Category: Featured

  • Max Ceramic Coil and Topower Show in Dubai

    Max Ceramic Coil and Topower Show in Dubai

    FEELM, the subsidiary of the world’s largest atomization technology company, Smoore, exhibited two innovations that have been developed to “raise product performance” across the disposable vape category during an industry event in Dubai.

    The FEELM Max’s ceramic coil and Topower battery technology were created as part of a targeted effort to ‘level up the single-use sector’ and enhance consumer experience, according to a press release.

    The pioneering advancements both earned attention from the industry and are already appearing in devices from globally recognized brands.

    FEELM says each was designed to address a “pain point” of the industry.

    FEELM Max’s ceramic coil has done away with super-absorbent cotton to reduce the amount of e-liquid that goes to waste and increase the puff count of TRPR- and TPD-compliant 2ml disposables in the UK by as much as 30 percent – a rise from 600 to at least 800 puffs.

    It also reduces impurities by 78 percent during the heating process, produces air particles that are 55 percent smaller than mainstream solutions and uses a “constant power engine” that provides a vapor consistency of 95 percent and a 35 percent improvement in taste consistency.

    The second notable innovation is FEELM’s Topower battery technology. This breakthrough increases the endurance of large e-liquid capacity vapes and can provide over 6,000 puffs without needing to recharge, which allows consumers to get rid of the hassle of charging.

    Further, the compact power solution – which offers 30 percent more capacity – delivers a consistent output which FEELM says will counter the common issue of flavor reduction caused by voltage drop.

    Topower also promises a longer shelf life, with 1 percent power attenuation over six months and 3 percent power attenuation over a year. This advancement effectively avoids the burning taste and assures a strong consistency of flavor.

    Speaking on the developments, Rex Zhang, assistant president at FEELM, said the company prides itself on being the brand behind the brands and its technology has become to vaping what Intel Core processors are to laptops.

    “We aim to elevate the disposable category to a whole new level through innovation– our ceramic coils and Topower battery solution represent two significant successes on this front,” he said, adding that technology will be a “critical metric” on which to measure the winners and losers of the industry moving forward. “The vape category is fuelled by the desire to help adult smokers switch away from cigarettes – but it is built on innovation.”

  • Drought-Tolerant Tobacco Introduced

    Drought-Tolerant Tobacco Introduced

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Research Board (TRB) has developed and released four drought-resistant tobacco varieties, according to News Day.

    The new varieties will help farmers who have been planting varieties not suited for their areas, according to Frank Magama, TRB CEO. They will also help the country meet its goal of producing 300 million kg by 2025.

    “Just to show you that we haven’t abandoned tobacco, I think in March, we released four varieties that are already in the market, and these varieties actually fit into the Tobacco Transformation Plan where we need to go to 300 million kilograms,” Magama said.

    “Already, you see that it’s quite possible, but what we have done with these varieties is that they are drought tolerant.

    “So, they will be able to safeguard the yields that we are currently obtaining within the tobacco growing districts, you know the usual one, but more importantly, we have put more hectarage in the amount of tobacco that can be grown.

    “Now, we have a belt around Masvingo where growers used to use the wrong varieties. They can grow this profitable (one), and we have a belt in Lower Gweru, and we have a belt in Matabeleland where there is a concentration of growers that are doing tobacco, and they are also suffering from wrong varieties.

    “But with these varieties, what it means is we have marginally increased the area under tobacco production by providing varieties that will actually be profitable in those areas.

    “And again, that fits within the scope of 300 million kilograms. Obviously, there are a number of things that we can do to make sure that we can constantly get the 300 million kilograms without necessarily increasing the hectarage itself. So, increasing hectarage wasn’t part of getting to the 300 million kilograms, but it was part of safeguarding the yield in the current tobacco production zones, including so-called marginal areas.”

    Tobacco exports in the country reached $407 million as of April 30, 2023, compared to $308 million by April 13, 2022.

  • PMI to Open Facility in Ukraine

    PMI to Open Facility in Ukraine

    Image: marinadatsenko | Adobe Stock

    Philip Morris International is launching a $30 million production facility in Lviv, western Ukraine, in the first quarter of 2024, reports Reuters.

    The facility will create 250 jobs, according to PMI.

    “This investment reflects our commitment as Ukraine’s long-term economic partner,” said Maksym Barabash, CEO of Philip Morris Ukraine. “We are not waiting for the end of the war—we are investing now.”

    Ukraine needs foreign capital to rebuild its economy following Russia’s invasion.

    Gross domestic product fell by 29.2 percent in 2022, the largest annual fall since Ukraine’s independence over 30 years ago. Some other large multinationals have recently announced investment plans in the central and western regions, including Unilever and Nestle.

    PMI started operations in the country in 1994 and has since invested more than $700 million in the economy.

  • Estonia to Raise Tobacco Excise Duty

    Estonia to Raise Tobacco Excise Duty

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Estonia’s Riigikogu passed a bill to raise excise duties on alcohol and tobacco products ahead of its second reading, according to ERR.

    The Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act and the Act Amending the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excuse Duty Act and Other Acts had 57 votes in favor and 35 votes against.

    The bill will increase alcohol excise duty and tobacco excise by 5 percent per year between 2024 and 2026.

    An amendment to the bill put forth before the second reading states that maximum retail prices of cigars and cigarillos will be reported with a precision of $0.10 instead of $0.50, as previously outlined, if the cost is €10 ($10.91) or less.

    The bill also removes the excise duty increases on special diesel fuel in order to help keep Estonian farmers competitive.

    The bill passed its first reading on May 17. On June 8, the coalition decided to tie the bill to a vote of confidence to avoid a filibuster.

  • PMI Publishes First Human Rights Report

    PMI Publishes First Human Rights Report

    Image: PMI

    Philip Morris International released its first Human Rights Report, detailing the company’s strategy to promote, respect and protect human rights and its progress to date in implementing its Human Rights Commitment.

    PMI’s Human Rights Commitment outlines the foundational principles that need to be respected throughout the operations and value chain by both PMI and its business partners. In 2022, PMI updated its commitment with the company’s latest saliency mapping, sustainability materiality assessment, ongoing due diligence activities and the evolution of the company’s sustainability strategy.

    “Establishing a strong foundation and integrating mechanisms into our organization that promote, respect and protect human rights are an essential part of our approach to business,” said Jacek Olczak, CEO, in a statement. “While this can be challenging given the breadth of our operations and the scope and complexity of the issues involved, we believe human rights are an absolute and universal requirement that we are committed to upholding.”

    In its Human Rights Report, PMI shares its best practices, lessons learned, main challenges and future actions. It also features country-based case studies and external recognition—such as the inclusion of PMI’s Agricultural Labor Practices in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s latest Human Rights Progress Report. PMI actively participates in the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality’s efforts and contributed to the latest report on Tackling Inequality: An Agenda for Business Action.

    In addition, PMI’s Human Rights Report includes progress toward achieving its 2025 goal to conduct 10 human rights impact assessments (HRIAs) in the highest risk countries. To date, PMI has completed seven HRIAs, including two in 2022 in Brazil and Malaysia.

    PMI’s approach to human rights is grounded in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

    “Human rights are inherent to the dignity of human life and a prerequisite for society to prosper,” said Jennifer Motles, chief sustainability officer. “As a global company, we work to uphold human rights both within our organization and across our value chain. We will continue to work with different parts of society in a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve sustainable solutions that comprehensively address systemic human rights issues.”

  • Keller and Heckman Files Amicus Brief

    Keller and Heckman Files Amicus Brief

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Eric Gotting and Azim Chowdhury, partners at Keller and Heckman, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in support of Avail Vapor’s writ of certiorari petitioning the SCOTUS to review the 4th Circuit’s decision to uphold the Food and Drug Administration’s marketing denial order of Avail’s premarket tobacco product application for its nontobacco-flavored e-liquids, according to a post on The Continuum of Risk.

    The brief, filed on behalf of a group of public health experts, is intended to provide relevant scientific background on comparative health impacts of electronic nicotine-delivery system (ENDS) products with combustible cigarettes. The brief argues that ENDS are, beyond reasonable doubt, much safer than cigarettes; ENDS help adult smokers quit and can reach many adults who would not otherwise quit smoking; ENDS flavors are important to adults trying to quit smoking; youth vaping has declined markedly since 2019, with most youth vaping being infrequent, nonaddictive and temporary, and more frequent and intense vaping generally limited to adolescents who are otherwise likely to smoke; young people do not generally use the refillable tank devices sold in vape shops but instead use more mass-market products; claims that vaping is a gateway to smoking are based on a misunderstanding of the evidence; and because smoking and vaping are linked, measures like e-liquid flavor bans can cause more smoking or other damaging unintended consequences.

  • Van-Tull Sworn in as President of WBA

    Van-Tull Sworn in as President of WBA

    LieAnn Van-Tull | Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    LieAnn Van-Tull, an associate with Keller and Heckman’s Food and Drug Packaging and Tobacco and E-Vapor practice groups, was sworn in as president of the Washington Bar Association (WBA) on June 14, 2023. In addition, Van-Tull was honored as a National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) Diversity Scholar for the 2023–2024 class.

    Founded in 1925, the Washington Bar Association is the oldest and largest predominantly Black bar association in Washington, D.C. The WBA’s leadership team is dedicated to improving and protecting the well-being of the legal profession and its members, advancing the science of jurisprudence and the administration of justice and promoting diversity within the legal field.

    “Having served as president-elect, secretary and membership chair, LieAnn has been an active member of the WBA since 2016,” said Cynthia Lieberman, chair of Keller and Heckman’s diversity and inclusion committee. “She is also a talented and hardworking attorney here at Keller and Heckman. Both of LieAnn’s accomplishments—being elected WBA president and receiving the NCBP Diversity Scholar award—highlight her commitment to legal excellence and LieAnn’s dedication to the greater legal community.”

    The National Conference of Bar Presidents was founded in 1950 to empower, connect and inspire bar leaders and organizations. As a Diversity Scholar, Van-Tull will attend NCBP leadership trainings and conferences throughout the year.

    “It is such an honor to be of service as the president of the WBA and to have been selected as an NCBP Diversity Scholar,” said Van-Tull, “and I am excited about the promising year ahead. I am especially looking forward to fulfilling this year’s bar theme, ‘Legacy is the Foundation Upon Which We Build: Moving Forward Boldly,’ by building upon the WBA’s current membership and creating more opportunities for law students, lawyers and judges to collaborate with WBA’s stakeholders.”

    “LieAnn’s clear dedication to protecting equal justice under the law, community engagement and improving diversity in the legal profession will make her a natural fit for the president role,” said Richard Mann, chair of Keller and Heckman’s management committee. “As a firm, we look forward to watching her succeed in her new position.”

    Van-Tull will serve as president of the WBA for the 2023–2024 bar year.

  • BAT Changes Management Board

    BAT Changes Management Board

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    Following the appointment of Tadeu Marroco as CEO on May 15, 2023, BAT has announced changes to its management board. According to BAT, the new structure, roles and composition of the management board will support Tadeu’s commitment to a sharpened focus on improved execution and operational excellence; enhanced capabilities critical to BAT’s strategic development and transformation; and a progressive and agile organization with a collaborative and inclusive culture.

    This refreshed management board structure is critical to my commitment to build a progressive and agile organization with a collaborative and inclusive culture, enabling simultaneous performance and transformation.

    Johan Vandermeulen will be appointed to the new role of chief operating officer, reporting to the CEO, effective July 1, 2023. This role will be accountable for driving business performance, operational excellence and best-in-class execution, with a focus on both short-term and sustainable delivery. Reporting to Vandermeulen will be David Waterfield, promoted to the management board as president and CEO of Reynolds American Inc. effective July 1, 2023; Fred Monteiro (director of Americas and Europe) and Michael Dijanosic (director of Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa); Zafar Khan (director of operations) and Javed Iqbal (director of digital and information). Iqbal also currently serves as interim finance director.

    Kingsley Wheaton will be appointed to the new role of chief strategy and growth officer, reporting to the CEO, effective Sept. 1, 2023. This role will be accountable for continued strategic development and delivery of sharper consumer focus through an integrated approach to brands together with shaping enablers for long-term sustainable growth and driving the company’s robust ESG agenda. Reporting to Wheaton will be Luciano Comin, appointed to the new role of marketing director of combustibles and new categories effective July 1, 2023—this role will be accountable for a more integrated approach to insights, innovation, brand-building, consumer experience and activation and revenue growth management across the combustibles and new categories portfolios; Paul McCrory, promoted to the management board to the new role of director of corporate and regulatory affairs effective Sept. 1, 2023—this role will be accountable for shaping regulatory strategy and leading regulatory engagement to secure sustainable access to markets and categories; and James Barrett, promoted to the management board to the new role of director of business development effective Sept. 1, 2023—this role will be accountable for strategy development, M&A, the Wellbeing and Stimulation portfolio and BAT’s venturing unit, Btomorrow Ventures; James Murphy, director of research and science, and Jerome Abelman, director of legal affairs and general counsel, continue in their roles reporting directly to the CEO.

    Guy Meldrum, currently president and CEO of Reynolds American Inc., and Paul Lageweg, currently director of new categories, will step down from their roles and from the management board effective June 30, 2023, and will facilitate a transition with their successors.

    Hae In Kim will step down from the management board effective June 30, 2023, to take up the role of strategic talent director, reporting to the CEO. As an integral part of her responsibilities in this leadership role working alongside the board and the management board, Kim will oversee the execution of several key projects as part of BAT’s talent agenda.

    The existing roles of chief transformation officer, chief growth officer, director of new categories and director of combustibles will be removed from the management board as their accountabilities transfer within the new structure.

    A comprehensive process is underway to identify and appoint the successors for the roles of finance director and director of talent, culture and inclusion, reporting to the CEO.

    “This refreshed management board structure is critical to my commitment to build a progressive and agile organization with a collaborative and inclusive culture, enabling simultaneous performance and transformation,” said Marroco in a statement. “To that end, I am delighted to be welcoming David, Paul and James to the management board. They are all highly collaborative leaders who have the depth of experience to enable the continued strategic and cultural transformation of BAT.

    “I would like to thank Guy for his significant contribution across many markets and geographies over the last two decades and Paul for his role in helping to create a new category business that continues to drive BAT’s transformation. I also look forward to working with Hae In as strategic talent director.”

  • Vietnam Smoking Ban Takes Effect in August

    Vietnam Smoking Ban Takes Effect in August

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The Vietnam Ministry of Health recently issued Circular No. 11/2023/TT-BYT, which regulates areas where smoking is not allowed, according to Vietnam+.

    The circular takes effect Aug. 1, 2023. 

    According to the circular, smoking will be completely prohibited indoors and on premises at healthcare facilities, educational institutions, facilities providing care and entertainment services for children, facilities or areas with a high risk of fire or explosion, in automobiles, on aircrafts and on metro lines.

    Smoking is prohibited indoors at workplaces of state administrative agencies, state-run units, businesses, political organizations, socio-political organizations, social organizations, socio-vocational organizations and other units as well as food service establishments, entertainment facilities, railway stations, wharves, bus stations, religious facilities and places of worship, convention centers, commercial centers, markets, theatres, cultural houses, cinemas, circuses, clubs, sports halls, stadiums, community houses and common areas of apartment buildings and other public places.

    Smoking will be prohibited indoors but may be allowed in separate areas at hotels, motels, guest houses, resorts, other tourist accommodations, on public transport including ships and trains, in bars, karaoke parlors and dance halls and in isolation areas at airports.

  • AJK to Require Track-and-Trace System

    AJK to Require Track-and-Trace System

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The Central Board of Revenue for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has instructed all cigarette manufacturers in the state to implement the latest track-and-trace system by Aug. 1, reports Dawn.

    “All cigarette manufacturing units in the territory must ensure installation of the latest manual/automatic applicators, including tax stickers/stamps, on the pattern of Pakistan in consultation with the relevant legally authorized license holder company, by Aug. 1, 2023, or else the clearance of their products will be halted followed by initiation of legal action, including closure under rules of the units concerned,” said a spokesperson.

    AJK cigarette manufacturers and representatives of the AJK Inland Revenue Department signed agreements on April 14 regarding installation of the track-and-trace system. On May 31, a team from the Federal Board of Revenue’s Directorate General of Digital Initiatives physically visited all cigarette units in AJK along with the legally authorized license holder firm.

    Those caught without the correct track-and-trace requirements will face legal action.