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Category: News This Week

  • Vape Co. Seeks Stay in $1.6M Battery Blast Verdict

    Vape Co. Seeks Stay in $1.6M Battery Blast Verdict

    Midwest Goods Inc. is asking the North Carolina Supreme Court to pause payment of a $1.6 million judgment awarded to the estate of Weldon Moore, who suffered severe burns when a lithium-ion battery exploded in his pocket in 2019. In court filings, the wholesaler argued that lower courts wrongly denied its requests for a new trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict, claiming Moore failed to prove the company directly sold the defective battery. The company also contends liability and damages should have been tried separately and that its “sealed-container defense” should apply because the batteries were sold in prepackaged boxes.

    According to court records, Moore purchased the battery from Darth Vapor, operated by Richmen Enterprises LLC, which Moore’s estate argued obtained the product from Midwest. A jury sided with the estate, awarding $1.6 million, which has risen to more than $1.7 million with interest. The estate has asked the court to deny the stay request, arguing Midwest’s appeal bond leaves a shortfall of more than $221,000 and requests the company post additional security to cover the gap and anticipated interest while the appeal proceeds.

  • Stores in Stores Finds Loophole in NZ Vape Regs

    Stores in Stores Finds Loophole in NZ Vape Regs

    Many general retailers in New Zealand have found a loophole to flavored vape restrictions by setting up stores within stores, research from Massey University has found. Regulations permit only specialist vape retailers to sell the full range of vape flavors if vaping products make up at least 70% of their sales, while general retailers are limited to mint, menthol, and tobacco flavors. The study found that 44% of 160 specialist vape outlets surveyed operated within larger stores, such as dairies and gas stations.

    Casey Costello said specialist retailers are not allowed to display products outside their stores or allow under-18s to enter, adding that enforcement activity has increased and youth vaping rates are reportedly declining. Meanwhile, the Vaping Industry Association of New Zealand (VIANZ) acknowledged the store-within-a-store model as an unintended loophole and expressed support for closing it, stating specialist vape retailers should operate as standalone premises with strict age-verification and compliance standards while preserving adult access to regulated smoke-free alternatives.

  • Guam Floats Discount to Cig Wholesalers to Offset Stamp Machine

    Guam Floats Discount to Cig Wholesalers to Offset Stamp Machine

    Guam has introduced legislation that would increase the tax discount given to cigarette wholesalers from 4 cents to 15 cents per pack to help offset the high costs of operating tobacco tax stamp machines now required under local law. The proposal comes after the Department of Revenue and Taxation began requiring wholesalers to produce and affix their own stamps to verify tax payments, with each machine costing nearly $200,000 and requiring additional staff, climate-controlled storage, and maintenance. Support for the measure was voiced by Western Sales Trading Company, which said it had to hire up to 10 employees and invest heavily in infrastructure to comply.

    Data said the 3.75% discount is the proper balance between industry costs and government revenue collection. Previous audits by the Office of Public Accountability found that tobacco taxes were historically difficult to verify due to limited tracking of imports, with Public Auditor Benjamin Cruz noting that authorities still lack accurate data on tobacco shipments entering the territory.

  • Alabama Advances Bill Extending Smoking Restrictions to Vapes

    Alabama Advances Bill Extending Smoking Restrictions to Vapes

    The Alabama House Health Committee has approved legislation that would expand the state’s indoor smoking restrictions to include vaping products. The bill, SB9, would incorporate electronic nicotine delivery systems under the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act and rename the law the Vivian Davis Figures Clean Indoor Air Act in honor of the late state senator. Sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) and carried in the House by Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa), the measure would prohibit the use of vape products in areas where traditional tobacco smoking is already banned. The bill previously passed the Senate and now advances to the full House for consideration.

  • U.S. Vape Block on Imports Could Cut Illicits by a Third: BAT

    U.S. Vape Block on Imports Could Cut Illicits by a Third: BAT

    A potential U.S. ban on imports of certain disposable e-cigarettes could reduce illegal vape sales by as much as one-third, according to British American Tobacco CEO Tadeu Marroco. BAT estimates unauthorized products, largely manufactured in China, account for roughly 70% of U.S. e-cigarette sales, undermining both regulated vape brands and traditional cigarette businesses. The company is pursuing two cases before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking to block imports of products that infringe its patents. An ITC judge previously recommended an exclusion order, with a final decision expected in March, followed by a 60-day presidential review.

    “What we want to see in the US is a level playing field because in a level playing field, we know that we can win,” Marroco said.

    Marroco cautioned that any market impact would likely be delayed due to existing supply chains and inventory levels, suggesting significant effects may not occur until 2027. He also indicated that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could consider alternative regulatory approaches for e-cigarettes, potentially including flavored products, as the agency evaluates ways to streamline product authorization processes.

  • Imperial Partners with Capgemini to Boost Technology

    Imperial Partners with Capgemini to Boost Technology

    Imperial Brands announced a long-term global partnership with technology and consulting firm Capgemini to support its 2030 strategy focused on strengthening consumer engagement, improving sales execution, and becoming a “more agile, data-driven business.” The collaboration will provide access to advanced analytics, AI tools, and technology services, with initial plans including consultations on transferring finance, procurement, and supply chain teams in Poland to Capgemini.

    Imperial said the partnership is designed to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and support its transformation into a “stronger challenger brand,” with further updates expected at its half-year results in May.

    “Our approach is about getting ever closer to our consumers and customers, focusing on our biggest opportunities and investing for agility,” said Lukas Paravicini, CEO of Imperial Brands. “Our new partnership with Capgemini will accelerate our development. It will deliver a step-up in our consumer insights and sales execution, improve our innovation capabilities, and free our people to focus on the activities which create most value.”

  • Filtrona Certified as ‘Top Employer’ in Singapore and Indonesia

    Filtrona Certified as ‘Top Employer’ in Singapore and Indonesia

    Filtrona has been named a Top Employer in Singapore and Indonesia by the Top Employers Institute, recognizing the company’s human resources practices and employee-focused culture. Singapore serves as Filtrona’s global headquarters, while Indonesia hosts its Innovation Centre in Surabaya, which coordinates global research and development. CEO Robert Pye said the recognition reflects the company’s commitment to fostering employee engagement, collaboration across regions, and talent development. Filtrona noted that the certification supports its broader strategy of investing in its workforce to drive innovation, operational excellence, and customer service as it expands globally.

  • Charlie’s Holdings’ 25K-Puff Vape Cleared in Calif.

    Charlie’s Holdings’ 25K-Puff Vape Cleared in Calif.

    Charlie’s Holdings, Inc. announced that California regulators have added its Virginia Tobacco 25K-puff SBX disposable vape to the state’s Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL), which, according to the company, makes it the first 25,000-puff vaping device authorized for legal sale in the state. The approval follows California’s strengthened flavor restrictions under Assembly Bill 3218, which requires that only products classified as unflavored and included on the UTL can be sold in the state. Company executives said the listing positions the SBX device to access California’s retail market while underscoring Charlie’s focus on regulatory compliance and youth-access prevention.

  • Momentum Driving BAT Confidence in 2026 Delivery

    Momentum Driving BAT Confidence in 2026 Delivery

    British American Tobacco reported “accelerating momentum” in 2025, driven by strong U.S. combustible sales and rapid growth of its Velo nicotine pouch brand, while total smokeless consumers rose to 34.1 million. The company said new category revenue returned to double-digit growth in the second half of the year and now accounts for 18.2% of total revenue, as BAT continues investing in products such as Vuse, glo and Velo to support long-term transformation.

    BAT expects 2026 performance to fall at the lower end of its mid-term growth targets, projecting 3–5% revenue growth and 5–8% adjusted EPS growth amid continued investment and foreign exchange headwinds, while maintaining dividend increases and launching a £1.3 billion share buyback.

    “Our U.S. business has delivered strong growth, mainly driven by sustained momentum in combustibles, resulting from our commercial actions and enhanced execution,” company CEO Tadeu Marroco said. “Our New Categories revenue is accelerating, returning to double-digit growth in H2, driven by strong Velo growth in all regions. We continue to prioritize accelerating growth in category contribution through investment in our most profitable markets.”

  • JT Reports Record Year with Revenue Up 13%

    JT Reports Record Year with Revenue Up 13%

    Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) reported record fiscal 2025 results, with revenue rising 13.4% to JPY 3.47 trillion ($22.6 billion) and adjusted operating profit increasing 21.5% to JPY 902.2 billion ($5.9 billion), driven largely by tobacco business growth and the acquisition of Vector Group. Profit climbed 188.9% to JPY 499.1 billion ($3.2 billion), while free cash flow rose to JPY 272.7 billion ($1.8 billion), and the company plans to pay an annual dividend of JPY 234 ($1.52) per share.

    For fiscal 2026, JT forecasts continued growth, projecting revenue to increase 6.6% and adjusted operating profit to rise 7.9%, as it accelerates investment in heated tobacco products to complement its combustible cigarette portfolio and support long-term earnings expansion.

    “These achievements are the outcome of the strategic investments we have actively pursued over the years,” said JT Group president and CEO Takehiko Tsutsui. “In our Business Plan 2026, we intend to accelerate investments in heated products with the aim of establishing them as the second pillar of profit growth, alongside combustibles, in future years. Furthermore, we are targeting high single digit growth at a [compound annual growth rate] in consolidated adjusted operating profit at constant FX, driven by the tobacco business.”