Clive Bates

Clive Bates is the director of Counterfactual Consulting and the former director of Action on Smoking and Health (U.K.). On this page we feature a selection of his contributions to Tobacco Reporter.

Nepal Goes All-In on Health Packaging

Nepal announced that all cigarette packs will be required to have 100% pictorial health warnings on both the front and back of the packaging beginning in August.

JT Not Adjusting Russian Business

Japan Tobacco announced it was not pulling out of the Russian market despite Ukraine’s efforts to get the lucrative company away from its combative neighbor.

Kretek Splash Draws Interest at TPE

One of the products that gained significant interest at TPE 2025 last week was the Splash menthol-filtered smokes that were launched at the end of 2024 by Kretek.

Hong Kong Proposes Public Vape Ban

Hong Kong authorities have proposed a citywide ban on the use and possession of e-cigarette cartridges and flavored tobacco products in public places.

Wall Street Likes Big Tobacco

According to Seeking Alpha, a leading financial research firm, U.S.-listed tobacco companies had a successful year of returns in 2024.

U.K. Nearing Generational Ban

The United Kingdom is poised to implement a generational tobacco ban this year, making it illegal for anyone born after January 1, 2009 to buy tobacco products.

Philippines: Illicit Trade Hurting Everyone

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means said illicit trade has been a major factor in the rise of smoking prevalence in the Philippines and a drop in revenue from excise taxes on tobacco products.

Tobacco Technology Celebrates 50th

Tobacco Technology is proud to announce its 50th anniversary in 2025. The company began as a small operation specializing in the creation of high-quality tobacco flavorings. Today, it is a leading global supplier of flavor products and a key player in multiple industries.

SCOTUS Tapdancing Around Vape-Venue Dispute

“They have circumvented that ability of a court to identify the most convenient forum,” the government said. “By allowing them to use the tactic that they have used, they can unilaterally send the cases to whichever court they prefer.”