The Association of Tobacco Industry of Cambodia (ATIC) appointed Benjamin Cerletti, general manager of JT International Co., Ltd., as its new president following the conclusion of his predecessor’s two-year term. Cerletti, who has nearly 20 years of experience with JTI across Europe and Asia-Pacific, is expected to strengthen ATIC’s role as a platform for industry collaboration with government agencies and stakeholders. Under his leadership, the association aims to promote regulatory compliance, transparency, and sustainable growth in Cambodia’s tobacco sector, supporting both economic development and a fair business environment.
Category: News This Week
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PMI Declares $1.47 Quarterly Dividend
The Board of Directors of Philip Morris International Inc. today (March 5) declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.47 per common share, payable on April 13, to shareholders of record as of March 19. The ex-dividend date is March 19. For more details, visit www.pmi.com/dividend.
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Zimbabwe’s 2026 Tobacco Season Opens
Zimbabwe officially opened its 2026 tobacco marketing season yesterday (March 4), with Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube saying that Zimbabwe continues to establish its position as a global player in tobacco production, with the objective to not only grow volumes but also increase domestic production. “Value addition and beneficiation will be increased from 11% to 30% by creating an enabling environment for local processing of cut rag cigarettes and other tobacco products,” he said.
The opening marked the government’s launch of its Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan II (2026–2030), a five-year strategy aimed at boosting value addition in the key export sector. The plan seeks to enhance productivity, sustainability, and farmer resilience through climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, mechanization programs, and the localization of up to 70% of tobacco production financing. It also aims to diversify export markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The first bale for the 2026 season sold for $4.60 per kg, slightly below last year’s $4.65.
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Pakistan Considering Vape Ban
In Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination reviewed a private member’s bill this week aimed at banning vapes. The committee examined the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025, discussing its provisions in detail. While members acknowledged the intent behind the legislation, the ministry highlighted objections from stakeholders and recommended a complete ban on the use of vapes, citing concerns that these devices could be misused to facilitate drug intoxication.
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BAT Facing UK Lawsuit Over North Korea Sanctions
British American Tobacco is facing a London High Court lawsuit from over 100 current and former shareholders who allege the company failed to properly disclose to markets its breaches of U.S. sanctions related to business in North Korea, Reuters is reporting. The claims follow BAT’s 2023 settlement with U.S. authorities, in which a subsidiary admitted to conspiring to violate sanctions and commit bank fraud by selling tobacco products to North Korea between 2007 and 2017, resulting in a $635 million payment. The lawsuit, filed on February 27, accuses BAT of withholding information about its North Korea operations for over a decade, though the value of the claim and further details have not been disclosed.
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Scandinavian Reports Financials, Proposes Dividend
Scandinavian Tobacco Group reported a 1.8% decline in full-year 2025 net sales to DKK 9.0 billion ($1.4 billion), with organic growth down 3.1%, or -1.8% excluding discontinued third-party nicotine pouch distribution in its online business. EBITDA margin before special items was 19.8%, in line with guidance, while free cash flow before acquisitions fell to DKK 595 million ($95.2 million) due to delayed receivables linked to a new ERP rollout in Europe. Adjusted EPS declined to DKK 10.8 from DKK 13.7 ($1.73 from $2.19) a year earlier. The board will propose an ordinary dividend of DKK 4.50 ($0.72) per share, representing a 42% payout ratio. In the fourth quarter, net sales fell 4.6% to DKK 2.3 billion ($368 million), with margin pressure driven by product mix shifts toward nicotine pouches and increased promotional spending in North America.
For 2026, the group expects reported net sales growth at constant exchange rates of between -2% and 2%, EBIT margin before special items of 13.0%–14.5%, free cash flow before acquisitions of DKK 950 million to DKK 1.2 billion ($152 million to $192 million), and adjusted EPS of DKK 9–11. Management said 2026 will focus on earnings stabilization under its Focus2030 strategy, with continued investment in handmade cigars and nicotine pouches, while working capital is expected to normalize in the first half following the ERP-related delays.
See the reports:
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Health Groups Call for F1 to Cut Ties with Pouch Sponsors
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids said that 160 public health and advocacy groups from 57 countries have urged Formula One to extend its ban on tobacco sponsorships to include nicotine pouches, warning that current team partnerships with Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, promoting Zyn and Velo through Ferrari and McLaren, make branding visible to millions of young fans. In a letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the groups said the sponsorships undermine the sport’s youth-focused expansion efforts and expose minors to addictive nicotine products, citing data that a significant share of F1’s social media audience is under 25. Separate letters were also sent to The Walt Disney Company, The Lego Group, and Mattel, calling on them to support a comprehensive prohibition on all tobacco-related sponsorships in the sport.
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Black Buffalo Recognizes Retailers as Sales Grow
Black Buffalo says it continues to expand its footprint nationwide as demand grows for modern smokeless alternatives, with the brand highlighting strong retail performance across the U.S. With its annual Herd Preferred Awards, the company reported that its top-performing partners — including Sheetz, Wawa, Pilot Company, and Love’s Travel Stops —are driving increased can volume and higher cans per week (CPW), reflecting sustained momentum at the backbar. According to Black Buffalo, its adult consumer base, dubbed “The Herd,” is highly engaged, with shoppers traveling an average of nearly 13 miles to purchase the product, underscoring brand loyalty and pull-through at retail. The company said it remains focused on responsible growth and increasing retail accessibility as it scales distribution across key markets.
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Next Gen Nicotine Expo to Be Held in London April 23
Quartz Media announced that its newest event, Next Gen Nicotine Expo (NGNE), will debut April 23 at the Business Design Centre in London, marking the UK launch of the World Vape Show’s dedicated platform for next-generation nicotine products. The curated B2B event will host up to 50 fully UK-compliant exhibitors, including Garant Pods, PIXL, Pod Salts, and VPR Brands, alongside 500 vetted buyers, offering a focused environment for business and innovation amid the country’s disposable vape ban. NGNE will showcase vape systems, e-liquids, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco, and oral nicotine products, providing a compliance-led, design-driven space for industry growth and networking.
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TIMB Keeping Tobacco Money Home, Limiting Unregulated Sales
With 67% local financing in place, Zimbabwe has nearly reached its goal of reducing reliance on offshore funding that limits domestic tobacco value retention, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB). TIMB set the goal of 70% local financing, as officials estimate that under external financing models, for every U.S. dollar financed, only 12 cents remains in the country. Tobacco remains the country’s largest agricultural export and second-largest foreign currency earner after gold, generating about $1.2 billion last year.
Tobacco output exceeded expectations last year, reaching 355 million kg against a 300 million kg target, with projections of around 400 million kg this year, with more than 90% of tobacco under contract arrangements. While production growth has been strong, value addition remains subdued at 10.78% against a 30% target.
TIMB has also introduced tougher penalties and a biometric grower management system ahead of the new marketing season, significantly raising fines for regulatory breaches. Farmers caught engaging in side marketing will be fined $50 per bale, up from $20, while merchants purchasing such tobacco will pay $200 per bale. Illegal buying point operators, known as “Makoronyera,” risk fines of up to $2,000.
TIMB confirmed that 48 contractors and 46 Class A buyers have been licensed for the 2026 season, with grading categories streamlined to enhance global competitiveness amid evolving climatic and market conditions. Five firms were barred over compliance issues.