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  • Habanos Debuts ‘El Rey Del Mundo Royal’

    Habanos Debuts ‘El Rey Del Mundo Royal’

    The El Rey del Mundo Royal Series (50 ring gauge x 155 mm length).

    Habanos S.A. released its latest vitola, the El Rey Del Mundo Royal Series, at an event in Cyprus last week. The event was put on one of Habanos’, the Cuban cigar industry’s distribution arms exclusive distributors, Phoenicia T.A.A.

    The Royal Series (50 ring gauge x 155 mm length) will be on sale exclusively at La Casa Del Habano franchise stores.

    The company also unveiled new products such as the Edición Regional Por La Larrañaga Fénix, and the new Cohiba Wide Short (machine-made Cuban cigar).

    The launch of the new vitola shared the spotlight with both companies celebrating 15 years of a “fruitful business partnership,” according to an emailed release.

    The event brought together more than 450 aficionados from Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Malta, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Bulgaria, Canada and Bahrain.

    Also in attendance were the co-presidents of Habanos, Maritza Carillo González and Luis Sánchez-Harguindey Pardo de Vera.

  • FEELM 2.0 Boosts Puff Count

    FEELM 2.0 Boosts Puff Count

    Smoore International revealed its FEELM 2.0, the first disposable vape to offer more than 1,000 puffs in 2 mL.

    “There is an evident demand for increased puff counts and consistency in taste, especially at a time when the rising cost of living is a constant concern,” said Smoore’s U.K. business director, Thalia Cheng, in a statement. “FEELM 2.0 is our disposable vape solution with the call sign ‘Double the puff, double the joy.’ Based on Consumer Intelligence data, we estimate it can save consumers around £900 [$1.12 billion] annually compared to using standard disposables.”

    According to Smoore, the FEELM 2.0 also heightens the actual vaping experience through enhanced vaping consistency and improved e-liquid utilization.

    Inter Scientific confirmed that FEELM 2.0 shows marked improvements in both e-liquid utilization and vapor consistency when compared to industry standards. The enhanced e-liquid utilization effectively increases the number of puffs while the reduced vapor variation ensures a more consistent experience, minimizing differences with each puff.

    “Smoore’s FEELM 2.0 technology provides consistent uniformity of e-liquid aerosolization over the device life and complies with TRPR 2016 requirements of a tank volume limit of 2 mL,” said David Lawson, CEO of Inter Scientific.

  • JR Cigar Introduces JR Pure Origin: Terra de Andes

    JR Cigar Introduces JR Pure Origin: Terra de Andes

    Image: JR Cigar

    JR Cigar is introducing its second blend, JR Pure Origin: Terra de Andes, beginning Nov. 1. The product will be available exclusively online at www.jrcigars.com.

    The JR Pure Origin line was born out of JR Cigar’s desire to offer its customers something truly unique by using rare and exotic tobaccos from around the world, according to the company.

    The cigar derives its name from the Andes Mountains of South America, home of the tallest active volcano in the world. Not only do the Andes have an incredibly rich history—it’s the birthplace of one of the six earliest civilizations—but the Andes is where the tobacco plant first blossomed. Aided by the nutrient-rich soil, unique microclimate and special ecosystem, tobacco grown in this mountain range produces a bold yet delicate smoke with amazing and diverse tonalities.

    “With JR Pure Origin, we have brought our exclusive lines to new heights, and we look forward to continuing that success with this release,” says Brad Winstead, CEO of JR Cigar. “In partnering with Rafael Nodal and the legendary A.J. Fernandez, we have created a unique and complex cigar that tells the story of the region with each puff.”

    JR Pure Origin: Terra de Andes uses aged Nicaraguan and Peruvian filler tobaccos, giving it a sweet and spicy center. Its Ecuadorian Sumatra binder adds touches of coffee and richness while its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper offers up notes of spice, leather and tobacco sweetness.

    JR Pure Origin: Terra de Andes is packaged in boxes containing 10 cigars, and it is available in three classic vitolas: 5X50 Robusto ($108 per box, $12 per single); 6X50 Toro ($117 per box, $13 per single); and 6X56 Toro Gordo ($126 per box, $14 per single).

  • Gotham Cigars Launches Back Alley Cigarillos

    Gotham Cigars Launches Back Alley Cigarillos

    Gotham Cigars released a new line of cigarillos called Back Alley.

    Back Alley cigarillos are made in the Dominican Republic and are constructed using a blend of carefully aged Dominican tobaccos. The cigars are 4.5 inches long with a ring gauge of 27 and are packed three cigars to a pouch. Six popular flavors are available—Banana, Russian Cream, White Grape, Blue Vanilla, Mixed Berry and Sweet—and benefit from a premium infusion process to ensure the flavors are authentic and delicious, according to a press release. Back Alley cigarillos will be priced at $18.99 for 15 pouches.

    “For some time, I have wanted to introduce a cigarillo that brings something new to the market … Back Alley does just that,” said Manny Balani, owner and president of Gotham Cigars. “Staying true to our urban upbringing, founded in New York City and operating out of Miami for the last 20-plus years, our Back Alley cigarillos are created for an urban audience that is looking for something new, exciting and just a little bit mysterious. We want adult cigarillo smokers to find their own back alley when they light up! We are very proud of this cigar and look forward to introducing it to the market.”

    Back Alley cigarillos from Gotham Cigars are available now at www.gothamcigars.com.

  • Snowplus to Launch Gold Bar and Clic in U.K.

    Snowplus to Launch Gold Bar and Clic in U.K.

    Snowplus will soon launch two all-new disposable e-cigarettes. The Snowplus Gold Bar and Snowplus Clic are the first 5,000 puffs TPD-compliant devices to come to market, according to an emailed press release.

    Debuting at the Vaper Expo UK, to be held from October 27-29 in Birmingham, England, the new products represent a “pioneering innovation” in the vaping market, according to Snowplus.

    “The Snowplus Gold Bar will be the game-changer in the industry, it will definitely lead the product development direction,” said a Snowplus spokesperson. “A 5,000-puff TPD disposable vape has never been seen in the UK market before.”

    All vaping products sold in the UK must comply with the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). Most legal disposable vaping products in the UK deliver less than 800 puffs in order to meet TPD requirements.

    The Gold Bar and Clic models both feature transparent e-liquid tanks that give users a clear, real-time view of remaining juice levels. The products also utilize lab-tested mesh coils made of specialized materials to deliver consistent and authentic flavor across 16 different juice options.

    “Snowplus has pioneered responsible innovation since its founding in 2019,” the release states. “With $40 million in funding from renowned investors like Sequoia Capital, the company aims to provide better alternatives to combustible cigarettes for adult consumers.”

    The Snowplus Gold Bar and Clic have also passed numerous third-party safety tests.

  • JTI to Launch Ploom in Greece

    JTI to Launch Ploom in Greece

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    Japan Tobacco International is set to launch Ploom, its heated-tobacco product, on the Greek market, according to 2Firsts.

    JTI plans to invest $3 billion in the global expansion of Ploom. Greece is the first planned market for promotion. JTI’s Greece subsidiary will be responsible for the Cyprus and Malta markets as well.

    The company’s goal is to introduce Ploom in 25 countries. JTI also plans to invest €2 billion from 2023 to 2025 for the development of other heated-tobacco products.

  • TACJA launches nicotine pouches in Europe

    TACJA launches nicotine pouches in Europe

    TACJA has launched nicotine pouches in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Sweden.

    The products offer eight flavors in two taste series—Mellow and Frozen—and nicotine concentrations of 20 mg/g, 18 mg/g and 12 mg/g. According to TACJA, the products contain pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and comply with the European Union Good Manufacturing Practice.

    “We are thrilled to introduce TACJA, offering a diverse range of flavors and a delightful sensory presence,” said Charles An of TACJA in a statement. “Our nicotine pouches are designed to provide users with moments of quality and unconstraint,” he added.

  • PMI Launches Tobacco-Free Heat Stick

    PMI Launches Tobacco-Free Heat Stick

    Image: Reuters

    Philip Morris International unveiled a zero-tobacco stick for use with its heat-not-burn device IQOS, which may help the company avoid tax and other regulations that affect its tobacco products in some markets, according to Reuters.

    The new sticks, called LEVIA, do not contain tobacco but rather a “nontobacco substrate” infused with nicotine. It offers flavors including tobacco, menthol with blueberry and peppermint.

    LEVIA may avoid the heavy taxes or other controls imposed on other tobacco products, according to CEO Jacek Olczak. He said it “may not be subject to flavor regulations in some jurisdictions” and that it “doesn’t fit” in existing fiscal categories.

    A PMI spokesperson declined to comment on when and where LEVIA would launch or what substance replaces the tobacco.

  • Premier to Distribute NIC-S Pouches

    Premier to Distribute NIC-S Pouches

    Photo: Premier Manufacturing/Enorama Pharma

    Premier Manufacturing, a subsidiary of U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, and Enorama Pharma have entered into an exclusive distribution agreement regarding the sale of NIC-S, tobacco-free white snus, for the U.S. market.

    “The growth and sales potential in tobacco free nicotine pouch market is growing exponentially”, said Premier Manufacturing Sales Director Steve Lucas. “We wanted to offer our customers and their consumers a broader range of products and NIC-S is a great partner to achieve this”, said Lucas.

    “We at Enorama are very pleased to have entered into this distribution agreement with Premier Manufacturing and we look forward to a long and close collaboration. We are convinced that Premier Manufacturing, its extensive sales organization and a wide contact network, will be a valuable partner for Enorama’s expansion in the American market.” said CEO Annette Agerskov.

    NIC-S is available in a wide range of options allowing the consumer to tailor their nicotine intake. “With three different nicotine strengths—3 mg, 6 mg and 9 mg—and several flavors such as wintergreen, mint, orange, berry, cinnamon and flavor free; consumers will be sure to find a favorite style—or two,” said Lucas.

    “Everyone at Premier Manufacturing is excited about the opportunity to partner with Enorama Pharma to supply our customers with a superior quality premium tobacco-free white pouch that will satisfy the growing number of consumers entering this exciting category,” said U.S. Tobacco Cooperative Senior Vice President Russ Mancuso.

    Premier Manufacturing will be doing a full marketing campaign promoting NIC-S that will include point-of-sale materials, print and digital ad campaigns, display fixtures and various websites. Product will be available via Premier’s distribution network throughout the U.S. in the coming months.

  • KT&G to Expand lil Hybrid 3.0 in South Korea

    KT&G to Expand lil Hybrid 3.0 in South Korea

    Image: 2Firsts

    KT&G plans to expand distribution of its heat-not-burn product lil Hybrid 3.0 to 26,000 convenience stores in South Korea beginning Aug. 23, reports 2Firsts.

    Lil Hybrid 3.0 has been available at official flagship stores and online platforms since its release on July 24. It will now be available in convenience stores across six metropolitan cities, including Seoul, Sejong and Gyeonggi.