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Category: Press Releases

  • CEA Industries Changes NASDAQ Symbol to VAPE

    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.

  • Black Buffalo Announces Leadership Updates

    Black Buffalo Inc. announced the re-election of Kit Dietz to its board of directors and the appointment of Viv Penninti as a senior advisor.

    Dietz brings over 40 years of experience in the nicotine and tobacco sector, previously serving on Lorillard’s board during its $27 billion acquisition by Reynolds American and holding executive roles at Tripifoods Inc. and Spartan Stores Inc.

    Penninti will advise on data-driven sales and marketing. A pioneer in industry analytics, Penninti is the former CEO of MSAi and iGATE Global Solutions, and is currently CEO of InRhythm, Inc., an AI-driven business intelligence firm.

    “Together, Kit and Viv have created some of the most widely used strategies and technologies in the industry,” said Matthew Hanson, Black Buffalo’s Chief Growth Officer.

  • BAT Launches New Industry Podcast

    BAT is promoting a new podcast hosted by the company’s Chief Corporate Officer, Kingsley Wheaton. “The Smokeless Word” is meant to be a “thought-provoking new series, opening up reflective and unfiltered conversations with a wide range of guests – including cultural commentators, policy thinkers, and creative minds. The podcast offers a broader take on issues at the intersection of science, regulation, culture, and innovation.”

    Season one will include advertising legend Rory Sutherland and political commentator Reem Ibrahim.

    “Too often, we rush to conclusions,” Wheaton said. “‘The Smokeless Word’ invites a different approach: take in the evidence, consider the nuance, and join in open, informed conversations about the path ahead.”

    The podcast is available on major streaming platforms.

    https://www.bat.com/media/press-releases/_2025/june/new-podcast-explores-new-perspectives-on-building-a-smokeless-world

  • EPR for Packaging is Here:What Tobacco & Nicotine Companies Need to Know

    Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
    Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
    Cost: Complimentary
    Registration: Click Here
     

    Keller and Heckman LLP is pleased to announce a complimentary webinar, EPR for Packaging is Here: What Tobacco & Nicotine Companies Need to Know, hosted by Keller and Heckman LLP Partners Azim Chowdhury and Katie Skaggs.

    This webinar is intended for tobacco and nicotine companies. It will provide an overview of existing and emerging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation impacting tobacco and nicotine packaging and the obligations coming due.

    As early as July 2025, “producers” of covered products will need to join and pay dues to a “Producer Responsibility Organization” (PRO) as part of the state’s EPR program covering a wide array of packaging. Oregon will collect dues from producers of packaging starting in July, but it is only one of several states that have adopted EPR programs for packaging, and EPR policies continue to gain momentum around the U.S.

    Tobacco and nicotine companies should know that the new responsibilities created by these schemes – including reporting obligations and fee payments for packaging – may fall directly on them. This webinar will catalog the EPR schemes now in place and discuss practical steps that tobacco and nicotine companies can take to comply. The following is a short summary of the topics to be covered:

    • Introduction to EPR for tobacco and nicotine companies
    • Key elements of EPR programs for packaging (definitions, etc.)
    • Current and proposed state EPR legislation
    • Upcoming deadlines and obligations

    Click here to register.

    This webinar will offer the option for live captioning, provided by Zoom.