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Category: Around the Industry

  • CDP Recognizes Pyxus for Work in Climate Change, Forestry

    CDP Recognizes Pyxus for Work in Climate Change, Forestry

    Pyxus International, Inc. was recognized as a global leader in environmental performance and transparency by CDP, earning “Leadership” status with improved A- ratings in both climate change and forestry. The company also maintained a “Management” level B rating in water security, reflecting its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen water stewardship, and mitigate deforestation across its global operations. CEO Pieter Sikkel said the recognition highlights Pyxus’ disciplined execution, transparent reporting, and collaboration throughout its value chain.

    CDP’s 2025 evaluation assessed more than 23,100 entities worldwide, with scores ranging from A to D-. Pyxus has reported greenhouse gas emissions to CDP since 2009, added water security disclosures in 2014, and began reporting forestry data in 2020.

  • Jordan Leverages Ramadan to Fight Smoking

    Jordan Leverages Ramadan to Fight Smoking

    Jordan’s Coalition of Health Associations launched its first nationwide awareness campaign, “Ramadan Without Smoking,” at an event held at the National Library of Jordan, bringing together health professionals, medical students and community members. Announced on February 18, the initiative seeks to leverage the holy month of Ramadan as a catalyst for smoking cessation, highlighting the health, social and economic harms of tobacco and e-cigarette use. The coalition called for stronger institutional partnerships and expanded community outreach to reduce tobacco use, particularly among youth, and said further awareness and prevention programs will be rolled out in the coming months.

  • La Aurora Joins CAA

    La Aurora Joins CAA

    The Cigar Association of America announced that La Aurora USA has joined the national trade body. La Aurora USA is the U.S. distribution arm of La Aurora, the Dominican Republic’s oldest cigar factory, founded in 1903, and manages sales and marketing of brands including La Aurora 1903, Preferidos 1903, ADN Dominicano, 107 and León Jimenes. CAA President Scott Pearce welcomed the company’s membership, citing its role in strengthening the association’s advocacy and industry data programs, while La Aurora USA CEO Ed McKenna said joining CAA will support collaboration across both premium and mass-market cigar segments.

  • Riot Labs Launches Strawberry Orange Crush

    Riot Labs Launches Strawberry Orange Crush

    UK e-liquid manufacturer Riot Labs launched Strawberry Orange Crush, which it describes as the “best e-liquid flavor ever made.” The new blend is billed as a rich, candied strawberry and orange fusion with a fresh citrus snap and icy finish. Known for its bold flavors, Riot Labs says the release supports its broader mission to challenge the status quo in smoke cessation by offering adult smokers compelling alternatives.

    Sales Director Matt Crann said the flavor is designed to be “loud and unapologetic,” adding that innovation and standout taste are central to the brand’s identity. Strawberry Orange Crush is available online and in vape stores nationwide in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg nicotine strengths, with prices starting at £3.99.

  • W. Australia Focused on ‘Scourge’ Behind Illicit Tobacco

    W. Australia Focused on ‘Scourge’ Behind Illicit Tobacco

    The Government of Western Australia announced sweeping reforms to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 aimed at crushing the illicit tobacco and vape trade, following the largest seizure of illegal products in state history. Under the proposed changes, individuals caught possessing large commercial quantities of illicit tobacco or vaping products could face fines of up to A$4.2 million ($3 million) and 15 years’ imprisonment, while companies could be fined up to A$21 million ($14.9 million) — the toughest penalties in Australia. The laws, to be introduced to Parliament on Feb. 17, would also allow store closures of up to 90 days during investigations. Premier Roger Cook described the illegal trade as a “scourge on our society,” blaming organized crime for fueling violence including firebombings and shootings targeting smoke shops across Perth.

    Police Minister Reece Whitby said authorities have seized 1.26 million illicit cigarettes, 467 kg of tobacco, nearly 17,000 illegal vapes and A$770,000 ($547,000) in cash in the last year, with a further A$1.7 million ($1.2 million) in parcels intercepted across WA and Victoria. Health Minister Meredith Hammat said WA Health would work alongside police to swiftly shut down non-compliant retailers, with a second tranche of legislation later this year expected to address further measures, including potential eviction powers for landlords linked to illicit trade activity.

  • No Injuries Reported at Plasencia Cigars Farm Fire

    No Injuries Reported at Plasencia Cigars Farm Fire

    Plasencia Cigars confirmed that a fire broke out Friday, Feb. 13, at one of its farms in Nicaragua, but said the situation was quickly contained with no injuries reported. The company activated its emergency action plans and safety protocols immediately, coordinating response efforts with local authorities to bring the incident under control. Plasencia expressed gratitude to the Estelí Fire Department and first responders for their swift and professional response, adding that operations continue without interruption.

    Néstor Andrés Plasencia, a fifth-generation member of the Plasencia cigar family, said the company was thankful the fire was contained and that employees were safe. He also acknowledged the support of fellow manufacturers in Estelí, describing the cigar community’s solidarity as a reflection of the collaborative spirit that defines the region’s tobacco industry.

  • 90% of Omanis Favor Tobacco Tax Hike

    90% of Omanis Favor Tobacco Tax Hike

    Oman’s Ministry of Health said that nearly 90% of its citizens support increasing taxes on tobacco products and banning smoking in open public spaces, according to findings from the 2025 National Survey on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). Minister of Interior Sayyid Dr. Sultan Yaarub Al Busaidi said the survey showed that one in six adult males currently uses tobacco, with manufactured cigarettes, pipes and shisha being the most common forms, while about 2% use e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the nationwide study of more than 10,000 people is expected to “guide evidence-based health policies aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and global targets to reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases.”

  • Report: Cuba’s Festival del Habano ‘Potponed’

    Report: Cuba’s Festival del Habano ‘Potponed’

    Although no official announcement has been made, Halfwheel is reporting that the 26th Festival del Habano is being postponed indefinitely amid worsening infrastructure conditions in Cuba. The postponement comes as Cuba grapples with severe fuel shortages and power disruptions that have impacted travel and tourism and led international air carriers to adjust flights to the island since U.S. military actions in Venezuela disrupted oil shipments to the island nation.  

    After weeks of speculation that the event would not take place as planned, and reports that Habanos S.A., the Cuban state-backed cigar monopoly behind the festival, was preparing a formal announcement describing it as a postponement (not a cancellation), Halfwheel is reporting that multiple distributors have confirmed the festival will not take place on the planned dates.

    Cuba’s premier annual cigar industry event was scheduled for Feb. 23–27, expecting hundreds of international distributors, retailers, and enthusiasts for factory tours, seminars, and a high-profile events. The event has been held annually since 1999, with cancellations in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19.

  • Japan’s HTP Tax Changes Threaten JTI Growth: CFO

    Japan’s HTP Tax Changes Threaten JTI Growth: CFO

    Tax changes in Japan that will eliminate preferential tax treatment for heated tobacco products are expected to weigh on growth this year, according to Japan Tobacco International CFO Vassilis Vovos. The policy shift would tax heated tobacco at the same rate as traditional cigarettes, potentially raising retail prices by 70 to 100 yen ($0.46 to $0.65) per pack after sales tax. Vovos said the company plans to introduce incremental price increases throughout 2026 to offset the impact and avoid a single steep price hike.

    The tax change poses a challenge to JTI’s expansion of its Ploom heated tobacco device in Japan, the world’s largest heated tobacco market, which is currently led by rival Philip Morris International, according to Reuters. Parent company Japan Tobacco has relied on newer product categories to drive growth, with Ploom volumes rising more than 38% last year and reaching a 14.4% share of the heated tobacco segment. While executives warned the tax change could temporarily slow category growth, they said heated tobacco remains a key long-term revenue driver.

  • VTA ‘Disappointed’ by Lack of Progress from FDA Roundtable

    VTA ‘Disappointed’ by Lack of Progress from FDA Roundtable

    The Vapor Technology Association said it welcomed the chance to participate in a recent roundtable hosted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration focused on premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) submissions for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), calling the meeting an opportunity for small businesses to engage directly with regulators. In a statement, VTA Executive Director Tony Abboud said industry representatives advocated for a more transparent, standards-based regulatory framework that would allow companies to invest in vapor technology and navigate product reviews with clearer scientific expectations.

    Abboud said VTA was encouraged by comments from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary acknowledging the need for predictability in regulatory standards but expressed frustration that some agency officials supported maintaining flexible or undefined scientific benchmarks.

    “Small businesses made it completely clear that they wanted and needed transparent and objective scientific standards governing how vape products should be made and how they should perform,” Abboud said. “Unfortunately, we were disappointed by so many FDA representatives throughout the meeting who either argued for continued scientific ambiguity or completely rejected standards. Their comments signaled a lack of alignment among FDA leadership on providing clear and predictable scientific standards or guidance for our industry – or even benchmarks that would ensure product and consumer safety. We received no guarantee of additional clarity on the broken and opaque PMTA rule and process, which has been used to prevent access to the products that Americans who smoke want and need to quit smoking deadly cigarettes.” 

    The association argued that clearer regulatory guidance would align with broader free-market principles supported by Donald Trump’s policy agenda.