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Category: Press Releases

  • Greenbutts Helping Address the Global Cellulose Acetate Issue

    Greenbutts Helping Address the Global Cellulose Acetate Issue

    Earlier this week, Clean Up Australia reported that discarded cigarette butts had overtaken all other forms of trash as the most littered item in the country, most made with cellulose acetate, a non-biodegradable plastic. The finding reflects a broader global trend, with cigarette butts consistently ranked as the most littered item worldwide. An estimated 5 to 6 trillion filters are discarded annually, releasing plastic microfibers and toxic chemicals into the environment and generating more than $26 billion in cleanup costs.

    Governments, non-profit organizations, and industry stakeholders have attempted to address the issue through regulatory, educational, and technological initiatives. California-based Greenbutts, which manufactures a patented, 100% biodegradable and water-dispersing cigarette filter, is among the companies pursuing alternative materials. “Effective and credible sustainability does not emerge from slogans or isolated initiatives,” said Tadas Lisauskas, founder and CEO of Greenbutts. “It is driven by three fundamental forces that naturally align when awareness is informed, concern is genuine, and responsibility is shared. When these conditions exist, meaningful change follows.”

    Lisauskas said the first of those forces is consumers, arguing that informed purchasing decisions can drive product performance and environmental accountability. The second force, he said, is government and regulatory action focused on the full lifecycle of materials, from sourcing through disposal. The third is the tobacco industry, which he said has the technical and financial capacity to implement environmental solutions. “Today, however, gaps persist across all three forces,” Lisauskas said. “As a result, well-intended discussions, pilot projects, and policy drafts too often remain on paper rather than translating into action.

    “For over a decade, Greenbutts has worked deliberately across these three dimensions, engaging consumers, supporting regulators, and partnering with industry. Yet progress at scale requires collective commitment. We need clearer, science-based communication that informs consumers there is already a viable, commercially available, and effective solution capable of permanently eliminating the most littered single-use plastic in the world: cellulose acetate cigarette filters.”

  • DON EMMANUEL CIGARS EXPANDS INTO PANAMA WITH OFFICIAL BRAND LAUNCH EVENT

    PRESS RELEASE

    “Expansion follows recent international growth across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa.”

    Miami, FL – January 29, 2026 — Don Emmanuel Cigars announces its official expansion into Panama, marking another milestone in the brand’s growing international presence and continued momentum across key cigar markets.

    The brand’s debut in Panama will be marked by an official launch event on Thursday, January 29, held at Club Unión’s Muelle beginning at 4:30 PM, featuring a curated pairing with Ron Barceló. The event will be attended by Don Emmanuel, founder and creator of the brand, and will introduce the Anunnaki line to Panama’s cigar community through an elevated spirits-and-cigar experience.

    Representing Don Emmanuel Cigars in Panama is Erick Villarreal, a Panamanian native with years of experience in the banking sector and formal training in bar and restaurant consulting. Villarreal further developed his expertise through professional work in Lima, Peru, and brings both industry insight and a genuine passion for premium cigars to the brand’s presence in Panama.

    In addition to the official launch, a private gathering will take place the evening prior with Valentino Siesto, reflecting a longstanding personal and professional relationship with Don Emmanuel. Siesto previously participated in the brand’s launch in the Dominican Republic, continuing a shared history that has accompanied the brand’s growth.

    Panama’s established cigar culture and appreciation for refined pairing experiences make it a natural market for Don Emmanuel Cigars. The brand’s debut line, Anunnaki, is co-blended by Don Emmanuel in collaboration with legendary Master Blender Eladio Díaz at Tabacalera Díaz Cabrera in the Dominican Republic.

    Crafted using seven distinct tobaccos — including a rare Dominican wrapper and a Mexican San Andrés Negro binder — the Anunnaki line is designed to evolve throughout the smoking experience, offering balance, complexity, and a refined progression from beginning to end.

    The Panama expansion follows recent growth across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa, further strengthening the brand’s international footprint and growing recognition among retailers, cigar enthusiasts, and media.

    About Don Emmanuel Cigars

    Founded by Brazilian Master Cigar Sommelier Don Emmanuel, the brand embodies the meeting of culture, craft, and cosmic inspiration. Produced at Tabacalera Díaz Cabrera in the Dominican Republic, Don Emmanuel Cigars merges Eladio Díaz’s legendary blending expertise with Emmanuel’s refined sommelier perspective to create cigars of balance, depth, and soul. Its debut line, Anunnaki, honors ancient mythology through exceptional craftsmanship and artistry.

  • Australia Hoping Enforcement Will Curb Illicit Tobacco Crisis

    Australia Hoping Enforcement Will Curb Illicit Tobacco Crisis

    Western Australia is moving to significantly strengthen its response to the illicit tobacco trade, announcing the creation of a dedicated taskforce led by WA Police Superintendent Steve Post, newly appointed as the state’s “illicit tobacco czar.” The government says the initiative is a response to escalating criminal activity linked to illegal tobacco, including arson attacks, firebombings, and drive-by shootings targeting retail outlets across Perth and regional areas. Estimates suggest illicit cigarettes now account for at least half of Australia’s tobacco market, costing taxpayers up to A$11.8 billion ($7.9 billion) annually.

    The taskforce will sit within the Department of Health and draw on a mix of retired officers and serving police transitioning from frontline duties, to tighten compliance and enforcement under tougher tobacco laws currently being drafted. An initial A$5 million ($3.4 million) funding allocation will boost the Tobacco Compliance Unit to around 40 full-time equivalent staff, with new powers expected to allow authorities to immediately shut down non-compliant premises.

    The WA move mirrors intensifying crackdowns in other states, particularly New South Wales, where the Minns government has launched dozens of raids, confiscated illicit cigarettes and vapes, and issued 90-day and longer closure orders. However, industry observers and local governments warn that enforcement alone is struggling to keep pace with the scale of the black market, as, for example, law loopholes allow shuttered tobacco retailers to reopen nearby under generic “shop” or “retail premises” classifications, undermining enforcement efforts.

    Public policy critics and harm reduction advocates argue the crisis reflects deeper structural failures rather than a lack of enforcement. The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates has told a Senate inquiry that Australia’s illicit tobacco problem is the predictable outcome of restrictive policies that eliminated legal access to safer nicotine alternatives while demand persisted.

  • The Global Tobacco Industry Is Solving the Wrong Problem

    Editorial submitted by Smart Chireru, Founder & Managing Director, Bullion Essence (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe

    For decades, the global tobacco industry has focused on optimizing the last mile of the value chain — branding, distribution, taxation efficiency, and regulatory navigation. Entire corporate strategies have been built around managing downstream complexity.


    Yet the most structurally inefficient part of the tobacco industry has remained largely unquestioned: Where value is created.

    A Blind Spot Hidden in Plain Sight
    Each year, millions of tonnes of African flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco are grown, cured, baled, and exported — only to be shipped thousands of kilometres for processing before being redistributed to final markets.


    This is not a marginal inefficiency. It is a systemic design flaw.


    African tobacco routinely crosses oceans twice before reaching consumers, despite being cultivated in regions that already possess the labor, agronomy, and logistical access required for industrial processing.


    The industry has normalized this pattern. That does not make it optimal.


    The Question No One Asks
    The dominant question in global tobacco manufacturing has long been: Where can we process tobacco at scale, with regulatory certainty?,


    That question made sense 20 years ago. Today, the more relevant question is: “Why is tobacco not processed where it is grown?” Once that question is asked honestly, many long-held assumptions begin to collapse.


    Cost Is Not the Issue — Structure Is
    This is not a debate about labor arbitrage or cheap inputs. The global industry already understands cost.


    The real issue is structural fragmentation:
    ● Leaf production in Africa
    ● Processing in Asia or the Middle East
    ● Redistribution to Africa, Europe, and emerging markets

    Each handover adds:
    ● Logistics cost
    ● Inventory risk
    ● Compliance complexity
    ● Quality variability
    ● Capital lock-up

    None of these add value to the product. They are artefacts of legacy thinking.

    Modern Manufacturing Has Already Moved On
    Other global industries resolved this problem years ago.
    Automotive, electronics, agribusiness, and even pharmaceuticals have embraced:
    ● Near-source processing
    ● Export-oriented industrial zones
    ● Bonded manufacturing
    ● Integrated traceability

    Tobacco remains one of the last global industries still anchored to 20th-century supply chain logic.


    Africa Is Not the Risk — It Is the Missing Link
    The reluctance to process tobacco at origin is often framed as a risk question: compliance, diversion, infrastructure, governance.
    But risk does not disappear by shipping tobacco elsewhere. It merely becomes less visible.


    Modern processing platforms at origin can now offer:
    ● Full bonded manufacturing
    ● Unit-level serialization
    ● Blockchain traceability
    ● Independent auditability
    ● Export-only operations
    ● Zero domestic market exposure

    In other words, the same controls global manufacturers demand elsewhere are applied closer to the source.


    Zimbabwe: A Structural Inflection Point
    Zimbabwe illustrates what becomes possible when origin processing is treated as a strategy rather than an exception.

    The country combines:
    ● Globally recognized FCV tobacco
    ● Skilled agricultural and industrial labor
    ● Proximity to regional ports
    ● Export-oriented Special Economic Zone frameworks

    When modern European processing technology is deployed under such structures, the result is not “African manufacturing.”
    It is globally competitive manufacturing — simply relocated to where it makes the most sense.


    The Industry’s Next Advantage Will Not Be Marketing
    The next competitive advantage in tobacco will not come from:
    ● New pack designs
    ● Marginal tax arbitrage
    ● Brand extensions

    It will come from supply chain intelligence.
    Manufacturers who shorten their value chains will:
    ● Lower true cost per thousand
    ● Improve blend consistency
    ● Reduce working capital strain
    ● Strengthen compliance credibility
    ● Enhance ESG alignment

    Those who do not will carry inefficiencies their competitors no longer accept.

    A Provocation, Not a Prediction
    This is not a call to abandon existing hubs or partners.
    It is a call to re-evaluate assumptions. The global tobacco industry has mastered distribution, regulation, and branding.
    It has not yet fully modernised where value is created.


    That opportunity now exists.

    The companies that recognize it early will define the next chapter of global tobacco manufacturing.


    Smart Chireru is the Founder and Managing Director of Bullion Essence (Pvt) Ltd, an export-only tobacco processing and toll manufacturing platform being developed in Zimbabwe under a Special Economic Zone framework.

  • DON EMMANUEL CIGARS EXPANDS INTO SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH NEW DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP

    PRESS RELEASE

    Brand continues international growth following recent Caribbean expansion

    Miami, FL – December 22, 2025 – Don Emmanuel Cigars announces its expansion into South Africa, marking the brand’s first entry into the African continent. The distribution agreement has been finalized with Amano Cigars, a respected importer and distributor of premium cigars in South Africa that also operates the Pedro Portia Cigar & Champagne Lounge, widely regarded as the country’s premier cigar destination, located at the Gantry Lifestyle Center in Fourways, Gauteng.

    This announcement follows the brand’s recent expansion across the Caribbean and Latin America, reinforcing a pattern of steady international growth driven by rising consumer interest in the brand’s debut line, Anunnaki.

    Anunnaki is co-blended by Don Emmanuel and legendary Master Blender Eladio Díaz and produced at Tabacalera Díaz Cabrera in the Dominican Republic. The line features seven distinct tobaccos, including a rare Dominican wrapper and a Mexican San Andrés Negro binder, and has earned attention for its balance, evolution, and expressive smoking experience.

    Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Don Emmanuel combines formal expertise with deep personal tobacco heritage. A Master Cigar Sommelier, his passion was shaped early through his family, including his grandmother’s work with Suerdieck, once the world’s largest cigar manufacturer. Decades of study, factory visits, and collaboration with industry leaders continue to inform his refined approach to blending.

    The brand’s expansion is supported by a diverse leadership team combining creative, blending, and commercial expertise.

    Martin Olivier Weber, a Swiss-born global executive, brings decades of senior leadership experience from multinational companies including Nestlé and PepsiCo, with a background in general management, marketing, and international growth strategy.

    Alejandro Mejía Garagorry, International Sales Director and Partner, contributes more than two decades of experience in global sales and market development, having held senior roles at PepsiCo and Mondelez International across the Americas.

    “Our focus has always been on building something meaningful and lasting,” said Martin Olivier Weber, Partner, Don Emmanuel Cigars. “We are taking a disciplined approach to growth, entering markets that appreciate craftsmanship, culture, and authenticity. South Africa represents a strong strategic step in that journey.”

    With Amano Cigars serving as the official distributor, Don Emmanuel Cigars will now be introduced to a growing South African market known for its sophisticated cigar consumers and established lounge culture. The presence of Pedro Portia provides a natural cultural platform for the brand within the region.

    All three vitolas of the Anunnaki line — Anu (6 x 52 Toro), Ki (5 x 50 Robusto), and Corona Fina (4 x 38, Tin of 5) — will be available through the South African distribution channel.

  • Effected Oral Bacteria Could be Harnessed for Cessation: Study

    Effected Oral Bacteria Could be Harnessed for Cessation: Study

    A study by Dr. Nishant Mehta, associate professor at PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), Chandigarh, India, found that prolonged use of smokeless tobacco alters the oral microbiome, promoting the growth of bacteria capable of breaking down nicotine. The research suggests these “nicotinophilic” microbes adapt to repeated nicotine exposure by using it as an energy source. The findings indicate that these microbial changes could potentially be harnessed to support future tobacco cessation strategies.

    Presented at the 29th IAPHD National Conference (NATCON 2025) in Mangaluru, the study earned the Best Paper Award. Researchers analyzed saliva samples from smokeless tobacco users using advanced molecular techniques and confirmed that certain oral bacteria can actively metabolize nicotine. While further research is needed, experts say the study offers a new biological perspective on nicotine dependence and oral health.

  • Tobacco Industry Alarmed at Bangladesh’s Policy-Making Exclusion

    In a unified statement, the industry leaders, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), Philip Morris Bangladesh, and JT International Bangladesh, said:
    “While we fully support the Government’s commitment to public health, we believe that the certain measures proposed in the draft ordinance are not evidence-based, and will jeopardize the local livelihoods, further fuel an already growing illicit tobacco market, result in government tax revenue leak, and discourage further foreign investment – ultimately severely impacting an already declining industry.

    “Amongst multiple detrimental clauses, the draft includes an ingredient ban, which poses direct threat to the current cigarette operations in the country entirely. The ingredients included in the proposal for ban are essential for processing, manufacturing, and preservation, and are critical to ensure product integrity. In addition, other business-critical clauses, such as mandating retailers license to sell cigarettes, will impact the current 1.5 million retailers and disrupt the legal sales of tobacco products to the retailers and the operations of associated 150,000 tobacco farmers, until the licenses are made available to all the impacted parties and this requires a fair and transparent process with proper consultation.

    “Furthermore, the proposed prohibition of smokeless nicotine and tobacco products will take away legitimate choices for adult nicotine consumers, who are looking for reduced risk profile alternatives compared to combustible cigarettes, to transition from combustible tobacco. A de-facto ban on these important product categories will further boost an existing illicit market with compromised quality products, as seen in other countries such as India and Australia. The illicit products will not be controlled by any standards to ensure product quality, further increasing the risk for consumer access to these products.”

    “Enacting the proposed Bill without a holistic stakeholder-inclusive consultation poses significant risks to Bangladesh’s economy and public health objectives. We urge the Government to consider the views of manufacturers, impacted farmers, marginalized retailers, hawkers, printers, and others in the value chain, to avoid the negative, unintended consequences caused by these proposed amendments. We are fully committed to collaborating with the Government, alongside other stakeholders, to find a balanced and comprehensive solution.”

  • GUIDE TO SELLING NICOTINE POUCHES IN THE UK: Everything retailers should know 

    The UK nicotine pouch market has evolved from a marginal phenomenon into a rapidly growing and increasingly important segment of the smoke-free nicotine category. For retailers, this means a need to respond to a wholesale shift in consumer purchasing habits. Keeping up with demand is important, but for this category, simply stocking the products is not enough. The staff selling the products must also have a sound level of understanding to meet customer expectations and help them make informed purchasing decisions. 

    Here, Markus Lindblad, from Northerner, shares the essential guide to selling nicotine pouches and what every retailer should know. 

    What are customers looking for when it comes to nicotine pouches?

    For UK customers, there are three key factors to consider. Price, flavour, and nicotine strength. As the market matures, we could expect to see factors such as moisture level and pouch size become more important to consumers, but at the moment, it’s the three fundamentals of price, flavours and strength that consumers are focused on. 

    For retailers, this means the priority is less on stocking a wide variety of different brand names, and more about having a good range of flavours and different nicotine strengths. If you can keep a good range of flavour and strength options for the customer, and keep stock up to date with innovative new products, then you’re already ahead. 

    Flavours and Strength – where to start?

    Nicotine pouches come in an increasingly wide variety of flavours, however, the traditional core flavours remain the most popular. Mint is by far the most popular flavour in the UK, found in six out of ten cans sold (59%). Fruit flavours come in second place, making up 22% of cans sold, followed by citrus at 8%.

    There is a wide range of strengths available, and we would recommend stocking everything from normal strength, which is 1.5–6 mg per pouch, up to extra strong, which ranges from 9.1–20 mg per pouch. The British Standards Institute recommends a maximum level of 20mg of nicotine per pouch, and reputable retailers should stay below this threshold. 

    What knowledge should staff be equipped with when it comes to talking to customers about nicotine pouches? 

    It’s really important that staff know how to guide customers on using the products correctly, explain to the customer how to select an appropriate strength level, and to give them some idea of what to expect from the experience. Most pouch users will be former or current smokers, so first find out about their current nicotine consumption habits, and help them to make informed choices about the strength that might work for them. 

    For someone trying a pouch for the first time, the experience may not be as expected, particularly if they have opted for a stronger variety. Generally, anything over 20g of nicotine is too strong for most users, and not something we would advise stocking.

    How do I explain the difference between snus and nicotine pouches?

    In the UK, the product is often confused with traditional Swedish snus, which contains tobacco, and ‘snus’ has become a common way of describing nicotine pouches amongst consumers. However, traditional Swedish snus is illegal in the UK. It’s important to help customers understand the distinction between tobacco-containing snus and non-tobacco containing nicotine pouches.

    How should I advise customers when it comes to brand recommendations?

    The UK pouch market is not yet mature, and so there is very little brand loyalty. UK consumers are open to trying different brands and formats of pouches. Just over a third (34%) stick consistently with the same product, while 66% rotate between two or more different products. For six in ten pouch users (59%), it’s actually price that is the main motivation to switch products. Value is king for the UK pouch consumer, so if you have any offers or deals, make sure to shout about this!

  • Duran Cigars Returns to the U.S. Market, Marking a New Era with the Addition of Roberto Duran Jr.

    PRESS RELEASE

    The company’s U.S. return is anchored by its new headquarters and distribution center in Little Havana

    Little Havana, Miami, FL — November 12, 2025 — After years of remarkable success in Europe and Asia, Duran Cigars proudly announces its return to the U.S. market. The company’s renewed presence marks the beginning of a new era for the family-owned brand, led by industry veteran Roberto Pelayo Duran and strengthened by the addition of his son, Roberto Pelayo Duran Jr.

    Founded in 2013, Roberto Duran Premium Cigars made its debut at the IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, introducing a portfolio that embodied the best of Cuban heritage and modern craftsmanship. Following a strong reception in the United States, Roberto Duran made the strategic decision to concentrate on the company’s global expansion—developing a 100-hectare farm in Quevedo, Ecuador, expanding the factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and establishing a strong footprint across Europe and the Asian market. While his focus abroad allowed the company to grow its reputation for quality and consistency, it also set the stage for this year’s highly anticipated comeback to the U.S.

    “Concentrating on our farm and global markets allowed us to perfect our production and strengthen our foundation,” said Roberto Pelayo Duran, Founder and CEO. “Now, with my son joining the business, we have the right team and structure in place to reestablish our presence in the United States while continuing to grow internationally.”

    The company’s U.S. return is anchored by its new headquarters and distribution center in Little Havana (3141 SW 8th Street, Miami)—a location that doubles as a retail cigar shop and lounge. The new space serves as the brand’s American home base, connecting its global operations to the heart of Miami’s cigar culture.

    Fueling this expansion is Roberto Pelayo Duran Jr., who joins as Marketing and Sales Manager. A graduate of the University of British Columbia (B.A. Political Science) and University of Notre Dame (M.S. Business Management), Duran Jr. brings a fresh, globally minded perspective to the family enterprise. His hands-on experience in Estelí and Quevedo—from fermentation and leaf selection to cigar rolling—has shaped a deep understanding of the craft and the people behind it.

    “Working alongside my father has shown me how passion and precision come together to create something lasting,” said Duran Jr. “With our vertically integrated structure and our new Miami headquarters, we’re ready to share Duran Cigars with U.S. retailers and enthusiasts once again.”

    With the addition of Roberto Jr. and its expanded infrastructure, Duran Cigars is poised for a powerful U.S. comeback—one built on family legacy, craftsmanship, and global success.

    About Duran Cigars

    Roberto Pelayo Duran began his lifelong journey in his native Havana, Cuba—where tobacco captured his passion and never let go. His early years overseeing cigar production in Cuba set the foundation for a career defined by craftsmanship and precision. He later advanced to manage the distribution of all Cuban cigar brands throughout Asia and Canada with The Pacific Cigar Company Ltd., further deepening his global expertise. His tenure with British American Tobacco expanded his experience to Middle East, Africa and the Americas. The creation of Duran Cigars gave Roberto the platform to craft and distribute cigars that embody the same excellence, construction, and character he demanded from the world’s finest. Today, Duran Cigars proudly represents a portfolio that includes Roberto Duran, Azan, Neya, Baracoa and Nicatabaco, each reflecting authentic heritage, meticulous blending, and the artistry that defines the Duran name.

  • From bans to balance: how Malaysia can finally win the war on smoking

    By Dr. Arifin Fii, President, Advanced Centre for Addiction Treatment Advocacy (ACATA)

    Malaysia has long aspired to become a smoke-free nation. Yet despite years of health laws and taxation regimes, one in five Malaysian adults still smoke today – that’s around 4 million adults.[i]

    Smoking is increasingly viewed as a public health issue. The shift to vaping is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for harm reduction, though regulation remains fragmented across states. However, Western public policy and proven results are often ignored.

    Europe’s Alternative Nicotine to Cut Smoking Rates

    Smoke-Free Sweden 2024: Missing the Target[ii] reports the European Union (EU) nations face a similar challenge. 24% of EU adults still smoke, a decline of just 1% since 2020, despite decades of strict laws and high taxes.

    Ireland’s smoking rate is 18% against their 5% by 2025 goal, despite ban on disposable vapes and newly introduced highest in EU vape tax. The Netherlands smoking rate stands at 19%, only a 1% drop since 2020, despite restricting e-cigarette sales to specialist shops. Denmark’s regulation on alternative nicotine has stalled momentum altogether.

    Sweden adopted a tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategy by utilizing non-combusted nicotine products nearly achieved smoke-free status (smoking rate between 5.6%–8%) and is expected to reach its 2025 target ahead of schedule. By recognizing proven results in alternative nicotine products, Sweden proved THR can bring real results.

    Together, these examples underline one truth: Prohibition Does Not Work. When governments restrict less harmful alternatives, smokers are more likely to stick with cigarettes, delaying progress toward a smoke-free future.

    The science behind THR is compelling. The Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom has found that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking[iii]. The real danger from tobacco is not the nicotine itself, but the thousands of toxic chemicals released when it is burned. While long-term data on vaping continues to evolve, the current evidence consistently shows it to be far less harmful, and many smokers use it as a transition tools.

    Nicotine addiction, as any clinician knows, is not a moral failing but a medical condition that requires compassion and treatment. Many smokers genuinely want to quit but struggle with withdrawal and limited cessation tools. THR provides a pragmatic middle ground, helping smokers move away from the most harmful form of nicotine consumption without punishment or stigma.

    Malaysia’s Enigma

    Malaysia’s Ministry of Health recognizes that smoking leads to more than 27,000 preventable deaths every year.[iv] Smoking-related illnesses cost the nation billions of ringgits in healthcare spending annually. Despite these staggering numbers, our policy landscape remains uncertain. More alarmingly, it does not distinct the notable difference between carcinogen-induced diseases from cigarette smoking versus vape or e-cigarettes.

    Malaysia missed an opportunity to really nip the problem in the bud when the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 took effect about 1-year ago. Harm reduction is not recognised as part of our national tobacco control strategy. Current measures treat all nicotine products as equally harmful, overlooking the opportunity to reduce smoking through less harmful, regulated, nicotine alternatives.

    As discussions on whether to impose stricter measures or even a total vape ban continues, we must shift the conversation from viewing vape as a problem to seeing it as a potential public health tool with stricter enforcement for underage access. To do this responsibly will require commitment from all stakeholders: through education, enforcement and regulations that ensures safety while supporting smokers who want to quit.

    Learning from Proven Strategies

    Sweden’s success offers valuable lessons. Instead of treating all nicotine products as equally harmful, the government adopted a risk-proportionate regulatory approach, giving smokers less harmful, affordable and accessible options. This principle could guide Malaysia’s next step. By creating a clear framework for less harmful alternatives, we can reduce smoking prevalence.

    The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has incorporated e-cigarettes into its smoking cessation framework, and New Zealand’s regulatory action plan balances access to vaping products with youth protection measures.

    Harm reduction is not a new concept in healthcare. It saves lives by meeting people where they are, not where we wish them to be. The same principle should guide tobacco control: helping smokers transition, not punishing them for struggling.

    Sweden’s journey proves that a smoke-free future does not require eliminating nicotine altogether, only eliminating the harm that comes from burning it. By giving smokers choices rooted in science and compassion, the country reached its goal years ahead of schedule and improved public health outcomes nationwide. Malaysia can do the same, but it will take courage from policymakers, support from health advocates and trust in the evidence.

    [i] National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023

    [ii] Smoke-Free Sweden 2024: Missing the Target

    [iii] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-cigarettes-around-95-less-harmful-than-tobacco-estimates-landmark-review

    [iv] Institute for Public Health (IPH) Malaysia, Tobacco and E-Cigarette Survey 2023