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Category: News This Week

  • FDA COO Says Balance is the ‘Gold Standard’

    FDA COO Says Balance is the ‘Gold Standard’

    In an open letter today (Feb. 26), FDA Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Barclay Butler underscored the FDA’s dual mandate to promote regulatory transparency while rigorously safeguarding sensitive commercial and personal data submitted by regulated industries. Titled, “Why Protecting Confidential Information is Key to the FDA’s ‘Gold Standard,’” his remarks highlighted the agency’s role as both public health watchdog and custodian of proprietary information, emphasizing that while the Freedom of Information Act supports disclosure, statutes such as the Trade Secrets Act and Privacy Act require strict confidentiality around trade secrets, confidential commercial information (CCI), personal health data, and law enforcement materials.

    Barclay reiterated that manufacturing processes, product formulas, financial data, and other proprietary submissions remain legally protected, a subject of particular importance tobacco and nicotine product companies navigating the FDA’s premarket review pathways. He also stressed the importance of shielding adverse event reports, inspection records, and internal deliberative documents to preserve investigative integrity and candid scientific review. Barclay said that improper disclosure can carry criminal liability and undermine market fairness, particularly given the market-moving potential of regulatory decisions. He said the FDA’s strict ethics and insider trading safeguards are central to maintaining trust, institutional integrity, and a level playing field across regulated sectors.

  • Altria Declares $1.06 Quarterly Dividend

    Altria Declares $1.06 Quarterly Dividend

    Altria Group, Inc. today (Feb. 26) announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, payable on April 30, to shareholders of record as of March 25. The ex-dividend date is March 25.

  • W. Australia Moves to Strengthen Penalties for Illicits

    W. Australia Moves to Strengthen Penalties for Illicits

    Australia’s Cook Government advanced priority amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006, with the Legislative Assembly passing the changes and the Legislative Council set to debate them next. The legislation introduces some of the toughest penalties in Australia for businesses caught selling illicit tobacco and vaping products, including fines of up to A$4.2 million ($3 million) for individuals and A$21 million ($14.9 million) for companies, alongside 15 years’ imprisonment. New provisions also allow for store closure orders of up to 90 days while investigations are conducted, giving compliance officers a direct enforcement mechanism to shut down illegal operations.

    Premier Roger Cook emphasized that the laws aim to protect Western Australians, eliminate criminal activity, and target dangerous trades, while Health Minister Meredith Hammat highlighted the role of the expanded Tobacco and Vape Compliance Unit, which recently uncovered nearly 100,000 illicit cigarettes and 37 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco in regional operations.

  • ZIMRA Wins Appeal Against Pacific Cigarette Company

    ZIMRA Wins Appeal Against Pacific Cigarette Company

    The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) successfully appealed a High Court ruling, with the Supreme Court siding with it in its refusal to issue a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) to Pacific Cigarette Company Ltd. while it owed over $19.5 million in taxes and was under corporate rescue. The court found that the High Court had misdirected itself by compelling ZIMRA to issue the TCC despite Pacific’s $19.2 million in income tax arrears and $330,000 in non-resident tax. ZIMRA had rejected the TCC application in January 2025 because the company had settled current obligations but made no payments toward the arrears.

    The Supreme Court ruled that ZIMRA’s refusal was an administrative decision, not an enforcement action, and that tax obligations remain enforceable during corporate rescue. The court also dismissed Pacific’s claim that withholding the TCC violated the moratorium on enforcement actions, noting the company’s corporate rescue plan lacked a proper repayment arrangement for its arrears.

    The Supreme Court overturned the High Court’s decision, affirming ZIMRA’s right to enforce its statutory mandate without penalty.

  • Turning Point Brands Increases Stock Dividend

    Turning Point Brands Increases Stock Dividend

    The Board of Directors of Turning Point Brands, Inc. declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.08 per common share. This is a 7% increase over the regular quarter dividend declared in November 2025. The dividend is payable on April 10, to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 20.

  • Malaysian Vape Ban Would Leave 1.4M Users in Limbo

    Malaysian Vape Ban Would Leave 1.4M Users in Limbo

    Malaysia is moving toward a nationwide vape ban that could leave an estimated 1.4 million adult users in limbo, as policymakers weigh stricter enforcement under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 and a possible phase-out of open and closed pod systems by 2026. While the government cites concerns over youth uptake and illicit drug-laced liquids, consumer groups and some public health experts warn that prohibition may drive sales underground or push former smokers back to combustible cigarettes, which remain far more prevalent among Malaysia’s 4.8 million smokers.

  • Seven Arrested for Vape Trafficking in Cambodia

    Seven Arrested for Vape Trafficking in Cambodia

    Seven people were arrested and potentially face 20 years in prison in Cambodia for allegedly trafficking and possessing electronic cigarette products. Five suspects were apprehended in a raid on an electronic device distributor in Phnom Penh where more than 300,000 vaping items, including devices and e-liquids worth over $1 million, were seized. In a separate raid, a husband and wife were detained at a shop in Siem Reap where authorities confiscated 100 boxes of vaping paraphernalia. All the suspects face charges under Cambodia’s Law on Drugs Control.

  • KT&G First to Cancel Shares Under Revised Act

    KT&G First to Cancel Shares Under Revised Act

    KT&G said it will cancel 10.9 million treasury shares worth approximately 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion), becoming the first company to act under South Korea’s newly revised Commercial Act requiring the retirement of treasury stock within set deadlines. The board-approved cancellation, equal to about 9.5% of outstanding shares, will be put to shareholders on March 26 alongside bylaw amendments to strengthen governance, including provisions for electronic shareholder meetings and expanded audit committee representation. The move builds on KT&G’s 3.7 trillion won ($2.6 billion) shareholder return program launched in 2024, under which the company has already retired 19.2 million shares and returned more than 2.3 trillion won ($1.6 billion) through dividends and buybacks.

  • Haypp Releases New Guidance on Nicotine Pouches

    Haypp Releases New Guidance on Nicotine Pouches

    Online nicotine retailer Haypp has voluntarily adopted a 20 mg per pouch cap across its e-commerce platforms and is urging the UK government to formalize that as the limit as it develops a regulatory framework under its Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The company, which serves more than 1.1 million customers globally, says proportionate limits would protect consumers while preserving nicotine pouches as a viable reduced-risk alternative to cigarettes. Dr. Marina Murphy, Haypp’s senior director of scientific affairs, said a 20 mg maximum provides a nicotine experience comparable to smoking without enabling “ultra-strength” products to proliferate, with some reportedly containing up to 150 mg per pouch.

  • Canada’s Vape Shops Struggle with Compliance: Report

    Canada’s Vape Shops Struggle with Compliance: Report

    Nearly half of Canada’s specialty vape retailers were found non-compliant during federal inspections between April 2024 and March 2025, according to a new enforcement report from Health Canada. Inspectors found 43% of 546 specialty stores breached the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, resulting in product seizures at 235 locations — up from 38% non-compliance the previous year.

    Violations most commonly involved prohibited flavor promotion, improper health warnings, and nicotine concentrations exceeding 20 mg/mL. In contrast, fewer than 1% of 2,136 gas and convenience stores inspected were non-compliant. Manufacturer oversight also revealed compliance gaps, with 45% of 343 samples collected from 119 producers failing key regulatory requirements, prompting the seizure of 286,764 non-compliant products.