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Category: Around the Industry

  • Michigan Senate Advances Bill to License Tobacco Retailers

    Michigan Senate Advances Bill to License Tobacco Retailers

    The Michigan Senate today (December 26) passed bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing youth tobacco use by requiring all tobacco retailers in the state to be licensed. Sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D–East Lansing) and co-sponsored by Sen. Joseph Bellino (R–Monroe), Senate Bills 462 and 465 would establish a statewide regulatory framework similar to those already in place in most other U.S. states. Michigan is currently one of only nine states without a tobacco retail licensing requirement.

    The legislation would introduce regular inspections of tobacco retailers, increase penalties for selling tobacco products to minors, regulate online and delivery sales, ban flash sales, and create a dedicated state fund to support enforcement. The bills now move to the Michigan House for consideration, where companion legislation was introduced earlier this week.

  • MCTC Demands Probe After Bribe Claims

    MCTC Demands Probe After Bribe Claims

    A day after claims that a former health minister was offered RM50 million ($12.5 million) to drop the generational endgame (GEG) provision from a tobacco control bill, the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) has called for an independent public inquiry into alleged tobacco industry interference in national legislation. The alleged bribe, offered and rejected by Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, has raised concerns over public sector integrity and the rule of law.

    MCTC president Prof. Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy said any attempt to influence legislation through financial inducements constitutes a serious criminal offence, adding that failure to report an attempted bribe may also breach the law. The council said the allegations reinforce earlier admissions that tobacco and vape industry lobbying influenced the removal of the GEG provision from the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.

    Calling the issue a matter of national integrity and public interest, MCTC urged authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, to launch a transparent inquiry into the alleged offer and broader industry influence. The group also renewed calls for stronger safeguards against tobacco industry interference, including a political financing law and a binding code of conduct aligned with WHO tobacco control standards.

  • Bribery Claim Rekindles Malaysia Tobacco Policy Controversy

    Bribery Claim Rekindles Malaysia Tobacco Policy Controversy

    Malaysia’s tobacco and vape policy debate resurfaced after a senior PKR figure alleged that tobacco companies offered a RM50 million bribe to drop the proposed generational endgame (GEG) ban on tobacco and vape sales to future generations. According to Malaysia Now, Sivamalar Genapathy, a PKR deputy secretary-general and former aide to ex-health minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, claimed the offer was rejected, but confirmed no report was made to anti-corruption authorities—raising legal and political questions under Malaysia’s MACC Act, as not reporting a bribe is an offense punishable by a fine and up to 10 years in prison.

    The allegations revive scrutiny of the government’s earlier decision to abandon the GEG provision in the Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill, a move criticized by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and public health groups as capitulating to industry interests. The episode adds renewed pressure on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, highlighting ongoing tensions between public health objectives, regulatory decisions on vaping and nicotine, and the influence of tobacco industry lobbying in Malaysia.

  • Pennsylvania Vape Registry Bill Draws Opposition From Both Sides

    Pennsylvania Vape Registry Bill Draws Opposition From Both Sides

    Vaping industry representatives and anti-smoking advocates are both opposing legislation moving through Pennsylvania’s General Assembly that would establish a statewide list of sanctioned nicotine vape products, according to the Altoona Mirror. The state Senate has passed an amended version of House Bill 1425, which would require vape products to appear on a state-managed directory—based on FDA authorization—to be legally sold, and the bill now returns to the House for a concurrence vote.

    Supporters say the measure would help prosecutors crack down on illicit vape sales, but critics argue it would disproportionately benefit large tobacco companies whose products dominate the FDA registry, while forcing hundreds of independent vape shops out of business. Industry groups warn thousands of jobs could be affected, while public health advocates contend the bill could legitimize flavored products that appeal to youth. Under the proposal, manufacturers would face registration fees, and retailers selling non-listed products could be fined, with enforcement beginning after a phased implementation period.

  • Jordan Cuts Taxes on Tobacco Alternatives

    Jordan Cuts Taxes on Tobacco Alternatives

    Effective today (December 22), Jordan amended its Special Tax Law of 2025 to reduce taxes on tobacco alternatives sharply. The changes, published yesterday in the Official Gazette, are expected to lower retail prices and are aimed at better regulating the nicotine market, curbing smuggling, and potentially encouraging smokers to switch from combustible cigarettes.

    Under the amendments, the special tax on heated tobacco devices has been cut by 50%, from 20 JOD to 10 JOD ($28.20 to $14.10) per device. Taxes on pre-filled e-cigarettes were reduced from 5 JOD to 1.5 JOD ($7.05 to $2.12) per milliliter, while non-filled vape devices saw their tax lowered from 15 JOD to 10 JOD ($21.15 to $14.10). E-liquid refills were also reduced by half, from 1 JOD to 0.5 JOD ($1.41 to $0.71) per milliliter.

  • FDA Authorizes Six on! PLUS Nicotine Pouch Products

    FDA Authorizes Six on! PLUS Nicotine Pouch Products

    The U.S. FDA authorized the marketing of six nicotine pouch products from Helix Innovations LLC under the on! PLUS brand through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway.

    These authorizations mark the first decisions from a pilot program launched in September to streamline the review process for nicotine pouch applications while maintaining the agency’s rigorous scientific standards. Authorized products include mint, tobacco, and wintergreen flavors in 6 mg and 9 mg nicotine strengths. The FDA noted that these products contain lower levels of harmful constituents compared with other smokeless tobacco products and do not contain measurable levels of several carcinogens linked to oral cancer.

    “While today’s actions permit these specific nicotine pouch products to be legally marketed in the U.S. to adults 21 and older, it does not mean these tobacco products are safe, nor are they ‘FDA approved,’” FDA said in a statement.  

    All packaging will feature certified child-resistant cans.

  • USITC Launches Probe Following Juul Complaint

    USITC Launches Probe Following Juul Complaint

    The U.S. International Trade Commission instituted a Section 337 investigation after a complaint filed by Juul Labs, Inc. and VMR Products LLC alleging patent infringement involving certain vaporizer devices, cartridges, and related components. The complaint, filed on September 30 and supplemented in November and December, asserts infringement of two U.S. patents—Nos. 11,134,722 and 11,606,981—through the importation and sale of the accused products in the United States. The investigation covers ENDS devices, pods, and components such as atomizers and subassemblies.

    Juul and VMR, both based in Washington, D.C., are seeking a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. The named respondents are Glas, Inc. and Glas, LLC of Los Angeles. The USITC said its Office of Unfair Import Investigations will not participate in the case.

  • El Septimo 20th Anniversary Cigar Sells Out Worldwide

    El Septimo 20th Anniversary Cigar Sells Out Worldwide

    El Septimo Cigars announced the complete global sell-out of its 20th Anniversary Doble Gran Reserva, marking a historic milestone for the brand. Limited to just 1,000 boxes of 14 cigars—14,000 cigars total—the release sold out worldwide in under seven months, making it the fastest-selling new cigar in the company’s history.

    Created by CEO Zaya Younan to commemorate El Septimo’s 20th anniversary, the cigar was produced with extensively aged tobaccos and positioned as the company’s most personal and ambitious release to date. Younan said the rapid sell-out reflects the brand’s focus on extreme patience, uncompromising quality, and craftsmanship. The company said it will not be reproduced.

  • Cannabis Co. Says NY’s Seed-to-Sale Regs Create Undue Costs

    Cannabis Co. Says NY’s Seed-to-Sale Regs Create Undue Costs

    Cannabis company Veterans Holdings, Inc filed a lawsuit this week in New York Supreme Court against the state, challenging its seed-to-sale tracking system, arguing it significantly increases operating and compliance costs for licensed businesses. The program, overseen by the Office of Cannabis Management, requires cannabis products to be tracked from cultivation through retail sale using the “Metrc” platform.

    According to the company, and echoed by other growers and processors, the program’s tagging, reporting, and data-entry requirements sharply increase compliance expenses, particularly for smaller operators. Businesses say costs associated with mandatory tags, system integration, staff training, and ongoing reporting could erode already thin margins in the state’s developing legal cannabis market.

  • Morocco Plans Cigarette Hikes January 1

    Morocco Plans Cigarette Hikes January 1

    Morocco is set to increase cigarette prices at the beginning of 2026 following the completion of a report by the commission responsible for approving tobacco prices, according to Le360. The report has been submitted to the Minister of Economy and Finance, ahead of a ministerial decree expected to be published in the Official Bulletin. The measure is part of the government’s gradual reform of tobacco taxation aimed at narrowing price gaps between cigarette categories and boosting state revenues.

    The price increase could reach up to MAD 2 ($0.22) per pack for widely consumed “popular” cigarette brands, including Marquise, Casa, and Fortuna. Gauloises may see a smaller adjustment, while premium brands are not expected to be affected at this stage. The increase is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is likely to have the greatest impact on lower-income consumers, who predominantly purchase popular brands.

    Under this plan, the specific Internal Consumption Tax component will rise from MAD 100 ($11) in 2022 to MAD 550 ($60.50) by 2026, while the minimum tax on 1,000 cigarettes will increase from MAD 710.2 ($78.12) to MAD 953 ($104.83), adding continued upward pressure on retail prices.