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Category: News This Week

  • North Dakota Rejects Tobacco Tax Increase

    North Dakota Rejects Tobacco Tax Increase

    Representatives in the North Dakota House rejected a bill Wednesday (March 12) that would raise taxes on nicotine products with the funds earmarked for a tobacco distribution fund. Senate Bill 2281 would have raised taxes on cigarettes by 25 cents a pack and levied higher taxes on vapes, chewing tobacco, and other nicotine products.

    The bill had passed in the Senate, but this week the House Finance and Taxation Committee took a closer look at the idea and said in some cases tobacco goods could be taxed twice and create larger black market sales.

    “If a tax policy was bad last month, it’s still bad today,” Rep. Ty Dressler said. “Senate Bill 2281 implements a large tax increase and a regressive one at that. Most of the impact falls on those that can afford it the least. It may harm retailers, increase black market trade, and weaken economic growth.”

  • RLX to Release Financials Tomorrow

    RLX to Release Financials Tomorrow

    RLX Technology Inc. announced it will release its fourth quarter and FY24 unaudited financial results on Friday, March 14, 2025. The e-vapor company will host an earnings conference call at 8 a.m. EST. Participants should dial in 10 minutes early and request to be connected to “RLX Technology Inc.” using the following dial-in information:

    Dial-In Details:

    • United States (toll free): +1-888-317-6003
    • International: +1-412-317-6061
    • Hong Kong, China (toll free): +800-963-976
    • Hong Kong, China: +852-5808-1995
    • Mainland China: 400-120-6115

    Participant Code: 7971219

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.relxtech.com. A replay of the call will be accessible until March 21, 2025. To access the replay, dial the following numbers:

    • United States: +1-877-344-7529
    • International: +1-412-317-0088

    Replay Access Code: 5229492

  • Kentucky Retailer License Bill Passes House

    Kentucky Retailer License Bill Passes House

    With Wednesday’s House vote of 82-11 on S.B. 100, Kentucky moved a step closer to forcing retailers who sell nicotine to have a license. The House made some changes to the bill that the Senate approved in February —that the Senate will have to vote on — but kept the licensing requirements laid out by Sen. Jimmy Higdon in place.

    Under the bill, Kentucky would license all retailers who sell tobacco and vape products, giving the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control inspection and enforcement powers over them, similar to those it exercises over alcohol retailers. It would also fine retailers who sell nicotine products to minors and give half the money collected in fines to a youth prevention program.

  • La Galera’s Year of the Snake Coming to U.S.

    La Galera’s Year of the Snake Coming to U.S.

    Released earlier this year in Asia, La Galera announced that its limited-edition Year of the Snake cigar will be available in the United States April 2.

    “The cigars are made by Jochy Blanco at his Tabacalera Palma factory in the Dominican Republic,” Gregory Mottola writes for Cigar Aficionado. “Blanco also grew all the Dominican tobacco in the blend. La Galera Year of the Snake measures 7 inches by 47 ring gauge—a standard Churchill size—and is composed of a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Dominican Olor binder and filler blend of all-Dominican leaf: Criollo ’98, Olor, Piloto Cubano and the hard-to-grow Pelo de Oro varietal. According to Blanco, it’s a full-bodied blend.”

    Each mahogany box is decorated with stamped leather made to resemble snakeskin and comes with a two-finger leather cigar case. La Galera did not indicate what portion of the 2,025 produced boxes will be allocated to the U.S. market, where it will have a suggested retail price of $430 per 10-count box.

  • Report: 200 Influencers Illegally Promoted Nicotine in France

    Report: 200 Influencers Illegally Promoted Nicotine in France

    More than 200 social media influencers have illegally promoted nicotine products from tobacco companies to millions of people in the last five years, according to a report from the French Alliance Against Tobacco (ACT). Promoting tobacco products in France was outlawed in 1991 and expanded in 2016. In 2023, a new French law specified that online influencers cannot directly or indirectly promote nicotine products.

    The ACT report, however, found that such content had been promoted by 229 French-speaking influencers who participated in competitions, events, and partnerships with nicotine companies, reaching 24 million people since 2019. Most of the influencers had between 1,000 to 20,000 followers, allowing the companies to “promote their products in a subtle and indirect way,” the report said.

    An example cited in the report said Imperial Brands invited 52 influencers to festive events to promote a product containing nicotine.

    “It is unacceptable that the tobacco industry continues to circumvent the law to promote its products on social media, with complete impunity,” Marion Catellin, the director of ACT, said. “Their goal is not to create a ‘smoke-free world,’ but to attract young people and make them addicted to nicotine.”

  • NewCo Funding Clean Water in Kenya

    NewCo Funding Clean Water in Kenya

    NewCo announced a new initiative where it donates $300 to provide clean and safe water to Masaai communities in rural Kenya for every container of African-origin tobacco it sells.

    “As we celebrate 20 years of proudly serving our suppliers and customers, we want to give back to the communities that make our work possible,” NewCo owner Rainer Busch said. “Over 40% of Kenya’s rural population lacks access to clean drinking water, forcing families – especially women and children – to walk long distances daily just to fetch water. Many rely on contaminated sources, leading to severe health risks like cholera and dysentery.

    “With your support, we can fund sustainable water solutions; improving health, reducing hardship, and empowering entire communities.”

    NewCo is also accepting donations for the cause, with Busch saying, “Any amount, big or small, can accelerate our impact.”

  • BAT Announces Pricing of $2.5B Notes Offerings

    BAT Announces Pricing of $2.5B Notes Offerings

    British American Tobacco today (March 12) announced that B.A.T Capital Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAT, has priced an offering of $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of guaranteed debt securities consisting of (1) $1 billion 5.350% notes due in 2032, (2) $1 billion 5.625% notes due in 2035, and (3) $500 million 6.250% notes due in 2055.

    The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior and unsecured and joint and several basis by BAT, B.A.T. International Finance p.l.c., B.A.T. Netherlands Finance B.V. and, unless its guarantee is released in accordance with the relevant indenture, Reynolds American Inc.

    The issuance of the notes is expected to close March 13, subject to customary closing conditions.

    BAT intends to use the net proceeds of the offering of the notes for general corporate purposes, including the potential repayment of existing indebtedness.

    The preliminary prospectus supplement is available at: 424B2 (sec.gov)

    The shelf registration statement is also available at: F-3ASR (sec.gov)

  • Belgium’s Cigarette Black Market Soars

    Belgium’s Cigarette Black Market Soars

    Cimabel, the cigarette manufacturers’ federation for Belgium and Luxembourg, said that 36.5% of consumed cigarettes in Belgium dodged taxation in 2024, a staggering increase from the 20% in 2023. While only 1% of the cigarettes are counterfeit, Cimabel blames “excessive” tax hikes imposed by the previous federal government on legal products are allowing organized crime syndicates to smuggle in illicit product from Bulgaria to sell significantly cheaper.

    Already with a reputation as a smuggling hub for arms and drugs, Cimabel warns that Belgium authorities are now tasked with getting on the global bandwagon to reduce cigarette smoking without opening the door for criminals.

    “The state is hemorrhaging revenue while criminals rake in millions,” Cimabel said. “The federation is now calling for a rethink on excise policies, urging the government to strike a balance between public health and stopping illicit traders from lighting up their profits.” 

  • Study: Students Vaping in South Africa 

    Study: Students Vaping in South Africa 

    Researchers from the University of Cape Town found that 16.8% of high school students in South Africa used e-cigarettes. The study focused on schools in major cities and included 25,000 students from 52 schools in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces. 

    Students who vaped were asked further questions about the habit, with researchers estimating 61% of the teen vapers could be seriously addicted to nicotine. They also found that household income was not a factor in the use of vape products. When asked why they began vaping, more than half cited social influences and the desire to fit in.

    Published in The Conversation, the study also found that 5% on the students used cannabis and 2% smoked cigarettes.

  • Wild Bill’s Breaks into Missouri Market

    Wild Bill’s Breaks into Missouri Market

    Wild Bill’s Tobacco, which has 240 retail stores in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, announced the opening of its first store in Missouri. The 1,360-square-foot store is located in Raymore, and according to the company will have one of the largest walk-in humidors in the state.

    Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, and owned by LAMB Ventures, Wild Bill’s recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The company said it has been anxious to get into the Missouri market and plans to expand around the state.

    “We’re thrilled to bring the Wild Bill’s experience to the Kansas City market, introducing our premium selection and unmatched customer service to a new community,” stated Jon Welzel, Chief Marketing Officer at Wild Bill’s Tobacco. “Raymore is the perfect place to begin our journey in Missouri, and we’re excited to become a part of this vibrant community, with plans to expand in the area for years to come.”