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Category: Around the Industry

  • Haypp Strengthens U.S. Leadership with Legal and Regulatory Hires

    Haypp Strengthens U.S. Leadership with Legal and Regulatory Hires

    Haypp Group, the parent company of nicotine pouch retailers Nicokick.com and Northerner.com , publicized the appointments of Issa Abuaita as head of legal (U.S.), and Laura Leigh Oyler as vice president of regulatory affairs (U.S.). The move from earlier this year bolsters the company’s regulatory leadership as it expands in the U.S. market.

    Abuaita has more than a decade of legal experience, including FDA compliance and product authorization, while Oyler has more than 15 years of tobacco regulation experience from firms like PMI and Juul Labs.

    “We’re not just growing—we’re setting the bar on what a responsible and compliant nicotine pouch retailer looks like in 2025,” said Markus Lindblad, global head of legal and external affairs at Haypp Group. “Issa brings legal discipline, operational sharpness and peerless ability to decode the complex regulatory terrain, while Laura Leigh is a powerhouse in regulatory strategy, external engagement and unmatched credibility as a voice in harm reduction. Together, they enhance our ability to grow responsibly while championing adult access to modern oral nicotine alternatives. Their leadership empowers us to engage regulators, consumers, and the broader public with transparency and integrity.”

  • PMI US Launches “Invested in America” Campaign

    PMI US Launches “Invested in America” Campaign

    Philip Morris International U.S. (PMI U.S.) unveiled a new national campaign today (July 3), “Invested in America,” aimed at showcasing the company’s contributions to job creation, manufacturing growth, public health, and community development across the country. The campaign launched with full-page print ads and a digital rollout to follow, highlighting PMI U.S.’s strategic investment in America’s future and invites policymakers and the public to see the company as a partner in national progress.

    “Philip Morris International is invested in America’s future—and we have a proud story to tell,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “From building our advanced manufacturing facilities to contributing to progress within communities nationwide, the people of PMI U.S. are helping to write America’s next chapter.”

    The campaign centers on four key pillars:

    • Manufacturing Comeback: PMI U.S. plans to invest over $800 million in new and expanded smoke-free product facilities, generating high-paying, high-skilled jobs.
    • Advancing Public Health: The company aims to help the nation’s ~30 million adult smokers move away from cigarettes by offering FDA-authorized, smoke-free alternatives.
    • Strengthening Communities: Since 2022, PMI U.S. has donated $25 million to charitable causes and disaster recovery, including over $10 million in 2024 alone to 327 nonprofits in 35 states.
    • Purpose-Driven Performance: Backed by more than $14 billion in global investment in smoke-free innovation since 2008, PMI continues to drive both public health goals and business growth.

    “This campaign embodies our innovation and determination to reshape an entire industry and strengthen America,” Kennedy said. “In every state where we operate, we’re not just doing business—we’re creating opportunities that will define the America of tomorrow.”

  • FRE Announces Partnership with PBR Tour

    FRE Announces Partnership with PBR Tour

    FRE Nicotine Pouches (part of Turning Point Brands) announced its largest sports sponsorship to date in becoming an official, multi-year partner of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Unleash the Beast tour, the sport’s top individual series.

    “Professional bull riding delivers the most exciting eight seconds in sports, and we’re thrilled to be part of that energy through our title sponsorship of the Unleash The Beast,” said Connor Smith, VP of Marketing for FRE. “PBR’s viewership has been steadily rising, and the sport is selling out iconic venues coast to coast – that’s the kind of passionate, engaged audience that aligns perfectly with FRE’s innovative approach to nicotine. Our PBR partnership represents more than just sponsorship; it’s about connecting with fans who appreciate authenticity, seizing the moment, and pushing boundaries.”

    FRE made its rodeo debut at Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo and the PBR World Finals in May. At the Championship event, FRE helped launch the “FRE Challenge Button,” allowing riders to request video reviews—a first in PBR history.

  • BAT France Welcomes New Standard for Nicotine Pouches

    BAT France Welcomes New Standard for Nicotine Pouches

    BAT France praised the introduction of the new AFNOR experimental standard XP V37-500, which sets out strict guidelines for nicotine pouches to ensure product safety, quality, and consumer transparency.

    Developed with input from industry experts, researchers, and manufacturers, the standard outlines requirements in five key areas:

    • Product Composition: Only food or pharmaceutical-grade ingredients are permitted. Nicotine must be naturally derived and capped at 16.6 mg per pouch.
    • Manufacturing: Good manufacturing practices (GMP) and full traceability of raw materials are mandatory.
    • Toxicological Evaluation: Each ingredient, including impurities and packaging, must undergo a toxicological risk assessment.
    • Packaging: Materials must comply with European food safety standards and be tamper-proof.
    • Labelling: Products must clearly display nicotine content, ingredients, allergens, and include addiction warnings.

    “A rigorous standard like the XP V37-500 provides a guarantee of quality, a guarantee of quality and reliable transparency for products intended for adult consumers, sold in a network of trained professionals,” said Sébastien Charbonneau, director of public affairs for BAT France.

  • Next Generation of SKE Crystal Launched in UK

    Next Generation of SKE Crystal Launched in UK

    SKE officially launched the SKE Bar in the UK, a next-generation upgrade of its popular Crystal Bar vape. Retaining the signature transparent design and offering 35 familiar flavors, the new device introduces a reusable pod system and USB-C rechargeable battery, aimed at reducing waste and improving convenience.

    The pre-filled magnetic pods allow for easy flavor swaps, while a 1.2-ohm mesh coil ensures consistent vapor quality. Each device also includes a collectible motto card, adding a personal touch.

  • JTI Launches Lemon-Flavored Cigarillo in UK

    JTI Launches Lemon-Flavored Cigarillo in UK

    Today (July 1), JTI launched its Sterling Dual Capsule Xtra Yellow, a UK-first lemon-flavored cigarillo. In addition to the existing peppermint capsule, the product features a lemon capsule in the filter that users can click to release flavor. This adds a new, popular flavor to the brand that JTI says already holds a 93.6% share (£14 million per month) of the UK cigarillo market.

    “JTI is committed to supporting retailers by meeting consumer demand with innovative products like Sterling Dual Capsule Xtra Yellow,” said Lisa Anderson, marketing director at JTI UK.

    Sterling Dual Capsule Xtra Yellow retails for a suggested £6.95 for a 10-stick pack, and JTI offers retailers an introductory 20% profit on return wholesale.

  • Cuba’s Habanos Depending More on Machine-Made Cigars

    Cuba’s Habanos Depending More on Machine-Made Cigars

    Habanos S.A., Cuba’s premium cigar exporter, is increasingly leaning on machine-made cigars produced at the Internacional Cubana de Tabacos (ICT) factory in Havana, according to The Havana Times. Though lacking the prestige of hand-rolled cigars, these products generated $38 million in revenue in 2024, part of Habanos S.A.’s record $827 million annual earnings.

    The factory, a joint venture with Spain’s Tabacalera, runs 64 machines and operates three shifts daily, producing up to 800,000 cigars a day to meet global demand under the Cohiba, Partagás, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta brands.

    Industry insiders acknowledge that Habanos’ luxury clientele won’t abandon premium hand-rolled cigars. Yet for now, machine-made alternatives are helping cushion the blow from Cuba’s deepening agricultural and infrastructure crisis, according to the newspaper.

  • AIR Unveils First Sustainability Report and Roadmap

    AIR Unveils First Sustainability Report and Roadmap

    Advanced Inhalation Rituals (AIR) published its inaugural sustainability report, detailing a long-term strategy focused on public health, innovation, and environmental and social responsibility. The report positions AIR as a pioneer in tobacco- and nicotine-free shisha alternatives, highlighting major milestones such as the launch of Zodiac, a tea-based inhalation product, and OOKA, what the company says is the “world’s first pod-based, charcoal-free shisha device,” with over 14,500 devices and 500,000 pods sold to date.

    AIR’s new 2030 Roadmap, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, centers on five ESG (environmental, social, and governance) pillars: public health and innovation, working conditions, business integrity, environmental impact (notably water usage), and governance. The roadmap includes goals like improving gender diversity in leadership, strengthening supply chain standards, and increasing public education around harm reduction.

    “This report celebrates the huge progress we have already made in optimizing all aspects of our operations, but we are also aware that we have a responsibility to accelerate our ESG efforts over the coming years to protect the world around us,” AIR CEO Stuart Brazier said. “As the global leader in our industry, our purpose is to transform the sector by creating a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable inhalation experience whilst also preserving the rich social and cultural value of shisha.”

    The full report is available at www.air.global.

  • USTC Appoints Garofolo as CFO

    USTC Appoints Garofolo as CFO

    U.S. Tobacco Cooperative Inc. (USTC) announced the appointment of Phil Garofolo as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective today (June 30). Garofolo has more than 18 years of experience in financial leadership across the global agricultural and manufacturing sectors. He most recently served as senior vice president of finance and Chief Accounting Officer at Pyxus International, where he led major transformations across finance, internal audit, tax, risk, and insurance, securing $2.6 billion in funding across business cycles.

    Garofolo’s prior roles include senior financial leadership positions at PowerTeam Services (now Artera) and EY, advising on IPOs, M&A, restructurings, and international compliance in agriculture, life sciences, and infrastructure.

    “Phil brings the rare combination of financial rigor, operational insight, and strategic vision,” said Ron Radloff, president and CEO of USTC. “His leadership will help drive efficiency and transparency across our operations while reinforcing our cooperative’s commitment to delivering value to our members and customers globally.”

  • Former Davidoff Exec Joins Maya Selva

    Former Davidoff Exec Joins Maya Selva

    Luc Hyvernat, who recently served as Oettinger Davidoff AG’s senior vice president and Chief Commercial Officer, has joined Maya Selva Cigars as the company’s new executive vice president, according to Halfwheel.

    “Described as ‘an epicurean at heart and a strategist in action,’ Hyvernat will help the Franco-Honduran cigar manufacturer write a new chapter in its story, fueled by a passion for handmade cigars, respect for tradition and audacity in innovation,” Patrick Lagreid wrote.

    Prior to joining Oettinger Davidoff AG in March 2021, Hyvernat was the international director for Centre Vinicole Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte. He has also spent more than two decades in the tobacco industry through various roles at Altadis, Imperial Brands, and SEITA.