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Category: News This Week

  • Mindanao Tobacco Production Nearly Doubles

    Mindanao Tobacco Production Nearly Doubles

    Tobacco production in Mindanao surged 44% in 2024 as more farmers in the southern Philippines turned to the crop for its growing profitability, according to data from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA). Ma. Mercedes Ayco of NTA Mindanao said farmers are drawn to native “batek” tobacco for its fast growth and strong domestic demand. To support the industry, the NTA launched the five-year Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP) last year. The program offers irrigation, equipment, training, and marketing support to strengthen the tobacco sector across the island.

    Production rose from 5.4 million kilograms in 2023 to 9.7 million kg in 2024. Misamis Oriental led the pack, contributing 7.7 million kg—nearly 80% of the region’s total. Maguindanao del Sur posted a 62% increase in output. The number of tobacco farmers in Mindanao jumped from 4,630 in 2023 to over 8,100 in 2024, with cultivation areas expanding from nearly 3,000 to over 4,400 hectares. Top-quality leaves fetched up to P700 ($12.60) per kilo in Misamis Oriental.

    Tobacco remains the only crop in the Philippines with guaranteed floor prices, supporting livelihoods for over 2 million Filipinos, including 430,000 farmers and workers, the NTA said.

  • Czech Museum Slammed for VR Exhibit Glamorizing Smoking

    Czech Museum Slammed for VR Exhibit Glamorizing Smoking

    The Czech National Museum is under fire for its new virtual reality exhibition, Steps of Progress, over claims that it glamorizes smoking and potentially violates tobacco advertising laws. Launched July 1, the exhibit immerses visitors in a digital journey from the 19th century to the future. However, several scenes prominently feature historic Czech figures smoking, without any health warnings.

    In one segment, inventor František Křižík lights a cigar for composer Antonín Dvořák, while another shows actress Olga Scheinpflugová pulling out a box of cigars in casual conversation. More problematic for critics is a futuristic scene that includes two robots casually discussing nicotine use for stress.

    “It could be a clear promotion of nicotine products,” said Radek Jurnikl of Sananim, an organization focused on addiction treatment, who admitted not having personally seen the exhibit and warned that the context is critical.

    The exhibit’s sponsor, Philip Morris ČR, the country’s largest tobacco company, is credited in the display and online, sparking deeper concern. Philip Morris ČR denied that any branding appears in the experience, claiming it adheres to strict marketing codes. “None of our brands appear in the virtual reality content,” said company spokesman Vojtěch Severýn. “We follow a strict marketing code to keep nicotine products out of the hands of minors.”

    The National Museum insists the scenes reflect historical accuracy and are not promotional. “Progress is the driving force of human development, but it’s not a straight path without mistakes and errors,” said museum spokesperson Kristina Kvapilová, attempting to underscore that smoking is indeed a negative trait when explaining the name of the exhibition.

    However, critics argue that the lack of disclaimers and prominent tobacco presence, even in futuristic scenes, undermines public health messaging, especially as Czech law now bans sponsorships that promote smoking and restricts flavored e-cigarettes. They further argue that the controversy has sparked a wider debate about the ethics of corporate sponsorship and the blurred lines between history and promotion in public exhibitions.

  • CAPHRA Challenges WHO’s Tobacco Control Approach

    CAPHRA Challenges WHO’s Tobacco Control Approach

    A new Shadow Report from the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) criticizes the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global tobacco control strategy for neglecting harm reduction — a key component of the WHO’s own Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). CAPHRA’s report argues that countries strictly following WHO’s MPOWER measures, like Thailand and India, have seen only limited declines in smoking, while nations adopting harm reduction tools, such as vaping, have achieved greater success. It cites the UK, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada as leading examples.

    With over 1 billion smokers worldwide, CAPHRA calls for “practical, science-based solutions” to replace abstinence-only approaches. The group also condemns the exclusion of harm reduction advocates from policy discussions under FCTC Article 5.3.

    “This is a call to action,” the report states. “We must replace moralistic dogma with practical solutions. It is time to make smoking — the deadliest form of tobacco use — public enemy No. 1, and to deploy harm reduction as a frontline strategy.”

  • Philippines Raises Minimum Prices for Cigarettes and Vapes

    Philippines Raises Minimum Prices for Cigarettes and Vapes

    The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines raised the minimum retail prices for cigarettes and vape products to reflect updated tax and production cost estimates, according to a revenue regulation issued July 18. The floor price for a pack of cigarettes is now set at ₱85.57 ($1.45), up from ₱78.58 ($1.34), with the estimated production cost increased to ₱10.25 ($0.17) per pack. Heated tobacco products now carry a floor price of ₱61.47 ($1.04) per 20-piece pack.

    For vape products, the minimum price for a 2ml nicotine pod surged to ₱353.18 ($6) from ₱180.67 ($3.07). Disposable pods are now priced at ₱183.31 (3.12), prefilled pods at ₱174.89 ($2.97), and disposable devices at ₱98.18 ($1.67)—all for 10ml products.

    The BIR collected ₱58.97 billion ($1 billion) in excise taxes from tobacco products in the first half of 2025, a 34% increase year-on-year. Vape excise tax collections soared by 738%, reaching ₱1.5 billion ($25.5 million).

    The updated prices will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or the BIR’s website.

  • Award-winning e-liquid producer, Riot Labs, has added six new “supercharged” flavors to its Riot X e-liquid range. 

    Award-winning e-liquid producer, Riot Labs, has added six new “supercharged” flavors to its Riot X e-liquid range. 

    PRESS RELEASE

    Developed in its award-winning lab in Milton Keynes, England, the range hits shelves from today and features six maximum intensity flavors, which the producer claims deliver the purest, punchiest hit of flavor on the market. 

    The launch comes at an important time for the vape sector, with the disposable vape ban pushing vapers towards pods and refillable devices to help them continue their quit-smoking journey. 

    Ben Johnson, CEO and Founder of Riot Labs, claims flavor availability in the vape sector is a “massive opportunity” to support vapers who are quitting smoking. 

    Johnson commented:

    “Hundreds of thousands of adult smokers continue to use vaping, proven to be the most effective quitting tool, as part of their quitting journey. In a pivotal year, choice of flavor plays a crucial role in smokers turning to vaping to help them kick the habit and it’s the perfect moment to add new flavors to our Riot X range, to help consumers who are navigating new devices like refillables to maintain their quitting efforts.”

    Riot X launches with a pointed marketing campaign calling out the import vape market with “Made in our lab. Not in a sweatshop. No children were involved in the making of this product”.

    A significant 90% of the vape industry is based overseas. The fallout of Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on imports could see the UK flooded with cheap, unregulated, and potentially harmful vapes entering the UK market. 

    According to Riot Labs, its team of expert flavorists has spent years perfecting the blends of each e-liquid, testing thousands of variations to make something truly unique in its in-house lab in Milton Keynes.  

    Unlike many e-liquids that simply increase sweetness – masking individual notes – Riot X offers maximum intensity with maximum clarity, allowing every layer of the flavor profile to shine through.

    The six-strong range of new flavors will be available online and in retailers from today, including Cherry Colada, Blue Razz Sour Watermelon, Mango and Blackcurrant Gelato, Pink Lemon and Lime, Strawberry and Banana Marshmallow, Sour Grape Chew. 

    Nicotine strengths of 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg will be available starting from an RRP of £3.99.  

  • U.S. Retail Groups Urge White House to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes

    U.S. Retail Groups Urge White House to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes

    A coalition of major U.S. retail and energy associations is calling on the White House to take urgent action against the surge of illegal vape products entering the country from China. In a joint letter sent July 18, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), along with Energy Marketers of America, National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA), said illicit vapes are undercutting legitimate retailers and exposing regulatory failures.

    The groups blame the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) for poor enforcement and slow product approvals, urging reforms and tighter border controls.

    “The convenience store and travel center industries are facing a crisis of illicit product from China,” the letter said. “Vape and e-cigarette products have been flooding our country for years and drawing business away from law-abiding retailers.

    “We need change at the Center for Tobacco Products and help from the federal enforcement agencies to clean up this mess. We are asking for your help to do that.”

  • Storm Ravages Connecticut Tobacco Crop Weeks Before Harvest

    Storm Ravages Connecticut Tobacco Crop Weeks Before Harvest

    A powerful late-night storm toppled thousands of tobacco plants at Kent Farms in Connecticut, leaving crews with the massive task of manually righting each stalk just weeks ahead of harvest. Owner James Kent, a fifth-generation farmer, described the aftermath as “doom and gloom,” with 35 acres of plants — roughly 6,600 per acre — flattened by wind and rain. Kent Farms is one of many local operations hit hard by Sunday’s storms, which also caused downed trees and scattered power outages statewide.

    “There were branches falling down and all that wind and rain knocked all our tobacco over,” Kent said. “I came out last night… I knew I wouldn’t sleep,”

    While the storm brought welcome rain for much of Connecticut, Kent said his fields didn’t need the extra moisture. Additional precipitation could further stress the already fragile crop. While Connecticut Shade and Connecticut Broadleaf make up only 5% of the premium cigar wrappers used worldwide, it is a prestigious and highly valued crop.

    The recovery is expected to take several days, as workers navigate the dense, tall rows typical of tobacco fields to reposition plants by hand.

  • Suntree Vanilla Cream Vape Being Recalled in New Zealand

    Suntree Vanilla Cream Vape Being Recalled in New Zealand

    New Zealand’s Ministry of Health issued a public warning against the Suntree – Vanilla Cream (30ml) vaping product after tests revealed unsafe levels of diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung condition known as “popcorn lung.” The alert, issued under section 72(1) of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act, comes as Hoopers Vapor Ltd, the product’s maker, begins a consumer-level recall to remove the product from store shelves. An estimated 300 units have been sold over the past 17 months.

    Diacetyl, known for its buttery flavor, was detected in the product at levels more than four times New Zealand’s legal limit of 22 parts per million (ppm). Inhalation of high concentrations of diacetyl has been linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare and irreversible lung disease commonly called popcorn lung.

    Consumers are advised to stop using the product and return any unused portions to the place of purchase or dispose of it by flushing it down the sink with cold water. The Ministry stressed that while vaping product manufacturers must notify authorities, current legislation does not require pre-market testing or approval, making post-market surveillance crucial.

  • Türkiye Launches New Anti-Smoking Campaign

    Türkiye Launches New Anti-Smoking Campaign

    The Health Ministry has launched a new nationwide campaign under the theme “Smoke-Free Türkiye” as part of its ongoing efforts to combat tobacco addiction, which “remains one of the leading preventable causes of death both globally and in Türkiye.” The campaign, introduced in the 16th year of the country’s tobacco control efforts, aims to reduce smoking rates and encourage a healthier lifestyle.

    Backed by a comprehensive action plan for 2024–2028, it focuses on raising awareness, providing support services, and, especially, protecting young people from the harmful effects of tobacco products.

  • Eastern Company Sets New Unified Price for Local Cigarettes

    Eastern Company Sets New Unified Price for Local Cigarettes

    Egypt’s Eastern Company announced a new unified retail price of LE 44 ($0.88) for all its local cigarette brands, effective Friday, July 18, 2025. The move, approved during the company’s Board of Directors meeting on July 17, supports implementation of the Value Added Tax Law and the national health insurance system while aiming to stabilize the market and maintain fair pricing.

    Brands affected include Cleopatra King Size, Cleopatra Box, Mondial (all varieties), and Boston/Lemont. Merchant profit margins will range between LE 0.05 ($0.001) and LE 0.25 ($0.005) per pack. The company urged consumers to report any price violations to authorities to ensure compliance.