Altria Group, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, payable on January 9, 2026 to shareholders of record as of December 26, 2025. The ex-dividend date is December 26, 2025.
Category: News This Week
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KT&G Receives “AAA” ESG Rating from MSCI
KT&G said it received a “AAA” ESG rating from global investment research firm MSCI, marking “the highest rating ever achieved by a tobacco industry player,” according to the company. MSCI evaluates 8,500 publicly listed companies annually, with ratings ranging from AAA to CCC, which institutional investors use to assess sustainability and ESG competitiveness. The rating improved KT&G from its previous four-year streak of AA ratings.
MSCI highlighted KT&G’s strong governance structure, systematic supply chain management, responsible marketing, and environmental management initiatives as key contributors to the top-tier score. Notably, KT&G’s governance practices—including separation of CEO and board chair roles, 75% independent director composition, and active committees—were singled out for recognition.
KT&G received recognition for its supply chain labor management, expansion of on-site water reclamation infrastructure, and execution of responsible marketing practices. Young-ah Shim, Director of KT&G’s ESG Management Office, emphasized that the rating underscores the company’s global-standard ESG management and commitment to ongoing environmental and supply chain initiatives.
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Report: FDA, DEA Lack Ability to Enforce Hemp Ban
Last week the Congressional Research Service (CRS)—the nonpartisan investigative office that advises U.S. lawmakers—issued a report warning that both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) do not have the resources (i.e. funding, staff, and infrastructure) necessary to enforce the new policy set to take effect in 2026 that would ban “intoxicating hemp products.” The measure, added to last month’s federal spending deal, redefines hemp to prohibit products containing more than 0.4 mg of total THC per package, effectively banning popular hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, HHC, and high-THCA products.
“It remains unclear if and how federal law enforcement will enforce the new prohibitions,” the CRS was quoted on December 3. “Both FDA and DEA may lack the resources to broadly enforce the laws prohibiting intoxicating hemp products on the market.”
Industry participants cautioned that an unfunded ban could drive unregulated and illicit sales. Dino Awadisian, founder of Mamba Brand, said the lack of a regulatory framework risks expanding the black market and called for structured federal oversight instead.
“A law with no funding is not enforcement—it’s theater,” Awadisian said. “This will not protect the public. It will only reward unsafe, unregulated, and untraceable products.”
The report also flagged potential new restrictions on hemp and cannabis seeds, which could be regulated based on genetic potential rather than THC content, exposing seed distributors to legal risk. Industry advocates are urging lawmakers to replace prohibition with nationally funded licensing, testing, age restrictions, and packaging standards.
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Habanos Launches Special Edition Punch Cigars in Cyprus
Habanos S.A. unveiled a limited-edition Punch Princesas cigar to mark the brand’s 185th anniversary, with the global premiere held on December 6 in Limassol, Cyprus. The special release revived a classic 1960s format and highlighted the heritage of one of Habanos’ oldest premium brands, founded in 1840.
The launch event, organized by Phoenicia TAA Cyprus, brought together more than 550 cigar aficionados from around the world. The commemorative vitola will be introduced to additional international markets in the coming months.
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BAT Extends £1.3B Share Buyback for 2026
British American Tobacco extended its 2024 share buyback program by up to £1.3 billion for 2026. The company has entered an irrevocable, non-discretionary agreement with UBS AG London Branch to execute the next tranche, expected to run from January 2 to February 11, 2026, during the company’s closed period.
UBS will act independently in making trading decisions. All repurchased shares will be cancelled to reduce the company’s share capital, with purchases carried out under existing shareholder authority and in line with UK market regulations.
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Bangladesh Schools Surrounded by Tobacco Outlets
A new study by the Power and Participation Research Centre found that each school in Bangladesh is surrounded by an average of 5.5 tobacco-selling outlets within 100 meters, making cigarettes highly accessible to youth, according to New Age. The research, covering 121 schools in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna, identified 666 points of sale, with most selling single cigarette sticks.
The study showed that 71% of outlets openly displayed cigarettes, often positioned at children’s eye level, while 66% placed tobacco products alongside chocolates, toys, and sweets. It also found that 68% of retail points used visible advertising such as dummy packs and posters, and 84% sold flavored cigarettes.
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U.S. Momentum Keeps BAT FY25 On Track
BAT released its 2025 full-year pre-close trading update today (December 9), saying it expects around 2% revenue and adjusted operating profit growth in FY25, with New Category revenues accelerating to double-digit growth in H2 to deliver mid-single-digit growth for the full year. Performance is being led by the U.S., where stronger combustibles results and Velo Plus momentum are driving revenue and profit, with Velo Plus on track to be profitable for the full year. Early federal and state enforcement efforts against illicit vapor products are also supporting recent improvements in Vuse volumes and revenues.
Growth in New Categories is being driven primarily by Velo, now the “fastest-growing Modern Oral brand globally,” with strong share gains across priority markets and accelerating U.S. performance. While glo revenue remains broadly flat due to competitive pressure and platform transitions, the company is launching glo Hilo in premium heated tobacco markets. Vuse is showing improving H2 trends, supported by enforcement against illicit products, and early traction for the premium Vuse Ultra platform in Canada, Germany, and France, despite ongoing headwinds in the U.S. and Canada.
Looking ahead, the company remains confident in its mid-term growth targets from 2026, guiding for 3–5% revenue growth, 4–6% profit growth, and 5–8% EPS growth, with 2026 likely at the lower end of the range. Strong cash generation continues, with operating cash flow conversion expected to exceed 95% and leverage targeted to fall to 2.0–2.5x by end-2026. Capital returns remain a priority, with progressive dividends and an expanded £1.3bn share buyback program for FY26.
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Zyn Launches 1.5 Mg Option in UK
Zyn launched Zyn X-Low, its lowest-strength nicotine pouch at 1.5mg, positioning it as an entry-level option for adult users new to the category, according to Talking Retail. The product expands Zyn’s UK and Ireland portfolio and is available in spearmint, black cherry, and cool mint via grocery, convenience, and wholesale channels, including Philip Morris’ Open retailer platform.
“Expanding the range in this way allows us to meet a broader spectrum of adult nicotine preferences, strengthen the role of modern oral products in the marketplace, and further our ambition of achieving a smoke-free future,” said Dor Matot, head of Zyn UK and Ireland.
The launch is backed by a nationwide marketing campaign aimed at highlighting strength choice and attracting first-time pouch users.
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Development Hopes to Keep Tobacco Money in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is accelerating plans to move up the tobacco value chain under its new National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), aiming to lift value addition from about 2% to 30% and reduce reliance on raw leaf exports. While NDS1 missed its 300,000-ton production target due to drought, Zimbabwe produced a record 355 million kg of tobacco in 2025, valued at $1.2 billion, making it the world’s sixth-largest producer. According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, tobacco contributes more than 25% of national foreign-currency earnings, though 92% of export revenues still come from unprocessed leaf.
NDS2 focuses on local processing through the Tobacco Special Economic Zone, including nicotine extraction plants and expanded cigarette and cut-rag manufacturing. A key milestone was the commissioning of a $102 million Cut Rag Processors facility capable of producing 3 million kg of cut rag per month and 60,000 cigarette master cases.
Government officials say domestic value addition remains far below potential, with current earnings estimated at $1.5 billion versus a theoretical $60 billion if higher-value products were produced. The strategy prioritizes attracting investment, expanding local financing, and creating jobs through processing, packaging, and logistics as Zimbabwe shifts toward exporting finished tobacco products.
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Russian Police Seize $1.6M in Illicit Vapes
Russian police in the Tambov region seized more than 150,000 e-cigarettes, along with cartridges and liquids worth about 126.5 million rubles ($1.6 million). Authorities said the products were shipped from Moscow disguised as small household appliances and supported by fake documents. Testing found nicotine levels significantly higher than stated on the packaging. A man has been detained, and a criminal case has been opened for the storage and sale of unmarked e-cigarettes.