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Category: Business & Finance

  • Mindanao Tobacco Production Nearly Doubles

    Mindanao Tobacco Production Nearly Doubles

    Tobacco production in Mindanao surged 44% in 2024 as more farmers in the southern Philippines turned to the crop for its growing profitability, according to data from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA). Ma. Mercedes Ayco of NTA Mindanao said farmers are drawn to native “batek” tobacco for its fast growth and strong domestic demand. To support the industry, the NTA launched the five-year Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP) last year. The program offers irrigation, equipment, training, and marketing support to strengthen the tobacco sector across the island.

    Production rose from 5.4 million kilograms in 2023 to 9.7 million kg in 2024. Misamis Oriental led the pack, contributing 7.7 million kg—nearly 80% of the region’s total. Maguindanao del Sur posted a 62% increase in output. The number of tobacco farmers in Mindanao jumped from 4,630 in 2023 to over 8,100 in 2024, with cultivation areas expanding from nearly 3,000 to over 4,400 hectares. Top-quality leaves fetched up to P700 ($12.60) per kilo in Misamis Oriental.

    Tobacco remains the only crop in the Philippines with guaranteed floor prices, supporting livelihoods for over 2 million Filipinos, including 430,000 farmers and workers, the NTA said.

  • U.S. Retail Groups Urge White House to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes

    U.S. Retail Groups Urge White House to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes

    A coalition of major U.S. retail and energy associations is calling on the White House to take urgent action against the surge of illegal vape products entering the country from China. In a joint letter sent July 18, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), along with Energy Marketers of America, National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA), said illicit vapes are undercutting legitimate retailers and exposing regulatory failures.

    The groups blame the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) for poor enforcement and slow product approvals, urging reforms and tighter border controls.

    “The convenience store and travel center industries are facing a crisis of illicit product from China,” the letter said. “Vape and e-cigarette products have been flooding our country for years and drawing business away from law-abiding retailers.

    “We need change at the Center for Tobacco Products and help from the federal enforcement agencies to clean up this mess. We are asking for your help to do that.”

  • Suntree Vanilla Cream Vape Being Recalled in New Zealand

    Suntree Vanilla Cream Vape Being Recalled in New Zealand

    New Zealand’s Ministry of Health issued a public warning against the Suntree – Vanilla Cream (30ml) vaping product after tests revealed unsafe levels of diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung condition known as “popcorn lung.” The alert, issued under section 72(1) of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act, comes as Hoopers Vapor Ltd, the product’s maker, begins a consumer-level recall to remove the product from store shelves. An estimated 300 units have been sold over the past 17 months.

    Diacetyl, known for its buttery flavor, was detected in the product at levels more than four times New Zealand’s legal limit of 22 parts per million (ppm). Inhalation of high concentrations of diacetyl has been linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare and irreversible lung disease commonly called popcorn lung.

    Consumers are advised to stop using the product and return any unused portions to the place of purchase or dispose of it by flushing it down the sink with cold water. The Ministry stressed that while vaping product manufacturers must notify authorities, current legislation does not require pre-market testing or approval, making post-market surveillance crucial.

  • Egypt Leads Global Shisha Tobacco Exports in 2024

    Egypt Leads Global Shisha Tobacco Exports in 2024

    Egypt remained the world’s top exporter of shisha tobacco (maassel) in 2024, accounting for 32% of global exports with 27,000 tons valued at $127.4 million, the Food Export Council reported. Driven by steady demand and competitive pricing, Egypt’s maassel exports grew 15% in value year-on-year from 2023. Top buyers included Iraq ($32 million), Libya ($24 million), Syria ($14 million), Saudi Arabia ($13 million), and Kuwait ($7 million) — together making up 70% of total exports.

    The Council attributed Egypt’s strong performance to low production costs, skilled labor, and diverse flavor offerings.

  • Türkiye Launches New Anti-Smoking Campaign

    Türkiye Launches New Anti-Smoking Campaign

    The Health Ministry has launched a new nationwide campaign under the theme “Smoke-Free Türkiye” as part of its ongoing efforts to combat tobacco addiction, which “remains one of the leading preventable causes of death both globally and in Türkiye.” The campaign, introduced in the 16th year of the country’s tobacco control efforts, aims to reduce smoking rates and encourage a healthier lifestyle.

    Backed by a comprehensive action plan for 2024–2028, it focuses on raising awareness, providing support services, and, especially, protecting young people from the harmful effects of tobacco products.

  • Eastern Company Sets New Unified Price for Local Cigarettes

    Eastern Company Sets New Unified Price for Local Cigarettes

    Egypt’s Eastern Company announced a new unified retail price of LE 44 ($0.88) for all its local cigarette brands, effective Friday, July 18, 2025. The move, approved during the company’s Board of Directors meeting on July 17, supports implementation of the Value Added Tax Law and the national health insurance system while aiming to stabilize the market and maintain fair pricing.

    Brands affected include Cleopatra King Size, Cleopatra Box, Mondial (all varieties), and Boston/Lemont. Merchant profit margins will range between LE 0.05 ($0.001) and LE 0.25 ($0.005) per pack. The company urged consumers to report any price violations to authorities to ensure compliance.

  • 22nd Century Group Expands VLN Cigarette Sales Across U.S.

    22nd Century Group Expands VLN Cigarette Sales Across U.S.

    22nd Century Group announced a major expansion of its reduced-nicotine VLN cigarette products, with state authorizations now covering up to 41 states. The company’s VLN Gold and Green are currently approved in 41 states, while new products like VLN Red, Smoker Friendly VLN, and Pinnacle VLN are entering 20 or more markets in 2025.

    CEO Larry Firestone said the approvals clear the way for VLN and partner brands to launch in more than 2,000 retail outlets by the second half of 2025.

    “Our products are the only combustible cigarettes that meet the FDA’s reduced-nicotine criteria,” Firestone said. “These commercial launches and our readiness once we receive state approval to scale availability to all 50 states for the entire U.S. cigarette market continues to demonstrate that there need not be any commercial barriers to adopting this FDA policy, which could be the most impactful health decision in a generation.”

    The move comes as the FDA considers a national low-nicotine mandate. VLN cigarettes, which contain 95% less nicotine than conventional brands, are the only combustible products that meet the FDA’s proposed standards.

  • SNU Sponsors Heavyweight Title Fight

    SNU Sponsors Heavyweight Title Fight

    Nicotine pouch brand SNU announced its official sponsorship of the highly anticipated heavyweight title rematch at Wembley Stadium July 19 between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. The move is a significant milestone as the brand continues expanding its footprint across UK retail.

    Backed by strong momentum in 2025 and growing consumer demand, SNU has rapidly gained distribution in convenience stores, vape shops, and wholesalers nationwide.

    “This fight is expected to break Wembley attendance records and reach millions globally,” said Omar Ali, Marketing Director at SNÜ. “It’s exactly the kind of platform we need to show consumers that tobacco-free nicotine pouches aren’t just another product category – they’re the future of nicotine.”

    The sponsorship includes ringside advertising, digital activations, and VIP hospitality, with plans to leverage the exposure to grow sales and retailer partnerships throughout the UK and Europe.

  • BAT Announces Management Board Changes

    BAT Announces Management Board Changes

    Yesterday (July 14), BAT announced management board changes with Pascale Meulemeester effectively replacing Michael Dijanosic. Dijanosic will step down from the board and his role as regional director of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) December 31 to dedicate more time to family and friends. Meulemeester will join BAT effective September 1, initially as regional director designate of APMEA, and become regional director of APMEA and a member of the management board January 1, 2026.   

    Meulemeester is currently president of Western Europe at Barry Callebaut Group, a global chocolate and cocoa organization, where she is a member of the executive leadership team, responsible for leading Barry Callebaut Group’s largest business segment and driving strategic initiatives across the region. Meulemeester held several other senior roles at Barry Callebaut Group, leading growth accelerations, transformation, and business turnarounds in different geographies, including in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining Barry Callebaut Group, Meulemeester spent seven years with Mars Inc. and worked at Sara Lee earlier in her career.

  • PMI to Host 2Q, First-Half Webcast

    PMI to Host 2Q, First-Half Webcast

    Today (July 15), Philip Morris International Inc. announced it will host a live audio webcast on July 22 at 9 a.m. ET, to discuss its 2025 second quarter and first-half results, which will be issued at approximately 7 a.m. that day. The webcast will be available at at www.pmi.com/2025Q2earnings.

    The webcast will be hosted by Emmanuel Babeau, Chief Financial Officer, and will include a discussion of PMI’s financial results and a Q&A session with the investment community. The webcast will be in a listen-only mode. The webcast may also be accessed on mobile devices by downloading PMI’s Investor Relations App at www.pmi.com/irapp.

    The webcast recording, slides, and script will be available at www.pmi.com/2025Q2earnings for one year post-event.