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Category: Business & Finance

  • Imperial Acquires Owner of Helwit Nicotine Pouches

    Imperial Acquires Owner of Helwit Nicotine Pouches

    Imperial Brands announced the acquisition of Swedish modern oral nicotine company Yoik Group AB, owner of the Helwit nicotine pouch brand, for an initial SEK 515 million (£39.8 million), plus a performance-based deferred payment over two years. Helwit has a 3.4% share of Sweden’s modern oral nicotine market and is sold online across Europe and in select U.K. retailers.

    The acquisition more than doubles Imperial’s existing modern oral market share in Sweden, where the company operates through Skruf AB. Yoik’s founders and employees will join Imperial, while the Helwit brand will remain focused on its flavor-led portfolio and Swedish heritage. The deal is part of Imperial’s strategy to expand its next-generation product portfolio through bolt-on acquisitions.

  • PMI Raises 2026 Full-Year EPS Forecast on Currency

    PMI Raises 2026 Full-Year EPS Forecast on Currency

    Philip Morris International raised its 2026 full-year reported diluted EPS forecast to $7.28-$7.43, citing currency effects. Adjusted diluted EPS is now expected at $8.35-$8.50, representing growth of 10.7%-12.7% from $7.54 in 2025, or 7.5%-9.5% excluding currency. PMI also raised its third-quarter adjusted diluted EPS forecast to $2.29-$2.34.

    CEO Jacek Olczak addressed investors today (Sept. 8) at the 2026 Barclays Global Consumer Conference in Boston. The company said all other 2026 forecast assumptions remain unchanged from its July 22 update.

  • Cabbacis Files Trademark Applications for X95 Cigarette

    Cabbacis Files Trademark Applications for X95 Cigarette

    Cabbacis announced that it filed trademark applications for its patent-pending X95 very-low-nicotine cigarette in the United States and international markets including Europe, the U.K., China, Japan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil.

  • Nordic Spirit Named Official Nicotine Pouch Partner of Co-op Live

    Nordic Spirit Named Official Nicotine Pouch Partner of Co-op Live

    JTI’s Nordic Spirit has become the Official Nicotine Pouch Partner of Co-op Live, the 23,500-capacity indoor entertainment arena in Manchester, England. Opened in 2024, Co-op Live is the U.K.’s largest indoor live entertainment venue and hosts concerts, sporting events, and comedy shows. Under the long-term partnership, Nordic Spirit will conduct in-venue activations for adult nicotine consumers and sell its nicotine pouches at selected bars throughout the arena. JTI said the partnership was agreed before the introduction of new sponsorship restrictions covering nicotine products.

  • PMI U.S. Launching Campaign Around Zyn’s ‘Click’

    PMI U.S. Launching Campaign Around Zyn’s ‘Click’

    Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses are launching “When It Clicks,” a national Zyn brand campaign built around the sound of the nicotine pouch’s signature click and the idea of staying present in everyday moments. Following a soft launch this summer, the campaign will scale nationally in the fourth quarter across point-of-sale, digital, out-of-home, and cultural events targeting legal-age adult nicotine consumers.

    The campaign will be introduced to retailers and distributors at the National Association of Convenience Stores Show in October, followed by activations spanning music, entertainment, sports, and art. Zyn also plans to launch limited-edition metal cases featuring artwork from American and U.S.-based artists in the fourth quarter; the accessories will not contain nicotine pouches.

  • ALP Partners with Matchroom Boxing in European Expansion

    ALP Partners with Matchroom Boxing in European Expansion

    ALP has been named the Official Nicotine Pouch Partner of Matchroom Boxing as the brand expands into European markets. The partnership begins Sept. 5 at Dublin’s Croke Park, where Katie Taylor will face Flora Pili for the undisputed super lightweight championship, and includes exclusive category rights at three major Matchroom events, with additional appearances at Whittaker vs. Wallace in Birmingham on Oct. 3 and Smith vs. Puello in Sheffield on Oct. 24. ALP launched in the U.K., Ireland, and nine other European markets in July and has also partnered with UFC champion Conor McGregor. The company said the Matchroom deal is its first major partnership in the U.K. and Ireland.

  • Davidoff Leaves ProCigar

    Davidoff Leaves ProCigar

    Davidoff has ended its 34-year membership in ProCigar, the Dominican Republic’s main cigar manufacturers’ organization, saying its decision reflects a shift toward focusing resources on global priorities and regulatory challenges across its 130 markets, according to Halfwheel. The company’s Dominican operation, Tabadom Holding, was a founding member of ProCigar, but Davidoff said it will continue working directly with Dominican authorities to support the sustainable growth of the cigar industry.

    The departure leaves ProCigar with 11 full members. The company’s participation in the 2026 ProCigar Festival had already been reduced, although neither Davidoff nor ProCigar identified a specific event behind the decision.

  • Reynolds Defends Policy Advocacy Amid Wyden’s Probe 

    Reynolds Defends Policy Advocacy Amid Wyden’s Probe 

    Reynolds American Inc. announced that it has responded to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) regarding an inquiry into tobacco industry influence over flavored e-cigarette regulations. The probe examines a $5 million corporate donation to a pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., which occurred shortly before the Trump administration scaled back a planned ban on flavored vapor products. Wyden questioned whether the political contribution directly swayed executive policy decisions. 

    In its official response, Reynolds defended its advocacy for reduced-risk products while rejecting the pay-to-play allegations. A company spokesperson emphasized that Reynolds remains committed to providing adult smokers with non-combustible alternatives. The manufacturer maintained that responsibly marketed flavored vapor options serve as vital harm-reduction tools to help consumers transition away from traditional cigarettes. 

    Addressing youth vaping concerns, Reynolds highlighted its strict retail compliance framework. The company stated that its commercial strategy relies heavily on robust underage-access controls, including mandatory ID scanning at point-of-sale locations. Reynolds reiterated its commitment to federal regulatory frameworks, asserting that it can balance adult consumer access with strong protections against youth initiation. 

  • BAT Completes CFO Leadership Transition   

    BAT Completes CFO Leadership Transition   

    Dragos Constantinescu officially began his position as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of British American Tobacco today (Sept. 1), according to separate LinkedIn posts by BAT and CEO Tadeu Marroco. The appointment was first announced in April. Constantinescu returns to BAT after previously spending 16 years with the company across senior finance, strategy and general management roles before leaving in 2019, where he most recently served as CEO of Asahi Europe & International.  

    Constantinescu’s return completes BAT’s CFO leadership transition, with interim CFO Javed Iqbal moving to his permanent role as Director, Digital and Information. BAT said Constantinescu’s international experience across the nicotine and broader FMCG sectors, combined with his previous knowledge of the company, will support its ongoing “A Better Tomorrow” transformation, strategic priorities and focus on sustainable growth and shareholder returns.  

  • JT Expanding Nordic Spirit Line  

    JT Expanding Nordic Spirit Line  

    Japan Tobacco (JT) will expand its Nordic Spirit refresh pouch portfolio beginning October 6 with three new variants—Sweet Mint Medium, Sweet Mint Strong, and Cool Mint X-Strong—available through the CLUB JT online shop at ¥500 ($3.10) per pack. The launch broadens the brand’s offering across three stimulation levels, targeting consumers seeking smoke- and odor-free oral nicotine products that can be used hands-free.  

    At the same time, JT will expand distribution of the previously limited Tropical Mix Medium and Cool Mint Strong variants nationwide through retailers including Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and NewDays. JT said the wider rollout signals its continued investment in expanding Nordic Spirit’s retail presence and product range in Japan, while leveraging customer demand for its existing limited-channel products.