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Category: News This Week

  • Philippines’ Health Renews Total Vape Ban Push

    Philippines’ Health Renews Total Vape Ban Push

    The Philippine Department of Health renewed its call for a total ban on vaping products, citing public health risks and positioning prohibition as the most straightforward and cost-effective solution. While a full ban is not yet in place, the agency is urging stricter enforcement of existing regulations under the Vape Regulation Act, particularly provisions restricting flavored products that may appeal to minors.

    The DOH pointed to regional precedents, noting that several neighboring Asian countries have already implemented comprehensive vape bans. In the interim, officials are prioritizing the removal of flavored vape products from the market, emphasizing that flavor descriptors linked to fruits, candy, desserts, or cartoon imagery are considered to disproportionately attract youth.

  • Indonesia Stepping Up Vape Surveillance

    Indonesia Stepping Up Vape Surveillance

    Indonesia’s National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is set to gain oversight of vape distribution nationwide, working alongside the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) following reports of drug-laced e-liquids in the market. BPOM said it will develop technical regulations under the country’s recent health laws to determine which vape products are permitted and which will face sanctions, with decisions guided by scientific assessment.

    While BNN has proposed a total ban on e-cigarettes to combat narcotics risks, BPOM signaled a more targeted approach, focusing on stricter control of illegal products lacking excise stamps rather than blanket prohibition. Authorities noted that illicit vapes are the primary source of drug contamination.

  • Haypp Resumes Sales in Alabama

    Haypp Resumes Sales in Alabama

    Haypp Group announced that it has resumed operations in Alabama, expanding access to nicotine pouch products for verified adult consumers as part of its broader U.S. growth strategy. The company said its platforms, Nicokick and Northerner, will offer more than 300 products in the state through direct-to-consumer delivery, particularly targeting areas with limited retail availability.

    Haypp emphasized that its return to the Alabama market will operate under strict compliance standards, including robust age and identity verification to ensure sales are restricted to adults 21 and over. The move reinforces the company’s focus on regulated online distribution channels as it continues to expand its presence in the U.S. nicotine market.

    In June 2025, Alabama enacted major changes to its vape and alternative nicotine laws, prompting many companies in the industry to pause sales as parts were clarified and enforcement evolved to ensure compliance.

  • FDA Changes PMTA Structure

    FDA Changes PMTA Structure

    On May 8, the FDA issued updated guidance outlining its current enforcement approach for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and nicotine pouch products without premarket authorization, emphasizing that its policies are nonbinding and reflect the agency’s current priorities. The guidance indicates that while unauthorized products remain illegal, the FDA does not intend to prioritize enforcement against products with pending and sufficiently complete applications under scientific review, allowing the agency to better allocate resources.

    The document also clarifies that enforcement will focus on products with higher public health risks, including those appealing to youth or lacking required safety features, while encouraging manufacturers to provide transparency around application status. The FDA said it will maintain a public-facing list of products under review, as part of efforts to improve visibility for stakeholders and streamline regulatory oversight.

    “For four years, nicotine pouch manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers like Nicokick.com have been patiently waiting for authorization decisions, and this guidance finally gives them the ability to stop operating in a grey area of regulation,” said Laura Leigh Oyler, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Nicokick.com. “For an agency that typically operates without much clarity, this is mind-blowingly clear — file a PMTA for your product that includes everything the FDA has explicitly listed they expect to see, wait 180 days, and then you can launch your product in the market. This is a ground-breaking announcement for American consumers who deserve a wealth of options as they try to leave cigarettes behind.”

  • WSJ: Trump Ready to Fire Makary

    WSJ: Trump Ready to Fire Makary

    According to The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump signed off on a plan to remove FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, though the decision has not yet been finalized and could still change. The report, citing people familiar with the matter, said Makary has faced mounting criticism within the administration over his management of the agency, including clashes with officials at the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House. His handling of key policy areas—including drug approvals, vaccines, and vaping regulation—has drawn particular scrutiny.

    The reported move follows a turbulent period at the FDA marked by leadership turnover and internal disruptions, including recent high-profile departures and ongoing restructuring efforts. Earlier in the week, Trump reportedly criticized Makary for not moving quickly enough on authorizing flavored vaping and nicotine products, an issue that has become a point of tension within the administration.

    Makary, a former Johns Hopkins surgeon nominated in late 2024 and confirmed in 2025, has been a visible figure in the administration’s health agenda, including its “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. While no official confirmation has been issued by the White House or HHS, sources cited in the report indicated growing consensus among senior officials that a leadership change at the FDA may be imminent.

  • PMI Warns Middle East Conflict Will Spur Illicit Trade in Asia

    PMI Warns Middle East Conflict Will Spur Illicit Trade in Asia

    Philip Morris International warned that the continuing conflict in the Middle East could disrupt supply chains and drive a surge in illicit cigarette trade across Southeast Asia. The company said past disruptions, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, led to sharp increases in illegal market share, with illicit trade in the Philippines rising from 6% to 17%. PMI estimates governments in the ASEAN region are already losing around $4 billion annually in cigarette excise revenue, with an additional $2 billion lost from illegal vaping products.

    PMI called for stronger regional coordination to address the issue, including real-time sharing of customs data among ASEAN countries to better track illicit flows. The company said supply constraints and regulatory gaps create opportunities for illegal operators, and urged policymakers to adopt more unified enforcement strategies as the Philippines chairs ASEAN this year.

  • Capital Group Acquires 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Shares Top $122

    Capital Group Acquires 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Shares Top $122

    U.S.-based Capital Group announced that it has acquired a 5.61% stake in South Korea’s KT&G, joining a growing group of major foreign investors in the tobacco company as its share price reaches record levels. The disclosure, required under Korean regulations for holdings above 5%, positions Capital Group alongside other significant shareholders, including BlackRock, First Eagle Investments, and Singapore’s GIC.

    The investment comes amid sustained foreign buying momentum, with overseas investors purchasing an estimated 800,000 shares worth about KRW 140 billion ($96.6 million) over 19 consecutive trading sessions through May 7. The influx of capital has helped push KT&G’s stock above KRW 180,000 ($122.40) for the first time, reflecting increased investor interest in the company’s performance and outlook.

  • JTI Reports Revenue Up 15%

    JTI Reports Revenue Up 15%

    Japan Tobacco Inc. reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of JPY 924 billion ($5.9 billion), up 15.2% year-over-year, with operating profit rising 24.7% to JPY 304.6 billion ($1.9 billion), supported by pricing, foreign exchange benefits, and strong growth in reduced-risk products (RRP). RRP revenue increased 63.8% to JPY 43.5 billion ($278 million), with shipment volumes up 44.2% to 4.3 billion units, driven largely by continued expansion of its Ploom heated tobacco platform across 25 markets.

    Combustible volumes remained broadly stable at 131.3 billion units, with growth in global flagship brands offsetting declines in some regions, while JT reported market share gains in more than 45 countries. The company maintained its full-year outlook, forecasting revenue of JPY 3.697 trillion ($23.7 billion) and operating profit of JPY 921 billion ($5.9 billion), as it continues to balance stable cigarette performance with accelerated investment in next-generation products.

  • Imperial Offers Guidance to Retailers Over UK Law

    Imperial Offers Guidance to Retailers Over UK Law

    Imperial Brands positioned its latest communication on the UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 as guidance to help retailers navigate the upcoming regulatory changes, emphasizing that implementation will be phased and not immediate. The company highlighted key confirmed timelines—such as restrictions on promotions from October 2026 and the generational smoking ban from January 2027—while noting that many other measures affecting vaping products, nicotine pouches, and retail operations remain subject to consultation and secondary legislation.

    “It is important that retailers take the opportunity to engage with these consultations as they come forward,” Stephen Rooney, senior government affairs manager at Imperial said. “Their input will be vital in ensuring that the practical realities of running a retail business are properly understood as the detailed rules are developed.”

    Imperial said further government guidance and a detailed implementation roadmap will be critical in helping retailers understand compliance requirements. The company indicated it will continue supporting retail partners with practical advice as more details emerge, positioning its updates as a resource to prepare for evolving regulatory obligations.

  • NSW Ups Penalties for Landlords With Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    NSW Ups Penalties for Landlords With Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    New South Wales, Australia, passed legislation introducing criminal penalties for landlords who knowingly allow tenants to sell illicit tobacco or illegal vapes, as part of a broader crackdown on the black market. Under the new law, offenders face up to 12 months’ imprisonment and fines of up to A$165,000 ($118,800). The measure builds on recent reforms, including tougher penalties for possession and sale, expanded closure powers for non-compliant premises, and new enforcement tools targeting false licensing and interference with seizures.

    The government also increased enforcement capacity, adding 30 inspectors to support statewide operations alongside police, with more than 220 closure orders issued since late 2025. Officials say the reforms are designed to address evolving tactics, including online and QR code-based sales, and to strengthen accountability across the supply chain to curb illicit tobacco and vape distribution.