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Category: News This Week

  • Luersman Joins Imperial Board

    Luersman Joins Imperial Board

    Abbe Luersman will join the Imperial Brands’ board as a nonexecutive director, effective January 12, 2026, according to a press release.

    Luersman, who is chief human resources officer of Walgreens Inc., has had a career as an HR leader in global listed businesses including Otis Worldwide Corporation, Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV, Unilever, and Whirlpool Corporation. She is also a nonexecutive director and remuneration committee chair at Just Eat Takeaway NV and co-chair of the Gartner CHRO Global Leadership Board.

    Thérèse Esperdy, chair of Imperial Brands, said, “On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Abbe to Imperial. Abbe has a proven track record in organizational design, integration and cultural change—both as a chief people officer and a nonexecutive director. She has transferred her skills across different sectors, including consumer goods, retail, manufacturing, and industrial technology. Abbe brings deep and wide-ranging experience in transformation programs, an area of strategic importance for Imperial Brands. The board will benefit greatly from her insights and experience, and we look forward to working with her.”

    Luersman will become a member of the Remuneration and the People, Governance and Sustainability Committees upon joining the board.

  • Illicit Cigarettes Still Increasing in Philippines

    Illicit Cigarettes Still Increasing in Philippines

    Illicit cigarettes in the Philippines are still on the rise, according to PhilStar. The latest market survey shows that illicit cigarettes can be bought for PHP3 to PHP4 ($0.05 to $0.06) per stick. The lowest priced legal brand is PHP7 per stick.

    One of every five cigarettes sold comes from an illegal source. Illicit cigarette trade was 7.4 percent of total volumes in 2021, and in 2025, illicit cigarette trade is at 20.9 percent. Smoking prevalence has also increased from 18.5 percent of adults in 2021 to 23.2 percent in 2025. Youth smoking has doubled from 2.3 percent to 4.8 percent.

    The Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue estimates that the country loses at least PHP50 billion annually from smuggling and illegal manufacturing.

    Legal cigarette production dropped from 62.6 billion sticks in 2021 to 39.1 billion in 2025.

    According to PhilStar, illicit cigarettes contain harmful chemicals like cadmium, lead, and contaminants like insect parts and human waste. Counterfeit “tuklaw” cigarettes contain synthetic cannabinoids, which have led to severe health issues.

  • Philip Morris Voluntarily Delists from Pakistan Stock Exchange

    Philip Morris Voluntarily Delists from Pakistan Stock Exchange

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has accepted the voluntary delisting request from Philip Morris from its index, reports Dawn.

    Philip Morris is one of the leading tobacco companies operating in Pakistan. The company was voluntarily delisted under PSX Regulation 5.14 and Section 19(5) of the Securities Act, 2015. The delisting is effective Oct. 6.

    “The shareholders of the company, who may desire to avail the opportunity of buy back of shares by the sponsors, are advised to approach Topline Securities,” according to a press release. “The purchase agent and sponsor of the company have already submitted an undertaking to purchase the remaining shares held by the minority shareholders at a price of PKR1,300 ($4.58) per share, which is valid up to September 29, 2026.”

  • Six Manufacturers Appeal MDOs

    Six Manufacturers Appeal MDOs

    Six small manufacturers—American Vapor Company, Breeze Smoke, Elite Brothers, Lead by Sales (doing business as White Cloud Cigarettes), Vapermate, and Vertigo Vapor (doing business as Baton Vapor)—have filed appeals against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s marketing denial orders (MDOs), according to Vaping360.

    The companies all received MDOs between May 2024 and June 2025 and filed petitions for review in the Fifth Circuit within 30 days.

    While American Vapor Company is the only petitioner located within the Fifth Circuit’s jurisdiction, the other manufacturer’s recruited retail co-petitioners located within the jurisdiction, as allowed by the Supreme Court earlier this year. The Fifth Circuit has consolidated the cases as they are challenging on the same grounds and share the same attorneys.

    Azim Chowdhury and Eric Gotting of Keller and Heckman are representing the companies.

  • Survey: Most Policy Experts Misidentify Nicotine Risks

    Survey: Most Policy Experts Misidentify Nicotine Risks

    A new multi-market survey of policy experts across 15 different territories reveals that erroneous perceptions of nicotine health risks continue to persist, despite both the growing scientific consensus that nicotine is not a primary cause of smoking-related disease and the increased availability of smokeless alternatives to conventional cigarettes, according to BAT.

    The survey, commissioned by British American Tobacco (BAT) and released ahead of the start of this year’s GTNF in Brussels this week, reveals that seven in 10 policy experts continue to incorrectly believe nicotine is the main cause of smoking-related disease.

    In addition, the research—which interviewed three cohorts (Nicotine Users; Policy Experts; and Medical Professionals) in 2024 and 2025—also found that while half of medical professionals discussed smokeless alternatives to cigarettes weekly with their patients, only 21% feel well-informed enough to recommend them.

    Kingsley Wheaton, Chief Corporate Officer at BAT, said: “This survey shows that while change is possible, it’s not a given. We’re seeing green shoots of progress, especially where we’ve launched new product innovations and invested in clear, science-led communication. But the data also tells us we must go further and faster and equip those making decisions with the latest scientific evidence about smokeless products.

    “We remain committed to working with public health authorities, regulators and scientists to ensure accurate information reaches consumers.”

    Conducted by a third party on behalf of BAT, the research did show indications of improved perception of smokeless products, in particular vapor products among nicotine users.

  • PMI Announces $37M Upgrade to Wilson, N.C. Facility

    PMI Announces $37M Upgrade to Wilson, N.C. Facility

    Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses today (October 2) announced a $37 million investment in its Wilson, North Carolina, manufacturing facility to expand operations and strengthen its production of smoke-free alternatives. The Wilson factory currently produces HEETS for IQOS 3.0, the only heated tobacco product authorized by the FDA as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) with reduced exposure claims. The new investment will add a production line for TEREA, the consumables for IQOS ILUMA, which is awaiting FDA authorization.

    “Our U.S. manufacturing footprint is critical to producing innovative smoke-free alternatives for adult consumers,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “We’re proud to increase our investment in Wilson and spur further economic growth in the area.”

    Ryan Simons, President of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the expansion, calling it a sign that Wilson is a place where global companies “can grow and thrive.”

    The Wilson facility employs more than 80 full-time staff and plays a key role in PMI U.S.’s strategy to replace cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives. The company has also announced major U.S. investments in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Aurora, Colorado, totaling more than $800 million and expected to create nearly 1,000 direct jobs.

  • EU Commissioner Accuses Tobacco Industry of Misleading Policymakers 

    EU Commissioner Accuses Tobacco Industry of Misleading Policymakers 

    EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra accused the tobacco industry of recycling old tactics, comparing claims that vapes are less harmful than cigarettes to past efforts promoting “light” cigarettes.

    “They mislead policymakers about the risks of these new products, just as they did with light cigarettes in the past,” Hoekstra wrote on LinkedIn, saying that nicotine in alternative products also damages blood vessels, impairs vascular function, and stimulates tumor growth.

    His comments come as the European Commission prepares its first assessment of the health effects of new tobacco and nicotine products, with a focus on preventing youth uptake. Hoekstra has also pushed for higher taxation, backing the proposed Tobacco Excise Duty Own Resource (TEDOR), which could contribute €11.2 billion annually to the EU budget by taking 15% of member states’ tobacco tax revenues.

    However, the plan faces resistance as 14 countries, including Italy, Greece, and Sweden, have already voiced opposition.

  • Unifreight Africa Expands Fleet Ahead of 2026 Tobacco Season

    Unifreight Africa Expands Fleet Ahead of 2026 Tobacco Season

    Unifreight Africa, a leading transport and logistics company that specializes in agricultural products—especially tobacco—announced it is set to grow its cross-border fleet from Q4 2025 through Q1 2026 to meet anticipated demand during the upcoming tobacco season. The move follows Zimbabwe’s record-breaking 2025 tobacco crop of over 350 million kilograms, which generated $1.2 billion in revenue, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).

    Unifreight’s operational readiness, including its expanding 4PL division and partnerships with third-party operators, positions it to handle peak tobacco volumes while maintaining service continuity. The company also plans to leverage its capabilities for other sectors such as lithium, maize, and cross-border trade, ensuring diversified growth even if the tobacco season underperforms.

  • Indonesian Cigarette Industry Shifting Toward Exports

    Indonesian Cigarette Industry Shifting Toward Exports

    Indonesia’s white cigarette manufacturers are increasingly turning to exports to sustain operations as domestic demand softens under the weight of excise hikes and weakened purchasing power, industry officials say. According to Benny Wachjudi, chairman of the Indonesian White Cigarette Entrepreneurs Association (Gaprindo), many domestic consumers are shifting to cheaper illicit products, forcing legal producers to allocate up to 30% of output for export to keep machines running and avoid layoffs. Despite regulatory risks abroad, cigarette exports rose more than 20% in the past three years, reaching $1.9 billion in 2024, Gaprindo said.

    Indonesia ranks as the world’s fourth-largest tobacco exporter with a 6.08% global share, driven largely by sales to ASEAN markets led by the Philippines, according to the Indonesia Business Post. Deputy Industry Minister Faisol Riza stressed that exports are vital for sustaining nearly 6 million domestic jobs and maintaining foreign exchange contributions.

  • Nearly Half of Gen Z Think UK is Becoming a ‘Nanny State’

    Nearly Half of Gen Z Think UK is Becoming a ‘Nanny State’

    New research suggests growing public unease in the UK with what many see as government overreach into private lives. According to data released today (October 2), 41% of Brits believe the UK is turning into a “nanny state.” The survey, commissioned by online nicotine pouch retailer Northerner, comes as debates intensify over policies such as junk food advertising bans, restrictions on vaping, and the rollout of digital ID cards.

    “It is a fine line between protecting and controlling the public, and it seems many people feel this line is being crossed,” said Markus Lindblad, head of legal and external affairs at Northerner. “Regulations like calorie labelling on menus or the disposable vape ban have not delivered the expected results. If the public does not see any real improvement to their lives from these additional regulations, then it is reasonable for them to question whether the UK is becoming a nanny state.”

    One of the more surprising findings Northerner researchers discovered was the generational divide on the question. Typically, older people tend to be more conservative and younger people more progressive; however, in this survey, 47% of Gen Z respondents  (aged 18 to 24) agreed the UK is becoming a nanny state, compared to just 32% of those aged 45 to 54. This shift, researchers say, suggests fatigue among younger voters, some of whom are increasingly open to alternatives like Reform UK, a party campaigning against lifestyle regulation.

    The UK currently ranks seventh in the 2025 Nanny State Index, placing it in the “least free” category among 29 countries for policies on food, alcohol, smoking, and vaping.