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Category: News This Week

  • JT Group’s Habee App Wins 2026 Good Design Award

    JT Group’s Habee App Wins 2026 Good Design Award

    Japan Tobacco (JT) Group’s habit-building smartphone app Habee has received the 2026 Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. The app is part of JT Group’s Momentia digital platform and is the second consecutive year a Momentia ID-compatible app has won the award, following the mental wellness app beSelf in 2025.

    Habee uses team-based challenges, daily progress tracking, photos, comments, and peer support to encourage users to develop habits and achieve goals. The award recognized its intuitive interface and design intended to help users maintain habits. JT Group said Momentia also includes digital services and online shopping, with a shared ID for eligible services. A registration campaign tied to the award is scheduled to run through Nov. 22.

  • Republic Brands Announces Major Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement Action

    Republic Brands Announces Major Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement Action

    Industry leader Republic Brands continues its crackdown on counterfeits. As part of its nationwide fight against fakes, Republic has filed five new lawsuits in New York and New Jersey against companies alleged to have sold counterfeit e-z wider products. Republic also cooperated with New Jersey State Police in their investigation of New Jersey distributor, Sunrise Wholesalers, resulting in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit booklets and a criminal counterfeiting charge against one of its operators. These measures are just the latest in Republic’s unwavering commitment to protecting consumers and preserving the integrity of the e-z wider brand.

    Don Levin, CEO of Republic, stated: “Our message is simple: if you sell fake Republic products, we will stop you. Whether you are a distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or the individual behind the operation, Republic will use every tool available under the law to protect its brands and the public. If you are engaged in counterfeiting, you should understand that you face not only significant civil liability, but also the possibility of criminal prosecution.”

    Republic’s newest lawsuits allege that national convenience store operators Atlantis Management Group LLC and Atlantis Fresh Market LLC, and wholesale suppliers Kings Cash and Carry Inc., Omega Wholesale Inc., Yemen City Plus Corp. d/b/a Yemen City Plus Wholesale Cash and Carry, and United Candy and Tobacco Co. Inc., sold counterfeit e-z wider papers on multiple occasions. Certain lawsuits also name the individuals believed to have directed, participated in, benefited from, or facilitated the counterfeiting activities as defendants.

    Over the past few years, Republic has filed numerous lawsuits to stop the sale of counterfeit products, participated in civil and criminal seizures, and obtained million-dollar judgments against multiple counterfeit sellers. Republic will continue its relentless pursuit to protect the public and its iconic family of brands, and encourages anyone who suspects counterfeit e-z wider products to report them to Republic.

    For information regarding suspected counterfeit products or press inquiries, please contact Republic at counterfeit@republicbrands.com or 1- 800-288-8888.

  • FDA Seeks Two New Voting Members for Tobacco Advisory Committee

    FDA Seeks Two New Voting Members for Tobacco Advisory Committee

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking nominations by Dec. 14 to fill two vacancies on its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC), which advises the agency on scientific, technical, and policy issues related to tobacco regulation. Candidates may be self-nominated or nominated by individuals or organizations and should have expertise in oncology, pulmonology, cardiology, toxicology, pharmacology, addiction, engineering, or other relevant fields. Selected members may serve terms of up to four years. Nominations submitted after the deadline will be considered for future vacancies. The Federal Register notice provides submission instructions.

    The FDA also announced four new voting members: Holger Behrsing, Ph.D.; Kim “Skip” Murray, representing the general public; Margaret Nolan, M.D.; and Andrew A. Strasser, Ph.D. Their expertise spans preventive medicine, chronic diseases, tobacco cessation and harm reduction, toxicology, cell biology, and health communication. The agency also selected Eric Ray Walker, Ph.D., as an alternate nonvoting member representing tobacco growers. TPSAC has 12 members, including a chair, and evaluates tobacco-product risks, dependence, and health effects to provide advice and recommendations to the FDA commissioner.

  • Malawi Extends Tobacco Grower Registration Deadline

    Malawi Extends Tobacco Grower Registration Deadline

    Malawi’s Tobacco Commission has extended the deadline for grower licensing and Know Your Grower (KYG) registration for the 2026-27 tobacco season from Oct. 3 to Oct. 17 following higher-than-expected participation. The country has an estimated 191,000 tobacco growers, of whom 49,229 had registered under the KYG system as of Oct. 12. The program is intended to improve grower identification, traceability, and compliance with international market requirements.

    Commission board chair Rev. Daniel Gunya said registration would continue until all eligible growers were captured in the system. Some farmers have reported delays because of staffing shortages, prompting the commission to deploy additional personnel to high-volume centers, including Kasungu. The commission also urged growers to prepare early for the new season and follow recommended farming practices to improve leaf quality.

  • PMI to Report Third-Quarter Results Oct. 21

    PMI to Report Third-Quarter Results Oct. 21

    Philip Morris International will release its 2026 third-quarter and first nine-month financial results at approximately 7 a.m. ET on Oct. 21, followed by a live audio webcast at 9 a.m. ET hosted by Group Chief Financial Officer Massimo Andolina. The webcast will include a discussion of financial results and a question-and-answer session with the investment community. The presentation, recording, and supporting materials will be available on the company’s investor relations website.

  • Social Media Leads Nicotine Pouch Discovery in UK, Haypp Finds

    Social Media Leads Nicotine Pouch Discovery in UK, Haypp Finds

    Social media is the leading source of new brand and product information for U.K. nicotine pouch consumers, with 66% of users discovering brands, products, and retailers through social platforms, according to research by online retailer Haypp. Search engines ranked second at 59%, followed by recommendations from friends and family at 44%. One-quarter of respondents said they discover new nicotine pouch brands through influencers.

    Haypp Head of External Affairs Marina Murphy said social media has become an important channel for product recommendations and discovery among pouch consumers. She noted that provisions of the U.K. Tobacco and Vapes Act addressing advertising are scheduled to take effect June 1, 2027, banning advertising of nicotine products, including paid online advertisements and sponsored social media posts. The research highlights the role of social media in nicotine pouch marketing and consumer information as the new restrictions approach.

  • Irish Councilors Seek Tiered Tobacco and Nicotine Retail Licensing Fees

    Irish Councilors Seek Tiered Tobacco and Nicotine Retail Licensing Fees

    Limerick City and County councilors are urging the Irish government to revise planned tobacco and nicotine retail licensing charges for 2027, proposing a tiered fee structure instead of a flat annual charge of €1,800. Independent Councilor Ursula Gavan introduced the motion at a September Metropolitan District meeting, arguing that the proposed fee would disproportionately affect small independent retailers and could force some shops to close.

    Other councilors supported reviewing the system, citing rising operating costs and differences in the financial capacity of small retailers and supermarket chains. The proposal asks the minister responsible for enterprise, trade, and tourism to work with Revenue to revise the planned charges.

  • Italy Raises Prices for Selected Tobacco Products

    Italy Raises Prices for Selected Tobacco Products

    Italy increased prices by €0.20 on selected cigars, rolling tobacco, heated-tobacco sticks, and noncombustible inhalation products effective Oct. 14, following updated price lists issued by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency. Cigarettes were excluded from this round of increases, as their prices rose earlier in 2026. The changes are part of the government’s plan to increase tobacco excise taxes gradually from 2026 through 2028. Cigarette prices are forecast to rise by an average of approximately €0.25 per pack in 2027, although actual increases will vary by brand.

  • UK Authorities Seize More Than £1 Million in Suspected Illegal Tobacco

    UK Authorities Seize More Than £1 Million in Suspected Illegal Tobacco

    Authorities in Sunderland, England, seized 188,640 packets of cigarettes and 74.75 kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco suspected of being illegally imported during an operation last month at a house in Easington Lane. Northumbria Police and Sunderland City Council’s trading standards team recovered the products, which are valued at more than £1 million, according to HM Revenue and Customs. An investigation is ongoing. Sunderland City Council and police urged the public to report suspected illegal tobacco sales, citing their impact on legitimate retailers and links to organized crime.

  • Pennsylvania to Begin Enforcing ENDS Directory Law Oct. 19

    Pennsylvania to Begin Enforcing ENDS Directory Law Oct. 19

    Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said his office will begin enforcing Act 57 on Oct. 19. The law, passed last year, prohibits the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) not listed in the state’s approved product directory. Eligible products must have FDA marketing authorization or meet specified requirements related to timely filed premarket tobacco product applications.

    The attorney general’s office plans to conduct targeted inspections statewide, provide compliance education, and impose graduated penalties for repeat violations. The office is also working with manufacturers to resolve pending product submissions and incomplete documentation. The public directory lists approved manufacturers, brands, product categories, product names, and flavors.