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Category: News This Week

  • Europe Helping Offset China Losses in Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Exports 

    Europe Helping Offset China Losses in Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Exports 

    Zimbabwe’s tobacco exports dipped 0.7% from the previous year to $1.36 billion (as of mid-December), thanks in part to exports to China dropping from $953.2 million to $819.3 million. Despite the 14% decline, the Far East still accounted for 60% of the nation’s total tobacco export value, all data according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).

    While traditional Asian markets cooled, a massive surge in European demand and steady growth within Africa helped offset the overall decline. The European Union emerged as the standout growth market this season, with export values skyrocketing by 64.5%, going from $103.1 million to $169.6 million. According to the TIMB, the surge reflects a growing preference for Zimbabwe’s high-quality, flue-cured Virginia leaf among continental manufacturers.

  • FDA Pushed on ‘De Facto’ Vape Ban by 5th Circ.

    FDA Pushed on ‘De Facto’ Vape Ban by 5th Circ.

    A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit signaled skepticism yesterday (January 6) toward the Food and Drug Administration’s claim that it has not effectively banned flavored refillable e-cigarette products, suggesting the agency’s near-total rejection of applications amounts to a de facto prohibition. During oral arguments, Judge Cory T. Wilson noted that the FDA has approved only six applications out of hundreds of thousands of premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs), remarking that “if you’re effectively at 100% denial on a certain class of products, then it is a de facto ban.”

    The case was brought by VDX Distro Inc., which is challenging the FDA’s refusal to authorize its menthol-flavored refillable vaping products. Government attorney Ben Lewis argued that no ban exists because some products have been approved, but judges pressed the agency on whether it has ever approved a flavored e-cigarette without evidence showing it provides greater smoking cessation benefits than tobacco-flavored products. Counsel for VDX argued the FDA violated the Tobacco Control Act by imposing new, unwritten standards without notice-and-comment rulemaking, effectively blocking all open-system refillable devices.

    Industry amici echoed those concerns, with an attorney for R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. arguing the FDA applies stricter standards to flavored vaping products than to other nicotine products, such as pouches. The panel did not rule from the bench, but the pointed questioning underscores growing judicial scrutiny of FDA tobacco regulation, with potential implications for future authorization pathways for flavored vaping products closely watched by the tobacco and nicotine industries.

  • Guam Tobacco Retail Compliance Tops 97%

    Guam Tobacco Retail Compliance Tops 97%

    Compliance inspections found that 97.1% of Guam tobacco retailers complied with laws prohibiting sales to minors in 2025, according to data released January 5 by the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) and the Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT). The compliance rate increased from 94.8% in 2024, well above the federally required minimum of 80% under the Synar Amendment.

    Out of 277 eligible retailers inspected, only eight were cited for selling tobacco or disposable ENDS products to minors ages 16–20, and one retailer failed to post a required “No Sale Under 21” sign. The nine establishments received citations ranging from $2,000 to $4,000.

    Officials credited strong enforcement and education efforts, including GBHWC’s Merchant Education Outreach Program, launched in 2025, which provides door-to-door education and compliance resources.

  • Malaysian Health Minister Says Vape Ban to Begin with Open Systems

    Malaysian Health Minister Says Vape Ban to Begin with Open Systems

    Malaysia’s Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad touted the nation’s highly discussed vape ban as being “almost here,” and said the ban will be done in stages, initially focusing on open systems. “We face challenges, but we still hope to implement the ban,” he said. “Many compounding factors are at play. But our team of experts is here to work on it.”

    Reports indicate that the ban is expected to be implemented in mid-2026. 

  • Nabis Acquires Major Share of Calif. Cannabis Market

    Nabis Acquires Major Share of Calif. Cannabis Market

    Nabis, the “largest licensed cannabis wholesale platform in the U.S.,” acquired select assets of California distributor Humble Cannabis Solutions, expanding its distribution footprint across Northern and Southern California as the industry adjusts to federal cannabis rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III. The deal adds roughly $13 million in assets and $20 million in gross sales, strengthening Nabis’ technology-driven infrastructure to support scaling demand.

    The transaction includes a $4 million strategic capital investment from Humble Cannabis Solutions, $4 million in distribution assets to be integrated into Nabis’ California operations, and $5 million in debt financing to support the company’s growth.

  • 22nd Century Files PMTA Renewal

    22nd Century Files PMTA Renewal

    22nd Century Group, Inc. announced it has filed a renewal application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Modified Risk Tobacco Product authorization covering VLN reduced nicotine content cigarettes. The original authorization, granted in December 2021, expires in December 2026.

    22nd Century says VLN remains the first and only combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA to reduce the health harms of smoking, with approved claims including “95% less nicotine” and statements that it helps reduce nicotine consumption and smoking frequency. The company cited decades of independent clinical research supporting VLN products, including evidence that lowering nicotine content reduces smoking rates and increases quit attempts. Company CEO Larry Firestone said the renewal builds on FDA recognition that reducing nicotine directly can alter smoking behavior and improve public health outcomes, adding that VLN products align with the FDA’s proposed low-nicotine standard issued in January 2025.

  • Truth Initiative Report Says Industry Targeting Youth

    Truth Initiative Report Says Industry Targeting Youth

    A new report from Truth Initiative claims that the tobacco and nicotine industry continues to market youth-appealing products, including high-tech “smart” vapes, flavored disposable e-cigarettes, and oral nicotine pouches, which raises concerns about addiction and a potential reversal of recent prevention gains. The report says these products often deliver higher nicotine levels, come in sweet flavors, and are sold at low prices, while recent cuts to federal prevention and cessation funding heighten the public health risk.

    According to the report, data show that about one-third of youth and young adults used “smart” vapes in the past month, while nicotine pouches became the fastest-growing nicotine category, with sales nearly tripling between 2023 and 2024. Flavored products dominate youth use, despite limited FDA authorization, and rising nicotine concentrations have driven a 249% increase in total nicotine sold in e-cigarettes since 2020.

    The report also points to growing dependence and co-use of multiple nicotine products among youth and young adults. Truth Initiative called for stronger enforcement against illegal products, expanded regulation of flavored nicotine products, and greater investment in youth-focused quitting support.

  • PCA26 Registration Opens

    PCA26 Registration Opens

    The Premium Cigar Association announced that registration is open for its trade show, taking place April 17–20 in New Orleans. Open exclusively to current 2026 PCA members, the event will bring together manufacturers, retailers, and industry partners for four days of business, education, networking, and advocacy, with opportunities to discover new products, strengthen industry relationships, and take part in PCA’s highly anticipated return to one of its most popular host cities. Full details are available at pcashow.org.

  • Cannabis Use Growing, Intertwined with Nicotine

    Cannabis Use Growing, Intertwined with Nicotine

    A new study published in Tobacco Induced Diseases finds that cannabis use—both vaping and smoking—has increased over time, with more young adults initiating use than quitting, and high levels of co-use with nicotine and tobacco products. Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health report that simultaneous cannabis and e-cigarette use is especially common among young adults who vape nicotine, with similar rates observed across genders. The findings highlight that cannabis consumption is not only growing but increasingly intertwined with nicotine use.

    Analyzing data from the VapeScan longitudinal study of 372 adults in the New York City area between 2021 and 2024, researchers found cannabis users often consume multiple product types, including vapes, edibles, smoked products, CBD, and topicals. By the second year of follow-up, nearly 60% of participants reported cannabis use, with cannabis vaping and smoking both rising. Notably, 21% of participants were new cannabis vape or smoke users over the study period, while only 6% of earlier users quit, underscoring a net increase in use.

    The authors say the expanding variety of cannabis products, rising frequency of use, and widespread cannabis–nicotine co-use pose growing public health and regulatory challenges.

  • Arizona Vape Shops Fined $460K for Selling to Minors

    Arizona Vape Shops Fined $460K for Selling to Minors

    Arizona’s Attorney General Kris Mayes ordered that a vape shop owner with several locations pay $460,000 in restitution for illegally selling tobacco and nicotine products to underage customers. Mayes’ office cited multiple violations at various locations, and alleged the stores continued illegal sales even after citations, fines, and warnings. The lawsuit said Pro Source Supply LLC, Pro Source Vapes LLC, and Pro Source CBD LLC, all owned by Timothy Kell, refused to check IDs and knowingly sold tobacco and nicotine products to underage buyers.

    As part of the settlement, Pro Source must implement strict age-verification policies, enhanced employee training, electronic ID scanning, and regular compliance checks. The company is also prohibited from selling single cigarettes, flavored cigarillos at certain locations, and products resembling candy, toys, or school supplies. A compliance officer will be hired, and third-party audits will be reported to the attorney general’s office.