Category: News This Week

Record Number of Illegal Factories Raided in Belgium

Photo: Europol
Belgian authorities on Oct. 21 dismantled the 11th illegal cigarette factory since the start of 2024, reports The Brussels Times, citing an announcement by the Ministry of Finance. Nineteen suspects from Ukraine, Romania and Lithuania were taken into custody for questioning.
Police and customs seized around 11 tons of tobacco and 5.6 million Rothmans and Marlboro Touch cigarettes. If sold legally, the products would have yielded the state €6.2 million in tax receipts.
While this marks a new record number of illicit manufacturers uncovered within a year, it does not necessarily reflect an increase in criminal activity, according to Ministry of Finance spokesperson Florence Angelici. “We know what we catch,” he was quoted as saying.
However, Angelici acknowledged that there has been a general increase in demand for cheap illegal cigarettes, due in part to the rising prices of tobacco products.
Around 13 percent of illicit cigarettes in the EU were consumed in Belgium last year, according to a report commissioned by Philip Morris International. Angelici highlighted that many of the cigarettes produced in the country are not intended for domestic sales, but tend to be smuggled to countries to high-price markets such as the U.K. and France.
Belgium’s proximity to leading illegal cigarette markets, as well as its ports and large road networks, make it “very interesting” destination for those involved not only in the production but also I tbe smuggling of illicit products, said Angelici.
According to him, the illicit cigarette trade is a well-organized criminal activity. “You will have people specialized in installing machines; then those who will bring trucks. It’s a logistic network,” he said.
Tackling the issue on a European or global scale can be difficult due to the different national legislations.
Almost 205 million cigarettes were seized in Belgium in 2024. This represents around €96 million in evaded tax, according to the Ministry of Finance.
October 25, 2024
ITC Misses Profit Estimate

ITC’s profit rose 3 percent to INR50.78 billion ($604.2 million) in the quarter that ended Sept. 30, missing estimates of INR51.14 billion, reports Reuters. The company cited subdued demand conditions, unusually heavy rains in parts of India and a sharp escalation in certain input costs, among other factors.
Higher prices of raw materials, such as tobacco leaf and crude oil, also weighed on the consumer goods sector’s earnings for the July-September period. The increase in leaf tobacco prices was partly mitigated through improved mix, calibrated pricing and strategic cost management, according to ITC.
In the cigarette business, net segment revenue was up 7.3 percent. ITC said the business continues to counter illicit trade and make strategic portfolio and market interventions “with focus on competitive belts to reinforce market standing.”
The company also noted in a statement that recent stability in cigarette taxes, backed by deterrent enforcement, enabled volume recovery for the legal cigarette industry from illicit trade, leading to higher demand for Indian tobaccos and bolstering revenue to the exchequer from the tobacco sector.
October 25, 2024
UKVIA Urges Balance in Vape Legislation

The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has warned policymakers ahead of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill that it has to strike the right balance between introducing new vaping legislation and ensuring that it does not deter smokers from giving up by switching to considerably less harmful vapes.
On Oct. 24, the U.K. government announced that disposable vapes will be banned from June next year,
In a statement, the UKVIA reminded policymakers that vaping and disposable vapes have made a huge contribution to bringing down smoking rates amongst adults to the lowest levels on record in recent years.
“We recognize that disposable vapes have divided opinion, but their accessibility and convenience, particularly amongst low income groups who are the most prevalent smokers, should not be forgotten and highlights the careful balancing act required in future legislation so that it does not penalize those adult smokers that want to give up by using vapes, which have been evidenced to be the most effective method in quitting cigarettes,” said John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA.
“We have not shied away from the fact that the environmental impact and youth vaping challenges associated with disposables need to be addressed head on. Also, this announcement does nothing to stop the import of disposable vapes, which means there is a ready supply entering the country which will make their way onto the black market.
“Bans are not the answer as we’ve seen in other parts of the world, such as Australia, as they will only boost the black market which will pose significant risks to young people and the environment.

This announcement does nothing to stop the import of disposable vapes, which means there is a ready supply entering the country which will make their way onto the black market.
John Dunne, director general, UKVIA
“What’s needed is greater enforcement of current laws in place which make it a legal requirement for vape traders not to sell to children under the age of 18 and to comply with environmental legislation such as the WEEE regulations. However, recent Freedom of Information requests sent to Trading Standards nationally, the Environmental Agency and Office for Product Safety and Standards shows extremely low levels of enforcement in terms of the penalties and prosecutions that would make rogue traders think twice about breaking the law.”
“It’s why we have campaigned for a vape retailer and distributor licensing scheme. To qualify for a license, retailers will need to show they have put measures in place to prevent the sale of vapes to minors. Distributors will also need to ensure they are meeting environmental obligations, as well as ensuring they only stock and sell compliant goods. As part of this scheme we are also calling for up to £10,000 [$12,976)] and £100,000 fines for retailers and distributors respectively who break the law, and together with the money that the licensing scheme will raise—estimated to be £50 million—this will be used to fund the level of enforcement that is required.”
October 25, 2024
UK Disposable Vape Ban Begins in June

TR Archive
The sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England from June next year, the British government said on Thursday, seeking to crack down on the environmental harm and rising usage levels among children.
Vaping has grown rapidly in Britain in the last decade, with nearly one in 10 people buying and using the products, according to the government.
Supporters say vapes can help people give up smoking, but health authorities are concerned that their colorful designs and fruity flavors are designed to attract children, Reuters reports.
It is illegal to sell nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18.
The plan to ban disposable vapes was initially set out by the previous Conservative government in January, alongside a move to ban anyone aged 15 and under from buying cigarettes – some of the strictest anti-smoking rules in the world.
The Labour government also plans to introduce a full smoking bill as part of what it called “the biggest public health intervention in a generation” to protect young people from becoming hooked on nicotine.
“Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment but importantly reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people,” said Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne.
October 24, 2024
Oregon Court Strikes Down Vape Packaging Law

Image: Alexander Berdyugin
The Oregon Court of Appeals on Oct. 16 struck down a law restricting the packaging of vape and cannabis products on the grounds that the legislation unconstitutionally restricts free speech, reports Keller & Heckman.
The contested law prohibited an “inhalant delivery system” from being packaged “in a manner that is attractive to minors.” Subsequently, the Oregon Health Authority banned the use of cartoons, celebrities and other representations that are likely to appeal to minors.
It also restricted descriptive words for flavors that are likely to appeal to minors, such as tart, tangy or sweet. In addition to a comprehensive list of items explicitly prohibited from packaging, the rule includes a general catch-all restriction to include any presentation, shape, graphic, coloring or writing that is likely to appeal to minors.
Plaintiffs Paul Bates and No Moke Daddy argued that the packaging restrictions were overly broad and unconstitutionally vague and infringed on their right to free speech by prohibiting truthful, non-misleading communication.
the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s dismissal of the challenge, noting that the law violates free speech as outlined in the Oregon Constitution.
The Court of Appeals explained that selling products is a form of communicative behavior that may involve protected speech. The court stated that the law restricting “attractive” packaging is reasonably interpreted to refer to the communicative aspects of the packaging and not its functionality. Thus, the packaging restrictions are a direct restriction on expressive speech.
October 24, 2024
President Wants Higher Tobacco Sales Age

Photo courtesy of Syed Rashid Alli
The president of Maldives wants to raise the legal age for the sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21, reports The Edition.
In a post on the social media platform X, Mohamed Muizzu announced that he will propose amendments to the Tobacco Control Act as part of efforts to discourage young people from adopting tobacco use.
The revisions will also include stricter enforcement measures to address violations of the law.
Earlier this month, Muizzu announced a ban on the sale and use of vapes starting Dec. 15, with instructions to relevant authorities to take action on November 14.
The amendment includes a 50 percent tax on electronic tobacco products and a charge of MVR8 ($0.51) per sticker. It also calls for an MVR8 fee for flavors and chemicals added to tobacco products.
October 24, 2024
The Zyn Marketing Fallacy

Photo: Swedish Match North America
Blaming the manufacturers for irresponsible marketing is a red herring.
By Peter Clark
The social media presence of nicotine pouches has recently come under fire from public health experts. For example, Jai Surana believes that “aggressive marketing” has contributed to the spike in popularity in this product category.
Some perceive that nicotine pouches and e-cigarette markers present their products as a safe alternative to tobacco. With this perception of tobacco substitutes, coupled with the appealing variety of flavors, many are worried that kids will start using these products. Zyn’s robust meme culture and numerous influencers only fuel misconceptions about its marketing.
Contrary to the immersive online subculture of Zyn, nicotine pouches are not an exploding health epidemic among teens. The headlines of the droves of nicotine-addicted youth are exaggerations.
Blaming the manufacturers for irresponsible marketing is nothing but a red herring. Because most nicotine users are adults, many content producers are unaffiliated with producers, and the marketing hasn’t effectively targeted teens.
Despite the public health crusade to shield children from nicotine pouch advertisements on social media, only a minority of kids are using these products. The largest demographic for nicotine pouches is the “35–45” age group, making up 60 percent of the market. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most pouch users are either current or former smokers. Most of the evidence suggests that most Zyn users are adults trying to quit smoking or are getting their nicotine fix when smoking isn’t an option.
How many kids use nicotine pouches? The number of teens using these products is minuscule. In 2024, only 1.8 percent of “middle school and high school students reported currently using nicotine pouches.” This pales in comparison to the significantly higher numbers of teens smoking in the 1990s. A jaw-dropping 16.8 percent of high school students were “frequent smokers” in 1999. This was still only a minority of teens but significantly higher than the number of kids currently using nicotine pouches.
Yes, nicotine pouches have social media sites, but what about the third-party content producers? There is a lot of finger-wagging at nicotine pouch companies for Instagram posts lacking warning labels, but will a Zyn fan account adhere to market guidelines? The problem is that internet culture tends to take on a life of its own. The marketing edicts of the Food and Drug Administration are not even a forethought to most Zyn enthusiasts making humorous memes.
There is no way to limit or regulate third-party content. The best companies can do is comply with the current laws and acknowledge that nicotine is addictive on official social media content. Attempting to shut down all third-party content is a game of whack-a-mole. For example, Juul failed at many attempts to remove underage fan sites from social media.
Even the high-profile Zyn influencers, from Joe Rogan to Tucker Carlson, are unaffiliated with the brand. Philip Morris International hasn’t paid anyone to promote its pouches. PMI spokesman Corey Henry has stated, “Zyn doesn’t have partnerships or product promotion with any social media influencers or celebrities.” Before Carlson’s culture war on Zyn and his recent venture into the market, PMI tried to distance itself from his more outlandish claims about the product.
As mentioned previously, youth nicotine pouch use is low. However, has the social media market influenced teen use? Less than half of teens and young adults surveyed in a Georgetown study were even aware of the existence of this product. Less than a quarter of nontobacco-using participants were familiar with nicotine pouches. If Zyn is trying to market its pouches to young people, their plan has failed. Only young people predisposed to using nicotine are familiar with nicotine pouches.
At first glance, it is easy to attack nicotine pouch brands like Zyn for irresponsible marketing, but it is not the crisis that experts and the press are making it out to be.
Only a small number of teens are using nicotine pouches, most of the egregiously irresponsible “marketing” is coming from third-party creators, and there is little evidence that the official product marketing is pushing kids toward nicotine pouches. If we want to protect kids from nicotine addiction, we should attack the social issues driving them to use nicotine, not flashy marketing.
Peter Clark is a fellow with the World Vapers’ Alliance. You can follow him on X at @blog_logic.

October 24, 2024
Gaming Vapes Provoke Outrage in Netherlands

Image: 12ee12/nosyrevy
New vapes with integrated music and gaming functionalities have provoked outrage in the Netherlands, according to Dutch News.
Sophie Cohen, a doctor specializing in children’s lung problems, described the deliberate combination of addictive things such as nicotine and gaming as “extremely twisted.”
“The awful thing is I am not surprised the industry has come up with something to make children even more addicted,” Cohen said. “That is their earnings model. The younger the brain, the more receptive it is to addiction.”
The NVWA, the Dutch product safety board, is aware of the “smart vapes.” The agency says children are likely getting hold of them abroad, but several kids told broadcaster NOS that the vapes are available “behind the counter” at shops in the country.
Vincent Karremans, junior health minister, called the vapes and their attractiveness to youth “scandalous” and said he’s working on a plan to tackle the illegal vape trade.
October 24, 2024
President Invited to Address Illicit Trade Forum

Image: corund
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been invited to address the opening day of the National Tobacco Administration’s (NTA) second anti-illicit trade summit, which will take place in Quezon City on Oct. 23- 24. The first event took place in August 2023.
The summit is expected to attract more than 200 participants from the farming sector, tobacco companies and media outlets, among other stakeholders.
Anchored on the theme: “Advancing the Local Tobacco Industry and Combating Illicit Trade,” the forum will focus on the ongoing government efforts in the war against illicit tobacco trade in the Philippines.
“Addressing the illicit tobacco trade requires a whole of national approach, and multi-faceted strategies that include strengthening national policies, enhancing regional cooperation, improving enforcement mechanisms and increasing public awareness,” said NTA Administrator and CEO Belinda S. Sanchez in a statement.
In recent years, the Philippine tobacco industry has faced significant challenges due to the illicit tobacco trade.
According to the NTA, the illicit tobacco trade adversely impacts government revenue, public health, national security and farmer livelihoods. The Bureau of Internal Revenue estimates that the national government misses out on up to PHP100 billion ($1.71 billion) annually in tax receipts due to illicit tobacco trade.
Data from the NTA shows 2.2 million Filipinos financially depend on tobacco, including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers and their family members.
October 23, 2024
Peru Squeezes Big Tobacco

Photo: Amparo Garcia
Peru’s Congress has approved a tobacco control law that health advocates say will save lives.
The new legislation not only bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, but also expands the size of mandatory pictorial health warning labels on tobacco products, including cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs). In addition, the law prohibits the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes in many public spaces.
Anti-tobacco activists welcomed the new legislation, and encouraged the executive branch to quickly sign it into law. “Peru’s new tobacco control regulations must be swiftly enacted and strongly enforced to ensure that these crucial public health measures can save as many lives as possible,” said Patricia Sosa, director of Latin America Programs at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement.
Peru is a party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which obligates the country to implement measures to address tobacco use. Such measures include smoke-free public places, warning labels on tobacco products, increased tobacco taxes and restrictions on tobacco advertising.
While lauding Peru’s new legislation, Sosa said that additional protections are needed to address gaps in the new law. She noted that warning labels on e-cigarettes are text-only and smaller than those on combustible cigarettes, while advertising restrictions are not as comprehensive.
“More robust regulation of these addictive products is essential to protect public health, especially younger generations—particularly given how tobacco and e-cigarette companies market these products to young people in Peru and around the world,” said Sosa.
October 23, 2024