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Category: News This Week

  • “Good COP” to Parallel WHO’s COP11

    “Good COP” to Parallel WHO’s COP11

    The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) announced the launch of “Conference of the People (Good COP)” to be held November 19 in Geneva, parallel to the World Health Organization’s COP11. Good COP will be a “rapid-response and fact-checking forum” to counter discussions from the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

    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.

    “Currently, there is no cohesive, organized message to balance the misinformation stemming from the WHO and institutions under the auspices of the FCTC,” the TPA said in a press release. “Each day of the conference, experts and consumers will gather to respond in real-time to COP proceedings and hear from sponsoring organizations who will set the agenda for their respective day.”

    The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) also announced today (October 27) that it will hold “Asia Day – The Good Cop 2.0,” in conjunction with the TPA event. “Asia Pacific cannot afford another decade of ‘quit or die’ policies,” said Clarisse Virgino, CAPHRA’s Philippines representative. “We’ve seen harm reduction save lives in HIV, alcohol, and drug policy — denying it for tobacco is both unscientific and unethical.”

    “Asia Day will not be about slogans or ideology — it’s about dialogue, data, and human rights,” said Nancy Loucas, CAPHRA’s Executive Coordinator.

  • CTFK Boss Says Global Playbook Weakening Public Health

    CTFK Boss Says Global Playbook Weakening Public Health

    Political positioning continues in advance of next month’s Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Geneva, with Yolonda C. Richardson, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, accusing the tobacco industry of deploying a “global playbook” to weaken public health commitments, particularly focusing on the Caribbean nations of Saint Kitts, Nevis, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. In a press release, Tobacco-Free Kids said it joined other anti-tobacco organizations in sending a letter to the governments of Saint Kitts and Nevis expressing concern “about the need to safeguard public health policymaking from the influence of the tobacco industry.” The letter was sent because it said at COP10 in Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, “raised serious alarm” by taking positions “closely mirroring industry talking points.”

    “Governments must remember one truth:” Richardson wrote. “The tobacco industry is the architect of the global tobacco epidemic which kills more than 8 million people each year. Big Tobacco’s presence is toxic to rational, evidence-based policymaking. Governments must shut the door on tobacco industry interference and stand united to protect kids from a lifetime of addiction.”

  • India to Use Cess, Not Tax, to Keep Tobacco Revenue Flowing

    India to Use Cess, Not Tax, to Keep Tobacco Revenue Flowing

    India’s central government is considering an additional cess (levy) on tobacco products such as cigarettes, gutkha, and chewing tobacco to sustain current tax revenues from these “sin goods” without altering the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, Moneycontrol reported. The move comes as the compensation cess regime under GST 2.0 is being phased out on products including tobacco and pan masala.

    The Centre reportedly intends to maintain the existing tax incidence through a separate central levy, ensuring states do not lose revenue once the cess mechanism expires. With consumption recovering and sin goods already in the 40% GST bracket, the Centre reportedly does not foresee a significant drop in state collections, opting instead for fiscal measures outside the GST framework to preserve inflows from tobacco and related products.

    Currently, tobacco products attract 28% GST plus a cess, bringing the effective tax burden to between 52% and 88%, among the highest for any consumer product. The GST Council, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has kept this structure in place until at least the end of 2025, when the remaining liabilities under the pandemic-era compensation loan scheme are cleared. Industry observers say the proposed new levy would effectively extend the current tax burden beyond the cess period, maintaining both revenue stability for states and fiscal pressure on tobacco manufacturers.

  • UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Faces Scrutiny as it Goes to Committee

    UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Faces Scrutiny as it Goes to Committee

    The UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill enters its committee stage in the House of Lords today (October 27), drawing sharp focus from the vaping and retail sectors over its potential market impact. The bill aims to ban tobacco sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009, and introduces new limits on vape advertising, flavors, and packaging. While positioned as a public health milestone, industry stakeholders warn that the legislation could disrupt the legitimate vape trade and accelerate the illicit market if not implemented carefully.

    John Patterson, president of IKE Tech, said that while the government’s intent is commendable, the proposals rely too heavily on traditional retail enforcement.

    “The current proposal won’t make the vision of a vape-free youth generation a reality,” Patterson said. “The UK has a unique opportunity to set a global benchmark for responsible vaping regulation. To make a real difference, we must move beyond surface-level fixes and shift the focus to preventing access at the point of use, using robust, technology-driven age verification.”

    Retailers also voiced concern over compliance burdens and unfair competition from unregulated sellers. Kay Patel, of Best One, said responsible retailers already face rising costs and enforcement pressures, while illicit sellers continue to “flood the market unchecked.” He urged lawmakers to include manufacturer-level safeguards and coordinated supply-chain accountability. Industry figures warn that without such measures, the bill could penalize compliant businesses while failing to achieve its youth protection goals.

  • Australia Sees Record Surge in Illegal Tobacco and Vape Seizures

    Australia Sees Record Surge in Illegal Tobacco and Vape Seizures

    Australia’s border authorities have reported a sharp rise in the interception of illegal tobacco and vapes, with the Australian Border Force (ABF) seizing 586 million cigarettes and more than 3 million vapes between July and September, the highest quarterly total in recent years. Officials say the spike reflects both growing criminal activity and enhanced border intelligence.

    ABF Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said the results highlight how syndicates are becoming more sophisticated, but “not beyond the reach of border intelligence.” He credited the agency’s success to stronger cooperation with international partners, enabling authorities to identify high-risk shipments before arrival.

    Major seizures were reported nationwide, including two tons of undeclared tobacco in Queensland, over 4 million cigarettes in Western Australia, and 95,000 vapes hidden in a Port Botany shipment. Dowse said continued collaboration and intelligence sharing remain crucial to preventing illicit tobacco and vape products from reaching Australian consumers.

  • ‘Science Must Lead Policy,’ Say South African Harm-Reduction Experts

    ‘Science Must Lead Policy,’ Say South African Harm-Reduction Experts

    Health and policy leaders at the Progressive Business Forum (PBF) Colloquium on Wellness and Healthy Lifestyles in South Africa called for a science-driven approach to public health, urging the government to prioritize harm reduction over ideology. Former Gauteng Health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa said South Africa must extend harm reduction principles—long used in HIV prevention and road safety—to emerging health risks such as tobacco and substance use. “Harm reduction is not permissiveness, it’s progress,” she said, noting that public health must help people make safer choices rather than impose moral judgments.

    Dr Percy Selepe, Acting COO of the Gauteng Department of Health, said “science must lead policy.” He and other speakers argued that South Africa’s punitive, abstinence-based approach has failed to curb smoking and substance use. Harm reduction advocates, including Professor Monique Marks, criticized the lack of government funding for evidence-based interventions, noting that all existing programs are run by non-profits. Marks stressed that switching from combustible cigarettes to regulated smoke-free products could dramatically reduce health risks and ease the burden on the healthcare system.

    Professors Obedy Mwantembe and Tivani Mashamba-Thompson called for African-led research into nicotine science and integrated harm reduction services addressing HIV and Hepatitis C. They emphasized that compassion and science must work hand in hand to reduce stigma and improve outcomes. If Gauteng’s evidence-first stance becomes national policy, speakers said, South Africa could modernize its public health strategy — replacing bans and punishment with regulation, education, and empathy. “Better health contributes to positive growth,” Ramokgopa said. “Collaboration between science, policy, and society is not optional — it’s essential.”

  • Modernization and Enforcement Needed for Pakistan’s Illicit Crisis

    Modernization and Enforcement Needed for Pakistan’s Illicit Crisis

    Pakistan’s tobacco industry is facing mounting pressure as illicit cigarettes tighten their grip on the market, eroding government revenue and undermining the legitimate sector, according to experts. Macroeconomic analyst Osama Siddiqui said the country needs a robust track-and-trace system and stronger coordination among enforcement and revenue authorities to monitor production, distribution, and retail.

    “Without a decisive crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade, Pakistan’s legal industry will continue to suffer while the black market thrives unchecked,” Siddiqui said. “A modernized supply chain and sustained enforcement are the only ways to reclaim lost revenue and restore market fairness.”

    Recent estimates indicate that illicit cigarettes now make up more than half of total sales, costing the national exchequer over Rs 415 billion ($1.5 billion) annually. The smuggled, untaxed, and/or products sold below the legal minimum price continue to weaken the formal industry’s competitiveness while fueling organized black-market networks, experts say.

  • Nigeria Health Advocates Push for 50% Tobacco Tax

    Nigeria Health Advocates Push for 50% Tobacco Tax

    Health stakeholders and tobacco control advocates at the Gatefield Health Summit 2025 urged the Nigerian government to raise tobacco taxes to 50% of the retail price, citing the measure as a key tool to reduce smoking, prevent related illnesses, and protect public health. Experts highlighted that Nigeria’s current tax level of about 25% falls well below the World Health Organization’s recommended 75% of retail price.

    Michael Olaniyan, Country Representative for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, claimed that higher taxes are effective in deterring youth smoking, while Chibuike Nwokorem of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance criticized tobacco companies for exploiting weak enforcement mechanisms and influencing policy decisions through industry associations.

  • Maldives Faces Surge in Smuggled Cigarettes and Vapes

    Maldives Faces Surge in Smuggled Cigarettes and Vapes

    The number of smuggled cigarettes in the Maldives has now surpassed legally imported, duty-paid cigarettes, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim said today (October 27). Speaking on behalf of the Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee), Nazim said that recent increases in cigarette import duties and the ban on vapes have fueled a spike in illicit trade, costing the state significant revenue.

    Nazim said that smuggled cigarettes and vapes are widely available, often sold openly through social media, and are entering the country through customs channels. He emphasized that the committee’s recommendations, if implemented, would be critical to curbing smuggling and protecting state revenue. “People’s tax money is being lost while others profit,” he said.

    The warning follows a major seizure in April when customs intercepted two containers carrying 13.6 million sticks of cigarettes disguised as plywood cargo, with an estimated value of MVR 122 million ($7.9 million). The containers remain under investigation at Maldives Ports Limited, pending referral to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

  • Cresco Labs Moves to Dismiss Labeling Class Action

    Cresco Labs Moves to Dismiss Labeling Class Action

    Cresco Labs, the Chicago-based cannabis company, asked a federal judge in Illinois to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the company and its subsidiaries of mislabeling cannabis products. The lawsuit alleges that Cresco’s products were inaccurately labeled, potentially misleading consumers about potency and content.

    In its motion, Cresco contends that the claims lack sufficient legal basis and argues that the company has complied with applicable state and federal regulations. The company is seeking to have the case dismissed before it proceeds to discovery or trial.

    No court date has been set yet for a ruling on the motion, and the case remains under review. The outcome could have broader implications for labeling standards and consumer protection in the rapidly growing cannabis industry.