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Category: Around the Industry

  • KT&G Receives “AAA” ESG Rating from MSCI

    KT&G Receives “AAA” ESG Rating from MSCI

    KT&G said it received a “AAA” ESG rating from global investment research firm MSCI, marking “the highest rating ever achieved by a tobacco industry player,” according to the company. MSCI evaluates 8,500 publicly listed companies annually, with ratings ranging from AAA to CCC, which institutional investors use to assess sustainability and ESG competitiveness. The rating improved KT&G from its previous four-year streak of AA ratings.

    MSCI highlighted KT&G’s strong governance structure, systematic supply chain management, responsible marketing, and environmental management initiatives as key contributors to the top-tier score. Notably, KT&G’s governance practices—including separation of CEO and board chair roles, 75% independent director composition, and active committees—were singled out for recognition.

    KT&G received recognition for its supply chain labor management, expansion of on-site water reclamation infrastructure, and execution of responsible marketing practices. Young-ah Shim, Director of KT&G’s ESG Management Office, emphasized that the rating underscores the company’s global-standard ESG management and commitment to ongoing environmental and supply chain initiatives.

  • Habanos Launches Special Edition Punch Cigars in Cyprus

    Habanos Launches Special Edition Punch Cigars in Cyprus

    Habanos S.A. unveiled a limited-edition Punch Princesas cigar to mark the brand’s 185th anniversary, with the global premiere held on December 6 in Limassol, Cyprus. The special release revived a classic 1960s format and highlighted the heritage of one of Habanos’ oldest premium brands, founded in 1840.

    The launch event, organized by Phoenicia TAA Cyprus, brought together more than 550 cigar aficionados from around the world. The commemorative vitola will be introduced to additional international markets in the coming months.

  • Bangladesh Schools Surrounded by Tobacco Outlets

    Bangladesh Schools Surrounded by Tobacco Outlets

    A new study by the Power and Participation Research Centre found that each school in Bangladesh is surrounded by an average of 5.5 tobacco-selling outlets within 100 meters, making cigarettes highly accessible to youth, according to New Age. The research, covering 121 schools in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna, identified 666 points of sale, with most selling single cigarette sticks.

    The study showed that 71% of outlets openly displayed cigarettes, often positioned at children’s eye level, while 66% placed tobacco products alongside chocolates, toys, and sweets. It also found that 68% of retail points used visible advertising such as dummy packs and posters, and 84% sold flavored cigarettes.

  • Korean Smoking Rate Drops 1 Percentage Point

    Korean Smoking Rate Drops 1 Percentage Point

    The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the results from its 2025 Community Health Survey, and found the smoking rate dropped one percentage point from last year to 17.9%, while the use of e-cigarettes rose 0.6% to 9.3%. The overall use of tobacco products dropped 0.5% from last year to 22.1%.

    In other health topics, overall drinking and high-risk drinking dropped 1.2% and 0.6% respectively, but the obesity rate went up 1% to 35.4%. Physical activity went down, while hypertension and diabetes increased.  

  • Health Groups Call for Tobacco Control in Bangladesh

    Health Groups Call for Tobacco Control in Bangladesh

    The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Lung Foundation, and Bangladesh Cancer Society urged the government to strengthen the Tobacco Control Act to cut tobacco use and related deaths. In a joint statement, the three health groups said tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Bangladesh, killing more than 130,000 people each year. They noted that non-communicable diseases account for about 71% of all deaths nationally, with tobacco a major driver of heart disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses.

  • Hong Kong Considers Full Smoking Ban at Construction Sites

    Hong Kong Considers Full Smoking Ban at Construction Sites

    Authorities in Hong Kong are considering implementing a comprehensive smoking ban across all construction sites following last month’s tragic Tai Po fire, where at least 159 people were killed. While the official cause of the fire is still being investigated, reports say workers were seen smoking at the site of the apartment building’s renovation, near bamboo scaffolding, which authorities say fueled the rapid spread of the fire.

    The blaze has heightened scrutiny over workers’ smoking during renovation projects, with reports indicating repeated violations at Wang Fuk Court. Current measures include notices warning workers against bringing cigarettes onto sites, with penalties including fines of HK$5,000 ($642), immediate removal from the site, and potential permanent barring from construction employment. The Real Estate Developers Association is gathering member feedback to potentially issue industry-wide guidelines, emphasizing contractor responsibility for enforcement.

    Some developers, including CK Asset Holdings Ltd, already maintain strict no-smoking policies with designated smoking areas, intensified enforcement, and reporting to the Construction Industry Council. Under existing Hong Kong regulations, the commissioner may prohibit smoking at sites using flammable materials, providing a legal basis for broader restrictions if adopted.

  • Alaska Settles 2020 Suit with Juul, Altria for $7.8M  

    Alaska Settles 2020 Suit with Juul, Altria for $7.8M  

    The State of Alaska has reached a $5.8 million settlement with Juul over allegations that the company marketed vaping products to minors, bringing total recoveries in the case to $7.8 million, including a prior settlement with Altria. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accused the companies of designing and promoting products in ways that appealed to children and teenagers.

    Under the agreement, payments from Juul will be made over five years, with the first installment due this month. Settlement terms also impose court-enforceable marketing restrictions in Alaska.

    Half of the settlement funds will support Alaska’s tobacco prevention and control programs, with the remainder directed to state consumer protection efforts.

  • Cannabis Co. Countersues Competitor for AI-Fabricated Extortion

    Cannabis Co. Countersues Competitor for AI-Fabricated Extortion

    Leafwell Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against fellow medical marijuana company My Florida Green, alleging its competitor used artificial intelligence to fabricate legal claims as part of an extortion scheme designed to damage Leafwell’s business. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida last week.

    According to the complaint, My Florida Green allegedly filed a factually and legally deficient lawsuit in September, accusing Leafwell of unlawful business practices, then used the litigation to pressure the company to settle the lawsuit, scare off business partners, and otherwise harm Leafwell’s operations. Leafwell claims the filings were AI-generated and lacked proper factual and legal grounding.

    According to Justia Law, the court is scrutinizing the original filings, highlighting the growing business and legal risks tied to the misuse of AI in litigation and competitive disputes, particularly in highly regulated sectors like medical cannabis.

  • CAA Elects Terry Gallagher as New Chairman

    CAA Elects Terry Gallagher as New Chairman

    The Cigar Association of America (CAA) announced that Terry Gallagher, Jr., president of Smoker Friendly tobacco outlets, has been elected chairman of the association, succeeding Javier Estades. Gallagher, Jr. brings decades of experience in the premium cigar and tobacco sectors and assumes leadership as the association continues its advocacy and industry-support efforts.

    CAA president Scott Pearce praised Estades for his nine years of service, during which the association strengthened federal and state advocacy, expanded policymaker engagement, and became a leading voice on tobacco issues. Estades will remain on the Board.

    The Board also elected new officers: Eric Newman (Vice Chair), Carrie Freed (Treasurer), and Henry Roemer (Secretary). Gallagher, Jr. emphasized collaboration with the leadership team to advance cigar-specific regulation, protect adult consumers, and preserve the heritage of premium cigars.

  • Great Wall Cigar Explores Partnerships with Cuba, Morocco, Indonesia

    Great Wall Cigar Explores Partnerships with Cuba, Morocco, Indonesia

    A delegation from China Tobacco Sichuan’s Great Wall Cigar Factory recently visited the embassies of Cuba, Morocco, and Indonesia in Beijing to discuss industrial cooperation and trade expansion.

    At the Cuban embassy, talks with Minister Counsellor Igor Montero Brito focused on collaboration in tobacco breeding, processing technology, and cultural exchange. The Cuban official highlighted cigars as a national symbol comparable to China’s silk and porcelain.

    In Morocco, discussions centered on leveraging the country’s strategic location to create a regional hub for cigar processing and distribution. In Indonesia, the delegation received confirmation of a recent commercial order, reflecting growing bilateral trade. Great Wall Cigar holds about 50% of China’s handmade cigar market and nearly 70% of its high-end segment, exporting to 28 countries.