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Category: Around the Industry

  • Canadian Court Certifies Class Action Against Juul, Altria

    Canadian Court Certifies Class Action Against Juul, Altria

    The Supreme Court of British Columbia certified a nationwide class action against Juul Labs and Altria Group, allowing claims to proceed on behalf of individuals in Canada who purchased or used Juul products for personal use between August 2018 and July 15, 2026. The lawsuit alleges the companies marketed e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to cigarettes while contributing to nicotine addiction among a new generation of consumers. The ruling is procedural and does not determine liability.

    The court rejected several arguments raised by Juul and Altria regarding certification, allowing the case to move forward. The action is one of two legal proceedings against Juul in Canada, alongside a separate lawsuit by the government of British Columbia seeking recovery of healthcare costs associated with the company’s products. Juul and Altria may appeal the certification decision.

  • Retail Groups Urge Processors to Revise Vape Enforcement Policies

    Retail Groups Urge Processors to Revise Vape Enforcement Policies

    The National Association of Convenience Stores and several retail and tobacco trade associations urged Global Payments and Mastercard to revise policies that penalize retailers for selling certain electronic nicotine delivery system products, according to CSP. In letters to the companies, the groups argued the payment processors’ enforcement standards do not reflect the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s updated enforcement priorities, which allow enforcement discretion for certain products with pending premarket tobacco product applications.

    The letters, also signed by the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Energy Marketers of America, and the Convenience Distribution Association, expressed support for removing illicit vaping products from the market but said responsible retailers should not face penalties that exceed current FDA policy. The request follows updated FDA guidance issued in May and comes after a coalition of state attorneys general urged major payment networks to take action against merchants selling unauthorized vaping products.

  • EU-ASEAN Business Council Calls for Regional Action Against Illicits

    EU-ASEAN Business Council Calls for Regional Action Against Illicits

    The EU-ASEAN Business Council urged ASEAN members to strengthen regional cooperation to combat illicit trade, describing it as a growing threat to economic growth, government revenues, and supply chain resilience. In a report released ahead of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship, the council called for greater intelligence sharing, harmonized regulatory frameworks, expanded use of digital customs tools, stronger public-private collaboration, and closer engagement with dialogue partners, including India.

    The report identified illicit tobacco trade as a longstanding challenge and highlighted the need for coordinated enforcement and supply chain oversight. Philip Morris India Managing Director Navaneel Kar said illicit tobacco trade undermines revenue collection, market transparency, and the rule of law, adding that the company supports efforts including market intelligence, research, and voluntary track-and-trace initiatives to strengthen lawful trade.

  • Thai Tobacco Trade Backs Single-Rate Reform

    Thai Tobacco Trade Backs Single-Rate Reform

    The Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTTA) endorsed government plans to replace Thailand’s two-tier cigarette excise system with a single-rate tax, arguing the current structure has distorted the market, squeezed retailer margins, and encouraged consumers to switch to cheaper products and illicit cigarettes. The association said a balanced flat-rate tax, combined with stronger enforcement against illegal tobacco, would help stabilize government revenue, improve market competition, and support the country’s tobacco supply chain, while the Excise Department continues its review of the proposed reforms.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • UKVIA Accuses PM of Demonizing Vape Shops, Helping Alcohol

    UKVIA Accuses PM of Demonizing Vape Shops, Helping Alcohol

    The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government of unfairly targeting responsible vape retailers after announcing plans to review business rates relief for vape shops while granting a 20% business rates reduction to pubs, clubs and live music venues from April 2027. The government said the tax relief would be partly funded by reducing support for businesses it believes do not make a positive contribution to communities, specifically identifying vape shops.

    UKVIA Director General John Dunne said the policy unfairly demonizes specialist vape retailers that help adult smokers switch away from cigarettes while favoring venues that sell alcohol. He argued that describing vape shops as “anti-social businesses” risks reinforcing the misconception that vaping is as harmful as smoking and could undermine tobacco harm reduction efforts. The association also warned that legitimate retailers are already facing pressure from the UK’s new Vaping Products Duty, due to take effect in October.

    The association is calling on the government to withdraw its characterization of vape shops, review the proposed business rates changes, and fast-track a national vape retailer licensing scheme under the Tobacco and Vapes Act. UKVIA said it supports stronger enforcement against retailers selling to minors or offering illicit products but argues policymakers should distinguish compliant specialist vape shops from rogue operators rather than applying blanket measures across the sector.

  • Health Advocates Renew Call to Ban Vapes in Malaysia

    Health Advocates Renew Call to Ban Vapes in Malaysia

    Public health and anti-smoking advocates in Malaysia are renewing calls for a nationwide ban on vaping products amid growing concerns over the use of drug-laced vapes. Consumer advocates and mental health experts argue that e-cigarettes are increasingly being used to consume synthetic drugs such as ketamine and etomidate, citing government data showing that 73% of drug abuse cases in the country involve synthetic drugs.

    The renewed push follows similar concerns across Southeast Asia, with Indonesia also considering stricter restrictions on e-cigarettes.

  • Annual Tobacco Trade Golf Day Set for Sept. 10

    Annual Tobacco Trade Golf Day Set for Sept. 10

    JTI and British American Tobacco will co-host the 2026 Tobacco Trade Golf Association (TTGA) Golf Day on Sept. 10 at The Berkshire Golf Club in Ascot, England, to raise funds for GroceryAid, the charity supporting workers across the UK grocery industry. Following a sold-out event in 2025, organizers are encouraging early registration for this year’s 18-hole tournament, which will include a charity raffle and sponsorship opportunities to maximize fundraising for GroceryAid’s emotional, practical and financial support services.