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Category: News This Week

  • Korean Smoking Rate Drops 1 Percentage Point

    Korean Smoking Rate Drops 1 Percentage Point

    The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the results from its 2025 Community Health Survey, and found the smoking rate dropped one percentage point from last year to 17.9%, while the use of e-cigarettes rose 0.6% to 9.3%. The overall use of tobacco products dropped 0.5% from last year to 22.1%.

    In other health topics, overall drinking and high-risk drinking dropped 1.2% and 0.6% respectively, but the obesity rate went up 1% to 35.4%. Physical activity went down, while hypertension and diabetes increased.  

  • Youth-Focused Bans Hurt Older Vapers: Haypp Survey

    Youth-Focused Bans Hurt Older Vapers: Haypp Survey

    “Much of the debate on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is focused on restricting youth access to vapes,” Haypp Group said in a press release announcing its latest survey. “While there are legitimate concerns around underage access to vapes, the introduction of broad product restrictions or bans may inadvertently exclude older segments of the population and impact the number of older smokers switching to vapes.” 

    In surveying 501 adult vape users in the UK, Haypp data found 87% of vapers aged 55 and over started vaping to quit smoking, compared with much lower rates in younger groups. The over-55 cohort was also the most positive about switching, with 92% saying they felt better after moving from cigarettes, and 55% citing health as the main benefit.

    The findings suggest older smokers—who face higher long-term health risks—could be disproportionately affected by product bans that limit access to regulated alternatives. Haypp said policymakers should consider more targeted youth protections while preserving access and accurate information for adult smokers seeking to switch.

  • Queensland Shuts 148 Stores, Seizes $10.4M in 10-Day Blitz

    Queensland Shuts 148 Stores, Seizes $10.4M in 10-Day Blitz

    Queensland authorities closed 148 stores and seized more than A$15.7 million ($10.4 million) worth of illegal smoking products in a 10-day enforcement operation that ended last week. Dubbed Operation Major, the blitz targeted illicit cigarettes, loose tobacco, vapes, vaping liquids, and nicotine pouches, resulting in the confiscation of 11.8 million cigarettes, 1.7 tons of loose tobacco, 87,000 vapes, 4.2 liters of vaping liquid, and 270,000 nicotine pouches.

    The closures were executed under new laws allowing Queensland Health to shut stores for 90 days without a court order. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the operation demonstrates the state’s commitment to cracking down on illegal tobacco and vaping products, warning that black-market operators will be aggressively pursued.

    Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, welcomed the move but noted that illicit traders are shifting online due to federal inaction on illegal tobacco. He emphasized the need for coordinated national measures to redirect consumers to the regulated market.

  • Drew Estate Tabs New Dutch Distributor

    Drew Estate Tabs New Dutch Distributor

    Drew Estate announced that it appointed Small Batch Traders B.V. as its new distributor in the Netherlands, effective January 1, 2026, as part of its overhaul of international operations. The move follows changes to its global distribution strategy.

     “Partnering with Small Batch Traders allows us to expand our presence with a distributor that truly understands the premium segment and shares our commitment to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship,” said David Cruz Tortora, Drew Estate’s GM of International Brand Development.

  • Health Groups Call for Tobacco Control in Bangladesh

    Health Groups Call for Tobacco Control in Bangladesh

    The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Lung Foundation, and Bangladesh Cancer Society urged the government to strengthen the Tobacco Control Act to cut tobacco use and related deaths. In a joint statement, the three health groups said tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Bangladesh, killing more than 130,000 people each year. They noted that non-communicable diseases account for about 71% of all deaths nationally, with tobacco a major driver of heart disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses.

  • Hong Kong Considers Full Smoking Ban at Construction Sites

    Hong Kong Considers Full Smoking Ban at Construction Sites

    Authorities in Hong Kong are considering implementing a comprehensive smoking ban across all construction sites following last month’s tragic Tai Po fire, where at least 159 people were killed. While the official cause of the fire is still being investigated, reports say workers were seen smoking at the site of the apartment building’s renovation, near bamboo scaffolding, which authorities say fueled the rapid spread of the fire.

    The blaze has heightened scrutiny over workers’ smoking during renovation projects, with reports indicating repeated violations at Wang Fuk Court. Current measures include notices warning workers against bringing cigarettes onto sites, with penalties including fines of HK$5,000 ($642), immediate removal from the site, and potential permanent barring from construction employment. The Real Estate Developers Association is gathering member feedback to potentially issue industry-wide guidelines, emphasizing contractor responsibility for enforcement.

    Some developers, including CK Asset Holdings Ltd, already maintain strict no-smoking policies with designated smoking areas, intensified enforcement, and reporting to the Construction Industry Council. Under existing Hong Kong regulations, the commissioner may prohibit smoking at sites using flammable materials, providing a legal basis for broader restrictions if adopted.

  • Alaska Settles 2020 Suit with Juul, Altria for $7.8M  

    Alaska Settles 2020 Suit with Juul, Altria for $7.8M  

    The State of Alaska has reached a $5.8 million settlement with Juul over allegations that the company marketed vaping products to minors, bringing total recoveries in the case to $7.8 million, including a prior settlement with Altria. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accused the companies of designing and promoting products in ways that appealed to children and teenagers.

    Under the agreement, payments from Juul will be made over five years, with the first installment due this month. Settlement terms also impose court-enforceable marketing restrictions in Alaska.

    Half of the settlement funds will support Alaska’s tobacco prevention and control programs, with the remainder directed to state consumer protection efforts.

  • China Boton Suspends Stock Trading

    China Boton Suspends Stock Trading

    Shares of China Boton Group Company Limited were temporarily suspended from trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange today (December 2025), pending the release of an announcement concerning a “very substantial disposal” under listing rules. The company said the halt is required to comply with disclosure obligations and will remain in place until further notice. Details of the proposed transaction have not yet been disclosed.

    The announcement came from board chairman Wang Mingfan, who said further information will be published once the transaction announcement is ready. Boton is one of China’s largest extract and fragrance companies, and supplies flavorings for the global tobacco and nicotine sector.

  • Cannabis Co. Countersues Competitor for AI-Fabricated Extortion

    Cannabis Co. Countersues Competitor for AI-Fabricated Extortion

    Leafwell Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against fellow medical marijuana company My Florida Green, alleging its competitor used artificial intelligence to fabricate legal claims as part of an extortion scheme designed to damage Leafwell’s business. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida last week.

    According to the complaint, My Florida Green allegedly filed a factually and legally deficient lawsuit in September, accusing Leafwell of unlawful business practices, then used the litigation to pressure the company to settle the lawsuit, scare off business partners, and otherwise harm Leafwell’s operations. Leafwell claims the filings were AI-generated and lacked proper factual and legal grounding.

    According to Justia Law, the court is scrutinizing the original filings, highlighting the growing business and legal risks tied to the misuse of AI in litigation and competitive disputes, particularly in highly regulated sectors like medical cannabis.

  • BAT Completes $420M Block Trade of ITC Hotel Shares

    BAT Completes $420M Block Trade of ITC Hotel Shares

    On December 4, British American Tobacco announced that its subsidiaries planned to sell between 7% and 15.3% of their shares in ITC Hotels through an accelerated bookbuild, with the exact number of shares to be determined by optimal pricing. Proceeds from the sale, CEO Tadeu Marroco said, would help BAT move toward its “target 2–2.5x net debt/EBITDA leverage” by the end of 2026.

    On December 5, the trade was completed, with 187.5 million ordinary shares going to investors by way of an accelerated bookbuild process. The Block Trade Shares represent 9% of ITC Hotels’ issued ordinary share capital, and amounted to INR 38.2 bn ($420 million). Following the trade, BAT still retains a 6.3% holding in ITC Hotels.

    Established in 1975, the business of ITC Hotels has grown to encompass over 140 hotels across more than 90 destinations in the Indian subcontinent.