Scandinavian Tobacco Group sent a notice informing shareholders that any proposed motion to be included on the upcoming Annual General Meeting agenda must be received in writing by March 3. Requests can be sent to investor@st-group.com or mailed to Scandinavian Tobacco Group. The AGM is scheduled for April 15.
Category: News This Week
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No Injuries Reported at Plasencia Cigars Farm Fire
Plasencia Cigars confirmed that a fire broke out Friday, Feb. 13, at one of its farms in Nicaragua, but said the situation was quickly contained with no injuries reported. The company activated its emergency action plans and safety protocols immediately, coordinating response efforts with local authorities to bring the incident under control. Plasencia expressed gratitude to the Estelí Fire Department and first responders for their swift and professional response, adding that operations continue without interruption.
Néstor Andrés Plasencia, a fifth-generation member of the Plasencia cigar family, said the company was thankful the fire was contained and that employees were safe. He also acknowledged the support of fellow manufacturers in Estelí, describing the cigar community’s solidarity as a reflection of the collaborative spirit that defines the region’s tobacco industry.
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Malawi’s MNT Concerned Over CSR, Rogue Farmers
Malawi’s Media Network on Tobacco (MNT) raised alarm over what it describes as persistently low levels of corporate social responsibility among tobacco buying companies, urging them to take meaningful steps to support farmers and surrounding communities. Speaking during an interface meeting with journalists, MNT President Alfred Chauwa also condemned the growing practice of farmers selling their tobacco before the official market opening, warning that it exposes them to exploitation. He said some farmers are accepting prices as low as K4,000 ($2.32) per kg, a move he described as damaging to livelihoods and the broader tobacco value chain.
Chauwa encouraged farmers to diversify into early maturing crops in line with the Tobacco Industry Act, which promotes agricultural diversification. He further highlighted the effects of climate change on farming, calling for increased participation in tree-planting initiatives to restore the environment. Expressing concern over declining tobacco quality in several areas, he urged farmers to adopt best agricultural practices to secure better prices. Chauwa also appealed to the government to deploy more extension workers to provide technical support, saying improved guidance is critical to boosting productivity, quality, and long-term sustainability in the tobacco sector.
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Raids on Malaysian Vape Shops Show Overwhelming Compliance
The Malaysia E-Vaporizers and Tobacco Alternative Association (MEVTA) boasted that numerous “operations and raids” conducted by authorities over the last several weeks at vape retailers across the country found no drugs, hazardous substances, or prohibited products. “In most reported cases, actions were primarily focused on administrative and documentation compliance, while licensed and registered premises were found to have fully cooperated with authorities throughout the inspection process,” MEVTA said.
MEVTA President Mohamad Neezam Talib urged vape and tobacco alternative businesses to continue obtaining proper licenses and comply fully with Malaysian regulations, saying this is essential for consumer safety and industry accountability.
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90% of Omanis Favor Tobacco Tax Hike
Oman’s Ministry of Health said that nearly 90% of its citizens support increasing taxes on tobacco products and banning smoking in open public spaces, according to findings from the 2025 National Survey on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). Minister of Interior Sayyid Dr. Sultan Yaarub Al Busaidi said the survey showed that one in six adult males currently uses tobacco, with manufactured cigarettes, pipes and shisha being the most common forms, while about 2% use e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the nationwide study of more than 10,000 people is expected to “guide evidence-based health policies aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and global targets to reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases.”
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Report: Cuba’s Festival del Habano ‘Potponed’
Although no official announcement has been made, Halfwheel is reporting that the 26th Festival del Habano is being postponed indefinitely amid worsening infrastructure conditions in Cuba. The postponement comes as Cuba grapples with severe fuel shortages and power disruptions that have impacted travel and tourism and led international air carriers to adjust flights to the island since U.S. military actions in Venezuela disrupted oil shipments to the island nation.
After weeks of speculation that the event would not take place as planned, and reports that Habanos S.A., the Cuban state-backed cigar monopoly behind the festival, was preparing a formal announcement describing it as a postponement (not a cancellation), Halfwheel is reporting that multiple distributors have confirmed the festival will not take place on the planned dates.
Cuba’s premier annual cigar industry event was scheduled for Feb. 23–27, expecting hundreds of international distributors, retailers, and enthusiasts for factory tours, seminars, and a high-profile events. The event has been held annually since 1999, with cancellations in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19.
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Nicotine Pouch Growth Drives Haypp’s 5% Sales Increase
Haypp Group reported strong global growth in nicotine pouches (NPs), with Q4 2025 volume up 28%, driven by the U.S. reintroduction of Zyn in September 2025 and accelerating growth in the UK. NPs now account for 67% of total volume, with FY25 volume up 13% year-over-year. U.S. consumer offtake rose approximately 35% in Q4 2025 and January 2026 volumes jumped 120% year-over-year, with new customer acquisition up over 250%. The company cited improved retention through localized teams, research, and consumer-focused initiatives, achieving an all-time high Net Promoter Score of 82. In the UK, Q4 2025 volume rose 73% and new customer growth reached 112%, accelerating to ~200% and ~125%, respectively, in January.
Looking ahead, Haypp anticipates regulatory changes in Austria will force an exit by mid-2026, though this market represents less than 1% of total sales. The company strengthened its U.S. infrastructure, increasing overhead by 29% to support Media and Insights and online growth initiatives. Leverage stood at 0.6x net debt/adjusted EBITDA at year-end, with inventory tactically increased ahead of January 2026 price hikes. Haypp’s Board reaffirmed 2028 targets: 18–25% annual revenue growth, an adjusted EBIT margin of 5.5% ±150 bps, and reinvestment of cash flows to support ongoing expansion in its core U.S. and UK markets while maintaining compliance as a competitive advantage.
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Japan’s HTP Tax Changes Threaten JTI Growth: CFO
Tax changes in Japan that will eliminate preferential tax treatment for heated tobacco products are expected to weigh on growth this year, according to Japan Tobacco International CFO Vassilis Vovos. The policy shift would tax heated tobacco at the same rate as traditional cigarettes, potentially raising retail prices by 70 to 100 yen ($0.46 to $0.65) per pack after sales tax. Vovos said the company plans to introduce incremental price increases throughout 2026 to offset the impact and avoid a single steep price hike.
The tax change poses a challenge to JTI’s expansion of its Ploom heated tobacco device in Japan, the world’s largest heated tobacco market, which is currently led by rival Philip Morris International, according to Reuters. Parent company Japan Tobacco has relied on newer product categories to drive growth, with Ploom volumes rising more than 38% last year and reaching a 14.4% share of the heated tobacco segment. While executives warned the tax change could temporarily slow category growth, they said heated tobacco remains a key long-term revenue driver.
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China Regulator Orders Vape Makers to Halt New Plants
China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration ordered e-cigarette manufacturers to halt new factory construction and suspend investment projects as part of efforts to curb price competition and address industry overcapacity, Reuters reported. In a notice issued today (Feb. 13), the regulator said capacity utilization across the sector is already high and warned companies against bypassing the directive by building facilities labeled for other products that are ultimately used to produce e-cigarettes.
The regulator said manufacturers may only expand production if they can demonstrate genuine necessity or prove output is focused on export markets. The notice also bans producers from transferring supply quotas to unlicensed firms or disguising e-cigarette expansion through investment in other product lines, though it allows companies to restructure capacity through mergers. Authorities added that production lines and approved output for e-cigarettes must be clearly separated from those used for heated tobacco products and smoking accessories.
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VTA ‘Disappointed’ by Lack of Progress from FDA Roundtable
The Vapor Technology Association said it welcomed the chance to participate in a recent roundtable hosted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration focused on premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) submissions for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), calling the meeting an opportunity for small businesses to engage directly with regulators. In a statement, VTA Executive Director Tony Abboud said industry representatives advocated for a more transparent, standards-based regulatory framework that would allow companies to invest in vapor technology and navigate product reviews with clearer scientific expectations.
Abboud said VTA was encouraged by comments from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary acknowledging the need for predictability in regulatory standards but expressed frustration that some agency officials supported maintaining flexible or undefined scientific benchmarks.
“Small businesses made it completely clear that they wanted and needed transparent and objective scientific standards governing how vape products should be made and how they should perform,” Abboud said. “Unfortunately, we were disappointed by so many FDA representatives throughout the meeting who either argued for continued scientific ambiguity or completely rejected standards. Their comments signaled a lack of alignment among FDA leadership on providing clear and predictable scientific standards or guidance for our industry – or even benchmarks that would ensure product and consumer safety. We received no guarantee of additional clarity on the broken and opaque PMTA rule and process, which has been used to prevent access to the products that Americans who smoke want and need to quit smoking deadly cigarettes.”
The association argued that clearer regulatory guidance would align with broader free-market principles supported by Donald Trump’s policy agenda.