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Category: News This Week

  • BAT Announces Management Board Changes

    BAT Announces Management Board Changes

    BAT today (September 11) announced upcoming changes to its management board. After 23 years with the group, including 11 as general counsel and board member, Jerome Abelman will step down as Director, Legal and General Counsel on effective December 31. Paul McCrory, currently Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, will become Director, Legal and General Counsel Designate on October 1 before assuming the role fully on January 1, 2026. McCrory has been with BAT for over 18 years and joined the board in 2023.

    From October 1, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs will transfer to Kingsley Wheaton, Chief Corporate Officer. CEO Tadeu Marroco thanked Abelman for his leadership and welcomed McCrory to his new role, citing his deep experience and collaborative leadership.

  • Midwest Goods Responds to FDA Seizure, Says Actions are ‘Troubling’

    Midwest Goods Responds to FDA Seizure, Says Actions are ‘Troubling’

    Following yesterday’s (September 10) news that federal officials seized $86.5 million worth of illicit vapes in Chicago, Midwest Goods confirmed that agents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Marshals executed a civil seizure warrant at its facilities, targeting more than 75 brands of bottled e-liquids used in refillable vaping devices. The company said it is fully cooperating with authorities.

    In a statement, Midwest emphasized that the products cited in the warrant are manufactured in the U.S. by companies employing “hundreds, if not thousands,” of American workers. Many of the e-liquids, the company said, are tied to premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) that have been pending with the FDA since as far back as September 2020, despite a statutory requirement for review within 180 days. Midwest noted that the FDA has previously allowed these products to remain on the market during the prolonged review process.

    “Midwest has always attempted to work cooperatively with FDA,” the company said in its statement. “After a recent FDA inspection in August, we advised FDA that we had removed from our product catalog and inventory several ENDS products about which FDA inspectors had inquired. We also offered to remove other ENDS products from our product catalog if FDA was concerned about our continuing to offer them for sale. FDA acknowledged receipt of our correspondence, but did not request that we stop selling any other products.”

    The company called the enforcement action “troubling,” particularly in light of reports that FDA is preparing to expedite reviews of products tied to larger companies with more recent applications, while seizing long-pending independent products. It pledged to continue cooperating with federal authorities while reserving the right to challenge the seizure in court.

    Read the full statement here.

  • Jordan Customs Seizes Smuggled Cigarettes, Vapes, and More

    Jordan Customs Seizes Smuggled Cigarettes, Vapes, and More

    Jordan Customs Department’s Anti-Smuggling Directorate, working with security agencies, announced the seizure of a large haul of contraband tobacco and nicotine products in two separate cases today (September 11). Authorities confiscated 13,100 cartons of smuggled cigarettes, 2,130 e-cigarettes, 13,800 packs of e-liquids and vape juices, 610 kilograms of hookah tobacco, and 8,250 cigars, placing the items under custody pending legal action.

    Officials said the goods pose serious health risks and undermine the national economy by entering the market without meeting Jordanian health and safety standards.

  • NSW’s New Laws Aimed at Curbing Illegal Tobacco Trade

    NSW’s New Laws Aimed at Curbing Illegal Tobacco Trade

    The New South Wales (NSW) Parliament passed sweeping new laws to crack down on the illegal tobacco trade, with offenders now facing some of the harshest penalties in Australia. Under the legislation, those convicted of selling illicit tobacco could face fines of up to A$1.5 million ($1 million), prison sentences of up to seven years, and the closure of their businesses. The measures will work alongside the state’s new tobacco licensing scheme, designed to make it easier to identify and remove rogue operators, and will be enforced by NSW Health’s newly established Centre for Regulation and Enforcement.

    The government said the reforms are aimed at protecting public health and safeguarding legitimate retailers, while disrupting the operations of criminal syndicates profiting from tax evasion, addiction, and youth exposure to tobacco.

  • Dutch Schools Sound Alarm Over Dangerous Rise in Illegal THC Vapes

    Dutch Schools Sound Alarm Over Dangerous Rise in Illegal THC Vapes

    Dutch schools are reporting a surge in dangerous incidents linked to illegal THC vapes laced with synthetic drugs, raising alarms among health experts and government officials. The devices, often sold through Snapchat and delivered directly to schools, are marketed as cannabis vapes, but lab tests revealed they almost always contain synthetic cannabinoids, known as “spice,” which can trigger severe side effects such as anxiety, heart palpitations, psychosis, and collapse. These substances have been banned in the Netherlands under the Opium Act since July.

    Addiction specialists warn the problem is spreading beyond Amsterdam to Utrecht, Amersfoort, and other regions. Major addiction clinics and the Trimbos Institute confirmed rising reports of students suffering health issues from THC vaping.

  • Hong Kong Bill Bans Vapes, Heated Products, Flavored Cigarettes

    Hong Kong Bill Bans Vapes, Heated Products, Flavored Cigarettes

    Hong Kong’s Legislative Council approved sweeping new tobacco control measures aimed at further cutting smoking rates in the city. The Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025, passed today (September 11) with 74 votes in favor (versus one against and seven abstentions) bans possession of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, extends non-smoking areas, prohibits sales to minors, and outlaws flavored cigarettes except menthol.

    Lawmakers largely supported the bill, with several highlighting the need to shield young people from targeted marketing of flavored products. Hong Kong’s smoking rate currently stands at 9.1%, as officials hope to eventually bring it below 5%.

  • HHS and CBP Seize $86.5 Million in Illegal E-Cigarettes in Largest U.S. Operation

    HHS and CBP Seize $86.5 Million in Illegal E-Cigarettes in Largest U.S. Operation

    Today (September 10), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the seizure of 4.7 million unauthorized e-cigarette units in Chicago with an estimated retail value of $86.5 million. Working with the FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), HHS said it was the largest operation of its kind.

    The shipments, mostly originating from China, were found to contain misleading product descriptions and undervalued entries, apparently aimed at evading duties and FDA safety review.

    “We will never allow foreign actors to threaten the health of America’s children,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today we took decisive action to protect kids from illegal vape products.”

    So far this year, the FDA and CBP have stopped more than 6 million unauthorized e-cigarettes valued at over $120 million. All seized products lacked the required pre-market authorization from the FDA. In addition, the FDA contacted 37 importers responsible for these shipments, reminding them of their legal obligations and requesting full compliance within 30 days.

    “The FDA and our federal partners are taking strong actions to shore up America’s borders and stop the flow of illegal vaping products into our country,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “If a product has not been authorized by the FDA, CBP will seize, detain or destroy it.”

  • Reynolds American Names New Senior CIO

    Reynolds American Names New Senior CIO

    Reynolds American Inc. appointed Dawn-Marie Hutchinson as senior vice president and Chief Information Officer, effective October 1, 2025. In her new role, Hutchinson will oversee technology strategy and operations, including digital workplace, core platforms, data and analytics, cybersecurity, and IT service delivery, while serving on the Reynolds American Leadership Team.

    Hutchinson joined Reynolds’ parent company BAT in 2021 after holding global CISO roles at GSK and Urban Outfitters Group. At BAT, she expanded the global cybersecurity program, launched a Cyber Defense Centre, and transformed governance, risk, and compliance functions. In her new role, she will focus on modernizing IT systems, enhancing operational resilience, and leveraging data and AI across Reynolds’ operating companies.

  • SKE’s ‘Less is More’ Strategy Working in UK

    SKE’s ‘Less is More’ Strategy Working in UK

    SKE says its cautious approach to the UK single-use vape ban is delivering strong results, with its SKE 600 PRO pre-filled pod device exceeding sales expectations. The company, previously a leading single-use vape provider, says it spent a year preparing for the June ban and launched the 600 PRO early to ensure a smooth transition for consumers. By keeping product changes minimal, SKE said, it aimed to make the shift to refillable devices as frictionless as possible, a strategy that has resonated with both retailers and distributors.

    Company executives said that around 14% of vapers are still using stockpiled single-use devices, signaling that gradual change is preferred and highlighting the success of SKE’s “less is more” approach.

  • PCA Extends CEO Habursky Through 2031

    PCA Extends CEO Habursky Through 2031

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) extended the contract of executive director Joshua Habursky for five years, securing his governance through 2031. Habursky, who also serves as CEO, will continue overseeing the trade association’s operations and assets, including its Washington, D.C., office.

    Board president Todd Naifeh praised Habursky’s leadership, citing record membership and revenue growth, while vice president Paul Groh highlighted his forward-looking approach, including early planning for the PCA’s centennial in 2033. Since joining in 2019, Habursky has overseen initiatives such as the PCA Alliance program, an FIU educational partnership, and the launch of the World Cigar Show.

    At its fall meeting in Washington today (September 10), the Board also promoted Antoine Reid to senior director of marketing and communications and announced plans to hire an additional communications manager in early 2026.