Category: Press Releases

Convenience stores across the U.S. are now permitted to take down federally mandated tobacco corrective statement signs, following the end of a 21-month compliance period that began on October 1, 2023.

The signage requirement stemmed from a U.S. Department of Justice consent order, part of a legal settlement with major tobacco manufacturers including Altria Group, Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and ITG Brands LLC. The signs, which were displayed in stores participating in cigarette promotional programs, delivered government-approved messages related to the health impacts of smoking.

As of July 1, stores are no longer obligated to display the signage. Retailers may discard the signs, according to Thomas Briant, legal counsel for the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO).

The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new initiative yesterday (July 2), urging countries to significantly raise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to “combat the global epidemic of noncommunicable diseases.” Dubbed “3 by 35,” the campaign calls for real price increases of at least 50% on those products by 2035.

According to WHO, a one-time 50% price hike on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages could prevent 50 million premature deaths due to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes over the next 50 years.

Backed by a coalition of global partners, WHO will provide technical support and policy advice to help countries implement these reforms. The campaign aligns with growing interest among governments to shift toward self-financed, sustainable health systems.

Seasoned Finance Executive Brings Transformation Experience to Grower-Owned Tobacco Leader

Raleigh, NC – U.S. Tobacco Cooperative Inc. (USTC), a leading grower-owned processor and marketer of U.S. flue-cured tobacco and tobacco products, has appointed Phil Garofolo, CPA, as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective June 30, 2025.

Garofolo brings over 18 years of experience in financial leadership and transformation across global agricultural and manufacturing sectors. He joins USTC from Pyxus International, where he served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer. At Pyxus, he led comprehensive transformations in corporate finance, accounting, internal audit, tax, risk, and insurance, helping the company streamline operations and secure $2.6 billion in funding across multiple business cycles.

Before Pyxus, Garofolo held senior financial roles at PowerTeam Services (now Artera) and EY, where he advised clients in the agriculture, life sciences, and infrastructure sectors through IPOs, M&A transactions, restructurings, and international reporting mandates.

In his new role, Garofolo will oversee Accounting, Treasury, Financial Planning and Analysis, Tax, Risk Management, and IT for USTC and its subsidiaries.

“Phil brings the rare combination of financial rigor, operational insight, and strategic vision,” said Ron Radloff, President and CEO of USTC. “His leadership will help drive efficiency and transparency across our operations while reinforcing our cooperative’s commitment to delivering value to our members and customers globally.”

Garofolo holds a Master of Science in Accountancy and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and is a licensed CPA.

Uganda is losing sh30 billion ($8.4 million) annually due to the illicit cigarette trade, according to a study by the international research firm Kantar. According to the findings, 34% of the cigarettes sold in Uganda last year were illegal, a 5% increase over the last two years.

The illicit trade is largely driven by smuggling between Uganda and Kenya, with Uganda now identified as a key source of contraband cigarettes in the Kenyan market. Illicit cigarette sales in Kenya reportedly increased from 28% to 37% over the past year. 

A new survey, by Haypp, asked British vape users about their purchasing habits and preferences. The results show some interesting trends that retailers should be aware of, particularly in the context of a changing market in the UK and evolving consumer preferences

One of the most notable results from the research was that vapes are strongly linked with online shopping. Based on the survey responses, the vast majority of vapers buy at least some of their vapes online. In fact, 87% of UK vapers buy vapes online despite the proliferation of stores selling vapes on the high street.

While 43% of survey respondents cited convenience as the main motivation for buying vapes online, another important benefit identified by vapers is the ability to make more informed purchasing decisions when shopping online. In brick-and-mortar stores, product information can be limited to simple display advertising or the knowledge of the staff members working at the time, whereas online shopping allows access to more information about a greater array of products. 

38% of vapers who bought online said attractive pricing is an advantage. Online retailers can offer lower prices due to factors like lower overhead costs and the ability to sell in larger quantities, which allows for greater price flexibility. 

Overall, the 35-44 year old cohort is the most likely to buy vapes online (93%), listing access to information as the primary benefit. However, it is the 55+ age cohort that has the greatest proportion of people buying 100% of their vapes online (34%). Their primary reason for doing so is that it is cheaper (64%). 

Markus Lindblad, Director of Haypp, said: “Our Vape Report reveals a clear trend, 87% of UK vapers buy online, driven by convenience, better pricing, and access to more information. We recommend retailers to focus on, providing comprehensive product information, educating consumers, and guiding them towards the alternative product that works for them.” 

“We expect there to be a lot of change in the industry over the next 18 months, so staying aware of new product innovations and the changing needs of vape users is incredibly important, not just for retailers but for policymakers too. Vape education is key in the UK right now.”

Imperial Brands has carried out two new behavioural studies into its vape product, blu, showing how adult smokers use it in their daily lives to reduce – or even replace – cigarettes.

Our behavioural scientists tracked adult smokers who had no plans to quit at the study outset, and found the following:

• After just one week, significant numbers of participants had shifted from smoking cigarettes to vaping blu – with an average fall in smoking rates of almost 29%.

• Vaping blu led to a sharp drop in how many cigarettes were smoked per day (an average of almost 30% across both studies).

• Authentic fruit and mint flavours were a crucial part of subjects’ switching journeys, helping them transition from smoking cigarettes to vaping blu – in one of the studies, almost 29% of subjects exclusively used fruit flavours.

• Flavours also encouraged subjects to continue vaping and not return to cigarettes – with 60% in one study saying they planned to purchase blu in the future because they liked the flavours offered.

• Longer term follow-up – around six months later – revealed that between a third and 40% of subjects had either significantly reduced smoking cigarettes, or even stopped completely.

Elizabeth Clarke, Scientific Substantiation & Engagement Lead, said: “Our latest consumer scientific research demonstrates blu’s exciting potential to help adult smokers either substantially reduce, or completely stop, using cigarettes. This is potentially extremely positive news for public health.

“However, we’ve only scratched the surface of the rich insights from these studies. Our scientists are currently analysing the data to find out more about individuals’ switching journeys. Our intention is to gain an even better understanding of consumer behaviour to inform our future innovation pipeline and support adult smokers in their journeys to give up cigarettes.”

Thomas Nahde, Head of Harm Reduction & Engagement, added: “Consumer preferences, next generation products, and the tobacco harm reduction debate itself continue to evolve at pace – and we are committed to ensuring the accompanying scientific research does too.

“These behavioural studies demonstrate actual harm reduction. We’re excited to use the results to show that responsibly manufactured and marketed vapes – including blu – can help make a positive contribution to public health.”

Both studies are set to be submitted for publication in the peer-reviewed academic literature later this year. The study findings will also be presented in more detail at the Global Forum on Nicotine 2025 in Warsaw (19-21 June).

Imperial Brands is committed to making a meaningful contribution to the public health concept of tobacco harm reduction through our next generation products.

La Aurora USA and Caribbean Sunrise Spirits (CSS) opened a new distribution center in Miami that will allow the operations department to “work more efficiently and to customize and personalize support to the company’s partners, retailers, and distributors in the U.S. market.”

“Our new distribution facility, which also serves as our headquarters offices in Miami, fits our strategic plan of reinforcing our commitment to faster service by increasing our inventory levels,” said Greyci Tineo, COO of both companies.

In addition to the distribution center, La Aurora Cigars unveiled a Monumental Cultural Mural displayed on Neptune Cigars’ new warehouse on 7th Street in Little Havana. The mural serves as a tribute to the mosaic of Miami and honors the enduring strength of Latin identity.

CEA Industries Inc. announced it is changing its ticker symbol on the NASDAQ Capital Market from “CEAD” to “VAPE,” effective at the opening of trading on June 13. The company recently acquired Fat Panda, a leading Canadian vape retailer.

“Changing our ticker to ‘VAPE’ reflects our strategic focus and the evolution of our business,” said Tony McDonald, Chairman and CEO of CEA Industries. “It signals our conviction in the long-term opportunity within the regulated vape sector and our commitment to building a market-leading consumer brand.”

The company also announced it has published an updated investor presentation, now available on the Investor Relations section of its website.