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Category: News This Week

  • Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Shops Near Schools and Mosques

    Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Shops Near Schools and Mosques

    Saudi Arabia has enacted a ban on tobacco shops within 500 meters of schools and mosques, according to the Saudi Gazette.

    The ban applies to all stores selling tobacco products and accessories, including cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes. According to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, obtaining a retail license for tobacco products requires a valid commercial registration, Civil Defense approval, and full compliance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its executive regulations.

    Tobacco products and their derivatives must also comply with the standard specifications approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Prices for these products cannot be reduced, and they cannot be given as gifts, prizes, or free samples. Import, sale, or offer of any product advertising tobacco or its derivatives is banned.

    Requirements to sell tobacco in the kingdom are specific, involving spatial and architectural requirements and advertising requirements.

  • Ireland Increases Cigarette Prices

    Ireland Increases Cigarette Prices

    Cigarette prices in Ireland will increase under Budget 2026, confirmed Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.

    A packet of cigarettes will increase in price by 50 cents, bringing the price of the most popular category to €18.95 ($21.95), among the most costly in the EU.

    The increase went into effect midnight October 8.

    The duty charged on other tobacco products will also see a pro-rate increase, according to the Irish Mirror. A new tax on vape liquid announced in last year’s budget will go into effect November 1, 2025. The tax will be applied at a flat rate of 50 center per milliliter of e-liquid. This includes refillable liquid and disposable vapes. 

  • Pakistan to Ban Sale of Vapes to Minors

    Pakistan to Ban Sale of Vapes to Minors

    A new bill has been submitted in Pakistan’s Senate aiming to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, and e-shisha to consumers under the age of 18, reports Bloom Pakistan. The bill also calls for a ban on use of these products in public places and for restrictions on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

    Those caught violating the ban will face a fine of PKR50,000 ($176.82) for a first offense and PKR100,000 for a second offense. Those caught selling these products within 50 meters of educational institutions will face fines of PKR200,000, and repeat violations could face up to PKR500,000 in fines.

  • George Munoz Retires from Altria Board

    George Munoz Retires from Altria Board

    George Muñoz, a director of Altria since 2004, notified Altria of his decision to retire from service on the company’s Board of Directors following the completion of his current term. Consequently, Muñoz will not stand for re-election to the board at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which Altria anticipates holding on May 14, 2026.

    “George has made extensive and significant contributions to Altria over more than 20 years,” said Kathryn McQuade, Altria’s independent Chair of the Board. “We thank George for his long-standing and valuable service and wish him the very best upon his retirement.”

    Muñoz is Chair of the Compensation and Talent Development Committee and is a member of the Audit, Executive and Finance Committees. He previously served as the Chair of the Audit Committee.

    Muñoz is a principal of Muñoz Investment Banking Group and a partner at the law firm of Tobin & Muñoz. Muñoz is also a director of Laureate Education.

  • Philip Morris Urges FDA TPSAC to Recommend Continued Modified-Risk Marketing of IQOS

    Philip Morris Urges FDA TPSAC to Recommend Continued Modified-Risk Marketing of IQOS

    Experts from Philip Morris International presented evidence to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC), according to a PMI press release. The committee, comprised of independent scientific researchers, provides nonbinding recommendations to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP).

    The full-day meeting on October 7 was part of the FDA’s customary review of PMI’s request to continue marketing versions of its IQOS heated-tobacco products in the U.S. as modified-risk tobacco products (MRTPs), a necessary step while FDA completes its review of pending applications for IQOS ILUMA (a later version of the IQOS models that are currently authorized by the FDA) to reach and transition even more legal-age adults away from combustible cigarettes.

    “The evidence presented at this meeting, as also noted by the FDA, further supports the agency’s original conclusions that led the FDA to authorize the IQOS system as a modified-risk tobacco product,” said Stacey Kennedy, PMI U.S.’ CEO. “We encourage the FDA to continue efforts to establish a timely scientific review process for smoke-free products—including for IQOS ILUMA, which has been pending FDA review for nearly two years and has globally shown even higher rates of legal-age adults fully switching from combustible cigarettes—that are a better choice for legal-age adults who would otherwise use traditional tobacco products, including combustible cigarettes.”

    Initially granted by the FDA in 2020, the MRTP designation for the IQOS system authorizes PMI to communicate to legal-age consumers that: “AVAILABLE EVIDENCE TO DATE: The IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it. This significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. Scientific studies have shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduces your body’s exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals.”

    During the meeting, representatives from PMI and committee members discussed a range of scientific, technical, and consumer-communications topics. The company provided an overview of its responsible marketing practices and presented additional evidence and research demonstrating high levels of complete switching among current legal-age smokers while maintaining low levels of use by unintended populations.

    Addressing committee members, Keagan Lenihan, VP and Chief External Affairs Officer for PMI U.S., said: “CTP’s mission is to make tobacco-related disease and death a part of America’s past. Smoke-free products, like PMI’s IQOS system, play a critical role in helping CTP achieve this mission and provide adults who smoke with a real opportunity to change. The IQOS system, when marketed with the reduced-exposure claim, promotes complete switching from combustible cigarettes.”

  • Philippines Government Sets New Floor Price

    Philippines Government Sets New Floor Price

    The Philippines government will set a new tobacco floor price, effective next season, according to PhilStar.

    The National Tobacco Administration’s (NTA) 2025 Tripartite Consultative Conference began this week, where the regulatory body consults with farmers, traders, and cigarette manufacturers to agree on buying rates for the next two tobacco growing seasons.

    According to Belinda Sanchez, NTA administrator and CEO, the process is to ensure safeguarding of tobacco farmer welfare and that there is a well-founded recommendation for a reasonable floor price increase.

    Tobacco is the only cash crop in the Philippines with officially approved floor prices, according to the NTA.

  • Malaysian Health Ministry Proposes Vape Liquid Tax Increase

    Malaysian Health Ministry Proposes Vape Liquid Tax Increase

    The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has proposed an increase in excise duty on vape liquids ahead of the government’s plan to ban electronic cigarettes and vaping products completely. The excise tax would be set at MYR4 ($0.94) per mL, a tenfold increase, according to The Edge Malaysia.

    The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for consideration, days before the 2026 budget is set to be tabled.

    “This is the ministry’s recommendation to the MOF for review and approval,” said Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni during a question and answer session. The deputy minister explained that a standard pack of 20 cigarettes is equivalent to 200 puffs and taxed at MYR8 per pack, while 1 mL of vape liquid is equivalent to 100 puffs but taxed at 40 sen per milliliter (for nicotine and non-nicotine liquids). This means vapers pay significantly less tax per milligram of nicotine than cigarette smokers, he said.

    “Currently, one pack of cigarettes equals about 2 mL of vape liquid, but the tax on vape nicotine is only around 10% of cigarette tax. This disparity creates a large price gap,” said Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan, who argued that the price gap encourages smokers to vape rather than quit altogether.

    The proposal is facing pushback from the industry, however.

    “A single-fold tax hike is already drastic in many ways. A tenfold is just sweeping the real issue under the rug,” said Ridhwan Rosli, Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) secretary-general. “It seems like they are changing their policy every year while the previous policy is just about to take place.”

    Ridhwan stated that the industry is proposing a maximum tax rate of 80 sen per milliliter.

    “As currently we are faced with a lot of new costs when it comes to going through the legal process of registration, etc., it is sad that the legal industry players are being punished for the wrongs of illicit products,” he said. There are worries that the drastic tax increase will increase illicit trade as well.

    Additionally, the government plans a full ban on e-cigarettes and vapor products.

    “The Health Ministry is now moving toward a full ban on e-cigarettes and vape products,” said Lukanisman. “The proposal will be tabled to the Cabinet this year for policy endorsement. The prohibition will be implemented in phases through enforcement, education, and community support.”

  • Cigarette-Smuggling Balloons Shut Down Lithuanian Airport

    Cigarette-Smuggling Balloons Shut Down Lithuanian Airport

    Balloons carrying thousands of packs of illicit cigarettes shut down the Vilnius Airport in Lithuania when they floated into the country’s airspace.

    According to the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC), 25 meteorological balloons were detected entering the country from Belarus, and two ended up directly over the airport.

    The “airspace violations” follow a number of drone incursions suspected of being linked to Russia disrupting air traffic, according to the BBC. Russia has denied any involvement.

    “Balloons with contraband cargo—cigarettes from Belarus—are nothing new in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland,” said a NCMC spokesperson. This year, 544 balloons have been recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus, according to the spokesperson. Last year, 966 balloons were recorded.

    “Meteorological balloons are a rudimentary tool used by smugglers—they are cheaper than drones for transporting cigarettes from Belarus,” the spokesperson said. “Our services’ aim is to seize the largest possible quantities of contraband and to detain organizers and perpetrators so that this activity is unprofitable and does not pose a risk to civil aviation.”

  • Guam Introduces Bill to Regulate Vapes

    Guam Introduces Bill to Regulate Vapes

    A new bill has been introduced in Guam to regulate vapor products, reports The Guam Daily Post. The bill, Bill 3-38, is known as the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Excise Tax of 2025. It would establish a licensing and tax structure for vaping devices and electronic cigarette products.

    The bill is “not about penalizing adults who make personal choices,” according to bill author Joe San Agustin, but it is about “protecting our young people, promoting public health, and ensuring that a profitable enterprise in Guam contributes equitably to the island’s well-being.”

    The bill would create strict age restrictions and random inspections as well as penalties for retailers caught selling electronic nicotine-delivery systems (ENDS) to minors. It would also establish a clear licensing structure for wholesalers and retailers.

    “While it is unclear what is ideal for the government of Guam, Bill 3-38 COR takes that first step toward addressing ENDS products as a separate group,” said Maria Lizama, director of the Department of Revenue and Taxation. “And we hope that better practices will eventually emerge.”

    If the bill passes, the department plans to develop internal systems to classify and report ENDS products distinctly from other products. “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy….We will simply have to comply,” said Lizama.

    The department is still discussing how the tax will be classified. “It’s a complex issue,” said Lizama. “Our initial thoughts were to just do an across-the-board, whether it’s the refillable part of it, whether it’s the one-time use, whether it’s the heating element, (or)…other gadgets,” she added. “We believe that’s probably the easiest for now, and then as we continue along, we also believe a better plan to tax will emerge.”

    Governor Lou Leon Guerrero suggested taxation at the wholesale level, but that was met with concerns of monopolization.

    “The biggest problem is wholesalers wanting to control the product.  There’s only one wholesaler on the island that actually sells vape products,” said Senator Telo Taitague.

    Easy youth access prompted the call for specific retailers selling ENDS products. “We’re having a lot of issues with kids getting their hands on it and going into a gas station. (It’s) as easy as that. It’s easy to pickpocket from the counter,” Taitague said. “But when you’re in one of these stores [ENDS retailers], they’ve got cameras everywhere. You can’t even step in there unless you’re 18 years old.”

    “It certainly would make things easier for our team,” Lizama said of specific ENDS retailers. “It will also perhaps provide greater control.”

  • Imperial on Track for Full-Year Guidance

    Imperial on Track for Full-Year Guidance

    Imperial Brands has issued a pre-close trading update for full-year 2025, according to a press release. This is the fifth and final year of the company’s 2021 strategy and its FY25 performance provides a strong foundation looking ahead to the next phase of the company’s strategy to 2030, according to a press release.

    At constant currency, Imperial is on track to deliver low single-digit tobacco and NGP net revenue growth for FY25, with group adjusted operating profit growth at a similar rate to last year, in line with guidance. NGP losses are expected to be broadly flat year on year.

    Adjusted operating cash conversion remains strong, and the company expects its full-year leverage to continue to be at the lower end of its 2.0 to 2.5 range for adjusted net debt to EBITDA.

    Taking dividends and buyback together, Imperial expects its capital returns to shareholders will exceed £2.7 billion in the coming fiscal year, representing around 11% of its current market capitalization. Over the past five years from FY21 to FY25, Imperial has delivered a cumulative c. £10 billion of capital returns to shareholders.

    Annual results for the year ended 30 September 2025 will be announced on 18 November 2025.