Japan’s Heated Tobacco Market Reaches New Milestone
PMI’s IQOS leads the category with 70% market share, followed by JT’s Ploom at 16.4% and BAT’s glo at 14.3%.
Netherlands Plans National Vape Excise Tax
The State Secretary for Finance said the tax rate has not yet been determined, but the government wants vaping to become roughly as expensive as smoking tobacco.
South Korea’s Tobacco Companies Take Different Strategies on Alternatives
KT&G is focusing on premium products, PM Korea is expanding into liquid e-cigarettes, and BAT is strengthening its heated-tobacco lineup.
Queensland Legal Cigarette Sales Surge After Illicit Crackdown
The increase contrasts with a largely flat national market and comes as Queensland has stepped up efforts to shut down illicit tobacco, vape, and nicotine pouch retailers.
Tanzania Orders Tobacco Buyers to Pay Farmers by Oct. 30
AOI announced that it completed payments to growers and other stakeholders, disbursing $64.7 million across the tobacco value chain.
Kenya Approves Signature Leaf Acquisition of Mastermind Tobacco Assets
Mastermind was founded in 1987 by a former BAT Kenya executive, and grew to become Kenya’s second-largest cigarette manufacturer before financial problems.
Zimbabwe Urges Tobacco Farmers to Diversify
The board highlighted export opportunities for higher-value crops, including blueberries, macadamia nuts, avocados, citrus, and specialty horticultural products.
FDA Releases Transparency Roadmap
The initiative comes as FDA says it intends to evaluate changes to the PMTA framework.
ITGA Seeks Stories for World Tobacco Growers’ Day
ITGA said contributions may include messages recognizing tobacco growers, their role in the sector, or the importance of their voices.
Newsweek Names States with Toughest Vape Laws as CA Plans Ban
California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Utah have enacted statewide restrictions on flavored vaping products.
BAT Survey Highlights Potential Impact of UK Vape Rules on Retailers
BAT said restrictions on flavors, standardized packaging, and product displays could make it harder for retailers to manage stock and could contribute to missed sales.
JT Wins HR Wellness Award
JT’s “Wellness Advance” initiative addresses health issues related to gender differences and supports employee well-being and career development.
Scandinavian Announces Retailer Tariff Refunds
STG has a 7% import charge to account for tariffs of 12.5% on goods imported from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, and 10% on goods from Honduras.
UK Vaping Duty Takes Effect
Manufacturers, importers, and warehousekeepers are responsible for the duty, with existing unstamped inventory eligible to be sold through March 31, 2027.
Scandinavian, JT Complete Break, Moro Transaction
The transaction includes the transfer of certain inventories to Japan Tobacco, with proceeds to be included in the group’s free cash flow.
Alabama Expands Indoor Vaping Ban, Imposes New Vapor Tax
The Bill expands the definition of smoking to include vaping in locations such as restaurants, workplaces, stores, health facilities, educational facilities, airports, and government buildings.
Lucy Goods Partners with NBA Hall-of-Famer
Lucy Goods said it has retail agreements with Circle K, Kwik Trip, Maverik, RaceTrac, Sheetz, and Wawa, and is on pace to exceed its 2026 revenue targets.
FDA Seeks New Scientific, Consumer Voices for Advisory Committees
The recruitment could be relevant to the tobacco sector because FDA advisory committees can provide independent scientific and consumer input on FDA-regulated products.
Imperial Expands Paramount Brand in UK
It is available through independent and wholesale outlets at a recommended retail price of £14.80.
Oxford Economics Report Links High Cigarette Taxes to Illicit Growth
Across the countries studied, illicit market share increased by an average of 25 percentage points, from 18% in 2015 to 43% in 2025.
Meta, TikTok Scrutinized for Illegal Nicotine Ads in Australia
The report said Meta’s advertising library showed 460 unique ads for Chinese vape brand Alibarbar, with at least 93 active.
Nion Launches Dissolvable Nicotine Strips in UK
The launch range includes Mint and Lemon flavors in three strengths — 1 mg, 3 mg, and 6 mg — with 20 individually wrapped strips per £5.99 pack.
JTI Says Regulatory Gaps Fueling Illicit Trade in Philippines
JTI said a June operation with Philippine authorities led to the seizure of 23 containers of illicit cigarettes valued at $27.5 million.
Korea Weighs Raising Cigarette Prices as Smoking Rates Fall
The decline accelerated after the government raised the price of a pack to $3.33 in 2015 from $1.85.
Menthol Prolongs Nicotine Effects in Rats: Study
The study found that combining menthol and nicotine prolonged nicotine-induced reductions in body temperature, with differences remaining significant 120 minutes after exposure.