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Category: Business & Finance

  • IKE Tech Engages FDA on AI-Powered ENDS Compliance Solutions

    IKE Tech Engages FDA on AI-Powered ENDS Compliance Solutions

    Today (April 9), IKE Tech LLC participated in a formal listening session with the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. The company, a joint venture between Ispire Technology Inc., Berify, and Chemular Inc., presented its point-of-use compliance technology, including its patented Human Identity Token (HIT) that prevents youth access to ENDS products, and highlighted the need for a regulatory framework recognizing software as a tobacco product.

    The session focused on enforcement challenges in the ENDS market, including underage access and the spread of illicit products. IKE Tech outlined its technology platform, which integrates biometric age-gating, blockchain-based product authentication, and an AI-powered governance backend. Executives emphasized that these point-of-use systems address compliance gaps that traditional point-of-sale measures cannot.

    IKE Tech also argued that software embedded in or governing a tobacco product should be regulated under the Tobacco Control Act, noting that current PMTA frameworks do not account for continuous updates and lifecycle management of software. The engagement follows FDA guidance identifying Device Access Restrictions as critical for public health determinations, and builds on IKE Tech’s first standalone PMTA for an interoperable, blockchain-based, point-of-use age-gating solution, which demonstrated 100% effectiveness in preventing underage device activation in human factors studies.

  • BAT Names Constantinescu as CFO

    BAT Names Constantinescu as CFO

    British American Tobacco announced the appointment of Dragos Constantinescu as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, effective 1 September 2026. Constantinescu, currently CEO of Asahi Europe & International, previously spent 16 years at BAT in senior finance and management roles across Europe. He succeeds Javed Iqbal, who will remain as Director of Digital & Information after serving as Interim CFO.

    BAT Chair Luc Jobin highlighted Constantinescu’s financial expertise and international leadership experience, while CEO Tadeu Marroco noted his knowledge of BAT will support the company’s ongoing transformation and growth strategy.

  • PMI to Double Zyn Investment in Ukraine

    PMI to Double Zyn Investment in Ukraine

    Philip Morris International said it plans to invest $10 million in 2026 to expand the nicotine pouch category in Ukraine and launch a new line of Zyn, following a $5 million investment in 2025. According to Interfax Ukraine, the company said funds will support portfolio expansion, infrastructure, and adult consumer awareness. The new “dry” pouches contain no water or glycerin, are smaller, less flavored, and range from 1.5 mg to 6 mg nicotine across nine SKUs. Initial supply will be imported from Sweden.

    The company estimates nicotine pouches in Ukraine could grow 20% annually. PMI cited Zyn’s U.S. marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as supporting further investment. PMI reported that smoke-free products were available in 105 markets at the end of 2025, used by 43 million adult consumers, and accounted for 41.5% of net revenue.

  • KT&G Preparing Pilot Line for Oral Nicotine Product

    KT&G Preparing Pilot Line for Oral Nicotine Product

    KT&G is developing a smokeless nicotine product designed for oral absorption and is preparing a pilot production line for research and development in South Korea, according to local media outlet The Elec. The pilot equipment will be supplied by PNT, a manufacturer known for roll-to-roll battery and display production systems. KT&G said the project is in an early stage and that plans for domestic or international commercialization of nicotine pouches or related products have not been finalized.

    The move aligns with growing global competition in nicotine pouches, led by brands such as Zyn and VELO. KT&G last year participated with Altria in the acquisition of Scandinavian pouch companies ASF AB and ASF AS. In South Korea, however, nicotine pouches currently lack formal sales authorization under the Tobacco Business Act, and products are primarily obtained through overseas purchases or unofficial channels, meaning any domestic launch would be dependent on regulatory changes.

  • Pyxus Appoints Erdei as CHRO

    Pyxus Appoints Erdei as CHRO

    Pyxus International, Inc. announced that it appointed Joshua Erdei as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Erdei, who has served as interim CHRO since January, has also led global total rewards, HR operations, and HR technology for the company since 2023. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, with prior leadership positions at Enviva, General Motors, DTE Energy, and Kellogg Company, focusing on total rewards, wellness, and employee engagement.

    “Joshua’s leadership, deep knowledge of our organization, and commitment to our people position him well to support our continued growth,” said President and CEO Pieter Sikkel.

    Reporting to Sikkel, Erdei will oversee the company’s core human resources functions and serve on the executive leadership team.

  • 22nd Century to File New PMTA for 100mm VLN

    22nd Century to File New PMTA for 100mm VLN

    22nd Century Group, Inc. said it will submit an additional premarket tobacco product application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a new 100mm version of its VLN reduced-nicotine cigarette, building on its status as “the only company with FDA authorization for a low-nicotine combustible product.” The company’s existing 84mm king-size VLN cigarettes received PMTA authorization in 2021.

    The new product, developed under its “Operation 100” initiative, is designed to offer adult smokers a familiar format while significantly lowering nicotine intake. 22nd Century said expanding into the 100mm size responds to retailer and consumer feedback and could widen access to reduced-nicotine alternatives without requiring smokers to switch to non-combustible products.

    Beyond the single submission, the company outlined plans to pursue multiple PMTAs across different combustible formats, blends, and sizes, including filtered cigars, creating a broader portfolio that can be licensed to other tobacco companies. Management said this strategy is intended to accelerate retail penetration of VLN products and to position the company as a provider of regulatory pathways for reduced-nicotine tobacco offerings.

  • Russian Businesses Propose State Monopoly Over Vape Ban

    Russian Businesses Propose State Monopoly Over Vape Ban

    Russian small business group Opora Russia and industry associations are urging federal authorities to abandon plans to ban the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems and e-liquids, warning the move would push the market further into the shadow economy without reducing nicotine use. In an appeal to First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov last week, the group argued that allowing regions to impose their own vape bans — an idea backed by President Vladimir Putin and already pursued in areas such as the Vologda, Penza, and Perm regions — would fragment the national market and drive legitimate retailers out of business. Industry representatives estimate around 20,000 outlets sell ENDS in Russia, serving 10–12 million consumers, while claiming 75–85% of current sales already occur in the gray market.

    As an alternative to prohibition, associations, including the Union of Participants in the Circulation of Nicotine-Containing Products, have proposed creating a state-controlled monopoly on the production of base e-liquid under a concession model, allowing tighter oversight of product flows and taxation. They cite past excise hikes as evidence that restrictive policy has reduced legal sales and tax receipts while expanding illicit trade. The proposal has been referred to the Finance Ministry for review as the government continues work on draft legislation that could allow regions to experiment with retail bans between 2027 and 2032.

  • BAT Pulls Pouches from France, Criticizes Debateless Ban

    BAT Pulls Pouches from France, Criticizes Debateless Ban

    BAT France said it has stopped marketing nicotine pouches nationwide as of April 1, complying with a government decree issued on Sept. 5, 2025 that entered into force this week. The company confirmed it is withdrawing the products from sale in line with the regulation.

    At the same time, BAT France criticized the move as a regulatory ban adopted without parliamentary debate, arguing it runs counter to harm-reduction strategies and France’s goal of a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032. The company said the decision comes amid ongoing European discussions over revisions to the Tobacco Excise Directive and evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive, and pledged to continue advocating for what it called a science-based, proportionate framework while focusing on vaping products for adult smokers.

  • IMPERIAL BRANDS ADDS NEW FLAVOUR TO POPULAR BLU LINE UP

    IMPERIAL BRANDS ADDS NEW FLAVOUR TO POPULAR BLU LINE UP

    Imperial Brands has announced the addition of a brand-new flavor to its popular blu vape offering with the arrival of Sour Berry.

    Launching across retail in April, and with an RRP of £5.99, Sour Berry is the newest addition to blu bar kit and blu box kit’s extensive flavor range, bringing the total number of flavor options available to customers to 17.

    With fruit-flavors preferred by 83% of vape users, customer demand is seeking differentiated, less synthetic flavors in this category. In response, Imperial Brands launched Sour Berry to expand its blu vape flavor range in line with customer preferences. The newest addition will offer a more authentic flavor profile of wild berries, sharpened by tartness, to provide a superior flavor experience for users, engaging their senses with distinct, vibrant berry notes.

    The new Sour Berry flavor uses the innovative AuthentiTaste formulation, which are liquids crafted with flavorings that mirror real fruit profiles and sensorial cues – like sourness – delivering a fresh, captivating experience.

    The new Sour Berry flavour will be available in two formats:

    • blu bar kit: Offering 1,000 puffs of intense, authentic flavor per prefilled, replaceable pod. The kit features a sleek device and is compatible with all other flavors in the extensive blu pod range, allowing users to enjoy a variety of flavor experiences.
    • blu pod pack: Each pack includes two replacement blu pods, delivering an impressive total of 2,000 puffs per pod pack.

    Shirley Soccio, Head of Consumer Marketing UK & Ireland at Imperial Brands, commented: “Vape users across the UK continue to demand new and exciting flavors. As a business, we remain committed to ensuring our range reflects evolving customer taste preferences. For retailers, this means that they can in turn offer the best products and experiences to their customers.

    “A recurring point of feedback among customers is that they see some flavors on the market as artificial or one-dimensional. To address this, Sour Berry has been formulated specifically to offer an unexpected yet genuine flavor experience, which we anticipate will create strong demand from vape users.”

    For further information, visit https://www.blu.com/en-GB.

  • Charlie’s Holdings Reports 169% Revenue Increase

    Charlie’s Holdings Reports 169% Revenue Increase

    Charlie’s Holdings, Inc. reported a sharp turnaround in 2025, with revenue rising 169% year over year to $20.9 million and net income of $4.5 million, compared with a $4.2 million loss in 2024. The company’s auditor, Urish Popeck & Co., LLC, issued a clean opinion that removed prior “going concern” language, strengthening Charlie’s position for a planned uplisting to a national exchange in 2026. Balance sheet metrics improved materially, with cash increasing to $1.3 million, total assets to $11.6 million, and shareholders’ equity returning to a positive $3.4 million from a deficit position a year earlier.

    Performance was supported by $7.5 million in PMTA-related asset sales to a strategic buyer, growth in SBX nicotine-analogue disposables, and the opening of a U.S. manufacturing facility in Q4. Looking ahead, Charlie’s plans to expand chain convenience distribution, pilot an AI/blockchain age-gating system with IKE Tech, introduce high-capacity disposable devices under SBX and Pachamama, pursue additional PMTA partnerships, grow international sales, and advance its exchange uplisting, while positioning its regulatory compliance and youth-access controls as differentiators in a market the company says is pressured by illicit imports.