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Category: Top News

  • Study: HTPs Increase Likelihood of Quitting

    Study: HTPs Increase Likelihood of Quitting

    Photo: Nikita

    Switching to heated tobacco products (HTPs) can significantly increase the likelihood of smokers quitting smoking entirely, reports the Inquirer, citing a study conducted by South Korean researchers.

    Conducted by experts at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, the study also found no evidence to support concerns that HTPs serve as a gateway to smoking.

    Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the researchers observed that 99.4 percent of HTP users either switched from traditional cigarettes or are dual users, with only 0.6 percent being new smokers.

    Anton Israel, president of the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines, said the Korean study demonstrates how technology can mitigate the risks associated with nicotine consumption. “Nicotine isn’t the problem,” he was quoted as saying. “It’s the way it’s delivered through combustion. Smoke-free products like HTPs eliminate the harm from smoke.”

    The Korean study, which surveyed 4,514 adults, also concluded that adolescents are more likely to start smoking with traditional cigarettes rather than HTPs. Among the study’s participants, 2,356 were nonsmokers, 1,316 were traditional cigarette smokers, and 842 were HTP users. 

    Heated tobacco products accounted for 12 percent of South Korean tobacco sales in 2021, up from 2.2 percent in 2017.  

  • Supreme Court Urged to Overturn Triton Ruling

    Supreme Court Urged to Overturn Triton Ruling

    Image: hafakot

    A group of congressional lawmakers urged the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked federal regulators from rejecting certain e-cigarette products, reports, reports Courthouse News.

    They argued that the move could hinder government efforts to keep illegal vaping products off store shelves.

    The Supreme Court is set to tackle the FDA’s power to regulate vape sales altogether this term, in FDA v. Wages and White Lion Investments, LLC. The forthcoming case challenges a January ruling from the Fifth Circuit, which found that the FDA overstepped its authority when it rejected marketing applications from two manufacturers looking to sell flavored liquids for e-cigarettes.

    In an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court Sept. 2, the group of legislators—led by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and New Jersey Representative Frank Pallone—argued that the FDA’s decision to reject these marketing applications was “carefully” reasoned.

    “Guided by Congress’ chief directive—to deny such authorization unless a product under review would be ‘appropriate for the protection of the public health’ … FDA has been appropriately mindful of children and teenagers, the most vulnerable pool of nontobacco users,” the lawmakers wrote.

    They contended that judicial oversight of the agency’s authority had been “generally consistent” until the Fifth Circuit’s ruling and had not impeded it from accomplishing its regulatory responsibilities.

    The legislatures told the high court that allowing the lower court’s ruling to stand would not only force the FDA to waste resources reevaluating the rejected marketing applications but could also invite other manufacturers previously rejected by the FDA to relitigate their own marketing requests.

    “While those applications are once again pending FDA review, the tobacco products they cover would continue to be sold, despite the law’s clear pre-market authorization regime,” the lawmakers said. That provides a “powerful financial incentive” for manufacturers to reapply for FDA approval, even if they know the agency will ultimately deny their applications.

    A group of health organizations has filed a separate amicus brief, making similar arguments, in the case.

  • Dominican Republic to Build Tobacco School

    Dominican Republic to Build Tobacco School

    Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The National Institute for Technical and Professional Training of the Dominican Republic will establish a school to meet the growing demand for skilled labor in the tobacco sector.

    Set up in collaboration with the Association of Cigar Producers of the Dominican Republic (ProCigar), the facility will be located in Tamboril, Santiago, a key area for tobacco production. The facility aims to provide formal training and certification for workers, many of whom have previously gained skills through informal means.

    According to ProCigar President Litto Gómez, training is key in maintaining the international competitiveness and quality of Dominican tobacco products. Investing in skilled labor, he noted, not only supports the industry’s efficiency but also contributes to the economic development of local communities.

    The tobacco industry in Santiago employs more than 110,000 people and generated over $400 million in the first four months of the year, according to the Ministry of Industry.

  • BAT to Host 2024 CORESTA Congress

    BAT to Host 2024 CORESTA Congress

    The UK-based company will host the 2024 CORESTA Congress in Edinburgh, UK, from 13 – 17 Oct.

    • The Congress will bring together leading scientists, tobacco and related product experts, and regulators from over 165 member organizations to focus on the theme of “Advancing Tobacco Harm Reduction through Scientific Collaboration.”
    • Participants will share, discuss, and collaborate on tobacco and related product
      science.

    BAT has volunteered to host the upcoming Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative
    to Tobacco (CORESTA) Congress 2024, set to take place from 13 – 17 October at the Edinburgh
    International Convention Centre, UK.

    This year’s congress will bring together over 165 member organizations, from over 30 countries
    and non-members, including companies, research institutes, laboratories, associations, and
    regulatory bodies under the theme of “Advancing Tobacco Harm Reduction through Scientific
    Collaboration”.

    Formed in 1956, CORESTA is committed to exploring the latest scientific research to facilitate
    positive change in the tobacco industry. This year’s iteration continues this ambition, specifically
    seeking to advance the knowledge and understanding of the science related to Tobacco Harm
    Reduction (THR) among its membership and attendees.

    To achieve this goal, leading scientists from across the world will attend and present their work, bringing their expertise in a diverse range of disciplines to allow participants to explore all aspects of THR. Thanks to the collaborative work of the most experienced scientists in their field, CORESTA has gained international recognition.

    With increasing regulatory requirements, CORESTA’s scientific work and outputs have become a worldwide reference point for tobacco policymaking and support the development of testing standards, such as ISO Standards.

    As host, BAT looks forward to facilitating the conversations necessary to grasp the public health opportunity presented by THR to significantly reduce the risks for the estimated 1bn consumers who smoke and address misperceptions of alternative tobacco and nicotine products with the potential to reduce risks compared to cigarettes.

    To learn more about the event and request an invitation, visit the official congress website: www.corestacongress2024.com. Registration is open until Sept. 20, 2024.

  • Fire Damages Universal Facility in Dominican

    Fire Damages Universal Facility in Dominican

    Image: sharafmaksumov

    A fire broke out Sept. 2 at Inetab-Kaubeck, Universal Corp.’s leaf-sorting and sales facility in Moca, Dominican Republic.

    In a letter sent to Universal clients obtained by Halfwheel, Inetab-Kaubeck Managing Director Philipp Schumacher said that there was “a material loss of tobacco and one part of the warehouse affected.”

    The letter states that staff were not on-site at the time of the fire, and no lives were lost. It does not list the cause of the fire.

    Video of the fire showed a large warehouse that appeared to still have tobacco in it, but images shared with Halfwheel show a mostly empty building with remnants of tobacco on the floor and tables as well as char marks around the walls and standing water on the floor. 

    In a subsequent video, Henderson Ventura of Tabacalera William Ventura and ADV & McKay Cigars Co. said that it is one of eight buildings at Inetab-Kaubeck and one that focused on Connecticut broadleaf and Pennsylvania tobaccos.

    “We thank all emergency services present and [e]specially the fire departments from Moca and multiple other locations in the Cibao area for their assistance to the fire,” said Schumacher. “Thanks to their tireless efforts, it was controlled swiftly.”

  • Tobacco Reporter Recognized

    Tobacco Reporter Recognized

    Tobacco Reporter was recognized for editorial excellence in the Trade, Association, and Business Publications International’s most recent Tabbie competition.

    The magazine received a bronze award in the Editor’s Column category for its “Developing Supplemental Value Chains” editor’s memo and an honorable mention in the Feature Article category for its “Broadening the Base” piece. Both articles deal with Malawi’s attempts to diversify its economy beyond tobacco.

    Created two decades ago, the annual Tabbie Awards program celebrates journalists worldwide who cover their industries with passion, skill and creativity. The Tabbie Awards stands out from other similar programs in its distinctive global reach, with local, regional, national and international English-language publications in all countries encouraged to participate.

    It’s not the first time that Tobacco Reporter’s work has been recognized in the Tabbie competition. Previous awards include gold, silver and bronze trophies for feature writing, along with honorable mentions in various categories.

  • ITGA to Hold AGM in North Carolina

    ITGA to Hold AGM in North Carolina

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    The International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) will hold is 2024 annual general meeting (AGM) in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, Oct.15-18. The event, which coincides with the organization’s 40th anniversary, is hosted by the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina and brings together growers’ representatives and tobacco sector stakeholders from around the world.

    Delegates to the meeting will visit an auction center, observe receiving station delivery, tour a processing plant, visit university and research farms and the North Carolina State Fair.

    This year, ITGA’s focus is on farm productivity and tobacco yields. An extensive research effort revealed crucial variations between markets as well as between small scale and commercial growers. This will be the focus of the open day conference.

    For more information, visit www.itgaevents.com.

     

  • Luxembourg Urged to Hike Tobacco Prices

    Luxembourg Urged to Hike Tobacco Prices

    Photo: danimages

    Public health activists are urging Luxembourg raise tobacco prices, reports the Luxembourg Times.

    Tobacco in Luxembourg is considerably cheaper than it is in all surrounding countries, which spurs cross-border sales and supplies a steady stream of revenue to the principality.

    As much as 5 percent of Luxembourg’s treasury income is generated from tobacco sales. However, much of this is purchased by people who live in France, Belgium and Germany. A pack of cigarettes is roughly twice as expensive in France as in Luxembourg.

    Finance minister Gilles Roth noted in March that the treasury actively relies on that money, making price increases unlikely.

    Health advocates are also urging Luxembourg to tighten laws on retailer tobacco displays.

    The Fondation Cancer group believes the visibility of tobacco and nicotine products not only encourages smokers to increase their consumption but also entices young people to start smoking.

    “Tobacco products and related displays are often strategically placed at the entrances of supermarkets, near sweets and magazines or directly at checkout counters,” said Fondation’s public health liaison, Lex Schaul.

    “These high-visibility areas make the products more noticeable to young people, normalizing their consumption and downplaying the associated dangers,” he said. 

  • Switzerland to Tighten Tobacco Rules

    Switzerland to Tighten Tobacco Rules

    Photo: Heorshe

    Switzerland will strengthen its restriction on tobacco advertising and nicotine product notification requirements effective Oct. 1, reports Swissinfo.

    The new rules include a nationwide ban on sales to people under the age of 18 and stricter advertising restrictions, for example on posters, on public transport, in cinemas, in publicly accessible buildings such as train stations and airports and on sports grounds.

    Existing smoking bans will now also apply to heated products and electronic cigarettes.

    Sponsorship of events with an international character or for an underage audience is no longer permitted.

    Cigarette manufacturers will also be required to print pictorial warnings on tobacco packaging

  • Lawmakers Act Against ‘Mimic Menthols’

    Lawmakers Act Against ‘Mimic Menthols’

    Photo: niroworld

    The California legislature has passed two bills to strengthen enforcement of the state’s law ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. The legislation must still be signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

    On Jan. 1, 2023, California implemented one of the strongest laws  in the United States prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes. In response, tobacco companies have developed alternative products that provide a similar cooling sensation with a less pronounced flavor. While tobacco companies insisted the such “mimic menthols” complied with state law, critics said they were designed to circumvent California’s rules.

    One of the new bills (AB 3218) requires the state Attorney General to establish and maintain a list of unflavored tobacco products, putting the onus on the tobacco industry to demonstrate that a product does not have a flavor and can be legally sold in California. The bill also updates the definition of a prohibited “characterizing flavor” to include products that impart a menthol-like cooling sensation, thereby making it illegal to sell tobacco companies’ menthol-like cigarettes.

    The second bill (SB 1230) authorizes the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to seize illegal, flavored tobacco products discovered during routine tobacco tax inspections.

    Anti-tobacco activists advocates welcomed the move. “We applaud the California leaders who have championed these bills,” said Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement. “They are ensuring that California’s law works as intended to protect kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity and save lives.”