Category: Featured

  • Filtrona Opens New Filters Center

    Filtrona Opens New Filters Center

    Photo: Filtrona

    Filtrona has opened a new Centre of Excellence (COE) in Budapest, Hungary. Combining multiple advanced filter manufacturing machines, the COE will increase the company’s production capacity and speed-to-market of sustainable filter solutions. The COE enables tobacco companies to develop and manufacture a portfolio of sustainable tobacco products by leveraging Filtrona’s expertise in innovative filter designs, processing methods and knowledge of materials.

    The COE combines Filtrona’s extensive experience in manufacturing non-woven filters with advanced, high-speed production technology and the latest testing methods to produce sustainable filters for various tobacco product applications. These include cigarettes, heated tobacco products, cigarillos, cigars, and RYO and MYO cigarettes.

    Globally, consumers and regulators are pushing for more environmentally sustainable solutions for consumer goods, according to Filtrona. Likewise, the tobacco industry is seeking plastic-free alternatives by focusing on the use of wood pulp based non-woven materials, such as papers. The EU Single-Use Plastic Directive provides a roadmap for the phasing-out of single-use plastics, which includes cellulose acetate tow. Using the EU Directive as a blueprint, tobacco companies in territories outside the EU are expected to follow a similar path in reducing single-use plastics over time.

    “As the world’s leading producer of sustainable filter solutions, Filtrona is advancing our sustainability journey by launching our Centre of Excellence to expand our portfolio of sustainable products at a faster pace,” said Filtrona’s Global Director of Innovation and ESG Hugo Azinheira. “With the EU SUPD driving a wider adoption of plastic-free tobacco products, our new production line has the capability to meet the evolving needs of customers, consumers, and regulators rapidly.”

     

  • Altria Reports Quarterly Results

    Altria Reports Quarterly Results

    Photo: Altria Group

    Altria Group reported net revenues of $6.51 billion for the second quarter of 2023, down 0.5 percent from the comparable 2022 period. Revenues net of excise taxes increased 1.2 percent to $5.43 billion.

    In the first half of 2023, Altria Group reported revenues of $12.23 billion, 1.7 percent less than in the first six months of the prior year. Revenues net of excise taxes increased 0.1 percent to $10.2 billion during the first half of 2023.

    “We had a solid first half of the year and we continue on our exciting journey towards Moving Beyond Smoking,” said Altria CEO Billy Gifford in a statement. “We completed our acquisition of NJOY and delivered strong business results, growing adjusted diluted EPS by 5 percent in the first half. And we returned $3.8 billion to shareholders while investing in pursuit of our Vision.”

    “We look forward to executing our commercial plan for NJOY in the second half of the year, and we reaffirm our guidance to deliver 2023 full-year adjusted diluted EPS in a range of $4.89 to $5.03. This range represents an adjusted diluted EPS growth rate of 1 percent to 4 percent from a $4.84 base in 2022.”

  • Stick Warnings Take Effect in Canada

    Stick Warnings Take Effect in Canada

    Image: Health Canada

    A new rule requiring warning labels on individual cigarettes in Canada takes effect today, reports The Canadian Press.

    The move, announced earlier this year, makes Canada the first country to take that step to deter smoking.

    Under the new law, cigarette manufacturers will be required to print messages in English and French on the paper around the filter, warning smokers about the risk of damage to organs, impotence and leukemia, among other diseases.

    Manufacturers have until the end of July 2024 to ensure the warnings are on all king-size cigarettes sold, followed by regular-size cigarettes and little cigars with tipping paper and tubes by the end of April 2025.

    Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society, believes the labels will dissuade teens leaning toward taking up the habit and encourage nicotine-dependent adults to quit.

    Dozens of studies in Canada and elsewhere show the effectiveness of printing warnings on each cigarette, he noted.

    Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are banned in Canada, with warnings on cigarette packs dating back to 1972.

    In 2001, Canada became the first country to require tobacco companies to print pictorial warnings on the outside of cigarette packages and include inserts with health-promoting messages.

    Federal rules ban packaging that includes brand colors or trademarks.

    The tobacco industry has warned against unintended consequences. The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco, which is funded by Canada’s leading cigarette manufacturers, warned in June that cheaper, colorful black-market packs free of health warnings attract young smokers and funnel more money to organized crime.

    While acknowledging that big tax hikes or sales bans would indeed benefit the black market, Cunningham believes that gradual price boosts and more strident messaging can bring down smoking rates.

    “The only real reason that they can oppose something is because it’s going to have a reduction in sales— and that is exactly the point,” he said of the manufacturers.

  • UKVIA Announces Annual Forum

    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.

  • More People Protected by Policies: Report

    More People Protected by Policies: Report

    Photo: Maksym Yemelyanov

    Seven out of 10 people worldwide are now protected by at least one “best practice” tobacco control policy—five times more than in 2007, according to a new World Health Organization report supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

    Global smoking rates have fallen over the past 15 years, a development that the WHO attributes in part to its MPOWER tobacco control measures. Without this decline there would be an estimated 300 million more smokers in the world today, according to the global health body.

    Almost 40 percent of countries have completely banned smoking from public indoor places. The report rates country progress in tobacco control and shows that two more countries, Mauritius and the Netherlands, have achieved best-practice level in all MPOWER measures, a feat that only Brazil and Türkiye had accomplished until now.

    “These data show that slowly but surely, more and more people are being protected from the harms of tobacco by WHO’s evidence-based best-practice policies,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement. “I congratulate Mauritius on becoming the first country in Africa, and the Netherlands on becoming the first in the European Union to implement the full package of WHO tobacco control policies at the highest level. WHO stands ready to support all countries to follow their example and protect their people from this deadly scourge.”

    “While smoking rates have been going down, tobacco is still the leading cause of preventable death in the world – largely due to relentless marketing campaigns by the tobacco industry,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO global ambassador for noncommunicable diseases and injuries and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “As this report shows, our work is making a big difference, but much more remains to be done. By helping more countries implement smart policies, backed by public opinion and science, we’ll be able to improve public health and save millions of more lives.”

  • Cambodia to Implement Tobacco VAT

    Cambodia to Implement Tobacco VAT

    Photo: mehaniq41

    Companies importing and distributing cigarettes in Cambodia will have to apply value-added tax to these products effective Aug. 1, reports  The Phnom Penh Post.

    The procedure mirrors the application of VAT on other taxed commodities, with a flat rate of 10 percent on all cigarette supplies in Cambodia.

    VAT paid at the point of importation or domestic purchase may be claimed as an income tax credit, deductible with output tax, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

    Furthermore, enterprises importing cigarettes for export purposes will be permitted to pay a one-off value-added fee at the point of importation.

    The Cambodia Movement for Health (CMH) lauded the Ministry of Economy’s guidance as a clear indicator of the government’s commitment to combat the health risks associated with cigarettes and tobacco products.

    Nonetheless, CMH Executive Director Mom Kong urged the government to extend the VAT to include non-cigarette tobacco products, as well.  

    Citing research by the World Health Organization, Kong stated that imposing an additional tax of KHR500 ($0.125) per pack of cigarettes could increase market prices by 15 percent. This, in turn, could potentially reduce the number of smokers by 30,000 in the next year, and prevent 10,000 premature deaths over the next decade or so.

  • Kazakhstan to Ban Vapes

    Kazakhstan to Ban Vapes

    Photo: natatravel

    Lawmakers in Kazakhstan voted on July 29 to ban the sale, import, export and production of e-cigarettes and liquids, reports Atlas News.

    “The harm of vapes is undeniable,” said Deputy Nurgul Tau. “That is why the Ministry of Health has been sharply raising the issue of introducing a ban on the circulation of vapes since 2021. In my request, I proposed a complete ban on the sale of vapes.”

    The legislation has been in the works since May 10 following a ban of the use of e-cigarettes in public spaces. The ban was triggered by concern about increased vaping among minors.

  • Philippines: Partnership Against Illicit Trade

    Philippines: Partnership Against Illicit Trade

    Photo: sebra

    The Philippines Bureau of Customs (BOC) has partnered with tobacco companies to help combat illicit trade in the country, reports the Philippine News Agency

    “These groups [smugglers and illicit traders] have been very creative and aggressive in entering our markets,” said Bienvenido Rubio, BOC commissioner. “Accordingly, close cooperation with tobacco companies is aimed at addressing their various modus (operandi) with even more comprehensive methods.”

    The BOC met with Philip Morris International and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. executives. Rubio said they will work together to ensure public health safety and fair tobacco trade.

    “That has always been our goal and our mandate—to put these smugglers away and make them accountable, answerable and ultimately face the consequences of their nefarious activities,” he said.

    “It is important for us to recognize that these (schemes) are not only very real threats but well-orchestrated plans aimed at circumventing our laws,” said Verne Enciso, customs intelligence and investigation service director.

  • JT Launches ‘With 2’

    JT Launches ‘With 2’

    Image: Japan Tobacco

    Japan Tobacco has launched With 2, its new infused tobacco vapor device, under the company’s respective new brand, With. It will be sold at convenience stores and tobacco stores in Japan beginning Sept. 5, 2023, and will be available for presale online from Aug. 7, 2023.

    With 2 is the first device of the new infused tobacco brand With. It features JT’s unique infused technology, which generates vapor while an atomized liquid passes through a capsule containing granulated tobacco.

    Since tobacco vapor is generated the moment it’s inhaled, there is no delay in delivery, JT explained in a press note. There is almost no tobacco smoke smell with the product since tobacco leaves are not directly heated. The device is equipped with a dual mode that allows consumers to switch between two heating modes at the touch of a button. The high mode produces 1.3 times more vapor than the normal mode, delivering a more intense flavor experience, according to JT.

  • Former Juul Exec Loses Contamination Case

    Former Juul Exec Loses Contamination Case

    Photo: Steheap

    A former Juul Labs executive has lost a case accusing the vapor company of shipping contaminated vaping pods to retailers and firing him in retaliation for complaining, reports Reuters.

    Siddharth Breja,  a former senior vice president of global finance, sued Juul in October 2019. He alleged that the company endangered consumers by refusing to recall mint-flavored e-cigarette nicotine pods or to issue a safety warning.

    Breja said he objected to the company re-selling products that were nearly a year old without a “best by” date on their packages. He said his complaints angered his superiors and that he was fired in retaliation in March 2019.

    Juul denied all claims and sought to have the case sent to arbitration. The federal court lawsuit was put on hold pending arbitration in March 2020.

    In a joint filing on July 27, lawyers for both parties said an arbitrator had ruled against Breja and ordered him to pay certain of the company’s legal costs. They did not give further details about the decision, but asked that the lawsuit be dismissed once Breja had paid the award.