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Category: News This Week

  • Haypp Group Returns ZYN to U.S. Online Portfolio

    Haypp Group Returns ZYN to U.S. Online Portfolio

    Haypp Group announced that ZYN nicotine pouches are once again available for online purchase through its U.S. platforms, Nicokick.com and Northerner.com. According to the company’s press release, the relaunch covers 10 products that received FDA Marketing Granted Orders, offered in 3 mg and 6 mg strengths across flavors such as cinnamon, spearmint, wintergreen, and citrus.

    Peter Grafström, President of Haypp Group U.S., said the move is centered on compliance and adult-only access. “As a responsible online retailer, our priority is ensuring Nicokick and Northerner provide 21 and over consumers with responsible access to tobacco leaf-free alternatives to traditional tobacco products,” he said. The company emphasized its Legal Age Access Only Program and regulatory alignment as key safeguards.

    Haypp said ZYN has been one its top sellers, accounting for 46% of total U.S. sales on Nicokick and Northerner in Q2 2024. With more than 200 smoke-free nicotine alternatives now available across its U.S. e-commerce sites, Haypp says the relaunch reflects both strong consumer demand and the growing role of online retail in the nicotine pouch category.

    For more information, visit Nicokick and Northerner. 

  • Indonesia Reviews Cigarette Excise Amid Forgery Allegations

    Indonesia Reviews Cigarette Excise Amid Forgery Allegations

    Indonesia’s government is conducting an in-depth review of the cigarette excise system following allegations of forgery and manipulation, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said after a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto. Sadewa noted that he has yet to reach any conclusions, stressing that policy decisions, including whether to proceed with the planned 2026 excise hike, will depend on the results of ongoing studies and field investigations.

    “I will review it again,” Sadewa was quoted in an article from the Indonesian News Agency when asked about the proposal to cancel the planned excise hike. “I have not conducted an in-depth analysis yet — what exactly is going on with cigarette excise? They say there is manipulation, but where exactly is this manipulation happening?”

    The minister highlighted the potential revenue gains from eliminating counterfeit excise stamps, saying such reforms could strengthen state finances without placing additional pressure on consumers. “If I can resolve this and eliminate counterfeit excise, how much revenue would that generate? From there, I can plan the next steps,” he told reporters.

    Lawmakers are also weighing in. At a September 10 parliamentary session, Commission XI member Harris Turino raised concerns about the impact of steep tax increases on major producers like Gudang Garam and their workers, particularly in the machine-made clove cigarette (SKM) sector. He urged the government to prioritize enforcement against illicit trade as a more balanced way to boost revenue.

  • Malawi Moves to Protect Forex Gains Beyond Tobacco Season

    Malawi Moves to Protect Forex Gains Beyond Tobacco Season

    Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) announced new measures to shield the kwacha and sustain foreign exchange reserves as tobacco sales taper off. RBM spokesperson Boston Maliketi Banda said the strategy aims to reduce Malawi’s reliance on seasonal inflows by formalizing mineral revenue, linking banks with exporters, and cutting the mandatory export surrender requirement from 30% to 25%. An electronic forex tracking system and tighter compliance checks on authorized dealer banks are also being introduced to curb illicit trade.

    The announcement follows a strong mid-year performance, with July’s trade deficit narrowing to $173 million and reserves climbing to $607.7 million, equal to 2.4 months of import cover. Tobacco alone has earned $525.4 million in 24 weeks, but RBM figures show the country’s cumulative trade deficit for January–June reached $1.6 billion, up 15% year-on-year. Economists caution that the gains could quickly erode once the season ends.

    “This is temporary relief,” said Scotland-based economist Velli Nyirongo, warning that without structural reforms and export diversification Malawi risks sliding back into wider deficits.

  • Study Finds Nicotine Pouches May Aid Smokers in Quitting

    Study Finds Nicotine Pouches May Aid Smokers in Quitting

    Nicotine pouches may be helping some smokers and vapers quit more harmful tobacco products, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. An article today (September 15) in U.S. News & World Report cited the study of 110,000 Americans that found people who had recently quit smoking were nearly four times more likely to use nicotine pouches daily than current smokers. Use was virtually nonexistent among people who had never used tobacco.

    According to the article, the findings suggest that pouches are being used as harm-reduction tools, even though they are not officially authorized as smoking cessation aids. Smokeless tobacco users were more than 10 times as likely to use the pouches, while occasional smokers and vapers were also significantly more likely to adopt them, the study said.

    The article acknowledged that while nicotine is addictive and carries cardiovascular risks, switching from combustible tobacco to pouches could represent a net public health benefit.

  • Tanzanian President Pledges to Strengthen Tobacco Sector in Re-Election Campaign

    Tanzanian President Pledges to Strengthen Tobacco Sector in Re-Election Campaign

    Campaigning in Tabora Region on September 11, Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan vowed to strengthen the country’s tobacco sector if reelected, promising expanded subsidies, improved access to farm inputs, and reliable international markets. She cited recent gains, with Urambo District’s tobacco output doubling from 11,208 tons in 2022 to 20,492 tons in 2025, generating $50 million in earnings in the 2024/25 financial year. Samia highlighted government efforts to attract buyers, raise farmer incomes, and secure long-term growth in what she called the region’s main cash crop.

    Addressing concerns from growers, she pledged to resolve delayed payments by some purchasing companies and reiterated that subsidies on fertilizers and inputs will continue under her administration. While pushing for even greater output, she also urged farmers to adopt modern, sustainable curing methods, warning against tree cutting for tobacco drying. Samia framed tobacco as both a national economic driver and a livelihood lifeline for rural communities, positioning her re-election bid as key to unlocking “even more profitable markets” for Tanzanian farmers.

  • Pakistan’s Illegal Cigarette Market Surges to 42.4%

    Pakistan’s Illegal Cigarette Market Surges to 42.4%

    The illegal cigarette trade in Pakistan surged to 42.4% of the market, leading to major losses for the national exchequer, according to an ARY News report. The market for illicit cigarettes has grown 171% since 2019, outpacing the 154% increase in taxes and duties on legal cigarettes. The highest shares of illegal consumption were recorded in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Nankana.

    Experts attribute the growth in smuggling and illegal sales to the rising Federal Excise Duty on legal cigarettes, which has pushed consumers toward cheaper, unregulated alternatives.

  • Cuba Customs Scores Second Major Bust in a Month

    Cuba Customs Scores Second Major Bust in a Month

    Cuban Customs intercepted an attempt to smuggle more than 4,500 counterfeit cigars through Havana’s international airport this weekend, marking the second such bust in less than a month. Authorities discovered the fake products, disguised with branded boxes and labels, in the possession of two passengers. Officials also seized dozens of unused cigar bands, underscoring the sophistication and scale of the operation.

    The seizures highlight the persistent challenge of the illicit cigar trade, which continues to undermine Cuba’s premium cigar industry abroad. With repeated incidents surfacing at Havana’s airport, including last month’s seizure of 4,400 counterfeit cigars, authorities are tightening enforcement in collaboration with the National Revolutionary Police to curb a trade that generates significant profits in global black markets.

  • Chinese Tobacco Heading to Dominican to Boost Cigar Exports

    Chinese Tobacco Heading to Dominican to Boost Cigar Exports

    Dominican Tobacco International Ceiba general manager Bob López announced a “landmark collaboration” that will bring Chinese cigar tobacco to a new Dominican factory in Villa González in an effort to produce “cigars with unique flavors, greater consistency, and stronger market differentiation.”

    “By uniting Dominican craftsmanship with Chinese cigar tobacco, we are creating opportunities that not only increase the industry’s international competitiveness but also enrich the diversity of production styles and techniques in the Villa González region,” López said.

    The Chinese tobacco will be sourced from Sichuan, Hainan’s Danzhou Cigar Base, and Tianhe Company, and will be blended with Dominican craftsmanship. Positioned within a free trade zone, the factory is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and large-scale capacity, ensuring compliance with international standards and efficient worldwide distribution.

    According to López, the venture will not only reinforce the Dominican Republic’s position as a leader in premium cigar manufacturing but also expand export opportunities to North America, Europe, and Asia. By fusing tradition with innovation, the project seeks to accelerate the internationalization of new brands, drive economic growth in Villa González, and diversify global cigar offerings. The first production phase is scheduled for early 2026, supported by ongoing recruitment of local talent.

  • Belgium Smoking/Vaping Ban Starts in 2027, Smoking Rooms Closed

    Belgium Smoking/Vaping Ban Starts in 2027, Smoking Rooms Closed

    Belgium’s federal government confirmed that smoking and vaping will be banned on and near terraces, as well as in all public smoking rooms, starting January 1, 2027. The move, approved by the Council of Ministers on September 12, extends existing smoking restrictions to outdoor hospitality spaces such as café and restaurant terraces, while also eliminating smoking rooms in bars, airports, cigar clubs, and shisha bars. The government delayed the rollout by one year from the original 2026 target to give businesses time to adapt.

    The hospitality sector, which had resisted the measure, will now be responsible for enforcing the ban with clear signage and by actively intervening if customers smoke or vape. Establishments risk penalties for insufficient signage, ignoring violations, or even placing items that could encourage smoking, such as ashtrays.

  • Mexico Proposes 200% Tobacco Tax Hike in Sweeping Health Push

    Mexico Proposes 200% Tobacco Tax Hike in Sweeping Health Push

    Today (September 11), Mexico’s Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit proposed steep new levies on products considered to be unhealthy as part of a broad “healthy tax” initiative aimed at curbing harmful consumption and boosting revenue. The plan would raise the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) on junk food, processed food, and fast food. It would also gradually increase tobacco taxes “by 200% through the year 2030,” alongside new per-cigarette quotas, VAT, and higher duties on hand-rolled cigars. The proposal also introduces taxes on nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, tied to nicotine content.

    Mexico is also considering increasing the taxes on online gambling, and taxing digital services and video games with violent content. Officials say the measures could generate 140 billion pesos ($757 million) annually while advancing President Claudia Sheinbaum’s goal of promoting healthier lifestyles.