Philip Morris International announced that it will hold its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 6 at 9 a.m. ET via a live virtual webcast. The meeting will be accessible online, with presentation materials and a replay available for one year following the event.
Chairman André Calantzopoulos and CEO Jacek Olczak are scheduled to address shareholders and respond to questions, with participation limited to verified shareholders using a control number.
A recent Motley Fool analysis highlights continued declines in U.S. cigarette volumes, though at a slower pace than expected, with industry data showing a 4.3% to 5.5% year-over-year drop and a 5.1% decline so far in 2026. The figures came in better than earlier projections, suggesting the rate of contraction in the traditional cigarette market may be stabilizing somewhat, even as long-term declines persist.
The report notes that Altria is outperforming key competitors in this environment, with its cigarette volumes down 4.7% compared to sharper declines of 9.3% for British American Tobacco and 9% for Imperial Brands. At the same time, Motley Fool said next-generation products show mixed performance, with nicotine pouches growing 22% while e-cigarette volumes fell 17%, underscoring uneven momentum across reduced-risk categories as companies continue to navigate the transition away from combustible products.
A tobacco workers’ union is asking a North Carolina federal court to dismiss ITG Brands’ attempt to overturn a November 2025 arbitration ruling on retiree healthcare benefits. The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) Local 317-T argues the company’s legal challenge was improperly filed and does not comply with required procedures under the Federal Arbitration Act.
The dispute stems from an arbitration decision issued by arbitrator Dennis Nolan in favor of the union for a yet-to-be-disclosed amount, which ITG Brands is seeking to vacate. The union maintains that, because the filing was procedurally flawed, the court should reject the challenge and allow the arbitration award to stand. The case remains active in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Two Texas smoke shop owners have filed a lawsuit against vape supplier Delta Munchies LLC, alleging the company sold them products containing illegal levels of THC while marketing them as compliant hemp. According to the complaint, the shops were subsequently subjected to police raids, arrests, and the freezing of nearly $5 million in business funds after authorities determined the products violated state law.
The plaintiffs argue they relied on the supplier’s representations that the products were legal and are seeking damages for financial losses and legal consequences stemming from the enforcement actions.
Kiosk owners in Cyprus are warning that proposed tobacco tax increases could drive consumers toward illegal markets, particularly via the island’s northern region, where price disparities already influence purchasing behavior. Industry estimates suggest that about 13% of cigarette consumption and 53% of rolling tobacco consumption currently comes from the north, with further increases expected if taxes rise.
Retailers say planned EU-driven excise adjustments could push cigarette prices from around €4.50–€5 to as high as €8–€8.50 per pack, potentially accelerating the shift to untaxed products. The sector estimates illicit trade already costs the government more than €50 million annually and is calling for policy flexibility, stronger enforcement and phased implementation to mitigate further losses.
Authorities in Bangladesh are facing renewed scrutiny over the enforcement of tobacco-related regulations, as a legal petition seeks updates on action taken against illegal shisha lounges in Dhaka. The filing, submitted to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, requests details on raids, arrests, and compliance with a High Court directive issued in March mandating the closure of unauthorized lounges, amid claims that some establishments in areas like Banani and Gulshan remain operational.
At the same time, enforcement efforts continue elsewhere, with officials in Kushtia destroying illegal tobacco products worth approximately Tk 2.5 crore ($225,000), including nearly 36 million sticks and units of cigarettes, bidis, and other items seized through anti-smuggling operations.
Syria’s state-run tobacco sector has seen a sharp decline in production following widespread disruption to manufacturing facilities, with around 80% of cigarette and shisha factories not fully operational, according to the head of the General Organization of Tobacco (GOT). Officials attribute the shutdowns to damage, looting, and instability linked to recent military developments, which are significantly impacting output capacity.
As a result, tobacco production fell to 3,209 tons in 2025, while the state entity has reduced its workforce by 35% over the past year.
Reuters reported that the European Union is discussing five new revenue streams that would help fund its seven-year budget, allowing for new priorities like defense and competitiveness and service joint debt, while limiting cuts to agriculture and regional aid.
The proposed streams for 2028-2034 are an emissions trading system, a carbon border adjustment mechanism levy, a non-collected electronic waste tax, a corporate resource for Europe levy, and a tobacco excise duty. The tobacco tax would be a new 15% uniform call-rate tobacco duty, paid by EU member states from national budgets, which would bring in an estimated €11.2 billion a year, the Commission says.
By a vote of 370-201, EU’s parliament voted to increase its budget 1.26%, increasing total spending to about €1.94 trillion.
British American Tobacco New Zealand reported a sharp decline in financial performance in 2025, with revenue falling nearly 29% year over year to NZ$180.7 million ($106.6 million), which the company attributed in part to the growth of the illicit tobacco market. According to The Post, industry estimates suggest illicit products accounted for 27.2% of consumption in 2024, equating to roughly NZ$600 million ($354 million) in lost excise revenue, as high cigarette taxes continue to push consumers toward the black market.
The downturn was reflected across key business indicators, including a significant drop in inventory levels and reduced tax payments, while dividend payouts to the parent company remained stable. BAT has called for stronger enforcement measures, including tougher penalties and retailer licensing, as illicit trade expands alongside broader market shifts such as declining smoking rates and rising vape use.
Today (March 28), the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids launched a new advertising initiative, “End the Formula,” ahead of the May 3 Miami Grand Prix, calling on Formula 1 to eliminate all tobacco-related sponsorships. The campaign targets partnerships between major F1 teams and companies, including Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, which promote nicotine pouch and e-cigarette brands such as Zyn, Velo, and Vuse through branding on cars, driver apparel, and digital media. The campaign ties into similar efforts that began in March, which included ads, coordinated outreach with 162 organizations across 57 countries, and more than 25,000 petition messages urging F1 and affiliated partners to end these sponsorship arrangements.