Category: Events

Screening ‘Snus Movie’ Opens Dialogue

Image: Mr. Music
On Nov. 15, 2023, We Are Innovation hosted the avant-premiere of the documentary How Sweden Quit Smoking at the Royal Society of Arts House in London. In addition to the screening of the documentary, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy an expert panel dialogue, dinner and networking with public health experts, advocates, activists and think-tankers from all over the world.
Directed by the Polish filmmaker Tomasz Agencki, How Sweden Quit Smoking delves deep into Sweden’s journey toward becoming a smoke-free country. The documentary shines a light on the personal determination, innovation and human creativity that propelled the Swedish people to achieve a milestone unmatched in contemporary times. This film combines the perspectives of scholars, medical doctors, innovators and activists, presenting a diverse range of voices that echo the expressions of artists. Through compelling storytelling, How Sweden Quit Smoking unveils the intricate interplay of science, politics, history and personal responsibility at the heart of this transformative journey.
“We are incredibly thrilled to bring this important documentary to a wide audience,” said We Are Innovation’s CEO, Federico Fernandez, in a statement. “Sweden’s smoke-free journey beautifully embodies innovation that solves problems and benefits society. By providing smokers safer alternatives, their model is making smoking obsolete and freeing human potential previously hindered by tobacco-related disease and death. We hope the Swedish experience catalyzes similar lifesaving innovations worldwide.”
Agencki said, “This film gives deserved recognition to the unsung heroes—the unrecognized innovators who take action to make our world healthier. Sweden’s remarkable smoke-free transformation was driven by cooperative creativity, personal initiative and a shared spirit of progress. My hope is that this film will inspire viewers to create positive change in their own communities.”
More than 100 international stakeholders met at the Royal Society of Arts. One of the highlights of the evening was an engaging panel discussion featuring experts such as Suely Castro from Knowledge Action Change, Martin Cullip from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance Consumer Center and Delon Human from Health Diplomats. The conversation was moderated by Federico N. Fernandez.
November 17, 2023
PMI Hosts ‘Technovation’ Event

Photo: PMI
Philip Morris International recently hosted its seventh Technovation at the Cube, the company’s R&D center in Neuchatel, Switzerland. The event provides stakeholders the opportunity to interact with senior leaders, scientists and R&D experts from PMI.
According to PMI, the conversations focused on the crucial roles that innovation, technology and science can play in enabling a better future for everyone—highlighting the call to harness the full potential of innovation and evidence-based policies that are needed to steer the collective efforts toward eliminating smoking.

[T]here’s a potential for a tenfold reduction in smoking-attributable deaths compared with historical tobacco control measures alone.
Jacek Olczak, PMI CEO
“It is no longer a case of if smoke-free alternatives are better than cigarette smoking; it is a case of by how much,” said PMI CEO Jacek Olczak in a statement. “Based on WHO [World Health Organization] and other third-party data, our hypothetical model shows that if smoke-free products are assumed to be 80 percent less risky than cigarettes—and if people who currently smoke were to switch to them completely—then over their lifetime, there’s a potential for a tenfold reduction in smoking-attributable deaths compared with historical tobacco control measures alone.”
Gregoire Verdeaux, PMI’s senior vice president of external affairs, led a discussion on what success looks like when regulating smoke-free alternatives. Citing Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, the U.K., the U.S. and other countries, Verdeaux made the case for inclusive and innovative frameworks that have complemented traditional tobacco control measures in expediting the decline of smoking.

The COP10 could be used an as opportunity to bring all stakeholders together, consider the comprehensive science on nicotine alternatives and create guidelines that can help reduce harm.
Gregoire Verdeaux, senior vice president of external affairs, PMI
“The number of smokers globally has remained virtually unchanged for the past 30 years,” said Verdeaux, who said the upcoming session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP10)—which was recently postponed to 2024 due to civil unrest in its host country, Panama—presents a chance to change the global smoking rates status quo.
“The COP10 could be used an as opportunity to bring all stakeholders together, consider the comprehensive science on nicotine alternatives and create guidelines that can help reduce harm for hundreds of millions of smokers around the world. Unfortunately, this is not the case, but we hope that this will change in future for the benefit of a billion smokers and global public health,” said Verdeaux.

The missing piece of the puzzle is the collective effort of governments, the public health community, our industry and civil society.
Tommaso Di Giovanni, vice president of international communications and engagement, PMI
Tommaso Di Giovanni, PMI’s vice president of international communications and engagement, discussed what more can be done to encourage innovation in the tobacco industry. He said, “Better alternatives to cigarettes exist, and scientific data support their potential to be less harmful. The missing piece of the puzzle is the collective effort of governments, the public health community, our industry and civil society to make these alternatives accessible to adult smokers who do not quit. To support this transformation, we envision to become a majority smoke-free-led entity, with smoke-free options now accounting for over 36 percent of total net revenues, following third-quarter financial results.”
November 16, 2023
Webinar on Low-Nicotine Tobacco

Image: Michael Barkmann
CORESTA is holding an agro-phyto webinar on “Low Nicotine Tobacco—Current Insight and Perspectives for the Agricultural Production of Raw Materials.”
The webinar will be held on Dec. 5, 2023, from 2 p.m. CET to 3:30 p.m. CET. The registration deadline is Dec. 4, 2023.
“This webinar seeks to highlight our current understanding of low nicotine production capabilities as well as the successes and failures of applied research in the areas of genetics and agronomy,” according to CORESTA.
November 10, 2023
Connecting the Global Industry

Photo courtesy of Quartz Business Media
Get ready for WT Middle East
World Tobacco Middle East is set to return to Dubai Nov. 27–28, 2023, reasserting its position as the largest international B2B tobacco event beyond western Europe, drawing attendees from over 90 countries. As the premier event for the Middle East’s tobacco industry, it has become a cornerstone for professionals in the field, fostering vital in-person connections, networking and business.
Trusted by leading brands and manufacturers, WT Middle East is the flagship exhibition of the World Tobacco series, which annually gathers over 13,000 professionals. With established events in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, the WT Events portfolio will be further expanding into Africa next year with a conference and exhibition in Zimbabwe, reflecting its dedication to supporting clients entering new markets and stimulating business growth.
This year’s event in Dubai is poised to be its biggest yet, featuring over 250 exhibitors, welcoming over 7,000 visitors and showcasing thousands of products. Due to its impressive growth, the event show floor has expanded to another hall, the Trade Centre Arena, with stand space now completely sold out.
With new exhibitors from HTL Human Trust Lean, Khyber Tobacco Co., Multi Tabak, Ora Tobacco and Mind Spirit Designs & Works as well as returning companies such as Sopariwala, Kaane, ARD, Gulbahar and Premium Tobacco, the upcoming trade show promises to offer an even wider range of products and services for attendees.
To ensure a truly immersive experience, attendees can use the Lex Tobacco Smoking Lounge, an expansive 700-square-meter space designed for meetings, relaxation and product sampling.
At World Tobacco Middle East 2023, you can participate in the largest tobacco event outside Western Europe, avail yourself of exclusive offers from over 250 leading suppliers, connect with industry leaders, explore cutting-edge machinery and gain insights into regulatory matters. Such trade events are pivotal in nurturing personal and business relationships within the global tobacco industry.
For more information and registration details, please visit www.wtevents.com/middle-east.
November 1, 2023
FEELM Highlights OS Vape at InterTabac

The latest in vaping industry innovations made its debut during InterTabac 2023, held from September 14-16, as FEELM, a leading closed system solution provider, unveiled its OS Vape in a partnership with OS.
It is the first time FEELM has co-exhibited with its local partner during the world’s largest nicotine and tobacco trade show held in Dortmund, Germany.
OS, a major player in Germany’s shisha product market, recently ventured into the disposable vaping product market.
A representative from the FEELM booth said that collaborating with clients for exhibitions is a new strategy aimed at bolstering the client’s brand presence in local markets.
The FEELM spokesperson said the company intends to continue its co-exhibition format at major global exhibitions, joining forces with clients from various regions in a collective march towards a global presence.
OS Vape introduced a disposable vaping solution that delivers an elevated puff count, cost-efficiency, and unmatched vapor consistency, promising German consumers a rich vaping experience reminiscent of their cherished beers.
The OS Vape uses FEELM Max ceramic coil technology, disposable product the ability to provide 800+ puffs, a more than 30% enhancement in puff count compared to other common disposable products.
This establishes a new standard under TPD compliance, according to the FEELM spokesperson.
“Beyond puff count, OS Vape offers an exceptional vapor and taste consistency of over 95%. These groundbreaking advancements have undoubtedly propelled the vaping industry to new zeniths,” the spokesperson said. “Additionally, the signature transparent e-liquid tank not only alleviates e-liquid concerns but also adds a touch of aesthetic sophistication.”
September 14, 2023
Public Meeting on PMTA Process

Credit: JHVEPhoto
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold a two-day public meeting on the agency’s premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) process on Oct. 23–24, 2023.
The meeting will be held on the FDA’s White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland, and will be in a hybrid format with the option to attend virtually.
Staff from the Center for Tobacco Products’ Office of Science will present on topics related to the PMTA process and be available to respond to questions received from stakeholders on the topic, according to a press note.
Additional information, including registration and question submission processes, will be available soon.
August 17, 2023
UKVIA Announces Annual Forum

Photo: UKVIA
The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) annual Forum and Industry Recognition Awards Dinner will take place at the QEII Centre in London on Nov. 10, 2023.
Under the theme, “Accelerating Action to Secure a World Without Smoking,” the event will feature sessions focusing on harm reduction, illicit trade and sustainability, among other topics.
Secretary General of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce Ao Weinuo will be giving a keynote presentation on China’s commitment to change. Also included on the conference agenda is a dialogue on the upcoming general election, which will explore how the U.K. industry should prepare for a possible change in government and will ask how to retain the existing “parliamentary momentum” around vaping.
“We have, and I’m confident will continue to, make significant strides in putting forward the harm reduction benefits of vaping on the political front, but it’s no secret the landscape could soon shift and we need to be prepared,” said UKVIA Director-General John Dunne in a statement.
Following the forum, the UKVIA will host its annual Industry Recognition Awards dinner.
According to Dunne, the awards are an opportunity to recognize the “outstanding contributions and achievements” of individuals and organizations both inside and outside the industry.
Last year, 500 delegates and guests attended the UKVIA Forum and Awards. This year’s event is expected to attract an equally high number of visitors.
August 1, 2023
Korean Ministry Urges Vape Show Canceled

Photo: Taco Tuinstra
South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has urged events organizer The Fairs to cancel its Korea Vape Show 2023, reports Korea Biomedical Review.
The exhibition is scheduled to take place July 21-23 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
“We sent a letter asking for the event to be canceled because we had concerns from a health promotion perspective,” a MOHW official was quoted by Yonhap News as saying. “We are also concerned that adolescents may visit the show if access to the convention is not properly controlled.”
The ministry also expressed worries about advertised vaping contests that it said would violate indoor smoking restrictions. South Korea allows indoor smoking only in separate, fully enclosed areas.
The MOHW said it plans to inspect the venue on the day of the event and impose penalties if the organizers fail to create a fully enclosed smoking room inside the venue.
The organizers said they had submitted plans to resolve the issues raised by critics and said it would not cancel the convention.
The official also stressed that previous conventions had been held without problems. “During the past three conventions, officials from the local public health center visited the convention and found no wrongdoings,” she said.
July 12, 2023
CTP to Host Regulatory Science Forum

Photo: Lek
The U.S Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) will a hold a forum titled “Advancing Regulatory Science Through Innovation” on June 13-14.
This free, virtual forum is open to the public, industry, academia, patient advocates, sister agencies and current or potential FDA collaborators. Forum attendees will explore how FDA’s researchers use novel science and technologies to inform regulatory decisionmaking.
This year’s keynote address will be given by Murray Lumpkin, deputy director of integrated development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
FDA scientific experts and nationally renowned scientists will present and answer questions on improving clinical and post-market evaluation, empowering patients and consumers and advancing products based on novel technologies, among other topics.
To register, click here.
June 6, 2023
Zinwi to Hold Flavoring Event at UK Vapor Expo

Zinwi Biotech, a major Chinese e-liquid manufacturer, has announced it will bring its Good Flavor products to the UK Vaper Expo from May 12 – 14 in Birmingham. Attendees of the occasion will have the opportunity to witness firsthand Zinwi’s Good Flavor and will be able to customize their own flavors during the event.
“Zinwi’s products are known to be equivalent to three keywords in the industry: high return to flavor, high smoothness and high stability,” stated to a Zinwi spokesperson. “The primary reason behind the ‘high return to flavor’ characteristic is the stringent fragrance selection process.”
The “high return to flavor” concept is the requirement that each component of Zinwi’s e-liquids to have the highest levels of quality and purity. One of the most important components of an e-liquid is fragrance and the fragrance selection process begins in Quality Control where Zinwi analyzes a fragrance’s physical and chemical indicators and the legality of the components used, according to the spokesperson.
“It is then followed by our sensory evaluation team to evaluate the richness and purity level of the fragrances,” the spokesperson said. “The samples and the finished products will then be evaluated by Quality Control to ensure the highest level of quality of the e-liquid after the fragrances have been added to the products in the testing and manufacturing stage.”
Another reason Zinwi’s e-liquid has an enhanced flavor profile is the company’s Atomization Technology Research Center, which has self-developed nicotine salts and the sweeteners used in the e-liquids to ensure the highest quality of those components of the e-liquid formula, according to the spokesperson.
“Nicotine salt has been delicately developed taking into close consideration the stirring time, the temperature, and the amount of nicotine added in combination with other components such as benzoic acid. The diverse range of sweeteners are also developed to match different vaping devices, for example, different puff-range disposable devices and ceramic core vaping devices,” the spokesperson explained.
“Sweeteners can easily affect the flavor either to be ‘too sweet’ or ‘not enough sweet.’ Having a diverse range of sweeteners can avoid the “too sweet” or “not enough sweet” challenge and help the finished products to maintain the ‘high return to flavor’ characteristic.”
Additionally, Zinwi’s flavoring team are some of the most experienced in the industry. Apart from flavorist’s own flavoring experiences, Zinwi’s flavoring team together has created over 50, 000 formulas, and hundreds more are added every day on average.
“Zinwi’s good flavor products are not attributed by one single factor,” said the spokesperson. “It is the combined factors including the raw materials selection, the self-developed e-liquid components such as nicotine salts and sweeteners, the quality control procedures and the well-trained flavoring team that guarantee the good flavor.”
Established in 2016 and headquartered in the Guangming District of Shenzhen, China, Zinwi Biotech is a high-tech company that specializes in providing integrated e-liquid solutions including R&D, production and sales services to global e-cigarette manufacturers and brands. Due to its strong R&D capabilities, stringent quality control procedures and premium client network, Zinwi has become the world’s leading integrated e-liquid solutions provider.
May 8, 2023