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Category: Science & Innovation

  • Japan Review Raises Questions Over HTP Risks

    Japan Review Raises Questions Over HTP Risks

    Health officials in Japan are reviewing whether to tighten regulations on heated tobacco products (HTPs) after a government panel claimed that some devices may produce higher levels of certain carcinogenic substances than conventional cigarettes. The review, which was led by Takeo Nakayama, an epidemiologist at Kyoto University, examined global scientific studies published between 2010 and 2025, and concluded that HTPs are strongly associated with nicotine dependence and cardiovascular disease, while evidence on risks related to cancer, respiratory illness, pregnancy complications, and secondhand exposure remains limited or inconclusive. Researchers also identified potentially harmful chemicals, including furfural and mercury, in some products.

    The findings are expected to inform a broader policy proposal on passive smoking measures later this year as regulators debate whether existing exemptions for heated tobacco products under Japan’s indoor smoking laws should be reconsidered. Japan remains one of the world’s largest markets for heat-not-burn tobacco products, with HTP users estimated to account for roughly 40% of all nicotine consumers.

  • Survey Finds Widespread Confusion Over Nicotine Risks

    Survey Finds Widespread Confusion Over Nicotine Risks

    A survey of 1,973 U.S. adults commissioned by Haypp Group, parent of Nicokick.com and Northerner, found most respondents do not distinguish between the health risks of cigarettes and non-combustible nicotine products. According to the Nicotine Product Harm Perception Report 2026, 73% said vaping is as harmful as, or more harmful than, smoking; 60.6% said the same of nicotine pouches, and 64.9% incorrectly believed nicotine causes cancer.

    While 68.9% of respondents said they feel informed about nicotine risks, many answers conflicted with established evidence that combustion, not nicotine, is the primary cause of smoking-related disease. The survey also found that younger adults perceive smoking as more culturally visible, with 36.3% of those aged 25–34 saying smoking is “back in fashion,” even as U.S. smoking rates have fallen to about 9.9% in 2024.

  • How LIMS supports GMP compliance

    How LIMS supports GMP compliance

    ~ The impact of LIMS in modern labs, from data integrity and traceability to materials management and quality control ~

    Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance is fundamental for laboratories operating in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medicinal cannabis, and reduced-risk nicotine products. Ensuring data integrity, maintaining traceability, and enforcing controlled processes are all essential components of GMP. Here, Chris Allen, CEO of contract research organisation Broughton, explains the critical role of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) in supporting these requirements.

    Regulators are no longer just inspecting facilities; they are interrogating data. From the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Health Canada, there is a clear and consistent expectation that companies must demonstrate complete data integrity, traceability and control across the product lifecycle.

    Paper-based systems or fragmented digital tools can make this difficult to achieve consistently. Against this backdrop, LIMS are rapidly evolving from operational tools into critical infrastructure for GMP compliance.

    Ensuring data integrity and traceability

    A well-designed LIMS embeds these controls directly into laboratory workflows, helping ensure processes are followed correctly and records remain secure, complete, and auditable.

    Key capabilities of LIMS that support GMP data integrity include full audit-trail systems that record user actions and changes, version control for methods, products, and specifications, electronic signatures for reviews and approvals, and permission-based access controls to manage user roles and system permissions.

    Together, these features help laboratories maintain confidence in their data while ensuring they are inspection-ready. This both reduces the chances of failing inspections and makes audits less disruptive.

    Traceability of materials and proper equipment management are also essential elements of GMP compliance. Laboratories must maintain visibility over the reagents and materials used during testing, while ensuring that instruments remain calibrated and fit for purpose.

    A LIMS can support this through integrated management of lab resources, including stock batch traceability, stock expiry monitoring, stock status controls, and equipment maintenance and calibration scheduling.

    By centralising this information, laboratories can reduce compliance risks while improving operational efficiency.

    Importantly, the impact of LIMS goes beyond compliance alone. Leading organizations use these systems to gain greater operational control and insight as real-time visibility of laboratory data allows quality teams to identify trends, investigate anomalies and make informed decisions more quickly. This can support faster batch release timelines, improved product consistency and more proactive risk management. In this sense, LIMS is not just a compliance tool, but a platform for continuous improvement.

    Supporting quality control

    Quality management processes, such as identifying and investigating out-of-specification results, are essential components of GMP laboratory operations. Managing these processes manually can introduce delays or increase the risk of errors.

    Within a LIMS environment, testing results can be automatically assessed against predefined specifications, allowing the system to immediately flag potential issues. Investigation workflows can then be initiated and tracked in the system, ensuring corrective actions are documented and managed consistently.

    Embedding these quality processes in the LIMS helps laboratories maintain structured, auditable procedures that align with regulatory expectations.

    Future-proofing labs with LIMS

    As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, the importance of robust digital infrastructure will only increase. Laboratories must manage growing data volumes, support increasingly complex supply chains, and respond to more stringent oversight.

    In this environment, LIMS is no longer a ‘nice to have’, but a foundational component of modern GMP compliance that enables organizations to meet today’s requirements while preparing for those of the future.

    For companies operating in highly regulated sectors, the question is no longer whether to adopt LIMS, but how effectively it can be implemented to support both compliance and long-term operational excellence.

    Broughton has developed its own LIMS platform, LabHQ, to address the real-world challenges laboratories face when operating in highly regulated environments. Drawing on its experience delivering GMP testing services, LabHQ was designed to support the workflows, traceability and data integrity requirements that laboratories need to meet regulatory expectations. To find out more, visit the Lab HQ website.

  • Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use Increases Psychosis in High-Risks: Study

    Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use Increases Psychosis in High-Risks: Study

    A new multisite study published in Nature Mental Health found that combined use of cannabis and tobacco significantly increases the risk of developing psychotic disorders among individuals already considered high risk. Analyzing data from more than 1,000 participants, researchers found that while use of either substance alone was linked to anxiety, depression, and early psychotic symptoms, co-use was associated with a nearly threefold increase in the likelihood of progressing to full psychosis over time.

    The findings point to potential compounding effects of co-use, with researchers suggesting that tobacco may enhance THC absorption, potentially amplifying neurological impact.

  • South Africa: 80% of Smokers Back Risk-Based Regulation

    South Africa: 80% of Smokers Back Risk-Based Regulation

    A new survey among adult smokers in South Africa found strong support for risk-based tobacco regulation, with eight in 10 respondents backing policies that differentiate between cigarettes and less harmful alternatives. The research suggests that while 71% of smokers currently plan to continue smoking, improved access to accurate information and appropriately regulated smoke-free products could more than double switching rates, potentially enabling up to 3.3 million smokers to move away from cigarettes. The research was commissioned by Philip Morris International and conducted by a U.S. research firm, Povaddo.

    The findings also highlight significant awareness gaps, with up to 70% of smokers unfamiliar with alternatives such as nicotine pouches, and many citing health concerns and cost as barriers to switching. More than 80% said affordability, availability, and access to clear risk-reduction information would influence their decisions, while roughly three-quarters warned that overly restrictive policies could push consumers toward illicit products, underscoring the role of balanced regulation in shaping market outcomes.

  • German Study Finds Strict Laws Don’t Equate to Cessation Success

    German Study Finds Strict Laws Don’t Equate to Cessation Success

    An international study by the German Cancer Research Center analyzing more than 50,000 smokers across 29 countries found that while stronger tobacco control policies—such as taxes, warning labels, and smoking bans—significantly increase quit attempts, long-term success is driven largely by individual and social factors. The research showed that smokers living with other smokers or exhibiting higher nicotine dependence were substantially less likely to quit successfully, regardless of policy environment.

    Researchers said the findings highlight a gap between policy impact and behavioral outcomes, indicating that regulatory measures can prompt quitting efforts but do not guarantee cessation. The study concludes that outcomes are heavily influenced by personal environment, including household smoking behavior and addiction levels, suggesting that cessation success varies widely even in markets with strict tobacco control frameworks.

  • FDA Expands AI Capabilities to Improve Efficiency  

    FDA Expands AI Capabilities to Improve Efficiency  

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it launched upgraded internal AI capabilities as part of a broader modernization initiative, introducing Elsa 4.0 and a new unified data platform, HALO. The agency said the integration of more than 40 systems into HALO will allow staff to access and analyze regulatory data more efficiently, with Elsa now operating directly on consolidated datasets to support workflows across scientific review, compliance, and enforcement.

    “Removing tedious burdens for staff enables them to focus more on science and makes their work streams more efficient and enjoyable,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “We have some of the best scientists in the world, and we need to take good care of them.”

    New features in Elsa 4.0 include document generation, data analysis tools, improved search functions, and automation capabilities, aimed at streamlining regulatory processes. The FDA said the enhanced AI infrastructure is designed to improve efficiency and support faster decision-making, with potential implications for the review and oversight of regulated products, including tobacco and nicotine products.

  • The Conglomerate Cigar Brands Are Losing Inside ChatGPT — and the Retailer Channel Is the Reason Why

    The Conglomerate Cigar Brands Are Losing Inside ChatGPT — and the Retailer Channel Is the Reason Why

    Cigar Aficionado’s 2025 Cigar Insider Retailer Survey told the same story Cigar Insider has told every year for the last decade. Padrón at #1, Arturo Fuente at #2, Drew Estate at #3, Perdomo at #4, My Father at #5, and Davidoff at #6. The retailers are telling us what they sell, and what they sell is a category increasingly dominated by family-owned manufacturers selling premium handmade cigars to aficionados who walk into shops and ask for them by name.

    The new 5W Cigar & Pipe AI Visibility Index 2026 — released this month after running more than 60 consumer-intent prompts through ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews in Q1 — tells almost the same story, but with one important difference. Padrón at #1 (11.5% of all citations), Arturo Fuente at #2 (10.5%), Davidoff jumped to #3 (7.5%), My Father at #4 (5.5%), and Oliva at #5 (4.5%). Perdomo dropped to #8 (3.4%).

    The retailer survey and the AI citation surface mostly agree; however, they diverge in ways that matter for every retailer, distributor, and conglomerate trying to understand where the category is going.

    Davidoff is the most important divergence. The Swiss-owned luxury brand ranks #6 in the retailer survey, where actual sell-through is what gets measured. It ranks #3 in the AI citation surface, where consumer research determines what gets asked for. The mechanism: Davidoff’s annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, owned-retail lounge network, and ultra-premium positioning produce the entity-strength signals AI engines weigh on prestige and gift-occasion prompts. The retailer survey measures what tobacconists are moving today. The AI citation surface measures what consumers are being told to ask for tomorrow. Both matter — but they measure different windows in the consumer journey.

    Perdomo is the second important divergence and the more uncomfortable one for the family operators below the very top. Perdomo ranks #4 by retailer best-seller mention and #8 by AI citation share. The brand is a tobacconist favorite — strong programs, consistent product, real value at the mid-price tier. None of that translates automatically into AI citation share, which routes through editorial recognition (Cigar Aficionado coverage, Halfwheel reviews, Cigar Snob features, etc.) more than retailer programs. Perdomo’s challenge is not product quality or distribution. It is editorial citation density. The brands ranked above Perdomo in AI citations are not necessarily better cigars. They are better-covered cigars.

    For the conglomerates, the divergence is more structural. General Cigar’s Macanudo is the leading mass-market premium cigar in the United States by unit volume. It ranks #11 in our citation share index. Altadis USA’s non-Cuban Montecristo and non-Cuban Romeo y Julieta — two of the most recognized cigar names in American consumer awareness — rank #12 and #13. Scandinavian Tobacco Group’s mid-tier portfolio underperforms its unit-volume position across the board. Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, and Henry Clay rank well below their distribution position.

    The mechanism is brand-narrative dilution. When a single corporate parent owns eight to 12 cigar brands, AI engines route citation share to the flagship and largely ignore the rest. The conglomerates have built the category’s distribution infrastructure across a generation of consolidation. They have not built the editorial citation infrastructure to match. Family-owned manufacturers with single-brand identities and decades-of-tradition narratives capture citation share that conglomerate-owned brands sharing generic conglomerate marketing cannot.
    For the retailer who works with all of them, the implication is direct. The brands that AI engines surface are increasingly the brands consumers walk in asking for. Macanudo will continue to be the leading beginner cigar in unit-volume terms — AI engines reliably surface it on “best beginner cigar” and “best mild cigar” prompts. But the broader “best cigar” citation surface is consolidating around Padrón, Fuente, Davidoff, My Father, and a small handful of others. The implication for category mix, premium-tier inventory, and gift-set positioning over the next 24 months is real.

    There are three patterns the trade should pay attention to. The first is the Cuban embargo asymmetry. AI engines hedge or refuse on Cuban-cigar U.S. purchase prompts and default to non-Cuban alternatives. Non-Cuban Cohiba, manufactured by General Cigar in the Dominican Republic, ranks #10 in our index — well above the Cuban Cohiba it shares a name with. The non-Cuban Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta lines benefit from the same dynamic. If U.S.-Cuba policy shifts, the citation surface will reset substantially. Conglomerates holding the non-Cuban Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta lines should be modeling that scenario now.

    The second is the tobacco-content guardrail. Roughly 18% of the cigar prompts we tested produced AI refusals or hedges — the second-highest rate of any category we measure. Brands silent on legal-purchasing-age compliance, regional restrictions, and regulatory transparency lose citation share. The January 1, 2026, California Unflavored Tobacco List effective date is the largest single regulatory citation event in the category this year. The U.S. District Court’s rejection of the Premium Cigar Association lawsuit produced a wave of trade-press coverage AI engines absorbed. Brands that engaged transparently captured citation share. Silent brands did not.

    The third is Cigar Aficionado’s structural role as the editorial citation infrastructure for the entire category. The annual Cigar of the Year, the Top 25 list, and the Cigar Insider retailer surveys represent the bulk of “best cigar 2026” citation share in AI engines. Halfwheel and Cigar Snob compound. JR Cigars, Famous Smoke Shop, and Cigars International each operate editorial content arms that produce structured cigar reviews and primer content AI engines lean on. For brands and retailers alike, the editorial channels that have always mattered now matter twice — once to the consumer who reads them, and once to the AI engine that absorbs them and tells the next consumer what to buy.

    The cigar category is not facing the kind of digital disruption that has reshaped other consumer categories. The category structure — family-owned, vertically integrated, agriculturally rooted, retailer-channel-dependent — is durable. What is changing is which brands AI engines name when consumers ask, and that change is happening fast. Two families, four manufacturers, and a Swiss luxury brand have already absorbed roughly 27% of the citation surface. That number will keep growing unless the rest of the industry recognizes what is happening and acts on it.
    The full Cigar & Pipe AI Visibility Index 2026 is available here.

    Ronn Torossian is the founder of 5W, the AI Communications Firm, and writes regularly on consumer category formation.

  • Report: Misconceptions Hurting Alternative Nicotine Products

    Report: Misconceptions Hurting Alternative Nicotine Products

    A new report highlights growing public misperceptions about nicotine products, with 59% believing that vaping is as harmful to health as smoking, a number that increases to 72% among 18–24-year-olds. The “Nicotine Product Harm Perception Report 2026,” released by Northerner and Haypp, surveyed 2,000 people in the UK, with nearly half believing vaping exposes users to more chemicals than cigarettes, and 60% registering as misinformed or uninformed when comparing nicotine pouches’ harm to smoking.

    The findings point to a shift in risk perception that contrasts with established public health messaging on relative harm. The report links these beliefs to broader narratives around a perceived “vape epidemic,” with 78% of respondents agreeing such an epidemic exists despite vaping prevalence estimated at around 10% of adults. This disconnect suggests that public understanding may be shaped more by media framing and social discourse than by underlying usage data.

    The report also cites inconsistent policy approaches and negative coverage as contributing factors to mixed public messaging around vaping and harm reduction. Experts warn that confusion over relative risks could affect smoking behavior. Dr. Marina Murphy, the senior director of scientific affairs at Haypp Group, said misperceptions may reduce incentives for smokers to switch to alternatives, potentially slowing or reversing declines in smoking rates.

     “Alarmist messaging and negative framing risk doing real damage,” Murphy said. “If smokers are put off switching, we risk undoing years of progress in reducing smoking rates. People need clear, balanced information about nicotine products so they can make informed choices.” 

  • PMI Announces FDA Reauthorization of IQOS as MRTP

    PMI Announces FDA Reauthorization of IQOS as MRTP

    Today (April 29), Philip Morris announced that it has received renewed Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its IQOS heated tobacco devices and associated HEETS consumables. The renewal covers two IQOS device versions and three HEETS variants, allowing the company to continue communicating reduced-exposure information to adult smokers in the U.S. The FDA said the decision is appropriate for the protection of public health, citing evidence that switching completely from cigarettes to IQOS significantly reduces exposure to harmful chemicals.

    The agency reaffirmed that available scientific evidence supports a measurable and substantial reduction in harm compared to combustible cigarettes, even without long-term epidemiological data. IQOS was first authorized through the FDA’s premarket pathway in 2019, with its initial MRTP designation granted in 2020 and expanded in subsequent years. The renewed orders maintain PMI’s position as the only company with MRTP authorizations for heated tobacco products in the U.S.

    The authorization applies to the IQOS 2.4 and IQOS 3 systems, along with HEETS Amber, Green Menthol and Blue Menthol variants. PMI said the decision supports its ongoing strategy to transition adult smokers away from cigarettes, as the company continues to invest in and expand its smoke-free product portfolio while awaiting further regulatory review of newer devices.