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Category: Around the Industry

  • Laos to Enforce Tough Penalties on Tobacco Firms Over Graphic Warning Violations

    Laos to Enforce Tough Penalties on Tobacco Firms Over Graphic Warning Violations

    Beginning August 15, Laos will strictly penalize tobacco companies and retailers that fail to comply with graphic warning label regulations on cigarette packaging, the Ministry of Health announced. The rules, in effect since May 2024, require cigarette packs to carry one of 10 approved graphic health warnings. Despite a 180-day compliance window, companies have delayed implementation by over a year.

    Penalties will include fines up to LAK 50 million ($2,300), product seizures, and potential license suspensions. Repeat offenders risk legal action and full business closure.

    Laos is the third ASEAN nation to mandate graphic warnings, aiming to combat high smoking rates. Authorities say stricter enforcement is key to protecting public health, especially among youth.

  • Study: 78M Cigarettes Smoked Daily in Britain

    Study: 78M Cigarettes Smoked Daily in Britain

    More than 78 million cigarettes are smoked each day across England, Wales, and Scotland—equating to roughly 900 every second—according to a new study by University College London (UCL), funded by Cancer Research UK.

    The study, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, highlights sharp inequalities in smoking habits. People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds smoke more—11 cigarettes a day on average—compared to 9.4 among more affluent groups. Regionally, smokers in the North East and Scotland top the charts with 11.7 cigarettes per day, while Londoners smoke the fewest at 8.4.

    Despite falling smoking rates—from 18.8% in 2013 to 11.9% in 2023—Britain is unlikely to meet its smokefree targets. England, aiming for 5% prevalence by 2030, is projected to hit that mark by 2039. Scotland may not reach it until the late 2040s.

  • Czech Museum Slammed for VR Exhibit Glamorizing Smoking

    Czech Museum Slammed for VR Exhibit Glamorizing Smoking

    The Czech National Museum is under fire for its new virtual reality exhibition, Steps of Progress, over claims that it glamorizes smoking and potentially violates tobacco advertising laws. Launched July 1, the exhibit immerses visitors in a digital journey from the 19th century to the future. However, several scenes prominently feature historic Czech figures smoking, without any health warnings.

    In one segment, inventor František Křižík lights a cigar for composer Antonín Dvořák, while another shows actress Olga Scheinpflugová pulling out a box of cigars in casual conversation. More problematic for critics is a futuristic scene that includes two robots casually discussing nicotine use for stress.

    “It could be a clear promotion of nicotine products,” said Radek Jurnikl of Sananim, an organization focused on addiction treatment, who admitted not having personally seen the exhibit and warned that the context is critical.

    The exhibit’s sponsor, Philip Morris ČR, the country’s largest tobacco company, is credited in the display and online, sparking deeper concern. Philip Morris ČR denied that any branding appears in the experience, claiming it adheres to strict marketing codes. “None of our brands appear in the virtual reality content,” said company spokesman Vojtěch Severýn. “We follow a strict marketing code to keep nicotine products out of the hands of minors.”

    The National Museum insists the scenes reflect historical accuracy and are not promotional. “Progress is the driving force of human development, but it’s not a straight path without mistakes and errors,” said museum spokesperson Kristina Kvapilová, attempting to underscore that smoking is indeed a negative trait when explaining the name of the exhibition.

    However, critics argue that the lack of disclaimers and prominent tobacco presence, even in futuristic scenes, undermines public health messaging, especially as Czech law now bans sponsorships that promote smoking and restricts flavored e-cigarettes. They further argue that the controversy has sparked a wider debate about the ethics of corporate sponsorship and the blurred lines between history and promotion in public exhibitions.

  • CAPHRA Challenges WHO’s Tobacco Control Approach

    CAPHRA Challenges WHO’s Tobacco Control Approach

    A new Shadow Report from the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) criticizes the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global tobacco control strategy for neglecting harm reduction — a key component of the WHO’s own Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). CAPHRA’s report argues that countries strictly following WHO’s MPOWER measures, like Thailand and India, have seen only limited declines in smoking, while nations adopting harm reduction tools, such as vaping, have achieved greater success. It cites the UK, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada as leading examples.

    With over 1 billion smokers worldwide, CAPHRA calls for “practical, science-based solutions” to replace abstinence-only approaches. The group also condemns the exclusion of harm reduction advocates from policy discussions under FCTC Article 5.3.

    “This is a call to action,” the report states. “We must replace moralistic dogma with practical solutions. It is time to make smoking — the deadliest form of tobacco use — public enemy No. 1, and to deploy harm reduction as a frontline strategy.”

  • Philippines Raises Minimum Prices for Cigarettes and Vapes

    Philippines Raises Minimum Prices for Cigarettes and Vapes

    The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines raised the minimum retail prices for cigarettes and vape products to reflect updated tax and production cost estimates, according to a revenue regulation issued July 18. The floor price for a pack of cigarettes is now set at ₱85.57 ($1.45), up from ₱78.58 ($1.34), with the estimated production cost increased to ₱10.25 ($0.17) per pack. Heated tobacco products now carry a floor price of ₱61.47 ($1.04) per 20-piece pack.

    For vape products, the minimum price for a 2ml nicotine pod surged to ₱353.18 ($6) from ₱180.67 ($3.07). Disposable pods are now priced at ₱183.31 (3.12), prefilled pods at ₱174.89 ($2.97), and disposable devices at ₱98.18 ($1.67)—all for 10ml products.

    The BIR collected ₱58.97 billion ($1 billion) in excise taxes from tobacco products in the first half of 2025, a 34% increase year-on-year. Vape excise tax collections soared by 738%, reaching ₱1.5 billion ($25.5 million).

    The updated prices will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or the BIR’s website.

  • Award-winning e-liquid producer, Riot Labs, has added six new “supercharged” flavors to its Riot X e-liquid range. 

    Award-winning e-liquid producer, Riot Labs, has added six new “supercharged” flavors to its Riot X e-liquid range. 

    PRESS RELEASE

    Developed in its award-winning lab in Milton Keynes, England, the range hits shelves from today and features six maximum intensity flavors, which the producer claims deliver the purest, punchiest hit of flavor on the market. 

    The launch comes at an important time for the vape sector, with the disposable vape ban pushing vapers towards pods and refillable devices to help them continue their quit-smoking journey. 

    Ben Johnson, CEO and Founder of Riot Labs, claims flavor availability in the vape sector is a “massive opportunity” to support vapers who are quitting smoking. 

    Johnson commented:

    “Hundreds of thousands of adult smokers continue to use vaping, proven to be the most effective quitting tool, as part of their quitting journey. In a pivotal year, choice of flavor plays a crucial role in smokers turning to vaping to help them kick the habit and it’s the perfect moment to add new flavors to our Riot X range, to help consumers who are navigating new devices like refillables to maintain their quitting efforts.”

    Riot X launches with a pointed marketing campaign calling out the import vape market with “Made in our lab. Not in a sweatshop. No children were involved in the making of this product”.

    A significant 90% of the vape industry is based overseas. The fallout of Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on imports could see the UK flooded with cheap, unregulated, and potentially harmful vapes entering the UK market. 

    According to Riot Labs, its team of expert flavorists has spent years perfecting the blends of each e-liquid, testing thousands of variations to make something truly unique in its in-house lab in Milton Keynes.  

    Unlike many e-liquids that simply increase sweetness – masking individual notes – Riot X offers maximum intensity with maximum clarity, allowing every layer of the flavor profile to shine through.

    The six-strong range of new flavors will be available online and in retailers from today, including Cherry Colada, Blue Razz Sour Watermelon, Mango and Blackcurrant Gelato, Pink Lemon and Lime, Strawberry and Banana Marshmallow, Sour Grape Chew. 

    Nicotine strengths of 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg will be available starting from an RRP of £3.99.  

  • Storm Ravages Connecticut Tobacco Crop Weeks Before Harvest

    Storm Ravages Connecticut Tobacco Crop Weeks Before Harvest

    A powerful late-night storm toppled thousands of tobacco plants at Kent Farms in Connecticut, leaving crews with the massive task of manually righting each stalk just weeks ahead of harvest. Owner James Kent, a fifth-generation farmer, described the aftermath as “doom and gloom,” with 35 acres of plants — roughly 6,600 per acre — flattened by wind and rain. Kent Farms is one of many local operations hit hard by Sunday’s storms, which also caused downed trees and scattered power outages statewide.

    “There were branches falling down and all that wind and rain knocked all our tobacco over,” Kent said. “I came out last night… I knew I wouldn’t sleep,”

    While the storm brought welcome rain for much of Connecticut, Kent said his fields didn’t need the extra moisture. Additional precipitation could further stress the already fragile crop. While Connecticut Shade and Connecticut Broadleaf make up only 5% of the premium cigar wrappers used worldwide, it is a prestigious and highly valued crop.

    The recovery is expected to take several days, as workers navigate the dense, tall rows typical of tobacco fields to reposition plants by hand.

  • Zimbabwe, Algeria Deepening Trade Ties with Tobacco at Center

    Zimbabwe, Algeria Deepening Trade Ties with Tobacco at Center

    Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently went to Algeria for a two-day State visit aimed at strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. While Zimbabwe and Algeria have maintained strong political ties, economic exchanges have remained limited. The visit is expected to pave the way for new bilateral trade agreements, with a particular focus on agriculture, especially tobacco exports.

    Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Algeria, Vusumuzi Ntonga, confirmed that Virginia tobacco from Zimbabwe is already reaching Algerian markets—but indirectly, through third parties.

    “We actually visited one of the factories of the tobacco companies, where we saw bales and bales of Virginia tobacco from Zimbabwe, but coming through a third company,” Ntonga said. “We invited the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) and they had direct discussions with the company here. The company agreed to look at the options of buying directly from Zimbabwe. And they are also interested in buying all their Virginia tobacco supplies from Zimbabwe. So that is an opportunity that TIMB needs to follow up and finalize.”

    The President is set to meet Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for one-on-one talks, followed by the signing of several cooperation agreements.

  • PDI Technologies Prepares Retailers for Altria’s 2026 Digital Trade Program

    PDI Technologies Prepares Retailers for Altria’s 2026 Digital Trade Program

    Ahead of the 2026 launch of Altria Group Distribution Company’s (AGDC) Digital Trade Program (DTP), PDI Technologies announced its continued support for retailers navigating the evolving tobacco loyalty landscape.

    PDI, already P+ certified and actively assisting stores in meeting current DTP requirements, is developing advanced integration tools and services to ensure both chain and independent retailers are ready for the upcoming changes, expected to take effect on January 1, 2026.

    “Our goal is to help retailers fully leverage AGDC’s DTP at all levels and deliver value to engaged adult tobacco consumers 21 and older,” said Mike Melson, senior vice president and general manager of Payments and Loyalty at PDI.

    PDI will offer guidance, resources, and support through its platform and at Connections Live 2025 in Denver this August, where AGDC will provide in-person training on the new program.

  • UK Vaping Industry Sounds Alarm Over Rising Youth Smoking Rates

    UK Vaping Industry Sounds Alarm Over Rising Youth Smoking Rates

    The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) raised concerns over new data showing a sharp rise in youth smoking. According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the proportion of 11–17-year-olds who have ever smoked jumped from 14% in 2023 to 21% in 2025.

    While youth vaping rates remain steady at one-in-five, UKVIA Director General John Dunne called the uptick in youth smoking “deeply troubling” and urged urgent action.

    “We need a national licensing scheme to crack down on rogue retailers selling age-restricted products to minors,” said Dunne, adding that enforcement is currently “patchy” and penalties are too lenient.

    The survey also highlights growing public misperceptions: over half of adult smokers now believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking, up sharply from previous years. Dunne called for a national campaign to correct misinformation and reaffirmed vaping as “the UK’s most effective quit aid” for adult smokers. Despite challenges, 10% of UK adults—around 5.5 million—now vape.