According to Tip Ranks, British American Tobacco repurchased 146,615 of its ordinary shares yesterday (January 5) under its shareholder-approved buyback program, paying a volume-weighted average price of 4,101.38 pence per share. The company plans to cancel the repurchased shares, reducing its outstanding ordinary shares with voting rights to 2,179,187,085 while maintaining 132,988,352 shares in treasury. The move is expected to slightly enhance earnings per share and signals continued capital return discipline to shareholders.
Category: Business & Finance
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Nicotine Pouch Payments Get New Avenue
Tower Payments announced the launch of a dedicated payment gateway and merchant account service aimed at nicotine pouch e-commerce businesses that have lost card processing abilities after being declined by other providers. According to Tower Payments, companies such as Stripe, Square, banks, and PayPal classify nicotine pouches as high risk under acceptable-use rules, disrupting cash flow for compliant merchants. This new offering is designed to restore stable credit card acceptance by using nicotine-friendly underwriting and clear pricing, addressing a common industry problem of sudden account closures and frozen deposits.
Tower Payments’ service uses underwriting teams familiar with both synthetic and tobacco-derived nicotine and assists merchants with required Visa and Mastercard registrations. The gateway integrates with platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, ClickFunnels, and others, while preserving existing checkout flows.
Tower Payments adds that the service includes fraud tools, subscription support, PCI DSS compliance, and upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Founder Nyah Penney said the company focuses on prescreening and one-on-one support to reduce delays and avoid held funds, positioning the service as a practical processing option for nicotine pouch retailers heading into 2026.
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Indian Tobacco Stocks Slide After New Tax Announced
Shares of Indian tobacco companies fell sharply after the government imposed a new excise duty on cigarettes, raising costs for an estimated 100 million smokers. Market leader ITC dropped more than 9%, hitting its lowest level since April 2023, while Godfrey Phillips India, distributor of Marlboro, sank over 14% in its steepest fall in nearly a decade. The sell-off made ITC the biggest decliner on the Nifty 50 and dragged down the FMCG index.
India’s finance ministry said the new excise duty, effective February 1, will range from 2,050 to 8,500 rupees per 1,000 cigarette sticks, depending on length, on top of the existing 40% Goods and Services Tax. Analysts said the move could raise overall costs for some cigarette categories by 22% to 28%, likely prompting price hikes of 2–3 rupees per stick for longer cigarettes.
Brokerages warned the tax increase could pressure volumes and revive concerns about a shift toward illicit cigarettes. -
BAT Malaysia Designates New Chairman
British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd redesignated Datuk Sri Mohd Nizom Sairi as chairman of the board, effective January 1, 2026. He succeeds Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat, who will step down on December 31, after completing the maximum nine-year tenure as an independent non-executive director under the group’s governance rules.
Mohd Nizom was appointed as an independent non-executive director of BAT Malaysia on October 1. He previously spent 38 years with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, serving as CEO and director general from 2021 until his retirement from public service in December 2023. He currently serves as independent non-executive chairman of Varia Bhd and as an independent non-executive director of Jati Tinggi Group Bhd.
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IQOS Opens Flagship Boutique in Philippines
PMFTC, the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, opened a new IQOS Boutique in Glorietta, marking its latest flagship retail space in the country. The boutique, which opened on December 19, is designed as a multi-sensory environment showcasing IQOS smoke-free technology for legal-aged nicotine users.
PMFTC said the Glorietta location reflects its continued focus on smoke-free alternatives and premium retail experiences, featuring interactive elements such as scent and personalization zones, limited-time engraving services, and curated launch activities. Company executives said the boutique aims to provide adult smokers with a dedicated space to learn about and engage with smoke-free options as part of PMI’s broader smoke-free vision in the Philippines.
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JTI Tabs Nelt Group for Albanian Distribution
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) tabbed Serbian logistics company Nelt Group to handle its distribution in Albania, the company said yesterday (December 22). The partnership has led to the creation of 50 new jobs, according to Nelt’s executive director for the Albanian market, Alban Ujkashej.
Nelt said the move marks a shift in its business model in Albania, with a dedicated local team established to support the distribution agreement. JTI noted that the partnership strengthens its market position in Albania and builds on existing cooperation with Nelt in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Founded in 1992, Nelt Group operates in 14 countries and expects revenue to rise 9% in 2025 to €1.5 billion.
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PerfectVape Launches Customer Loyalty Program
Vape retailer PerfectVape announced a new points-based loyalty program, allowing customers to earn rewards and discounts through purchases and social media engagement. Shoppers earn points per dollar spent, which can be redeemed for discounts of up to $250, as the company looks to strengthen customer retention and brand loyalty in the vaping market.
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Leaf Forge Appoints New Operations Director
Leaf Forge, an affiliate of Xcaliber International, named Steven Crossland as its new Director of Operations. Crossland brings more than 10 years of leadership experience in the tobacco and manufacturing sectors, most recently serving as Vice President of Cut Rag Sales at Hail & Cotton.
In his new role, Crossland will oversee day-to-day operations, optimize supply chain performance, coordinate production schedules, and support Leaf Forge’s long-term growth strategy. Xcaliber CEO Derrick Taylor said Crossland’s industry expertise will be key as the company expands its operational infrastructure.
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Don Emmanuel Cigars Enters South African Market
Don Emmanuel Cigars has announced its expansion into South Africa, marking the brand’s first entry into the African continent. Distribution will be handled by Amano Cigars, a leading South African importer and distributor that also operates the Pedro Portia Cigar & Champagne Lounge in Gauteng. The move follows recent expansion across the Caribbean and Latin America, driven by growing demand for the brand’s debut line, Anunnaki, co-blended with master blender Eladio Díaz and produced in the Dominican Republic.
All three Anunnaki vitolas—Anu, Ki, and Corona Fina—will be available in South Africa. Company executives said the expansion reflects a disciplined international growth strategy focused on markets with established premium cigar cultures and appreciation for craftsmanship.
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Haypp Says Mint and Berry Flavors Dominated UK Alternatives
UK online retailer Haypp released its “2025 Wrapped” sales data, revealing that mint flavors dominated nicotine pouch purchases while berry flavors led among vape users. Peppermint accounted for 24% of nicotine pouch sales, followed by spearmint at 14%, while cold mint (13%) and blueberry (12%) were the most popular vape flavors. The data highlights the role of flavor variety in encouraging smokers to switch to alternative nicotine products, according to the company.
Brand preferences in 2025 favored established names, with Velo (35%) and Nordic Spirit (14%) leading the nicotine pouch category, and Elf Bar (28%) and Vuse (25%) topping vape sales. Haypp said the findings underscore the importance of flavor diversity for adult consumers transitioning away from cigarettes, as policymakers consider future tobacco and vape regulations in the UK.