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Category: News This Week

  • Survey: Luxembourgers Favor Strict Tobacco Rules

    Survey: Luxembourgers Favor Strict Tobacco Rules

    A new poll by Ilres shows overwhelming public support in Luxembourg for tougher tobacco controls, with 85% of residents backing a ban on advertising—including 75% of smokers themselves. The survey, published by Fondation Cancer, also found strong backing for removing cigarette vending machines (78%), reducing points of sale (71%), and nearly three-quarters of respondents in favor of raising prices.

    The findings come as the European Commission pushes for harmonized excise duty increases across the EU, a move Luxembourg has resisted. Finance Minister Gilles Roth warned in October that the proposed tax hikes were “excessive” and risked disrupting existing price levels, arguing that aligning duties across member states could create “unequal treatment.” Cigarette sales remain a major revenue stream for Luxembourg, with 5.08 billion sticks sold in 2024, though KPMG estimates 88% were consumed abroad.

  • Poland Dismantles Armenian Crime Gang Running Illegal Cigarette Factories

    Poland Dismantles Armenian Crime Gang Running Illegal Cigarette Factories

    Polish police and border guards said they dismantled a major organized crime group running three illegal cigarette factories in the Mazowieckie and Łódzkie regions. The coordinated raids led to the arrest of nine Armenian citizens and six others, with authorities seizing more than 12.7 million counterfeit cigarettes, 25 tons of tobacco, and a complete production line. Officials estimate the illicit goods were worth over 28 million zloty ($7.6 million).

    Prosecutors in Łódź charged 14 suspects with operating an organized criminal group, producing illegal tobacco products, and committing tax crimes. Four face additional charges for storing or transporting cigarettes without excise stamps. While one suspect was released under police supervision, the remaining 14 were remanded in custody for three months as the investigation continues.

    Authorities say the operation prevented an estimated €12.5 million in lost excise and VAT revenue. The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over Poland’s black market for tobacco, which accounted for 4.3% of total cigarette consumption in 2024, costing the state €312 million in lost tax revenue, according to a report commissioned by Philip Morris International.

  • Imperial Revenue Dips, But Delivers Strong NGP Growth

    Imperial Revenue Dips, But Delivers Strong NGP Growth

    Imperial Brands announced its full-year results for the year ended September 20, highlighting continued operational momentum and robust shareholder returns, even as reported earnings faced pressure. The company posted 4.1% growth in tobacco and Next Generation Products (NGP) net revenue, driven by double-digit NGP gains, strong tobacco pricing, and stable market share across its five priority markets. Since FY20, Imperial has added 48 basis points of market share. However, reported revenue slipped 0.7%.

    “We will continue to invest in consumer insights, innovation, and marketing capabilities,” said Imperial CEO Lukas Paravicini. “We will also continue to make deliberate, focused choices about which opportunities we pursue, and develop a simpler, more efficient, and more agile organization.”

    NGP performance remained a standout, with net revenue climbing 13.7% and reported NGP revenue up 14.9%, fueled by oral nicotine growth in the U.S. and Europe and share gains across all smoke-free categories. Adjusted operating profit rose 4.6%, though reported operating profit fell 1.8%. Adjusted earnings per share increased 9.1%, supported by profit growth and share count reduction, while reported EPS dropped 16.5%.

    Cash generation remained strong, with free cash flow of £2.7 billion, largely driven by the combustibles business. Shareholder returns were a key focus: the FY25 dividend rose 4.5%, and a £1.25 billion buyback was completed. Over FY21–FY25, Imperial returned £10 billion to shareholders, and a new £1.45 billion buyback for FY26 has already commenced.

  • Nationwide Pushes Back on Cannabis Coverage, Raising Industry Concerns

    Nationwide Pushes Back on Cannabis Coverage, Raising Industry Concerns

    A Nationwide insurance subsidiary told an Illinois federal court that a cannabis company is not entitled to coverage for a proposed class action accusing it of misrepresenting the safety and labeling of cannabis-infused products, according to ClassAction.org. The insurer argues that the cannabis company’s liability policies do not cover allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, or deceptive practices.

    The underlying lawsuits allege that certain cannabis products—including vape oils marketed as concentrates—were mislabeled to bypass Illinois’ stricter THC limits and misled consumers about potency and safety. Plaintiffs argue the practices violated state consumer protection laws and exposed buyers to unsafe products.

    The Nationwide filing underscores the growing challenges cannabis firms face in securing reliable insurance protection as litigation risks mount. If the court agrees, the cannabis company will be forced to bear defense costs itself, a potentially costly outcome in an industry already grappling with regulatory complexity.

  • PCA Fighting N.J. Bill to Hike Premium Cigar Taxes

    PCA Fighting N.J. Bill to Hike Premium Cigar Taxes

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) launched a campaign urging lawmakers to reject New Jersey Senate Bill No. 4820 that would increase the tax on premium cigars from 30% to 50% of the wholesale price. The PCA says the tax hike is “punitive” and “disproportionate,” with retailers saying the proposal unfairly targets adult consumers of premium cigars, who already face some of the highest tobacco taxes in the region.

    Introduced by Senator Joseph Vitale (D–Middlesex) on November 6, the bill would also expand taxation on other nicotine products, including e-liquids used in vaping devices. Opponents, however, warn that the legislation would devastate New Jersey’s specialty cigar shops, many of which are small, family-owned businesses, as higher taxes would drive consumers to neighboring states or online retailers.

  • Ireland Considering Disposable Vape Ban, Wider Nicotine Controls

    Ireland Considering Disposable Vape Ban, Wider Nicotine Controls

    The Irish Government is considering new legislation that would ban the retail sale of single-use or disposable vapes, amid growing concerns over youth uptake and the rapid evolution of nicotine products. According to The Journal, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is seeking Cabinet approval for the publication of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, which would outlaw the products six months after becoming law.

    In addition to the vape ban, MacNeill is pushing for broader regulation of nicotine products through amendments to the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill. The changes would extend oversight to nicotine pouches, which are currently outside existing tobacco and vaping legislation.

    Public health advocates, including the Irish Cancer Society, have criticized the government for being slow to regulate new nicotine products. In August, the Society warned that the lack of oversight risked exposing young people to addictive substances.

  • COP11, Good Gop 2.0 Both Open in Geneva

    COP11, Good Gop 2.0 Both Open in Geneva

    The 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) began today (November 17) in Geneva, bringing together global health leaders and over 1,400 delegates from 183 countries for the week-long event. The conference “aims to strengthen international cooperation to combat tobacco use, rising nicotine addiction, and environmental harm caused by cigarette products.” Discussions are expected to revolve around familiar topics such as youth smoking, flavorings, and cigarette butt pollution. Delegates are also expected to address “aggressive marketing” of tobacco and nicotine products, youth vaping, and strategies to combat the illicit tobacco trade.

    Running parallel, and just steps away from COP11, is Good Cop 2.0, an event hosted by the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, designed to be a rapid-response and fact-checking forum to counter discussions from the WHO. “The event aims to unite taxpayer-, free-market-, and harm-reduction organizations to challenge misinformation and present alternative, evidence-based perspectives. It is intended to be an open forum for consumers, independent scientists, and journalists who are often excluded from WHO’s closed-door sessions.”

    Speaking on one of the Good Cop panels today, Clive Bates, a public health consultant and director of Counterfactual Consulting, summed up WHO critics’ frustration that stems from having decisions that will influence global tobacco control and public health policies for years to come being made in secrecy, behind closed doors, with virtually no input from consumers or industry.

    “There’s no harm and having discussions about the frontier ideas of tobacco control,” said Bates. “[But COP11 is] a really graphic illustration of the weakness of expert groups. The experts that have been chosen to come up with these figures are [basically] fringe fanatics in the tobacco control world. In any normal conversation with users or consumers, a lot of these ideas would seem mad.

    “That’s the danger of getting away from the working groups. The working groups of parties have to think about the politics of actually delivering this to the actual public, whereas the expert groups are fanatics pushing forward an agenda to the extremes of what they think they can get away with.”

  • EU Abstains from COP11 Vote Amid Internal Disagreements

    EU Abstains from COP11 Vote Amid Internal Disagreements

    “The European Union will not participate in a vote on a revised treaty at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP11) in Geneva,” Brussels Signal reported today (November 17), highlighting deep divisions among member states over tobacco policy. Internal EU disagreements pit “progressive” countries that support stricter measures like flavor bans and plain packaging against more cautious states that advocate for harm-reduction tools and consumer choice. Attempts to reach a consensus under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU reportedly failed, despite a proposed compromise, the article said.

    The abstention has sparked mixed reactions. Public health advocacy groups expressed concern that a weakened EU position could embolden tobacco industry tactics, while harm-reduction proponents, including the World Vapers Alliance, welcomed the outcome as preserving space for evidence-based policies. Analysts warn that overly broad restrictions could drive consumers back to combustible cigarettes or underground markets, undermining public health gains.

  • Mexico Debates Vaping Ban Amid Constitutional Reform

    Mexico Debates Vaping Ban Amid Constitutional Reform

    Mexico is moving toward a decisive stance on e-cigarettes and vaping as lawmakers prepare to define whether the industry will be regulated or banned. A recent constitutional reform, supported by most major parties, criminalizes the production, distribution, and sale of electronic cigarettes, vape devices, and unauthorized toxic substances. Movimiento Ciudadano remains the only party opposing the measure.

    The reform modifies Articles 4 and 5 of the Constitution and frames vaping alongside fentanyl misuse, prompting critics to argue that it reflects a global prohibitionist approach rather than a domestic evidence-based policy. Secondary legislation under the General Health Law will now determine the practical scope of the ban or regulation.

    Public health experts and advocacy groups, including the World Vapers’ Alliance, argue that intelligent regulation could reduce illicit trade, protect adult consumers, and generate significant tax revenue—estimated at up to MX$6.94 billion ($374.8 million) annually.

    The debate also highlights the potential for vaping technology in medical applications, such as inhaled drug delivery for conditions like asthma, migraines, and pain management, though regulatory and consumer acceptance challenges remain.

  • Czech Republic to Enforce Stricter E-Cigarette Rules

    Czech Republic to Enforce Stricter E-Cigarette Rules

    Beginning in December, the Czech Republic will implement tighter regulations on e-cigarettes, banning products containing sugar flavors or cannabinoids, with manufacturers having seven months to sell off existing stock.

    New rules also require clear labelling of nicotine content in milligrams per milliliter or micrograms per portion. Nicotine-containing products must carry warnings and a symbol indicating they are not suitable for under-18s, along with a Ministry of Health registration ID. Liquids may no longer contain mineral or vegetable oils, or fats, in addition to cannabinoids or sugar flavors.

    The regulations follow a study showing that almost 14% of the Czech population used e-cigarettes last year, with over a quarter of 15- to 24-year-olds reporting use.