türkiye plans to require age verification for cigarette purchases as part of proposed legislation to curb tobacco use, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu said Oct. 10-11, adding that the government is considering electronic systems that protect personal data following privacy concerns over a proposal requiring buyers to provide national identification numbers. The bill, expected to be submitted to Parliament within weeks, would also reduce the visibility of tobacco products, strengthen penalties for violations, and clarify smoking restrictions in cafes, restaurants, schools, sports facilities, and indoor public spaces.

    Memişoğlu said about 33% of Türkiye’s population uses tobacco and that the country sold 160 billion cigarettes, equivalent to 8 billion packs, in 2025, generating an estimated $20 billion to $30 billion in revenue. He also cited a Turkish Green Crescent Society study finding that 80% of people in the country want to quit smoking.

  • Russia Attacks JTI Subsidiary in Ukraine

    Russia Attacks JTI Subsidiary in Ukraine

    Russia’s Defense Ministry said it struck a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Ukraine’s Poltava region as part of an attack on Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, port infrastructure, and vessels. Russia alleged the JTI facility was producing ammunition for Ukrainian forces. JTI denied the allegation, saying it manufactures and sells tobacco products and has never been involved in military production.

    JTI said the factory had been struck several times and that operations were suspended before the latest attacks. The company said all employees were safe. The Japanese Embassy in Ukraine said it had no information indicating that any Japanese nationals were affected by the latest attack.

  • Ill. Rep Questions FDA Review of Vape Rules

    Ill. Rep Questions FDA Review of Vape Rules

    This week, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) asked FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas for information about the agency’s Sept. 28 announcement that it is considering replacing the 2021 rules governing Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTAs). Krishnamoorthi, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus to End Youth Vaping, questioned whether changes could reduce the scientific requirements for new tobacco products and asked whether FDA consulted tobacco manufacturers, industry associations, or parties challenging the current framework before announcing the review. He also requested communications between FDA officials and Altria, Reynolds American, their subsidiaries, and other parties involved in challenges to the rules.

    Krishnamoorthi also cited FDA’s recent authorizations of flavored e-cigarettes and Juul products in raising concerns about the agency’s approach to scientific review. He asked FDA to identify provisions of the 2021 PMTA rule it may change, explain the evidence supporting those changes, address the relationship between the illicit market and lawful product authorization requirements, and outline additional enforcement actions against unauthorized e-cigarettes. He requested written responses by Oct. 20.

  • GAO Finds FDA Holding 130K Tobacco Applications to End 2025

    GAO Finds FDA Holding 130K Tobacco Applications to End 2025

    Vaping 360 reports that nearly 132,000 tobacco product applications remained unresolved at the end of 2025, with the applications awaiting decisions for an average of 1,266 days, according to a new Government Accountability Office audit of the FDA’s tobacco product review program. The FDA received more than 26.6 million applications from 2018 through 2025 and completed reviews of about 26.5 million, with most applications submitted after the 2020 deadline for products covered by the agency’s Deeming Rule involving e-cigarettes.

    The GAO found that completed reviews across three premarket pathways averaged 507 days and that FDA systems do not consistently capture information needed to determine whether the agency meets the 180-day statutory target for the scientific-review phase of Premarket Tobacco Product Applications. The FDA has reduced screening times and introduced automated application checks, while also applying lessons from its nicotine pouch pilot to e-cigarette reviews. The GAO recommended that FDA improve data collection to monitor scientific-review timelines, and the Department of Health and Human Services agreed.