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Category: News This Week

  • Philippines Seizes $4M in Undeclared Cigarettes

    Philippines Seizes $4M in Undeclared Cigarettes

    Philippine authorities have seized 637 cases of undeclared cigarettes valued at about P235 million ($4 million) at the Port of Batangas, according to the Bureau of Customs. The shipment, which arrived aboard a vessel from the United Arab Emirates, reportedly contained MAC-branded cigarettes but was not listed in the bill of lading, inward foreign manifest, or discharge list, prompting a non-intrusive inspection and subsequent physical examination.

    Officials said the cigarettes were not supported by proper import documents and that the listed consignee was not authorized to import tobacco products, suggesting an attempt to smuggle regulated goods into the country. The case is being investigated under the provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

  • KMI Study Examines Lung Risks and Smoking Habits

    KMI Study Examines Lung Risks and Smoking Habits

    A large health data analysis by the Korea Medical Institute (KMI) examined the effects of traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and dual use and their impact on higher rates of metabolic syndrome and declining lung function. The study, part of KMI’s “Health Big Data Series,” analyzed medical check-up data from about 3 million individuals screened at eight centers across South Korea and compared health outcomes by smoking type and cumulative exposure measured in pack-years, a metric defined by the National Cancer Institute.

    Among men, metabolic syndrome prevalence increased from 21.5% in non-smokers to 29.9% in current smokers, reaching 31.2% among conventional cigarette users and 30.8% among dual users. Among women, overall prevalence was 10.7% among non-smokers and 12.6% among current smokers. By smoking type, the rate reached 15.8% among conventional cigarette users and 12.1% among dual users.

    Risks also rose with cumulative exposure, climbing to 36% among men with more than 20 pack-years of smoking and 22% for women. Lung function impairment was recorded in 23.4% of men and 21.5% of women, rising sharply among heavy smokers. The study also found smoking patterns shifting, with the share of male lifetime non-smokers rising from 36.7% in 2022 to 39.7% in 2025, while e-cigarette-only use increased from 7.8% to 10%. Researchers noted the findings are based on anonymized screening data and may not fully represent the national population.

  • Zimbabwe Orders Buyers to Get Active as Tobacco Market Starts Slow

    Zimbabwe Orders Buyers to Get Active as Tobacco Market Starts Slow

    Zimbabwe’s government ordered licensed tobacco merchants who have not yet participated in the 2026 marketing season to begin buying within 14 days or face regulatory action, amid concerns that low buyer turnout has contributed to weak auction prices. The directive from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board requires non-participating merchants to explain their absence and outline planned purchase volumes to ensure competition in the market. Only seven of 43 registered buyers were active during the opening days of the season, prompting some farmers to withdraw bales while waiting for better prices.

    Officials say the market is currently in its price-discovery phase and expect prices to firm as more buyers enter the floors and competition increases, however, farmers are concerned as early-season figures show auction sales significantly lagging behind last year. As of March 5, 626,742 kg of tobacco had been sold for $1.79 million compared with 1.24 million kg worth $4.17 million during the same period in 2025. The average price also dropped to $2.85 per kg from $3.35 a year earlier.

  • Nasco Files to Have Claims Thrown Out of Hestia Lawsuit

    Nasco Files to Have Claims Thrown Out of Hestia Lawsuit

    Nasco Products LLC asked a federal judge in North Carolina to dismiss portions of a lawsuit filed by the owners of Hestia Tobacco, arguing that the complaint fails to clearly identify the contracts it allegedly interfered with or provide sufficient details to support claims of fraud. In the new filings, Nasco contends that the plaintiffs rely on vague allegations and have not specified which agreements were disrupted or how the company’s actions constituted fraudulent conduct.

    The lawsuit was filed in January by The Tobacco Company, which operates the Hestia Tobacco brand, against its former manufacturer, Nasco, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Hestia alleges that Nasco breached their manufacturing and supply agreement by sharply increasing production prices and then encouraging retailers to remove Hestia products from store shelves, actions the company says harmed its sales and business relationships. The suit seeks monetary damages and was filed under federal diversity jurisdiction.

  • Ireland Seizes €8.5 Million Worth of Illegal Cigarettes

    Ireland Seizes €8.5 Million Worth of Illegal Cigarettes

    Irish authorities seized about 9 million illegal cigarettes at Dublin Port during an inspection of a container arriving from Rotterdam. Officers from Revenue Irish Tax and Customs discovered the cigarettes, branded “Richmond,” concealed in a shipment declared as food after conducting routine risk profiling, assisted by a detector dog and a mobile X-ray scanner.

    The cigarettes have an estimated retail value of more than €8.5 million and represent a potential loss to the Irish Exchequer of over €6.6 million in unpaid taxes. Authorities said the seizure forms part of ongoing efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade and the wider shadow economy, with investigations continuing.

  • Singapore Approves Tougher Anti-Vaping Law

    Singapore Approves Tougher Anti-Vaping Law

    Singapore passed amendments to strengthen enforcement against vaping, with tougher penalties set to take effect May 1 under the renamed Tobacco and Vaporizers Control Act 1993. The updated legislation replaces the earlier Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and targets e-cigarettes and “KPods,” vaping devices laced with the anesthetic etomidate. Individuals caught using vapes could face fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,800), up from S$2,000 ($1,560), while sellers may be fined up to S$200,000 ($156,000) and jailed for up to six years. Importing vapes will carry mandatory prison terms of up to nine years and fines of up to S$300,000 ($234,000).

    The law also introduces harsher penalties for offenses involving minors or vulnerable people, including up to 20 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane for adults who involve them in smuggling or supplying KPods. Entertainment venues such as clubs and bars must prevent patrons from vaping and require devices to be discarded, while drivers entering Singapore can no longer avoid liability by claiming they were unaware of vapes in their vehicles.

  • Bangladesh Moves to Enact Tobacco Control Ordinance Into Law

    Bangladesh Moves to Enact Tobacco Control Ordinance Into Law

    Bangladesh is preparing to convert the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law in the upcoming parliamentary session, with government officials emphasizing urgent action to curb tobacco-related health and economic impacts. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M.A. Muhit and Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that tobacco use affects over 21 million adults, causing nearly 200,000 deaths annually and economic losses of about BDT 87,000 crore ($7.9 billion).

    The ordinance includes strict measures such as banning e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and heated tobacco products; prohibiting tobacco sales within 100 meters of schools, hospitals, and playgrounds; eliminating designated smoking areas in public spaces and transport; and increasing pictorial health warnings on packaging from 50% to 75%.

    Civil society representatives, including anti-tobacco groups and media organizations, urged the government to pass the law without delay to protect public health, especially for women and children. Officials stressed that the law’s passage is critical to fulfill election commitments, reduce mortality, and prevent further economic losses, while the Ministry of Information pledged to support implementation once enacted.

  • Pakistan Probes Theft of $900K of Cigarettes From FBR Warehouses

    Pakistan Probes Theft of $900K of Cigarettes From FBR Warehouses

    A Senate sub-committee in Pakistan called on relevant authorities to explain the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes worth Rs250 million ($900,000) from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) warehouses in Swabi and Mardan. Chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, the panel directed the FBR and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to identify those responsible and ensure recovery of the stolen goods. The committee criticized the absence of senior FIA officials during proceedings and noted prior incidents of cigarette theft, including one in April 2024, raising concerns that consignments are being specifically targeted.

    Officials reported that CCTV cameras were installed in all FBR godowns as of January 14, and a new SOP was introduced to strengthen monitoring. Ten officers have been suspended, while others with potential links to the business community were transferred. The panel also highlighted weak coordination between the FIA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, instructing authorities to implement stronger security measures and provide consolidated records of all godowns since 2012 to prevent future theft and smuggling activities.

  • Holman Defends CTP’s ‘Notable Improvement’

    Holman Defends CTP’s ‘Notable Improvement’

    On Feb. 24, the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board published a piece titled, “Who’s in charge of the FDA?” arguing that internal tensions at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could be undermining efforts across all departments. The piece points to decisions affecting emerging products and suggests a broader debate within the FDA over how flexible the approval process should be.

    In response, Matthew R. Holman, vice president of U.S. Scientific Engagement & Regulatory Strategy at Philip Morris International and a former chief scientist at the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, wrote a letter that the WSJ published yesterday (March 5), saying that despite criticism and organizational challenges facing the FDA, the organization — and the CTP in particular — has shown notable improvement.

    “Over the past year, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products has become a notable bright spot — delivering real results for an agency working through significant institutional challenges,” he wrote. “The CTP has been responsive to industry experts and congressional leaders.”

    Responding to concerns raised in a 2022 Reagan-Udall Foundation report and congressional hearings about transparency and a backlog of smoke-free product applications, Holman said the center has become more receptive to industry and lawmakers, pointing to actions such as a pilot program to fast-track nicotine pouch reviews and upcoming advisory committee hearings on smoke-free products.

    “The CTP has taken several notable actions in the past year and is poised for more positive developments,” Holman wrote. “There’s still more work to be done to ensure the CTP is meeting its mission and properly regulating tobacco products in the marketplace with a focus on authorizing scientifically substantiated smoke-free products. But the progress we have seen in the first year of this administration is notable.”

  • Zimbabwe Assures Farmers as Tobacco Prices Begin Stabilizing

    Zimbabwe Assures Farmers as Tobacco Prices Begin Stabilizing

    The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has reassured Zimbabwean tobacco farmers that market prices are stabilizing following an early-season shock where some bales sold for as little as $0.35 per kg, despite the first bale fetching $4.60/kg. TIMB attributed the sharp early declines to a global oversupply of tobacco, the early opening of sales floors, and limited initial participation by buyers, rather than any structural market distortions.

    With the opening of contract floors, including Northern Tobacco, prices have begun to recover, and no complaints from growers were reported during the latest auctions. TIMB emphasized its mandate to protect farmer welfare, pledging to monitor the market closely and prevent conduct that could harm competition or disadvantage growers, urging farmers to allow normal market dynamics to restore stability as broader buyer participation continues.