TobaccoReporter logo

Category: News This Week

  • Illegal Tobacco Stressing Australian Emergency Responders

    Illegal Tobacco Stressing Australian Emergency Responders

    As illegal tobacco sales continue to increase across Australia, so too are violent crimes as organized syndicates get more brazen in their push for market share. There have been more than 100 fire bombings in Victoria in the last two years, with similar tactics being used in New South Wales and now spreading to Queensland.

    The Australian Medical Association Queensland warns that in addition to the obvious dangers of the fire bombings, the increase in violent attacks on tobacconists is also putting further pressure on overworked emergency departments, including police, fire, paramedics, and hospitals.

    “We are also concerned that a growing black market could see increased violence leading to avoidable emergency department presentations and pressure on our doctors and nurses,” said Nick Yim, president of the medical association.

    Queensland is attempting to battle the illicit market with more regulation, increasing fines tenfold. Individuals selling illegal products can now be fined A$32,260 ($20,646) while corporations can be fined A$161,300 ($103,232). Authorities now also have the option to close offending businesses for up to six months.

    The federal government announced in March it would pump A$157 million ($100 million) into federal health, crime, and tax agencies across two years to strengthen enforcement and target crime gangs.

    “This is a national issue that requires a national response, which is why the Albanese Labor government’s $156.7 million investment to tackle the tobacco black market is so critical,” said Mark Bailey, a spokesman for Shadow Health.

  • Altria to Host Webcast of 2025 First-Quarter Results

    Altria to Host Webcast of 2025 First-Quarter Results

    Altria Group, Inc. will host a live audio webcast April 29, 2025, at 9 a.m. EST to discuss its 2025 first-quarter business results. Altria will issue a press release containing its business results at approximately 7 a.m. the same day. The webcast can be accessed at altria.com.

    During the webcast, Billy Gifford, Altria’s Chief Executive Officer, and Sal Mancuso, Altria’s Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company’s 2025 first-quarter business results and answer questions from the investment community and news media.

    The webcast will be in a listen-only mode. Pre-event registration is necessary; directions are posted at www.altria.com/webcasts. An archived copy of the webcast will be available on altria.com.

  • Pakistan: Cracking Down on Illegal Sheesha Cafes

    Pakistan: Cracking Down on Illegal Sheesha Cafes

    In a coordinated move, district administration and police teams in Pakistan conducted surprise raids, shutting down nine sheesha cafes operating illegally in Bahria Town’s Civic Center. The operation, aimed at curbing unauthorized indoor hookah services, resulted in the arrest of 60 men and 4 women allegedly linked to the businesses.

    According to the spokesman of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, 110 hookah devices, along with flavored tobacco products, were confiscated during the raids. The crackdown follows growing concerns over violations of public health regulations and indoor smoking bans. Officials emphasized that the cafes were operating without permits and failed to comply with safety standards.

    District officials highlighted that the action aligns with broader efforts to enforce anti-smoking laws, particularly in indoor spaces. “These facilities posed risks to public health and ignored legal guidelines,” stated a spokesman. “We will continue targeting non-compliant businesses.”

    Authorities confirmed that further inspections are planned across the district to identify similar operations. Residents have been urged to report illegal shisha services via dedicated hotlines. The crackdown marks a renewed push to uphold public health laws, with officials vowing zero tolerance for unauthorized hookah businesses.

  • Maldives Sets Generational Tobacco Ban 

    Maldives Sets Generational Tobacco Ban 

    Maldives’ cabinet implemented a generational tobacco ban for those born on or after January 1, 2007. Under this ban, the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco for those born after the date will be prohibited.

    The cabinet decided to allocate a six-month grace period for enforcement authorities to revise existing regulations following the amendment of the law, thus the ban will come into effect on November 1. The cabinet also instructed the Ministry of Finance and Planning to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to facilitate access to tobacco cessation services.

    Prior to reaching this decision, the President conducted a public poll, finding most participants favored the generational ban be applied to those born 2000 onwards; however, the cabinet decided on the year 2007.

  • J.C. Newman Reintroduces Line First Rolled Out 125 Years Ago

    J.C. Newman Reintroduces Line First Rolled Out 125 Years Ago

    Established in 1895, J.C. Newman touts itself as “America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker.” This past weekend, during the PCA trade show in New Orleans, the company revived one of its most historic brands, reintroducing its Sarzedas line.

    The U.S. Patent Office records show that J.C. Newman first rolled Sarzedas cigars in 1900. A century ago, Sarzedas was widely known as “The Aromatic Cigar.” The new Sarzedas cigars are handmade at J.C. Newman’s PENSA cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

    “I have loved the Sarzedas name and the brand’s history as ‘The Aromatic Cigar’ for years,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “I have been wanting to bring this historic brand back, but had to wait until we could create a blend that lives up to the brand’s legacy. Sarzedas is the most flavorful cigar we have ever made.”

    Sarzedas cigars are rolled in four sizes, a 6” x 50 toro, a 4.75” x 52 robusto, a 7” x 48 Churchill, and a 5.5” x 43 corona. They were blended by Rich Dolak, J.C. Newman’s longtime Vice President of Operations who has blending the cigars with the Newmans for 29 years. Sarzedas features an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper, and binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic Nicaragua. J.C. Newman will set the suggested retail price when Sarzedas is ready to ship this summer but expects it to be between $8 and $10 per cigar.

  • Cigar Brand Wrap-Up

    Cigar Brand Wrap-Up

    Put on by The Premium Cigar Association, the PCA 2025 Trade Show is one of the biggest events of the year in the cigar industry, with more than 250 manufacturers of premium cigars, tobacco, and accessories showing their goods for thousands of attendees. The show opens today (April 11) in New Orleans and promises to be four days of action as manufacturers offer deals to retailers for the coming year, with many companies announcing new lines. Below is a (partial) list of the cigar brand updates that have been announced this week.

    AJ Fernandez to Release New World Decenio at PCA25 | PCA

    Byron 175th Anniversary to Debut at PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Caldwell Releasing New The King is Dead Escape Plan at PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Caldwell Bringing Long Live the King Mad Mofo Habano to PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Camacho Limited Edition 2025 Slated for June | halfwheel

    New Cigars For PCA From E.P. Carrillo | Cigar Aficionado

    Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Collaborates With La Gloria Cubana | Cigar Aficionado

    Ceniza Fina Announces Connecticut Line | halfwheel

    Crowned Heads Launching Broadway Line | Cigar Aficionado

    Deadwood Dominicana Shipping Next Week | halfwheel

    Diesel Launching Limited Edition Backyard Barbecue Series Pullk | halfwheel

    Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Raceking Shipping in May | halfwheel

    Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Unveils 2025 Releases Ahead of 10-Year Milestone | PCA

    El Rey del Mundo Introduces Appointment Line | Cigar Aficionado

    Emilio Cigars Limited Edition Static Releasing at PCA25 | PCA

    Espinosa Re-Upping 601 La Bomba Warhead 1 and Warhead 6 Releases | halfwheel

    Espinosa Cigars Expands Knuckle Sandwich Line with All-Nicaraguan Puro | PCA

    Fratello Cigars Launches Puro Collection | Cigar Aficionado

    Foundation Cigar Company Expands The Wise Man with New Lanceros | PCA

    J.C. Newman Dives Into History Books for New Sarzedas Line | halfwheel

    La Flor Dominicana Making Changes To Original Blend | Cigar Aficionado

    Luciano Cigars Crafts Limited Edition Maria Lucia for PCA 2025 | halfwheel

    Gold & Bullet Cigars And Accessories From The OpusX Society | Cigar Aficionado

    Perdomo Cigars Announces Upcoming Perdomo Legacy Release | PCA

    A Romeo y Julieta Made Just For The Kentucky Derby | Cigar Aficionado

    Room101 Celebrates a Decade of Johnny Tobacconaut with Limited Edition Release | halfwheel

  • Two New Webinars for Tobacco Researchers

    Two New Webinars for Tobacco Researchers

    CORESTA announced two new webinars for researchers in the tobacco industry.

    “Techniques for Successful Applied Tobacco Field Research” will be held April 15 at 1 p.m. CET. In its description, CORESTA said, “Tobacco research spans multiple disciplines, each requiring specialized knowledge and protocols. Effective field research in tobacco production shares common principles and practices that ensure reliable and accurate results. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the essential research methodologies for conducting field-based studies in tobacco production.”

    The second webinar is “Tobacco Genetic Resources: The Foundation for a Global Tobacco Industry.” It is described as, “Tobacco genetic resources are the single most important component of the global tobacco industry. This webinar will share insight relative to the North Carolina State University germplasm collection and will present historical flue-cured tobacco variety performance data to highlight the tangible, positive outcome that has helped to sustain leaf production since the 1950s.”

  • Punjab to Get Strict With Public Smoking Ban 

    Punjab to Get Strict With Public Smoking Ban 

    Pakistan’s Prohibition of Smoking Ordinance 2002 outlawed smoking in public, but the law was rarely enforced. The Punjab provincial government is looking to change that, however, ordering strict enforcement across the province, including in Rawalpindi. According to reports, the enforcement will be mostly centered around educational institutions, but will also include government offices, hospitals, shopping malls, and public transport. The Express Tribune reported that violators could face fines ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs100,000 ($3.60 to $360) depending on the severity of the offense.

    The provincial government directed all public institutions, especially those under the School Education Department, to appoint focal persons and trainers for tobacco control enforcement.

    “Our top priority is to protect students from tobacco use,” Commission Coordinator Syed Nazrat Ali said. “Tobacco consumption leads to throat cancer, heart disease, and lung disorders, causing over 160,000 deaths annually.” 

    “It is now mandatory for cigarette retailers to display warning notices. Selling cigarettes within 50 meters of educational institutions is strictly prohibited.” He added that designated officers have the authority to impose fines, shut down shops, and confiscate goods in case of non-compliance.

  • Driscoll Named Interim Head of ATF

    Driscoll Named Interim Head of ATF

    Yesterday (April 9), Dan Driscoll was named interim head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms by the Trump administration, replacing new FBI director Kash Patel. Driscoll is expected to simultaneously run the ATF and continue with his current role as Secretary of the Army. This will be the first time the embattled agency has been placed under the Defense Department.

    According to The Guardian, Trump’s aides view the ATF and its mission with skepticism and have discussed gutting the ATF or merging it with the Drug Enforcement Administration, “another small and underfunded agency that has previously been part of the Justice Department.”

    “Patel has been running the FBI and the ATF for months, but it had proved to be overly burdensome, and Driscoll was selected to replace Patel as the interim head, as he was one of the few Senate-confirmed appointees available,” The Guardian wrote. “The decision to have the army secretary run the ATF could be the precursor to such a move or at least to dramatically reduce its size and scope. In recent weeks, ATF agents have been diverted to help with enforcing Trump’s immigration agenda.”

  • Former Tory Contender to Work for BAT

    Former Tory Contender to Work for BAT

    The Guardian reported today (April 10) that Penny Mordaunt, the former U.K. Conservative leadership contender who served in cabinet roles from defense secretary to leader of the House of Commons, has taken a job advising British American Tobacco’s (BAT) “transformation advisory group” on harm-reduction.

    Mordaunt’s new job was revealed by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, which said she should not lobby the government for two years after leaving office or advise on any public contracts.

    In its analysis, the committee said, “British American Tobacco has a significant interest in government policy and regulation and has resources focused on influencing government decisions – for example lobbying for a reduction in taxes for cigarettes, legislation on vaping and the prevention of counterfeit goods.”

    The committee said there were only limited risks associated with Mordaunt’s access to information that could help BAT given the change of government and the amount of time that had passed.

    However, it added: “Whilst you said you will not lobby, there is a risk your former role as a cabinet minister will be seen to offer British American Tobacco unfair access to and influence within government. Therefore, the committee’s advice is that you should have no direct engagement with government on behalf of the company, as to do so would raise significant risks under the government’s rules.”

    When asked about Mordaunt’s role, BAT chief corporate officer Kingsley Wheaton said, “BAT has launched a manifesto for change … it is founded on the very best tobacco harm reduction [THR] thinking and science. To accelerate that ambition, we understand alternative viewpoints that challenge our thinking will maximize success. This THR advisory board is designed to do just that.”