Category: News This Week

Thailand ‘Flooded’ by Untaxed Cigarettes

Photo: eyegelb
Thailand’s tobacco trade has seen an increase in internet sales of illegal cigarettes, flooding the market with illegal, untaxed cigarettes, according to The Nation Thailand.
Illegal tobacco products have gone viral online thanks to low operation costs and the ability to avoid police or customs inspections, according to Thanyasarun Sangthong, director of the Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTTA).
“Meanwhile, illegal tobacco sellers can access as many different groups of customers [online] as they want,” she said.
A TTTA survey showed that online trade of illicit tobacco products increased 97 percent from July to September of last year. Twitter saw the bulk of illegal trades at 91 percent, followed by Facebook at 9 percent.
“There are three reasons why illegal tobacco is popular among netizens: the cheap price compared to legal products, the taste and convenient trade channels,” Sangthong said.
February 17, 2023
CBD Could Help Stop Smoking

Photo: EKKAPON
Cannabidiol (CBD) could help tobacco users quit, according to a new study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology.
Washington State University researchers tested effects of CBD and its major metabolite on human liver tissue and cell samples and found that it inhibited a key enzyme for nicotine metabolism. Slowing nicotine metabolism could allow users to wait longer before feeling the need for more. More research is needed, but according to Philip Lazarus, Washington State University professor of pharmaceutical sciences, the findings are promising.
“The whole mission is to decrease harm from smoking, which is not from the nicotine per se but all the carcinogens and other chemicals that are in tobacco smoke,” said Lazarus, senior author on the study. “If we can minimize that harm, it would be a great thing for human health.”
“It appears that you don’t need much CBD to see the effect,” said Lazarus.
Lazarus’ team is developing a clinical study to examine the effects of CBD on nicotine levels in smokers, measuring nicotine levels in their blood versus smokers taking a placebo over the course of six hours to eight hours. They hope to then do a much larger study looking at CBD and nicotine addiction.
February 17, 2023
Italians Embracing IQOS

Photo: PMI
About 2 million smokers in Italy have switched to IQOS, reports Breaking Latest News, citing a Philip Morris International representative.
“We are moving forward at increasing speed toward our goal of building a cigarette-free future by making available to adult smokers who continue to quit the best technologies made possible by years of research and development,” said Marco Hannappel, president of Southwestern Europe at PMI.
“Today, on the one hand, we are celebrating an important result: Around 2 million smokers in Italy have switched to a valid alternative without combustion and have completely abandoned cigarettes; on the other, we relaunch our commitment thanks to a new technology, designed to further simplify the transition of smokers who are more resistant to change.”
PMI recently introduced IQOS Iluma One on the Italian market.
“At the end of December, thanks to the introduction of IQOS Iluma, we saw an increase in smokers switching to IQOS for exclusive use, i.e., completely abandoning traditional smoking,” said Gianluca Iannelli, head of marketing and digital at Philip Morris Italy. “With IQOS Iluma One, we aim to convince even the most resistant smokers to change their lifestyle, thanks to an even simpler and more intuitive device.”
February 17, 2023
Illegal Vapes and Tobacco Seized

Photo: andriano_cz
Police in Queensland, Australia, seized illegal vapes and tobacco worth AUD500,000 ($342.4321), reports The Daily Mail.
Law enforcement officers allegedly seized 100 kg of illicit tobacco, thousands of vapes and $80,000 cash while executing a search warrant. Two people have been charged and went to court. They will reappear in Mackay Magistrates Court on March 13.
The warrant and arrests were part of Operation Kitimat, an investigation into reports of vapes and tobacco products being sold to minors.
“Operation Kitimat identified that the peak trading times were prior to 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m., which corroborates significant information we received from members of the public,” Mackay Whitsunday District Detective Inspector Emma Novosel said.
“The operation was aimed to disrupt this criminal enterprise and send a clear message that such activity, including the sale of tobacco and smoking products to children, will not be tolerated in Mackay Whitsunday District.
February 17, 2023
Manila Urged to Deprioritize Tobacco in Smuggling Fight

Photo: JoyImage
A consumer group is urging the government of the Philippines to focus on food rather than tobacco in its anti-smuggling efforts, reports the Inquirer.
“Given the rising prices of pantry basics like onions, the government is correct in taking steps to curb agriculture smuggling, but for some reason, some of our legislators would rather waste time picking on the tobacco industry,” said Simoun Salinas, spokesperson of Malayang Konsumer.
“The issue here is food security. Food for the Filipinos should be the priority.”
Senate Bill 1812 aims to amend Republic Act 10845—the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016—to include unprocessed and processed tobacco products in the same category as rice, sugar, vegetables, meat and other essential food products entitled to protection against smuggling. Under the act, large-scale smuggling of these products is considered “economic sabotage.”
“Why give special treatment to tobacco products and why now?” asked Salinas. “Why prioritize tobacco and cigarettes when in fact they are vices that are harmful to our health especially to our children.”
An explanatory note of the proposed bill stated that the “ultimate goal is safeguarding our farmers, consumers and the agricultural sector and attaining the goal of food security for the country.”
Under the act, the penalty for economic sabotage and large-scale agricultural smuggling is a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine that is twice the fair value of the smuggled product.
February 17, 2023
New York Clergy Oppose Menthol Ban

Photo: New Africa
Several clergy members from New York State have signed a letter opposing Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed ban on flavored tobacco products, reports Spectrum News 1. The clergy members cite civil rights and criminal justice concerns that banning menthol cigarettes in New York would implicate.
“It is unjust to expect communities of color to choose between greater public health protections and basic civil rights,” they wrote in the letter. “We do not accept the premise that we must choose between the two, that these interests are mutually exclusive or that this debate is zero-sum. A working group consisting of social justice advocates and law enforcement leaders, along with other organizations, is the best solution available to bridge the current divide.”
Hochul’s proposal would also raise the per-pack tax on cigarettes by $1 to $5.35.
Clergy believe banning flavored tobacco would lead to unfair outcomes for people of color.
“Our collective primary interest is protecting the public, specifically communities of color, from abuse at the hands of both corporate influences and law enforcement,” they wrote. “We share the same belief as others that we can have a robust and productive debate that prioritizes both public health and criminal justice concerns.”
“To that end, we are requesting that any proposed ban on menthol cigarettes be withdrawn at this time and a working group convened with the set mission to offer recommendations for new legislation,” they wrote. “That working group must take into account all of our collective concerns and address the need for greater public health protections that do not compromise our constitutional and civil rights.”
February 17, 2023
CTP Hires New Office of Science Director

Matthew Farrelly (Credit: RTI International)
The new director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s tobacco science division is Matthew Farrelly, former chief scientist and director of the Center for Health Analytics, Media, and Policy for RTI International.
In an announcement, the FDA’s Center of Tobacco Products (CTP) stated that Farrelly’s extensive work in the field of tobacco and nicotine science for more than 25 years, and being recognized internationally as an expert with proven leadership and organizational management skills will help him succeed as the director of the CTP’s Office of Science.
“He has led or been involved with numerous scientific endeavors related to tobacco control policies and regulatory approaches, including those related to graphic health warning labels, excise taxes, smoke-free policies, quitlines, state tobacco control programs, retail advertising, and flavored tobacco products,” the release states. “He has also extensively researched the influence of mass reach health campaigns, including FDA’s The Real Cost.”
Farrelly also has authored or co-authored over 120 articles in peer-reviewed scientific literature, according to the release. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Farrelly joins the CTP as the agency faces a series of major tobacco-related decisions, including a potential ban on menthol cigarettes, lowering nicotine levels, and the next step in its ongoing attempt to regulate Juul and other electronic cigarettes.
Farrelly will replace Matt Holman, who left the position last year to join Philip Morris International. Holman was hired in 2017 and took over for David Ashley.
February 17, 2023
Generational Tobacco Ban Tabled in California

Photo: Oleksii
A California lawmaker has introduced a bill that would ban people born after Jan. 1, 2007, from buying tobacco products, reports Cigar Afficionado.
The proposed legislation is similar to laws passed in New Zealand and considered elsewhere, including Hong Kong and Malaysia. With 38 million people, however, California has a larger population than any of these jurisdictions.
Introduced Feb. 24 by assembly member Damon Connolly, Assembly Bill 935 would make it illegal for anyone in California who is presently 16 years old or younger to ever buy a tobacco product in that state. Vendors caught selling would risk fines of up to $6,000 and a loss of their tobacco license.
The minimum age to buy cigars and other tobacco products in California is presently 21, as it has been in every U.S. state since the law was changed in 2019.
The Premium Cigar Association called on stakeholders to oppose the bill.
“We are deeply concerned about AB 935 and any legislation that seeks to restrict the rights of premium cigar smokers,” said Joshua Habursky, deputy executive director of the Premium Cigar Association. “These proposals are not based on scientific evidence, but rather on a political agenda that seeks to demonize adult cigar smokers and restrict their freedom to enjoy a legal product. Clearly it is no longer a hidden agenda of the anti-tobacco groups to support full prohibition.”
February 17, 2023
Reynolds Calls for End to Disposables

Photo: RAI
Reynolds American has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to stop the sale and manufacturing of disposable e-cigarettes, according to CStoreDecisions. The company has called out Puff Bar and Elf Bar, specifically, due to the increased use of the products by youth.
Reynolds American submitted a citizen petition to the FDA.
“A new enforcement policy, one that is specifically directed at these disposables that are on the market illegally, is needed to better protect public health,” Reynolds American stated.
The petition requests tougher enforcement against disposables through increased retail inspections and by seizing disposable products at the U.S. border.
Anti-smoking activists criticized Reynolds’ citizens’ petition. “It is shameless hypocrisy for tobacco giant Reynolds American to pretend that it cares about kids and ask the FDA to crack down on disposable e-cigarettes when Reynolds itself sells the second most popular e-cigarette brand among kids, Vuse,” said Matthew Meyers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement.
“Is Reynolds trying to eliminate its competition for the youth market?” asked Meyers, adding that Vuse is marketed in “youth-oriented ways.”
February 17, 2023
Wild Brands Launches STEP Cigs

Image: Global Tobacco
Wild Brands has launched STEP cigarettes, a novel nontobacco cigarette incorporating a layered tobacco-style flavor system, according to a company press release.
STEP products will be available in full flavor and green (menthol) variants with the goal to replace unaffordable traditional cigarettes in the U.S. market.
STEP stands for Satisfaction Taste Experience and Price.
“Based on a proprietary formulation of active herbals and botanicals, STEP cigarettes [are] the first perfectly blended cigarette substitute to come to market that truly feels and tastes like a traditional full flavor or menthol product,” said Zain Meghani, president of Wild Brands. “We believe STEP will have enormous appeal with wholesalers, retailers and, more importantly, with adult price-conscious consumers.”
Meghani adds, “STEP was created to be a Satisfying Tasteful Experience at a fair Price and is aimed at adult consumers seeking a substitute to overpriced regular cigarettes. Despite having no tobacco, nicotine or hemp in the blend, our early consumer feedback with the STEP full flavor and green (menthol) packs indicates we have found the right feel, taste and satisfaction that adult smokers would expect from a traditional cigarette.”
Mike Walters, vice president of sales at Global Tobacco, the exclusive distributor of STEP, said, “This is an exciting new product for the market as it is free of all federal cigarette excise taxes, many state cigarette excise taxes as well as the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement payments and [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] tobacco user fee payments.”
February 16, 2023