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  • Belgium Health Minister Wants EU to Tighten Vape Regs

    Belgium Health Minister Wants EU to Tighten Vape Regs

    Belgium’s Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke called on the European Union to tighten regulations on vaping, citing rising health risks and accusing the e-cigarette industry of targeting young people. Speaking during a visit by EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath to Sciensano in Brussels, Vandenbroucke urged stricter EU-wide limits on substances in e-cigarettes, a ban on disposable vapes, and restrictions on flavors, mirroring measures already in place in Belgium and the Netherlands.

    McGrath emphasized the scale of the issue and the need for stronger coordination and the use of scientific research across member states. The European Commission is expected to propose updated market surveillance rules later this year.

  • S. Africa Trying to Flip ‘Inadequate’ Illicit Tobacco Response

    S. Africa Trying to Flip ‘Inadequate’ Illicit Tobacco Response

    South Africa’s response to illicit tobacco remains inadequate, with legislative gaps, weak enforcement, and entrenched criminal networks that have been flourishing since the Covid-19 cigarette ban, Stefano Betti of the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade said at the EMEA Security Conference in Cape Town. He said illicit cigarettes may now account for between 50% and 75% of the market, driven largely by local under-declaration of production to evade taxes, creating severe price distortions between legal and illegal products and fueling money laundering risks.

    While acknowledging progress such as the creation of the Border Management Authority, efforts by the National Prosecuting Authority, and South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, Betti stressed that political commitments must translate into operational results. Echoing the call for stronger action, Kobus Lategan of the South African Police Service said authorities are preparing a large, intelligence-led national operation under direction from Cyril Ramaphosa to target illicit trade and counterfeit goods through coordinated enforcement across agencies and with private-sector support.

  • EG America and RJR’s Reconfigured Planogram Paying Off

    EG America and RJR’s Reconfigured Planogram Paying Off

    EG America’s said its backbar optimization strategy is driving significant results, with modern oral nicotine products achieving double-digit volume growth in 2025 and outpacing industry trends in the segment. Operating more than 1,500 locations, the retailer partnered with R.J. Reynolds to expand its VELO Plus synthetic nicotine pouch line, using analytics and supplier collaboration to optimize space and assortment. By reallocating underperforming areas and adding new facings without disrupting category balance, EG America created a planogram designed for growth, supporting top-selling segments while maintaining overall visibility.

  • Australia Moving to Ban R&D Tax Credits on Tobacco, Gambling  

    Australia Moving to Ban R&D Tax Credits on Tobacco, Gambling  

    Australia is moving to block tax incentives for research tied to the gambling and tobacco industries under new legislation introduced in the Lower House today (March 25). Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino said the measure would prevent taxpayers from subsidizing research that could worsen addiction and other health harms. The exclusion applies to all types of gambling- and tobacco-related R&D, though a carve-out ensures that studies aimed at harm reduction — such as addiction prevention or cessation strategies — remain eligible for R&D tax offsets.

  • Virginia Enacts ‘Vape Enforcement Act’

    Virginia Enacts ‘Vape Enforcement Act’

    Virginia passed the Vape Enforcement Act (House Bill 308 and Senate Bill 620), giving regulators new authority to enforce existing laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco and vaping products to anyone under 21. Oversight of retail sales shifts from the state tax department to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, which will conduct unannounced buyer operations on licensed retailers at least once every 24 months.

    Retailers will now require ABC permits to sell tobacco or liquid nicotine products and must maintain detailed records subject to auditing. Penalties for selling to minors include fines escalating from $1,000 for a first offense to $10,000 for a third, along with potential license revocation. The law also targets the sale of unapproved vaping products listed by the Attorney General, imposing fines for noncompliance. Legislators say the measure addresses rising youth vaping rates and ensures enforcement tools are in place to protect public health.

  • JT Takes $710M Dividend, Little Impact on Consolidated Results

    JT Takes $710M Dividend, Little Impact on Consolidated Results

    Japan Tobacco Inc. announced that its consolidated subsidiary, JT International Holding B.V., will distribute a dividend of approximately JPY 110.1 billion ($710 million) to Japan Tobacco, with receipt planned for March 26. The dividend will be recorded as non-operating income in JT’s non-consolidated financial statements for FY2026, but it is not expected to materially affect the company’s consolidated financial results for the year.

  • Philippines Bust Seizes $23M in Illicit Vape Products

    Philippines Bust Seizes $23M in Illicit Vape Products

    The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Customs seized P1.4 billion ($23.3 million) worth of illegal vaporized nicotine products in a warehouse raid in San Rafael Village, Navotas City, confiscating over 3.2 million vape devices and pods along with branded promotional items. The shipments lacked Philippine Standard Licenses and Import Commodity Clearance, violating Republic Act 11900 and related Customs regulations, and are now subject to forfeiture and condemnation proceedings to prevent reentry into the market. Authorities warned that violators may face substantial fines, imprisonment, revocation of licenses, and recall of noncompliant products.

  • Tasmania’s New Bill Aims at Illicit Tobacco, Vapes

    Tasmania’s New Bill Aims at Illicit Tobacco, Vapes

    Days after retailers called on the government to change tactics that it said were largely ineffective, Tasmania introduced new legislation to crack down on illegal tobacco and vaping products. The Public Health Amendment (Prohibited Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2026, introduced in Parliament by Health Minister Bridget Archer yesterday (March 24), creates new offences and increases penalties for selling illicit products, grants authorities powers to close non-compliant businesses, bans vending machine sales and public displays of smoking paraphernalia, and strengthens enforcement against sales to minors.

    Police Minister Felix Ellis emphasized the need for tough action to prevent organized crime linked to illegal tobacco, while calling for a coordinated national approach to complement Tasmania’s measures.

  • Pouch Maker to Refile FDA Lawsuit in D.C.

    Pouch Maker to Refile FDA Lawsuit in D.C.

    Fontem US, the maker of Zone nicotine pouches, has dropped its lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after a Texas federal court transferred the case to South Carolina, saying it plans to refile in Washington, D.C. The company had alleged the FDA was unfairly delaying review of its premarket tobacco product application, which is required to market new nicotine products in the U.S.

    U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman in Texas said Fontem had little connection to the state and its congested Northern District, and sent the case to South Carolina, where Fontem is based. By voluntarily dismissing the case, the company is seeking a more favorable venue in D.C. federal court, where many regulatory disputes involving federal agencies are typically heard. Zone is manufactured by TJP Labs in Canada, and marketed by ITG Brands, a subsidiary of Imperial Brands.

  • JTI Posts 12% Revenue Increase in Posting 2025 Financials

    JTI Posts 12% Revenue Increase in Posting 2025 Financials

    Japan Tobacco published its financial statements and independent auditor’s report for the 2025 fiscal year yesterday (March 24). The company reported strong year-on-year growth in 2025, with revenue rising to ¥3.5 trillion ($21.9 billion) from ¥3.06 trillion ($19.3 billion) in 2024 and gross profit increasing to ¥2 trillion ($12.3 billion). Operating profit more than doubled to ¥867 billion ($5.5 billion), driven by higher income and significantly lower selling and administrative expenses, while profit before tax climbed to ¥739.8 billion ($4.7 billion). Net profit for the period surged to ¥513.2 billion ($3.2 billion), up from ¥182.6 billion ($1.2 billion) the previous year, with earnings per share nearly tripling. Comprehensive income also rose sharply to ¥686.4 billion ($4.3 billion), reflecting stronger foreign exchange gains and overall improved performance.

    According to Investing.com, JT’s outlook for 2026 remains optimistic, with an expected core revenue increase of 3.6% and an 8.9% rise in adjusted operating profit at constant currency. The company plans to invest ¥800 billion ($5 billion) in reduced-risk products (RRP) from 2026 to 2028, focusing on consumer acquisition and retention. JT is also exploring mergers and acquisitions opportunities to further strengthen its position in both combustibles and RRP markets.