Category: News This Week

Hungary: Heated Tobacco Displacing Combustibles

Photo: Robson90
Heated-tobacco products are gaining popularity at the expense of traditional cigarettes in Hungary, reports Trademagazin, citing the Regulatory Authority for Regulated Activities. According to the agency’s 2024 data, the trend will continue to strengthen.
Compared to the early 2020s, Hungarians are buying 150–200 million fewer cigarettes each month on average, which means a significant drop on an annual basis. In the summer months of this year, demand increased as usual, but overall, fewer cigarettes are sold in Hungary every year.
Monthly demand for finely cut consumer tobacco has decreased by between 20 percent and 25 percent from the 300 tons to 400 tons that Hungarians purchased per month in previous years.
However, the illegal tobacco trade overshadows the official data, since in 2024 there has been a significant increase in sales of tobacco on the tax-avoiding market, according to the regulatory authority.
September 24, 2024
Smugglers Caught Using Weather Balloons

Image: Bilal
Polish border guards detained two people who had used weather balloons to smuggle cigarettes from Belarus, reports TVP World.
The suspects had attempted to flee and were found with 1,500 packs of illegal cigarettes worth close to PLN24,500 (€6,377).
On the same day, border guards in Nowy Dwor found another similar package containing illicit cigarettes worth over PLN23,000 along with the remains of a weather balloon fitted with a tracker.
Additional balloons were found with packages of cigarettes valued at a combined PLN67,000.
In the wake of enhanced security measures, including a steel barrier and thermal imaging, along the border between Poland and Belarus, cigarette smugglers have been looking for new ways to move contraband into the European Union.
September 23, 2024
Economist Event Canceled Over Tobacco Ties

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The Economist Impact’s 10th annual world cancer series, which was scheduled to happen in Brussels at the end of the month, has been canceled over concerns with Economist Impact’s ties with the tobacco industry, reports The Guardian.
Economist Impact is part of the Economist Group, which owns the weekly The Economist magazine.
The cancer series boasted “shaping the cancer control agenda.” The event had attracted over 300 attendees and 80 speakers. However, after it came to light that the Economist Impact had ties to PMI and JTI, many speakers and attendees pulled out.
“This decision stems from the fact that UICC [the Union for International Cancer Control] has learned that Economist Impact works with Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International,” the UICC said in a statement following its decision not to attend the event.
“UICC has a longstanding policy of not engaging with the tobacco industry, in alignment with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This policy reflects our commitment to public health and our dedication to reducing the global burden of cancer.”
After participants began withdrawing from the event, Ian Hemming, managing director of Economist Impact events, announced cancellation of the conference.
“We have noted the concerns of the cancer community about Economist Impact’s work sponsored by tobacco companies,” Hemming wrote in an email to participants. “We have a longstanding policy that we do not accept sponsorship from tobacco companies for Economist Impact’s healthcare-related work or events. We respect the choice made by some speakers and sponsors not to attend the summit.”
“Due to these changes, we have canceled this year’s event,” said an Economist Group spokesperson.
September 23, 2024
Firstunion Technology Recognized in Dortmund

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Firstunion’s Alkaid Light heating technology received an HNB innovation award on Sept. 19 at the InterTabac exhibition in Dortmund, Germany, according to a company press release relayed by Vaping360.
That same evening, Firstunion hosted a launch event, showcasing how Alkaid technology addresses consumer concerns such as heating speed, flavor quality, device cleanliness, and health impacts.
Alkaid light-heating method leverages full-spectrum light waves, mimicking the natural power of sunlight to deliver rapid and uniform heating. According to Firstunion’s Alkaid light-heating technical lead Zhu Bin, this enables the device to preheat in just five seconds, offering users instant satisfaction with a smooth, seamless draw.
Firstunion claims the technology also delivers superior taste and health benefits that elevate the smoking experience beyond current standards. According to the manufacturer, Alkaid increases the nicotine release efficiency in aerosols by more than 40 percent and boosts total particulate matter by 20 percent, delivering an experience that closely mimics that offered by traditional cigarettes.
Simultaneously, the technology cuts harmful substance emissions by 20 percent, according to Firstunion. Thanks to its innovative non-contact heating design, Alkaid requires no cleaning, ensuring the device delivers consistent, fresh-tasting flavor even after 5,000 continuous uses, according to the press note.
September 23, 2024
Trump Vows to Save Flavor

Photo: Alexander
Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he will save flavored e-cigarettes if reelected, according to Newsmax.
“I saved flavored vaping in 2019, and it greatly helped people get off smoking,” Trump wrote in a Sept. 20 post on his Truth Social account. “I raised the age to 21, keeping it away from the ‘kids.’ Kamala and Joe want everything banned, killing small businesses all over the country. I’ll save vaping again.”
In his first term, Trump promised to crack down on sales of flavored products but then backtracked, saying vaping could help people stop smoking. Trump’s watered-down proposal banned the sale of all sweet-flavored and fruity-flavored vape pods and cartridges but allowed gas stations and convenience stores to continue selling menthol cartridges and vapes. It also allowed vape shops to sell a broad range of e-cigarette liquids in open-tank vaping systems.
Free market advocates and small business vape shop owners and vape makers supported the new proposals while anti-tobacco advocates accused Trump of caving to pressure from the nicotine business.

VTA’s meeting with President Trump represents a great day for small businesses across America who fear the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to shut down small businesses and deprive adults who smoke of their flavored vaping products.
Tony Abboud, executive director, VTA
The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) welcomed Trump’s latest comments.
“Today, VTA had the opportunity to meet with President Donald J. Trump,” wrote VTA Executive Director Tony Abboud on Sept. 20. “We had a wide-ranging conversation, and we thanked President Trump for taking two bold and decisive actions in 2019: saving flavored vapes for adults and protecting youth by raising the age to 21.
“Since then, youth vaping has dropped to an all-time low, and many adults have used flavored vaping to quit smoking. VTA’s meeting with President Trump represents a great day for small businesses across America who fear the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to shut down small businesses and deprive adults who smoke of their flavored vaping products. We are pleased that former President Trump is continuing to fight for vapers.”
September 23, 2024
Illicit Cigarette Market Deflates in Ukraine

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The share of illicit products in Ukraine’s tobacco market dropped to 14.6 percent in July, down from 19.1 percent at the start of the year, reports UNN, citing data from the “Monitoring of the illegal trade in tobacco products in Ukraine” study.
According to Kantar Ukraine, the state misses out on an estimated UAH23 billion ($556.01 million) in tax income as a result of duty-avoiding tobacco. The volume of the illicit cigarette market in Ukraine is estimated at 6.65 billion units.
Oleksandr Ruvin, director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, said that despite recent progress, efforts to combat the illicit cigarette trade were not as effective as they could be.
“At one time, we had an idea to create a thematic register of manufacturers. The State Tax Service provided us with a list of companies licensed to sell tobacco products—more than 50 representatives. The companies were supposed to provide us with reference product samples. We received some of the information, but this work is not being used as effectively as it could be,” he was quoted as saying.
September 23, 2024
PMI to Record £220 Million Loss on Vectura Sale

Image: Aliaksandr Marko
Philip Morris International expects to record a record loss of about £220 million ($198 million) on the sale of its inhaled-therapeutics Vectura Group unit to Molex Asia Holdings in the third quarter, reports The Wall Street Journal, citing a securities filing.
On Sept. 17, PMI’s pharmaceutical subsidiary, Vectura Fertin Pharma, announced it would sell its Vectura Group business to Molex. The company acquired Vectura Group in 2021 for $1.24 billion as part of PMI’s drive to diversify beyond nicotine.
The company now says that “unwarranted opposition” to its transformation has affected Vectura Group’s engagement with the scientific community and its commercial relationships.
The remaining units of Vectura Fertin Pharma will continue to operate under a new corporate identity and develop oral consumer health and wellness offerings as well as inhaled prescription products for pain management and cardiovascular emergencies.
September 23, 2024
India Wants Streaming Anti-Tobacco Messages

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India’s central government wants to require over-the-top (OTT) platforms to display non-skippable anti-tobacco health spots for at least 30 seconds when users begin streaming content, reports The Economic Times.
According to the draft guidelines, all films released on or after Sept. 1, 2023, must show anti-tobacco health spots of at least 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of the movie. Additionally, these films must display prominent static anti-tobacco health warnings at the bottom of the screen during scenes that depict tobacco use.
The proposed legislation updates the anti-tobacco regulations issued by the ministry in May 2022.
“Essentially, streaming platforms will now be required to show these health spots and disclaimers not only at the beginning and middle of programs but also as soon as the platform is opened,” an official source told the Economic Times. “Currently, the health spots and disclaimers are not displayed immediately upon opening the platform.”
India became the first country in May 2022 to make it mandatory for OTT platforms to show anti-tobacco warnings and disclaimers similar to those seen in theatrical releases and TV programs, prioritizing public health.
The OTT rules of 2023 took effect on Sept. 1, 2023.
September 23, 2024
Premium Cigar User Fees Top $100 Million

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Premium cigar companies have paid more than $100 million to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in user fees, reports Halfwheel, citing a filing sent to an appeals court on Sept. 18.
The filing was sent to clear up points raised at the end of a Sept. 20 hearing before a U.S. appeals court as part of a lawsuit filed by three cigar trade groups that in August 2023 resulted in a ruling vacating the FDA’s 2016 deeming regulations for premium cigars.
The FDA has appealed the ruling.
User fees are fees paid by cigar companies and others to fund the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. The idea is that tobacco companies and their customers, rather than the general public, should bear the costs of regulations.
Cigarettes account for more than 83 percent of user fees in fiscal year 2024, around $148.7 million per quarter. The cigar category—which includes both premium and mass market cigars—is projected to pay $25.5 million per quarter.
While relatively minor on a per cigar basis, the user fees have been a particular annoyance for many premium cigar companies, according to Halfwheel.
September 23, 2024
Indonesia Urged to Raise Tobacco Taxes

Photo: Taco Tuinstra
An Indonesian health ministry official has recommended higher cigarette taxes to deter consumption, reports the Antara news agency. Cigarettes are cheaper and more easily accessible in Indonesia than they are in many comparable countries.
“The urgency of increasing the excise is to prevent the public from easily obtaining cigarettes with a cheap price in Indonesia,” Benget Saragih, a member of the ministry’s working team for tobacco disease control, was quoted as saying.
Nearly 38 percent of Indonesia’s 270 million people smoke—a much higher share than in neighboring countries such as Singapore. With this figure, Indonesia ranks 13th in the world in terms of cigarette consumption, Saragih said.
The number of deaths caused by cigarette consumption has reached 8 million per year, according to Saragih. Seven million of the deaths are due to active smoking and the remaining 1.2 million due to passive smoking, he added.
September 23, 2024