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Category: Around the Industry

  • Human Smuggling Case Should Make UK Consider Dutch Bibob Act: Opinion

    Human Smuggling Case Should Make UK Consider Dutch Bibob Act: Opinion

    Following a BBC investigation into a convicted human smuggler operating vape shops in the UK, Dr. Marina Murphy, the senior director of scientific affairs at Haypp, called for the adoption of a licensing framework modeled on the Netherlands’ Bibob Act. She argued that incorporating enhanced background checks into the UK’s proposed licensing scheme for nicotine and vape retailers would allow authorities to deny licenses where there are credible links to organized crime, rather than waiting for illegal activity to occur.

    Under the Dutch system, licensing authorities can assess applicants and associated individuals using public records and law enforcement information before approving or revoking business licenses.

  • FTC Warns Seven Vape Companies Making ‘Made in USA’ Claims

    FTC Warns Seven Vape Companies Making ‘Made in USA’ Claims

    The Federal Trade Commission issued warning letters to seven companies over potentially misleading U.S.-origin claims, including e-cigarette retailer My Vape Order Inc. The agency said the companies appear to have marketed certain products as “Made in the USA” or “Made in Texas” despite indications they were imported in whole or in significant part, warning that such claims must comply with the FTC’s Made in USA Labeling Rule.

    The FTC did not announce formal enforcement actions or penalties but cautioned that companies making unqualified U.S.-origin claims could face investigation if they fail to bring their marketing into compliance. Under FTC rules, products advertised as “Made in the USA” must be “all or virtually all” manufactured domestically. FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Christopher Mufarrige said the agency will hold companies accountable for misleading origin claims that undermine consumer trust and disadvantage manufacturers that legitimately produce goods in the United States.

    The other companies receiving warning letters were A&F Drum Company LLC, Helmel Engineering Products Inc., Lucky Bar Holdings LLC, NebTech Inc., Vtron Inc., and Z-Tech Advanced Technologies Inc.

  • Indian Court to Decide if Pouches Can be Sold at Airport’s Duty-Free Shops

    Indian Court to Decide if Pouches Can be Sold at Airport’s Duty-Free Shops

    An Indian government investigation found that nicotine pouches were being sold without required approvals at duty-free shops operated by a joint venture led by the Adani Group at Mumbai International Airport, prompting authorities to order sales to be halted and licenses obtained. According to court documents reviewed by Reuters, Adani is challenging the action, arguing India’s Drugs and Cosmetics Act does not apply to duty-free shops. The case, scheduled for a July 14 hearing, could establish how India regulates nicotine pouch sales at airport duty-free outlets as the government increasingly views the products as an unapproved public health risk.

  • Israeli Health Study Says 40% of Population Exposed to Second-Hand Smoke

    Israeli Health Study Says 40% of Population Exposed to Second-Hand Smoke

    A new Israeli Health Ministry report estimates that about 4 million people are exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke entering their homes from neighboring apartments, with more than 2 million experiencing exposure at least weekly. The report, based in part on data from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, calls for stronger public health measures and highlights widespread misconceptions about secondhand smoke exposure, including from balconies. The findings come as Israel’s Supreme Court considers a case that could require government ministries to introduce regulations addressing residential tobacco smoke infiltration.

  • Philippines’ Tobacco Taxes Rise for First Time in Three Years

    Philippines’ Tobacco Taxes Rise for First Time in Three Years

    The Philippines’ tobacco excise tax collections rose 12.25% to ₱150.9 billion ($2.41 billion) in 2025, exceeding the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) target of ₱149.6 billion ($2.39 billion) and ending a three-year streak of missed revenue goals. The increase was driven by a 29.2% rise in tobacco product removals to 2.9 billion units, including cigarettes, cigars, heated tobacco products, and vapor products, along with stronger enforcement against illicit trade and enhanced monitoring through tax stamps, floor-price rules, and other compliance measures.

    BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the agency plans to further strengthen its digital track-and-trace capabilities through the Special Products Automated Revenue Collection System (SPARCS) to improve supply chain oversight and combat tax evasion. For 2026, the BIR has set a tobacco excise tax collection target of ₱166.6 billion ($2.7 billion) as part of its overall excise tax revenue goal of ₱359.7 billion ($5.8 billion).

  • Macau to Significantly Raise Vape Fines

    Macau to Significantly Raise Vape Fines

    Macau is moving to strengthen its tobacco control law by increasing the fine for illegally bringing e-cigarettes and other novel tobacco products into the territory from MOP4,000 to MOP10,000 ($480 to $1,200) as part of a broader legislative overhaul. The revised bill, which is proposed to take effect on January 1, 2027, would also introduce fines of MOP1,500 ($180) for individuals found in possession of e-cigarettes, while businesses could face penalties ranging from MOP20,000 to MOP200,000 ($2,400 to $24,000). The legislation would prohibit the possession and use of e-cigarettes beginning July 1, 2027, introduce standardized tobacco packaging and larger health warnings from July 1, 2028, and increase warning labels on cigars and cigarillos to cover 70% of each side of the packaging. Officials said the higher import penalties are intended to deter cross-border smuggling of e-cigarettes and other nicotine products.

  • PMI Exec: Lack of Rules Boosts Illegal Segment

    PMI Exec: Lack of Rules Boosts Illegal Segment

    Nick Ricketts, PMI’s president of oral products, said regulatory clarity is essential for the development of nicotine pouch markets and the protection of consumers. In an interview with Logos Press, he said, “When there are no rules, the market shifts to the illegal segment.”

    Ricketts argued that nicotine pouches should be integrated into regulated systems rather than banned, with clear product standards, nicotine limits, flavor rules, age verification, and marketing restrictions. He pointed to regulatory models such as FDA oversight in the U.S. and structured national frameworks in parts of Europe as more effective than outright prohibitions. He said bans can push demand into illicit channels, weakening quality control and age enforcement, citing Germany and Belgium as examples. He highlighted Sweden as a benchmark, where long-term access to smoke-free alternatives and supportive tax policy have coincided with very low smoking rates. He also said PMI views nicotine pouches as part of its broader smoke-free portfolio, with growing availability across global markets under increasing regulatory oversight.

  • Australia’s ‘Tobacco Wars’ See 10 Businesses Set Ablaze

    Australia’s ‘Tobacco Wars’ See 10 Businesses Set Ablaze

    Melbourne’s ongoing “tobacco wars” escalated today (July 6) after a suspected ram raid and arson attack destroyed a tobacco shop in Abbotsford and damaged about 10 neighboring businesses. Fire Rescue Victoria deployed 80 firefighters and 25 trucks after crews arrived to find the building fully engulfed in flames, bringing the fire under control by 6 a.m. Victoria Police said unknown offenders drove a vehicle into the shop before setting it alight and fleeing. No injuries were reported, but a crime scene has been established, and an investigation is underway, while road and tram closures disrupted traffic in the area.

  • CAPHRA Says FDA’s Pouch Pivot Should Trigger Policy Rethink 

    CAPHRA Says FDA’s Pouch Pivot Should Trigger Policy Rethink 

    The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates is urging governments across the Asia-Pacific region to review the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent authorization allowing 20 Zyn nicotine pouch products to carry reduced-risk claims for adult smokers. CAPHRA said the FDA’s decision recognizes the principle of relative risk following scientific review and should encourage regulators to distinguish between combustible cigarettes, high-risk smokeless tobacco products, and lower-risk smoke-free nicotine alternatives.

    The group called on policymakers to adopt evidence-based, risk-proportionate regulation, strengthen youth access restrictions and product standards, and ensure adult consumers receive accurate information about the comparative risks of nicotine products, arguing that treating all nicotine products as equally harmful undermines public health objectives.

  • Armenia Raises Excise Taxes on Tobacco, Alcohol, Fuel

    Armenia Raises Excise Taxes on Tobacco, Alcohol, Fuel

    Armenia’s parliament approved legislation raising excise taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, gasoline, and diesel fuel, a move expected to increase retail prices. The measure introduces annual indexation of excise taxes on excisable goods, with tobacco excise rates set to increase by 7% each year, while excise taxes on heated tobacco products will rise by 30% annually. The excise tax on electronic cigarettes will double in the first year under the new framework. The bill passed its second reading with support from lawmakers in the ruling Civil Contract party.