Category: Featured

  • PTC Risks Losing Sudan Small-Pack Order

    PTC Risks Losing Sudan Small-Pack Order

    Image: Maksym Kapliuk

    Pakistan Tobacco Co. (PTC) may lose a large order from Sudan if the health ministry continues to drag its feet on the required regulatory approval, reports the Business Recorder.

    Sudan has ordered $20.5 million worth of cigarettes, to be delivered in packets of 10 sticks of cigarettes each, from PTC. The sale of such packs is prohibited in Pakistan but allowed in Sudan.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has granted PTC’s request for an exemption of the small-pack prohibition for exports, but the Ministry of Health has failed to issue the required amendment in the statutory regulatory order.

    Due to the delay, Sudan has now started contacting other countries to meet its domestic demand. A PTC official said that if Pakistan does not allow exporting cigarettes in small packets, the order may be shifted to Bangladesh or Indonesia.

    PTC has been exporting cigarettes since 2019 and has so far earned $156 million, bringing much-needed hard currency into Pakistan. For the next fiscal year, the company is targeting $60 million in exports.

    In the most recent fiscal year, the company paid PKR148 billion in federal excise duty and sales tax.

    It’s not the first time PTC has lost business due to the small-pack restrictions. In 2019, the company lost an export order to the Gulf. At that time, the Ministry of Commerce had given permission for exports, but the Ministry of Health withheld approval.

  • A Missed Opportunity

    A Missed Opportunity

    Photo: luciano

    E-cigarettes and older smokers

    Neil McKeganey, Gabe Barnard and Andrea Patton

    Amid the intense media focus and regulatory action directed toward youth vaping in the U.S., there is another population demographic whose e-cigarette use is worthy of attention—though in this case, more as a result of their relative lack of use of these devices. There are an estimated 17 million adults in the U.S. aged over 45 who are smoking every day or some days. With research showing that quitting smoking by age 50 is associated with a gain of around six years in life expectancy, the question of how best to boost smoking cessation efforts among older smokers is of increasing importance.

    Although e-cigarettes have become hugely popular as a means of quitting smoking, research undertaken by the Centre for Substance Use Research (CSUR) shows that the use of these devices by older smokers in the U.S. is only a fraction of what it is among younger smokers. According to the CSUR’s Tobacco Product Prevalence Study, while 11 percent of adult smokers aged 25 to 44 years report currently using e-cigarettes, that figure drops to 5.2 percent in the case of those aged over 45.

    The CSUR research also shows that the likelihood of older female smokers using e-cigarettes is even less than is the case for older male smokers. Even in the face of the overall low levels of e-cigarette use, it was evident that some brands were more successful than others in attracting older smokers, with Vuse, Smok and Voopoo reported as being used more widely than other brands.

    But why might there be a disparity in overall levels of current e-cigarette use between older and young smokers? We know from research that smoking quit attempts are influenced by the level of nicotine dependence and smoking duration. It may be that for these combined reasons, older smokers are less drawn to e-cigarettes as a route out of smoking.

    Equally, many older smokers might perceive e-cigarettes as devices that are more often associated with young adult lifestyles and for that reason alone may be seen as something that is not for them. Whatever the reasoning behind the lower levels of e-cigarette use among older smokers, there is much to be gained from identifying how that disparity might be tackled. To do this, it will be necessary to find out much more about why e-cigarettes appeal to some groups more than others and for e-cigarette manufacturers to explore ways of developing products that are specifically designed to appeal to the older smoker.

    There is a further reason why the vaping industry might be wise to give greater attention to the older smoker, which has to do with the importance of tackling youth vaping. If e-cigarette manufacturers succeed in developing a vaping product that appeals to the older smoker, there is a strong possibility that their success in this regard will result in a product that has low youth appeal.

    The likelihood of young people wanting to use a product that is associated with the older smoker is almost certainly less than the likelihood of an older smoker being drawn to a product they see as being associated with youth use. Vaping products developed specifically for the older smoker may have an increased chance of securing a marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under its premarket tobacco product application process, securing access to a large market of potential new consumers. It’s worth remembering too that the market of smokers aged 45 and over within the U.S. may be in excess of 17 million, underlining the potential gain for the companies who succeed in winning that market.

    Neil McKeganey is director of the Center for Substance Use Research in Glasgow, Scotland.
    Gabriel Barnard is a director of the Center for Substance Use Research in Glasgow, Scotland.
    Andrea Patton, is a behavioral epidemiologist and head of prevalence research within the Centre for Substance Use Research, Glasgow, U.K. Patton has over 15 years of experience working in public health for academia, regulatory bodies and industry leaders in Europe and the United States.
  • Industry Laments Romania’s Vape Tax

    Industry Laments Romania’s Vape Tax

    Photo: E-Potion

    Tobacco harm reduction advocates are criticizing Romania’s new excise tax on nicotine-free e-liquids and vapes, saying it will discourage smokers from switching to safer alternatives. Vaping companies, meanwhile, fear the increased financial strain will hurt their business.

    “This excise tax increases the cost for consumers who are trying to quit smoking by using nicotine-free alternatives. It also places additional financial burdens on businesses like ours that have invested heavily in the vape market,” said a spokesperson for e-Potion, an e-liquid manufacturer and vape retailer in Sibiu, in a statement.

    “While we understand the need for regulation, it should not come at the cost of public health.”

    E-Potion said will continue to support its customers and help them adapt to the evolving regulatory environment. The company is exploring various initiatives to mitigate the financial burden on consumers who rely on nicotine-free alternatives to quit smoking.

    Additionally, e-Potion is partnering with local health organizations to provide educational resources and support for smoking cessation.

    Romania has been cracking down on smoking alternatives in recent months. Earlier this year, its Chamber of Deputies adopted a bill banning advertising of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

    In October 2023, the country banned flavored heated tobacco products, in line with the EU requirement.  

  • Arab and Orthodox Media Friendlier to IQOS

    Arab and Orthodox Media Friendlier to IQOS

    Image: Fallen Satan

    Arab media and Ultra-Orthodox media in Israel are portraying Philip Morris International’s IQOS tobacco-heating device in a more positive light than do the mainstream media and media aimed at the general public, reports The Jerusalem Post, citing a study by researchers from the Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the Hebrew University-Hadassah and George Washington University.

    According to the authors, Arab media articles reflected content from PMI press releases 100 percent of the time while general public media articles used content from PMI press releases 35 percent of the time. Arab media articles also highlighted the accessibility of IQOS retail locations 81 percent of the time compared to 17 percent and 13 percent in the general and haredi media, respectively. Social benefits were highlighted 88 percent of the time in Arab articles compared to 8 percent in the general media and 17 percent in haredi media.

    Israel prohibits tobacco product advertising except in print media. The study found, however, that news media can influence consumer perceptions and behaviors, especially through certain types of news articles that are not always subject to the same regulations as paid advertisements.

    “The study underscores the critical need for rigorous media surveillance and regulatory measures, especially in media outlets targeting minority populations, to ensure fair and balanced reporting,” said senior author Hagai Levine in a statement.

    “The positive framing of IQOS in minority-targeted media highlights the potential influence of targeted marketing on public perceptions and tobacco product usage across diverse demographics.”

  • Asia Pacific Urged to Permit Oral Nicotine

    Asia Pacific Urged to Permit Oral Nicotine

    Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is urging governments across the Asia Pacific region to follow New Zealand’s lead and allow the sale of oral nicotine products as part of a comprehensive tobacco harm reduction strategy.

    New Zealand’s government recently agreed in principle to permit the sale of reduced-harm smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products, such as Swedish snus and nicotine pouches. This progressive policy aligns with mounting evidence that these products can play a crucial role in reducing smoking rates and improving public health outcomes.

    “New Zealand’s approach demonstrates how embracing tobacco harm reduction can accelerate progress towards smoke-free goals,” said Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of CAPHRA. “Their smoking rates have plummeted to historic lows, proving that pragmatic policies focused on harm reduction work.

    “Recent data from New Zealand shows daily smoking rates have dropped to just 6.8 percent, down from 16.4 percent in 2011/2012. This remarkable decline coincides with the country’s adoption of progressive vaping regulations and openness to other reduced-risk nicotine products.”

     According to Loucas, scientific evidence increasingly supports the harm reduction potential of oral nicotine products. She cited a study published in the Harm Reduction Journal, which found that snus use in Sweden has led to “substantially lower rates of smoking-related disease” compared to other European countries. Loucas also referenced research from the U.K.’s Royal College of Physicians, which concluded that nicotine products are “unlikely to exceed 5% of the harm from smoking tobacco.”

    “Asia Pacific nations have an opportunity to dramatically improve public health by allowing and properly regulating these products,” Loucas said. “Continuing to ban safer alternatives while deadly cigarettes remain widely available is counterproductive and harmful to public health.

    “CAPHRA emphasizes that regulations should ensure product quality and safety while making these alternatives accessible to adult smokers looking to quit. The organization calls for a balanced approach that protects youth while helping millions of current smokers transition away from combustible tobacco.  

    “We urge policymakers across the region to objectively review the evidence and engage with consumers and experts in tobacco harm reduction,” said Loucas. “It’s time to move beyond outdated ‘quit or die’ approaches and embrace the full range of tools available to end the smoking epidemic.”

  • FOBA Presents Compact UV Laser

    FOBA Presents Compact UV Laser

    Photo: Foba

    FOBA will be exhibiting three laser marking systems at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Sept. 9-14. The main focus will be on the lightweight and space-saving integration of the new UV laser head into a FOBA M1000.

    At IMTS, FOBA will be showcasing a full range of laser marking solutions, from the largest laser marking workstation, the M3000, to the compact M1000 manual workstation and the world’s smallest laser marking head, Titus. Each laser system shows different application areas and functions for efficient industrial product marking, from metals to plastics.

    The latest product in the FOBA product family is the optimized V series, which, with the 4 watt UV and 10 watt green marking laser, offers higher performance and better precision than its predecessor models, but at a fraction of the size. The laser head is so compact that it can be integrated into the FOBA M1000 manual workstation. The smaller size makes it easier to integrate into existing production environments.

    “The new V-Series shows its strength above all in the marking of plastics and composites, and is a sustainable alternative to other marking technologies such as continuous inkjet or pad printing,” says Philipp Febel, director product strategy and customer experience at FOBA. “In contrast to these technologies, the marking lasers require hardly any consumables and therefore minimize waste and operating costs.

  • FDA OKs Vuse Alto Tobacco-Flavored Pods

    FDA OKs Vuse Alto Tobacco-Flavored Pods

    Photo: Postmodern Studio

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of seven e-cigarette products in the United States through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway. Following an extensive scientific review, FDA issued marketing granted orders to R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. (RJRVC) for the Vuse Alto Power Unit and six Vuse Alto tobacco-flavored pods, which are sealed, pre-filled, and non-refillable:

    • Vuse Alto Pod Golden Tobacco 5%
    • Vuse Alto Pod Rich Tobacco 5%
    • Vuse Alto Pod Golden Tobacco 2.4%
    • Vuse Alto Pod Rich Tobacco 2.4%
    • Vuse Alto Pod Golden Tobacco 1.8%
    • Vuse Alto Pod Rich Tobacco 1.8%

    While the FDA says it remains concerned about the risk of youth use of all e-cigarettes, youth are less likely to use tobacco‐flavored e-cigarette products compared to other flavors. According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, Vuse was among the most commonly reported brands used by middle and high school students currently using e-cigarettes.

    However, only 6.4 percent of students who currently used e-cigarettes reported using tobacco‐flavored products. To further mitigate youth use of these products, FDA has placed stringent marketing restrictions on the new products in an effort to prevent youth access and exposure.

    The FDA has received applications for nearly 27 million deemed products and has made determinations on more than 26 million of those applications. To date, the agency has authorized 34 e-cigarette products and devices, including the seven authorized today.

    A list of all authorized e-cigarette products is available here.

    Tadeu Marroco, CEO of RJRVC’s parent company, British American Tobacco, welcomed the authorizations. “With authorizations for Alto, Vibe, Ciro and Solo, all in tobacco flavors, BAT now has the largest portfolio of vapor market authorizations provided to any U.S. organization for premarket tobacco product applications,” he said in a statement.

    However, Tadeu noted that the success of the authorized products would depend on the FDA’s progress in tackling the thriving illicit marketplace of vapor products in the United States.

    BAT also vowed it would continue to challenge the FDA’s marketing denial orders for Alto’s Menthol and Mixed Berry flavors, which were issued in October 2023. These orders have been stayed in court, which means they remain available pending resolution of the litigation.

  • New Zealand Halves HTP Taxes

    New Zealand Halves HTP Taxes

    Image: enjoynz

    New Zealand has halved taxes on heated-tobacco products (HTPs) to make the products more attractive as cigarette alternatives, reports RNZ.

    A spokesman said Customs Minister Casey Costello, who ordered the tax cut, hopes the move will encourage smokers to switch to less risky nicotine products.

    In a statement to RNZ, Costello said that vaping had been a successful quit-smoking tool and she wanted to see whether HTPs would also be a useful cessation device.

    “Vaping does not work for everyone, and some attempting to quit have tried several times. HTPs have a similar risk profile to vapes, and they are currently legally available, so we are testing what impact halving excise on those products makes.”

    Critics said the government had caved to tobacco lobbying.

    In 2018, Philip Morris International, which sells the market-leading IQOS HTP brand, told the Tax Working Group that the government should “establish a tax rate for heated-tobacco products significantly below the tax rate” for tobacco.

    Earlier this year, New Zealand’s government scrapped the previous administration’s generational tobacco ban, which would have banned sales of tobacco products to anyone born after Jan. 1, 2009, required tobacco companies to lower the nicotine content of their products and reduced the number of tobacco retailers by 90 percent, among other measures.

    The current government appears to be more receptive to tobacco harm reduction measures advocated by the industry and others.

    Costello is reportedly also considering whether allowing the sale of oral nicotine products, such as snus and nicotine pouches, would help New Zealand achieve is smoking reduction objectives.

    Her colleagues at the Ministry of Health have expressed reservations, however, saying there was “weak evidence” that snus helped people quit smoking. “The risk of feeling addicted may be higher for snus than for smoked tobacco. Use of snus may increase the risk of certain cancers.”

    “On balance, we do not recommend extending the range of nicotine products available for sale in New Zealand,” the health ministry was quoted as saying. “Additional products will likely compound existing concerns about young peoples’ addiction to nicotine for little benefit.”

    BAT, which owns the Velo and Lyft brands of nicotine pouches, has lobbied the government for the products to be legalized here.

    “The government’s failure to also include smoke-free oral nicotine products in the same regulatory framework as vaping products presents a significant missed opportunity for advancing Smoke-Free 2025,” it said in a 2021 submission on the government’s smoke-free plans.

  • Trade Group Suggests Changes to U.K. Vapes Bill

    Trade Group Suggests Changes to U.K. Vapes Bill

    Photo: VPZ

    Responding to the announcement, made during the Kings Speech on July 17, that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is back on Britain’s legislative agenda, the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) proposed several amendments to the legislation.

    Among other suggestions, the industry group proposed a vape retail and distributor licensing scheme that would prohibit rogue resellers from trading and provide £50 million ($64.88 million) funding to support heightened enforcement by an under-resourced Trading Standards.

    It also suggested giving the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency new powers to outlaw child-friendly imagery and packaging.

    In addition, the UKVIA proposed the introduction of a statutory requirement for the Secretary of State to consult with any interested stakeholders prior to introducing any new regulations.

    “In its haste to rush this legislation through, the previous administration failed to consider any of these sensible and proportionate measures which would help smokers quit, protect young people and give much-needed funds to create a fit-for-purpose regulatory and enforcement framework moving forward,” said UKVIA Director General John Dunne in a statement.

    “The UKVIA sincerely hopes that the new government and Wes Streeting as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and his department takes the time to get this right and does not fall into the trap of rushing it through as the Conservatives attempted to do.”

    The powers contained in this bill have the potential to cause either enormous good or enormous harm for the health outcomes of the nation and this is why our politicians must act with care to get it right.

    John Dunne, director general, UKVIA

    According to Dunne, there is much at stake.

    “The powers contained in this bill have the potential to cause either enormous good or enormous harm for the health outcomes of the nation and this is why our politicians must act with care to get it right,” he said.

    “At its worst, it could lead to the ban of all flavored vapes, the end of retail in-store displays and vape products hidden from view just like deadly cigarettes. This would be the worst possible outcome because restricting vape sales would encourage former smokers to return to cigarettes and open the floodgates for black market dealers to take over the supply chain and target vulnerable young people in the process.

    “At best, it will give impetus to help the country’s 6.4 million smokers finally quit cigarettes, prevent millions of unnecessary of deaths and save the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds in treatment costs.”

  • New South Africa Urged to Tackle Illicit Trade

    New South Africa Urged to Tackle Illicit Trade

    Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive

    BAT has called on South Africa to crack down on the country’s rampant illicit tobacco trade. The multinational estimates that the government loses an estimated ZAR24 billion ($1.32 billion) in excise tax revenue to the illegal cigarette business every year.

    In a recent Ipsos study cited by BAT, 59 percent of stores sampled sold illicit cigarettes for a little as ZAR5 per pack of 20.

    The study also revealed that new manufacturers have entered the business, fueling intense competition at the bottom end of the market.

    “The entrance of new players raises some serious concerns about government’s commitment to address illicit trade. Nothing justifies licensing new manufacturers in a sector already ravaged by high levels of noncompliance without conducting proper due diligence,” said Johnny Moloto, area head of corporate and regulatory affairs for BAT Sub-Saharan Africa, in a statement.

    The Ipsos study highlights the challenge facing the new government in getting to grips with illicit trade and cross-border illicit financial flows, which are wreaking havoc with our economy and tax revenues.

    Johnny Moloto, area head of corporate and regulatory affairs, BAT Sub-Saharan Africa

    “The Ipsos study highlights the challenge facing the new government in getting to grips with illicit trade and cross-border illicit financial flows, which are wreaking havoc with our economy and tax revenues. To right the ship, authorities urgently need to prioritize the fight against illicit tobacco and secure convictions against the ring leaders,” Moloto said.

    In the past few years, the availability of cigarette packs selling below the minimum collectable tax has fluctuated in retail outlets: from 44 percent in March 2021, it dropped to 27 percent in October 2022, before surging to 59 percent in 2024. The recent Ipsos research showed a high level of cigarette packs available below ZAR25.05 in the wholesale and informal trade, at 83 percent and 72 percent respectively.

    BAT urged the Ministry of Finance to introduce a minimum retail price, which would make it illegal to sell cigarettes for less than a stated amount.