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  • GATC Awards at COP11 Draw Criticism

    GATC Awards at COP11 Draw Criticism

    As predicted, New Zealand was given a “Dirty Ashtray Award” by the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control (GATC) at the World Health Organization’s FCTC COP11. The “award” is a symbolic dishonor given to countries or delegations that “are seen as obstructing progress on tobacco control or aligning too closely with tobacco industry interests.” Even though New Zealand has one of the world’s lowest smoking rates and some of the strictest tobacco controls, Copwatch correctly predicted it would receive the slight because the nation openly promotes harm reduction.

    The GATC said New Zealand’s citation is “for trying to portray their current tobacco control plan as a success when in reality, since COP10, they’ve reversed world-leading reforms, sabotaged Indigenous tobacco-free aspirations, have alarming vaping rates among young people, and have plummeted from 2nd to 53rd on the global index for tobacco industry interference.

    New Zealand’s legislative reversal is being used by tobacco industry interests globally to push bad policy.”

    New Zealand has a 6.8% smoking rate (the fifth-lowest in the world), with a pack of cigarettes costing just under NZ$50 ($28), plain packaging requirements, and a strict smoking policy that pretty much bans smoking in all public places. Conversely, Mexico’s smoking rate is 15.4% and the average cost for a pack of cigarettes is $0.70, and yet it was awarded the “Orchid Award” by GATC for “powerful and uncompromising statements against the tobacco industry.”

    The seemingly nonsensical awards drew sharp criticism.

    “The (Bloomberg-funded) Global Alliance for Tobacco Control has given the Dirty Ashtray award to New Zealand for having one of the world’s lowest smoking rates but doing it in a way that Bloomberg disapproves,” Institute of Economic Affairs head Chris Snowden wrote on his X account. The global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, for which New Zealand was criticized for having dropped on, is financed by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

    “Prohibitionist campaigners are annoyed that New Zealand has embraced harm reduction, pointing to ‘alarming vaping rates among young people,’” Alastair Cohen wrote for Clearing the Air. “Youth vaping rates have fallen for three successive years in New Zealand. Mexico was awarded at COP11. Mexico’s smoking rates are more than double those of New Zealand.”

    The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) was also quick to condemn the awards. “Awarding the Dirty Ashtray to a country that is reducing smoking through harm reduction is not public health advocacy,” said CAPHRA Executive Coordinator Nancy Loucas. “It is ideological obstruction.” 

    “Prohibition-driven NGOs have placed ideology ahead of public health outcomes,” CAPHRA said in a statement. “The FCTC Secretariat has permitted well-funded NGOs to dominate proceedings, pressure delegations, and exclude voices with lived experience, many of whom were denied access to COP11.

    “This decision reflects how the COP process has been driven by prohibitionist ideology rather than evidence and demonstrated public health success. These results are driven by harm reduction and regulated vaping, yet GATC dismisses the progress as ‘tobacco industry interference,’ ignoring the substantial health gains achieved.”

  • STG Launches Focus2030, Revamps Shareholder Returns

    STG Launches Focus2030, Revamps Shareholder Returns

    Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) unveiled its new five-year strategy, Focus2030, ahead of its Capital Markets Day tomorrow (November 20). The plan aims to strengthen the company’s core machine-rolled and smoking tobacco business in Europe, expand its handmade cigar operations in the U.S., and accelerate growth in the nicotine pouch category.

    To support the strategy, STG’s board has adopted new financial ambitions and a flexible shareholder return policy. Targets include a return on invested capital of at least 11% by 2030, low single-digit annual EBIT growth, and free cash flow before acquisitions of at least DKK 1.2 billion ($180 million). The shareholder return framework shifts to a 40–60% dividend payout ratio against adjusted earnings per share, supplemented by share buybacks when leverage allows. Since listing in 2016, STG has returned more than DKK 9 billion ($1.4 billion) to shareholders.

    The company also plans DKK 200 million ($30 million) in cost improvements early in the strategy period to bolster efficiency and earnings resilience. CEO Niels Frederiksen said Focus2030 will create long-term value for consumers, employees, and shareholders, positioning STG to drive growth beyond 2030. The Capital Markets Day presentation will be livestreamed from 14:00 to 16:30 CET.

  • Belgium to Ban All Flavored Vapes

    Belgium to Ban All Flavored Vapes

    Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke announced plans to ban all vape flavors except tobacco, following new advice from the Superior Health Council. The move “aims to prevent vaping from becoming a gateway to nicotine addiction among young people.” Vandenbroucke cited the Netherlands, which introduced a similar ban in January 2024, where nearly 30% of users reported vaping less and over 20% quit without returning to cigarettes.

    The Superior Health Council, which had previously hesitated over a full ban, now supports stronger restrictions, arguing that protecting youth must take priority. Cancer charity Kom op tegen Kanker also extended its anti-smoking campaign to vaping, warning of rising use among students. Surveys show almost a third of Belgian students have tried e-cigarettes, with weekly use now four times higher than five years ago.

    Retailers, represented by Perstablo, condemned the proposal as “absurd” and warned it could fuel the illegal market, where flavored vapes continue to circulate despite bans. The group pledged to explore legal challenges, questioning the validity of the measure. Vandenbroucke’s plan follows earlier steps such as banning disposable vapes and restricting smoking in youth-popular areas, though the timeline for implementation remains unclear.

  • Canadian Study Says Graphic Labels Growing

    Canadian Study Says Graphic Labels Growing

    The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) released its latest Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report, highlighting global efforts on plain packaging and graphic picture warnings. The report ranks 212 countries and territories on warning size and notes that 140 now require graphic picture warnings, covering 66% of the world’s population. Canada and Australia have gone further, mandating health warnings printed directly on individual cigarettes, first introduced in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

    Plain packaging has been adopted in 27 countries and territories, up from just nine in 2018. CCS policy analyst Rob Cunningham said plain packaging is vital to reduce tobacco’s allure, particularly among youth.

    Graphic picture warnings also continue to expand. Since Canada first introduced them in 2001, 130 countries now require warnings covering at least 50% of the pack, with 77 mandating coverage of 65% or more and 11 requiring at least 85%. East Timor, Turkey, The Gambia, Maldives, Nepal, and Vanuatu lead the way with at least 90% graphic warning coverage, while the United States ties for last, ranked 175th.

  • THR Advocates Criticize COP11 Transparency, Agenda

    THR Advocates Criticize COP11 Transparency, Agenda

    As the Eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO FCTC opened yesterday, many tobacco/nicotine industry and tobacco harm reduction advocates watched the livestream intently, as only parts of the first and fifth days are scheduled to be made available to the public and media, a fact that draws significant disapproval from the event’s critics. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO opened the event, saying, “We are so used to hearing ‘tobacco kills us’, it no longer shocks us… If tobacco were a virus, we would call it a pandemic.” According to his X account, he called upon Parties to advance implementation, be aware of “tobacco industry tactics,” and invited Parties to join the FCTC.

    Ghebreyesus’ speech was criticized on X by the World Vapers’ Alliance, which said, “First up, @DrTedros, first lie. He claims vapes and pouches are not harm-reduction products but harm production. Science and millions of former smokers strongly disagree. He further says there is no evidence for their net public health benefit. This is wrong. Every smoker who switches to less harmful alternatives gains clear health benefits. It’s not rocket science.”

    One of the more prominent critics of COP11 is Clive Bates, the director of Counterfactual Consulting Limited, an organization that attempts to bring information from the closed meetings to public view.

    “The FCTC COP has extremely poor openness, transparency, and viewpoint diversity,” Bates wrote on his website. “Delegates should welcome and demand a broader range of observers at COP meetings and greater transparency to avoid a situation where one billionaire funder can speak through dozens of ‘civil society’ organizations.”  

    Leading up to COP11, once the agenda was released, Bates offered a commentary on each section, which he summed up by saying, “In overview, the agenda is weak, with the greatest priority given to matters that fall outside the FCTC, and a contemptuous dismissal of Parties’ request for a balanced and objective discussion of the potential for tobacco harm reduction. The COP should focus on the big issue: How to drive down global smoking?”  

    Listed on the agenda for today (November 18), was the introduction of the Convention Secretariat report, titled “Implementation of measures to prevent and reduce tobacco consumption, nicotine addiction and exposure to tobacco smoke, and the protection of such measures from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in light of the tobacco industry’s narrative on ‘harm reduction’ (Articles 5.2(b) and 5.3 of the WHO FCTC) – proposed by Parties.”  

    “This is the worst FCTC COP paper I have ever read, and that is quite an achievement,” wrote Bates. “Two main issues should disturb Parties, whatever view delegates take on the substantive matters: 1. The contemptuous and dismissive attitude towards one or more Parties seeking a substantive discussion of a serious public health strategy. I have never seen a convention secretariat behave in this way in this or any other convention.  2. The quality of the analysis and understanding shown in the paper about the subject under discussion, tobacco harm reduction. This is dismissed as a form of tobacco industry interference. Yet, it has the support of several Parties, high-credibility organizations such as the Royal College of Physicians, and many of the world’s top independent experts.” 

  • Laos Vape Ban Crackdown Affects 759,000 Online Members

    Laos Vape Ban Crackdown Affects 759,000 Online Members

    The Lao Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and Meta, shut down 288 online e-cigarette stores with more than 759,000 members, intensifying enforcement of the country’s 2021 ban on vaping products. Officials hailed the move as a public health success, but industry voices warn that consumers are being left without regulated alternatives.

    “Digital platforms must not become safe spaces for harmful products,” said Dr. Timothy Armstrong, WHO Representative to Lao PDR. “We are proud that these recent efforts have significantly reduced the visibility and availability of these products.”

    Critics argue the crackdown pushes demand underground, forcing adult users to rely on unregulated black-market channels where product quality and safety cannot be guaranteed.

  • BAT Malaysia Adjusts Prices, Eyes Market Stability

    BAT Malaysia Adjusts Prices, Eyes Market Stability

    British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd announced new cigarette prices ranging from RM12.40 to RM18.40 per pack, effective November 21, following the government’s Budget 2026 excise duty increase. The move, approved by the Ministry of Health, marks the first excise adjustment in a decade and comes at a critical time for the company’s market positioning.

    BAT Malaysia managing director Nedal Salem said the moderate increase was a “step in the right direction” given Malaysia’s economic environment, but warned that steep hikes in the past have fueled the tobacco black market, which now accounts for 54% of total cigarette consumption. With illicit trade eroding legitimate sales, BAT Malaysia’s ability to maintain market share hinges on balancing affordability with regulatory compliance.

    Industry analysts note that while higher prices could pressure consumer demand, BAT Malaysia stands to benefit from stronger enforcement against contraband. Government crackdowns saved RM15.5 billion ($3.7 billion) in lost revenue over the past two years, and a new RM700 million ($168 million) allocation for enforcement in 2026 is expected to further curb illegal trade. Salem emphasized that BAT Malaysia fully supports these initiatives, positioning the company to protect its sales base and stabilize market share despite the excise-driven price adjustment.

  • Survey: Luxembourgers Favor Strict Tobacco Rules

    Survey: Luxembourgers Favor Strict Tobacco Rules

    A new poll by Ilres shows overwhelming public support in Luxembourg for tougher tobacco controls, with 85% of residents backing a ban on advertising—including 75% of smokers themselves. The survey, published by Fondation Cancer, also found strong backing for removing cigarette vending machines (78%), reducing points of sale (71%), and nearly three-quarters of respondents in favor of raising prices.

    The findings come as the European Commission pushes for harmonized excise duty increases across the EU, a move Luxembourg has resisted. Finance Minister Gilles Roth warned in October that the proposed tax hikes were “excessive” and risked disrupting existing price levels, arguing that aligning duties across member states could create “unequal treatment.” Cigarette sales remain a major revenue stream for Luxembourg, with 5.08 billion sticks sold in 2024, though KPMG estimates 88% were consumed abroad.

  • Poland Dismantles Armenian Crime Gang Running Illegal Cigarette Factories

    Poland Dismantles Armenian Crime Gang Running Illegal Cigarette Factories

    Polish police and border guards said they dismantled a major organized crime group running three illegal cigarette factories in the Mazowieckie and Łódzkie regions. The coordinated raids led to the arrest of nine Armenian citizens and six others, with authorities seizing more than 12.7 million counterfeit cigarettes, 25 tons of tobacco, and a complete production line. Officials estimate the illicit goods were worth over 28 million zloty ($7.6 million).

    Prosecutors in Łódź charged 14 suspects with operating an organized criminal group, producing illegal tobacco products, and committing tax crimes. Four face additional charges for storing or transporting cigarettes without excise stamps. While one suspect was released under police supervision, the remaining 14 were remanded in custody for three months as the investigation continues.

    Authorities say the operation prevented an estimated €12.5 million in lost excise and VAT revenue. The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over Poland’s black market for tobacco, which accounted for 4.3% of total cigarette consumption in 2024, costing the state €312 million in lost tax revenue, according to a report commissioned by Philip Morris International.

  • Imperial Revenue Dips, But Delivers Strong NGP Growth

    Imperial Revenue Dips, But Delivers Strong NGP Growth

    Imperial Brands announced its full-year results for the year ended September 20, highlighting continued operational momentum and robust shareholder returns, even as reported earnings faced pressure. The company posted 4.1% growth in tobacco and Next Generation Products (NGP) net revenue, driven by double-digit NGP gains, strong tobacco pricing, and stable market share across its five priority markets. Since FY20, Imperial has added 48 basis points of market share. However, reported revenue slipped 0.7%.

    “We will continue to invest in consumer insights, innovation, and marketing capabilities,” said Imperial CEO Lukas Paravicini. “We will also continue to make deliberate, focused choices about which opportunities we pursue, and develop a simpler, more efficient, and more agile organization.”

    NGP performance remained a standout, with net revenue climbing 13.7% and reported NGP revenue up 14.9%, fueled by oral nicotine growth in the U.S. and Europe and share gains across all smoke-free categories. Adjusted operating profit rose 4.6%, though reported operating profit fell 1.8%. Adjusted earnings per share increased 9.1%, supported by profit growth and share count reduction, while reported EPS dropped 16.5%.

    Cash generation remained strong, with free cash flow of £2.7 billion, largely driven by the combustibles business. Shareholder returns were a key focus: the FY25 dividend rose 4.5%, and a £1.25 billion buyback was completed. Over FY21–FY25, Imperial returned £10 billion to shareholders, and a new £1.45 billion buyback for FY26 has already commenced.