In an effort to curb tobacco-related harm in India, two national health groups held a workshop yesterday (September 16) in New Delhi focusing on the regulation of what goes into tobacco products. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in collaboration with PGI’s Scientific Support Group, hosted the event, titled “Advancing the Implementation of WHO-FCTC Articles 9 and 10.” According to The Times of India, this marks the country’s first dedicated effort to regulate the contents and emissions of tobacco products and to mandate manufacturer disclosures.
Category: Around the Industry
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NZ Health Official Found in Breach for Providing ‘Pro-Tobacco’ Document
New Zealand First Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has been found in breach of the Public Records Act after providing a “pro-tobacco document” to health officials without knowing its origin. According to Radio New Zealand (RNZ), “Costello cut the tax on heated tobacco products (HTPs) despite health officials saying there was no strong evidence either that they worked as a smoking cessation tool or that they were significantly safer than cigarettes.” The Treasury estimated the HTP tax cut would cost up to NZ$293 million ($175.8 million) if continued until 2029, a forecast that included the impact of the Government collecting less in excise if smokers were encouraged to switch to HTPs.
An inquiry by Chief Archivist Anahera Morehu concluded that neither Costello nor her office maintained accurate records about the “mystery document,” which argued nicotine was no more harmful than caffeine and pushed for tax breaks on heated tobacco products (HTPs). Morehu said the failure undermined government accountability and recommended that the minister’s office improve its record-keeping practices.
Costello repeatedly insisted the notes were a collation of previous NZ First policy positions, handed to her in hard copy shortly after she assumed responsibility for tobacco and vaping policy in December 2023. The document criticized Labour’s smokefree agenda as “ideological nonsense” and urged that smokeless tobacco products be taxed like vapes rather than cigarettes. Costello said she did not know who wrote or delivered the paper, dismissing claims that her approach favored the industry. “It’s ridiculous, and wrong, to continue to try and link this approach to being pro-tobacco,” she said. According to RNZ, the Treasury said the moves benefited Philip Morris, which has a monopoly in New Zealand’s HTP market.
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BAT Announces Management Board Changes
BAT today (September 11) announced upcoming changes to its management board. After 23 years with the group, including 11 as general counsel and board member, Jerome Abelman will step down as Director, Legal and General Counsel on effective December 31. Paul McCrory, currently Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, will become Director, Legal and General Counsel Designate on October 1 before assuming the role fully on January 1, 2026. McCrory has been with BAT for over 18 years and joined the board in 2023.
From October 1, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs will transfer to Kingsley Wheaton, Chief Corporate Officer. CEO Tadeu Marroco thanked Abelman for his leadership and welcomed McCrory to his new role, citing his deep experience and collaborative leadership.
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Dutch Schools Sound Alarm Over Dangerous Rise in Illegal THC Vapes
Dutch schools are reporting a surge in dangerous incidents linked to illegal THC vapes laced with synthetic drugs, raising alarms among health experts and government officials. The devices, often sold through Snapchat and delivered directly to schools, are marketed as cannabis vapes, but lab tests revealed they almost always contain synthetic cannabinoids, known as “spice,” which can trigger severe side effects such as anxiety, heart palpitations, psychosis, and collapse. These substances have been banned in the Netherlands under the Opium Act since July.
Addiction specialists warn the problem is spreading beyond Amsterdam to Utrecht, Amersfoort, and other regions. Major addiction clinics and the Trimbos Institute confirmed rising reports of students suffering health issues from THC vaping.
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PCA Extends CEO Habursky Through 2031
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) extended the contract of executive director Joshua Habursky for five years, securing his governance through 2031. Habursky, who also serves as CEO, will continue overseeing the trade association’s operations and assets, including its Washington, D.C., office.
Board president Todd Naifeh praised Habursky’s leadership, citing record membership and revenue growth, while vice president Paul Groh highlighted his forward-looking approach, including early planning for the PCA’s centennial in 2033. Since joining in 2019, Habursky has overseen initiatives such as the PCA Alliance program, an FIU educational partnership, and the launch of the World Cigar Show.
At its fall meeting in Washington today (September 10), the Board also promoted Antoine Reid to senior director of marketing and communications and announced plans to hire an additional communications manager in early 2026.
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Türkiye Rolls Out Mobile Clinics in Anti-Tobacco Campaign
Türkiye launched a nationwide campaign against tobacco, sending mobile cessation clinics and roving control teams to all 81 provinces, taking prevention and treatment directly to the public in city centers, villages, campuses, and industrial zones. The Health Ministry said teams will raise awareness about tobacco’s dangers, promote resources such as the 171 Quitline and the “Green Detector” app, and connect smokers ready to quit with doctors in mobile clinics.
Branded “Smoke-Free Türkiye,” the drive is part of the country’s 2024–2028 action plan to curb tobacco use, which remains at 34.8% of people aged 15 and older.
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Reign Bar Debuts Mana 50K at CHAMPS Austin
At the CHAMPS Tradeshow in Austin, Texas, today (September 9), Vape brand Reign Bar launched Mana 50K, a disposable device that, according to the company, features “the industry’s first visible e-liquid tank and dual sweetness-ice adjustment.” Dubbed the “Specs Terminator,” the product delivers up to 50,000 puffs with consistent output.
Equipped with a high-power mesh coil, smart display controls, adjustable power, sweetness, and ice intensity, Reign says “Mana 50K addresses demand for customizable, anxiety-free vaping.” The device debuted with 10 fruit-flavor blends.
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VELO Teams with McLaren in Fan-Centric Marketing Campaign
VELO has teamed with the McLaren Formula 1 Team to launch “Live Your Fandom,” a campaign designed to deepen fan engagement by offering exclusive, behind-the-scenes access. Nine fans from around the world were selected through McLaren Plus app competitions to spend a day inside the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK. The immersive experience included a surprise meeting with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, a design workshop, and a Q&A with driver Lando Norris.
“VELO, who champions those that embrace authenticity and self-expression, and the McLaren Formula 1 Team, are putting fandom front and center,” VELO said in a press release. “The two brands have come together to deliver unparalleled experiences and reward a community of global fans throughout the F1 season.”
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MRECA: Should Hear from All Parties, Not Rely on “Biased” Vape Report
The Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA) voiced concern over the Health Parliament Special Select Committee’s (PSSC) latest report, which proposes a blanket ban on the sale and use of e-cigarettes and vape. MRECA said the report was biased and prepared without consulting key stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, consumers, and independent experts.
“The industry supports firm and balanced regulations, including age restrictions, product standards, and consumer safety measures,” MRECA said in its statement. “However, the process must be transparent and inclusive. Allegations made against the industry should be reviewed and verified with scientific evidence, not assumptions.”
The association urged the Health PSSC to hold consultation sessions with all stakeholders before finalizing recommendations. “Without a fair and comprehensive process, a blanket ban would unfairly punish the industry as a whole,” MRECA said. “The vape sector should be seen as part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
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Smoking Bill Amendments Cleared, Debate Looming in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen ruled that all three sets of amendments proposed by the Liberal Party to the government’s smoking control bill comply with procedural rules, paving the way for debate when the second reading resumes on September 10. The amendments, led by Liberal Party chairman and retail sector lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai, seek to scrap the planned flavored cigarette ban, delay measures such as plain packaging through an “affirmative vetting” process, and broaden exemptions for additives used in cigarette manufacturing. While the government argued the changes would dilute its policy intent, Leung said the proposals do not breach the Rules of Procedure.
Passage of the amendments will require majority support in both functional and geographical constituencies under LegCo’s dual voting system.