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Category: News This Week

  • IKE Tech Engages FDA on AI-Powered ENDS Compliance Solutions

    IKE Tech Engages FDA on AI-Powered ENDS Compliance Solutions

    Today (April 9), IKE Tech LLC participated in a formal listening session with the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. The company, a joint venture between Ispire Technology Inc., Berify, and Chemular Inc., presented its point-of-use compliance technology, including its patented Human Identity Token (HIT) that prevents youth access to ENDS products, and highlighted the need for a regulatory framework recognizing software as a tobacco product.

    The session focused on enforcement challenges in the ENDS market, including underage access and the spread of illicit products. IKE Tech outlined its technology platform, which integrates biometric age-gating, blockchain-based product authentication, and an AI-powered governance backend. Executives emphasized that these point-of-use systems address compliance gaps that traditional point-of-sale measures cannot.

    IKE Tech also argued that software embedded in or governing a tobacco product should be regulated under the Tobacco Control Act, noting that current PMTA frameworks do not account for continuous updates and lifecycle management of software. The engagement follows FDA guidance identifying Device Access Restrictions as critical for public health determinations, and builds on IKE Tech’s first standalone PMTA for an interoperable, blockchain-based, point-of-use age-gating solution, which demonstrated 100% effectiveness in preventing underage device activation in human factors studies.

  • BAT Names Constantinescu as CFO

    BAT Names Constantinescu as CFO

    British American Tobacco announced the appointment of Dragos Constantinescu as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, effective 1 September 2026. Constantinescu, currently CEO of Asahi Europe & International, previously spent 16 years at BAT in senior finance and management roles across Europe. He succeeds Javed Iqbal, who will remain as Director of Digital & Information after serving as Interim CFO.

    BAT Chair Luc Jobin highlighted Constantinescu’s financial expertise and international leadership experience, while CEO Tadeu Marroco noted his knowledge of BAT will support the company’s ongoing transformation and growth strategy.

  • Middle East Tensions Impacting Tobacco Supply Chains

    Middle East Tensions Impacting Tobacco Supply Chains

    Military actions involving Iran will likely disrupt regional logistics and industrial activity across the Persian Gulf, raising concerns about potential impacts on global cigarette and cigar supply chains, according to sources cited by Russian outlet Izvestia and analysts at the Centre for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting. The report notes that seven Gulf countries — Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Kuwait — account for over 20% of global tobacco exports, with countries such as Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, Thailand, and several African markets relying on imports from the region.

    Analyst Vladimir Chernov of Freedom Finance Global said any shortages could raise prices and delay deliveries, but may be mitigated by shifting production and supply routes to other regions. He added that broader supply chain effects could extend to packaging, chemicals, and industrial inputs, while creating potential export opportunities for Russia in sectors such as fertilizers and petrochemicals.

  • FDA Wins Default Judgment Against NC Vape Distributor

    FDA Wins Default Judgment Against NC Vape Distributor

    A federal judge granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration a default judgment against a North Carolina vape distributor accused of importing and selling unauthorized flavored e-cigarettes from China. The ruling allows the FDA to seek a judgment permanently barring the company from importing, marketing, or distributing the products cited in the complaint after the defendant failed to respond to the lawsuit.

    Because the defendants did not appear, they are not publicly posted in the docket entries. However, in September 2025, the FDA filed a complaint against North Carolina-based distributor Dream Distro LLC and its owner, Faisal A. Alhadrami.  

  • Seoul Expands No-Smoking Enforcement to Vaping

    Seoul Expands No-Smoking Enforcement to Vaping

    The city of Seoul will begin business inspections and public outreach ahead of April 24, when revisions to the Tobacco Business Act take effect, classifying all nicotine-using e-cigarettes and vaping devices as tobacco products. The change means vaping will be subject to the same restrictions as combustible cigarettes, including bans in designated no-smoking zones. Officials said the revision closes a legal gap dating to 1988, which previously allowed some vaping-related fines to be overturned because e-cigarettes were not explicitly covered by the law.

    From April 14 to May 15, Seoul will conduct city-wide inspections of retailers, including unmanned shops, while running public awareness efforts from April 13–23.

  • Advocates Call to Merge Bangladesh’s Multi-Tier Cig Structure

    Advocates Call to Merge Bangladesh’s Multi-Tier Cig Structure

    At a workshop hosted by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh today (April 9), journalists and public health advocates called for setting the minimum retail price of a 10-stick cigarette pack at Tk100 ($0.82) in the FY2026–27 budget by merging the low and medium tax tiers and introducing a uniform Tk4 (3 cents) specific tax per pack.

    A keynote by Dr. Shafiun Nahin Shimul of the University of Dhaka said Bangladesh’s 35.3% tobacco use prevalence leads to nearly 200,000 premature deaths annually and an economic cost of Tk870 billion ($7.1 billion), more than double sector revenue. Speakers, including representatives from the National Tobacco Control Cell and health researchers, argued the current multi-tier tax structure enables down-trading to cheaper brands and said higher prices could reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and raise government revenue.

  • PMI to Double Zyn Investment in Ukraine

    PMI to Double Zyn Investment in Ukraine

    Philip Morris International said it plans to invest $10 million in 2026 to expand the nicotine pouch category in Ukraine and launch a new line of Zyn, following a $5 million investment in 2025. According to Interfax Ukraine, the company said funds will support portfolio expansion, infrastructure, and adult consumer awareness. The new “dry” pouches contain no water or glycerin, are smaller, less flavored, and range from 1.5 mg to 6 mg nicotine across nine SKUs. Initial supply will be imported from Sweden.

    The company estimates nicotine pouches in Ukraine could grow 20% annually. PMI cited Zyn’s U.S. marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as supporting further investment. PMI reported that smoke-free products were available in 105 markets at the end of 2025, used by 43 million adult consumers, and accounted for 41.5% of net revenue.

  • KT&G Preparing Pilot Line for Oral Nicotine Product

    KT&G Preparing Pilot Line for Oral Nicotine Product

    KT&G is developing a smokeless nicotine product designed for oral absorption and is preparing a pilot production line for research and development in South Korea, according to local media outlet The Elec. The pilot equipment will be supplied by PNT, a manufacturer known for roll-to-roll battery and display production systems. KT&G said the project is in an early stage and that plans for domestic or international commercialization of nicotine pouches or related products have not been finalized.

    The move aligns with growing global competition in nicotine pouches, led by brands such as Zyn and VELO. KT&G last year participated with Altria in the acquisition of Scandinavian pouch companies ASF AB and ASF AS. In South Korea, however, nicotine pouches currently lack formal sales authorization under the Tobacco Business Act, and products are primarily obtained through overseas purchases or unofficial channels, meaning any domestic launch would be dependent on regulatory changes.

  • Pyxus Appoints Erdei as CHRO

    Pyxus Appoints Erdei as CHRO

    Pyxus International, Inc. announced that it appointed Joshua Erdei as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Erdei, who has served as interim CHRO since January, has also led global total rewards, HR operations, and HR technology for the company since 2023. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, with prior leadership positions at Enviva, General Motors, DTE Energy, and Kellogg Company, focusing on total rewards, wellness, and employee engagement.

    “Joshua’s leadership, deep knowledge of our organization, and commitment to our people position him well to support our continued growth,” said President and CEO Pieter Sikkel.

    Reporting to Sikkel, Erdei will oversee the company’s core human resources functions and serve on the executive leadership team.

  • Tobacco Farming Increase Impacting Fish in Bangladesh

    Tobacco Farming Increase Impacting Fish in Bangladesh

    Tobacco cultivation is rapidly expanding across the char lands of the Teesta River in northern Bangladesh, raising alarm among environmental and fisheries officials who warn that chemical runoff is polluting the river and damaging aquatic life. In Lalmonirhat District, more than 9,000 hectares were planted with tobacco last year, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension, displacing traditional food crops as farmers are drawn by free inputs, advanced cash, and guaranteed purchases from tobacco companies.

    Experts and local fishermen say heavy fertilizer and pesticide use is washing into the river during rains, harming fish breeding and biodiversity, while officials acknowledge difficulties curbing the shift as growers prioritize tobacco’s higher and more predictable returns over environmental concerns.