The Board of Directors of Turning Point Brands, Inc. declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.08 per common share. This is a 7% increase over the regular quarter dividend declared in November 2025. The dividend is payable on April 10, to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 20.
Category: Business & Finance
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KT&G First to Cancel Shares Under Revised Act
KT&G said it will cancel 10.9 million treasury shares worth approximately 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion), becoming the first company to act under South Korea’s newly revised Commercial Act requiring the retirement of treasury stock within set deadlines. The board-approved cancellation, equal to about 9.5% of outstanding shares, will be put to shareholders on March 26 alongside bylaw amendments to strengthen governance, including provisions for electronic shareholder meetings and expanded audit committee representation. The move builds on KT&G’s 3.7 trillion won ($2.6 billion) shareholder return program launched in 2024, under which the company has already retired 19.2 million shares and returned more than 2.3 trillion won ($1.6 billion) through dividends and buybacks.
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Atlas IoT Gets USPTO Grant for Age-Restricted Vape Technology
Atlas IoT announced that it secured a patent grant from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for an age-restricted device and system designed for electronic nicotine delivery systems, positioning the technology as a potential pathway to strengthen regulatory compliance and support broader adult-focused flavor approvals. The company’s standalone system uses AI-powered age verification to confirm users are 21 or older without requiring app downloads or storing personal data, followed by a one-time thumbprint enrollment that serves as the device’s unlocking mechanism. A secondary bioimpedance sensor embedded in the mouthpiece is designed to prevent use by minors, creating a dual-verification process intended to block unauthorized access.
Atlas IoT said it has requested a Q-Submission meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to discuss a Component Premarket Tobacco Product Application covering the device’s core technology, with plans to partner with e-liquid manufacturers that would file their own PMTAs for compliant flavored pods. The company also emphasized domestic manufacturing and FDA-registered filling operations for its replaceable pods, contrasting its compliance-focused model with the illicit disposable vape market. Atlas IoT said that, if authorized, its platform could establish a new standard for age-restricted ENDS products in the regulated U.S. market.
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22nd Century Reports Momentum for VLN Products
22nd Century Group touted early sales momentum for its VLN low-nicotine cigarettes, distributing approximately 8,800 cartons to about 1,700 new retail outlets nationwide in the fourth quarter of 2025, with initial sell-through data indicating growing adoption across its 22nd Century VLN, Pinnacle VLN, and Smoker Friendly VLN brands. The company said expanding retail placement across convenience stores, wholesalers, and independent chains supports its plan to exceed 5,000 points of distribution in 2026.
22nd Century positioned its progress alongside regulatory developments, including a January 2025 proposed rule by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to cap nicotine levels in cigarettes at 0.7 mg per gram of tobacco, and broader global support for nicotine reduction under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
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Imperial Introduces Creamy Tobacco Flavor for Blu
Imperial Brands officially launched its new Creamy Tobacco flavor, bringing the total number of options in the blu portfolio to 16. Priced at £5.99, the new variant will be available across the blu bar kit and pod pack ranges and is designed to offer a rich tobacco taste with a smooth, creamy finish. First announced in December, the company said the addition responds to continued demand for tobacco-flavored vape products and is intended to create further sales opportunities for UK retailers.
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22nd Century Sees 28% Revenue Drop in Preliminary Report
22nd Century Group, Inc. reported preliminary, unaudited results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, showing continued losses but improved operating metrics and a debt-free balance sheet. The company expects Q4 net revenues of about $3.6 million, down from $4 million in Q3, with full-year revenues of approximately $17.6 million versus $24.4 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter gross loss is projected at $0.8 million, with an operating loss of $2.8 million and net loss from continuing operations of $2.8 million; full-year net loss from continuing operations is expected to narrow to $13.1 million from $15.5 million in 2024. Carton shipments totaled roughly 0.3 million in Q4 and 2.1 million for the year, flat year over year. The company ended 2025 with $7.1 million in cash, no long-term debt after extinguishing its senior secured obligations, and inventory of $4.3 million following harvest of its reduced nicotine tobacco crop. Management said it is focused on expanding distribution of its VLN brands, maintaining cost discipline and advancing toward profitability. The company plans to release its final numbers March 31.
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PMI Ramps Up Zyn Production in New Colorado Plant
Philip Morris International said it has launched “large-scale production” of its ZYN nicotine pouches at a new 600,000-square-foot facility in Aurora, Colorado, representing a $600 million investment as U.S. demand for oral nicotine products accelerates. The plant, which began limited production in September 2025 as construction continued, is expected to generate more than $1 billion in economic contributions for the Denver-area suburb as it becomes fully operational in 2026, will host at least 500 full-time employees, and generate upward of $550 million annually in economic benefits statewide.
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Zimbabwe Hopes PMI Return Stabilizes Tobacco Market
Philip Morris International is set to re-establish its presence in Zimbabwe nearly two decades after exiting the market, with a high-level delegation led by Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Christos Harpantidis scheduled to visit Harare this week following talks between Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira and PMI executives at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Discussions are expected to focus on value addition, local manufacturing, sustainability and ESG standards, aligning with the Government’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan to grow the sector into a $5 billion industry as planted hectarage for 2025/26 rises 42%.
Industry observers say PMI’s return could help offset reduced purchases from China Tobacco International Group, which plans to cut Zimbabwe orders by up to 15%, potentially stabilizing demand for the country’s 120,000 smallholder farmers. While some analysts caution about global anti-smoking trends, others view the move as renewed investor confidence and a boost to diversification, especially as PMI signals interest in integrating Zimbabwe more deeply into its global supply chain.
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BAT Funds $48M for Organigram’s Sanity Group Acquisition
Organigram Global Inc. revealed that it has entered into a subscription agreement with BT DE Investments Inc. – a wholly-owned subsidiary of British American Tobacco – to fund its previously announced acquisition of Sanity Group GmbH. Under the agreement, BAT will subscribe for 14,027,074 common shares at C$3 ($2.19) each and exercise top-up rights for 9,897,356 additional shares at C$2.335854 ($1.71), generating total gross proceeds of C$65.2 million ($47.6 million).
The proceeds, along with cash on hand and funds from a previously arranged up to $60 million senior secured credit facility, will be used to finance the cash portion of the acquisition, transaction costs, and general working capital. To ensure BAT does not exceed a 30% ownership threshold post-issuance, the company will issue non-voting Class A convertible preferred shares if needed, which can be converted into common shares under specified conditions. Shareholder approval for the acquisition and private placement will be sought at Organigram’s annual and special meeting on March 30, in compliance with TSX rules and related-party transaction regulations. The Board unanimously approved the deals, with BAT’s nominees abstaining from voting.
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Turning Point to Host Q4, FY25 Financial Call March 2
Turning Point Brands, Inc. announced it will host a conference call on March 2, at 9 a.m. ET to review its fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results. Those interested can join via toll-free 800-715-9871 or international 646-307-1963 using Event ID 6640134, with participants asked to dial in at least 10 minutes early. The call will also be webcast live in listen-only mode through the investor relations section of the company’s website, with a replay available approximately two hours after the event.