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  • Korea: Male Smoking Prevalence Drops Drastically Since 2015

    Korea: Male Smoking Prevalence Drops Drastically Since 2015

    Cigarette smoking among young South Korean men has dropped sharply over the past decade, according to new data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). In 2024, 28.5% of men in their 30s and 22.6% of men aged 19 to 29 were cigarette smokers—declines of 19.5% and 16.1% respectively since 2015. Men in their 40s recorded the highest smoking rate at 36.9%, down from 45.8%.

    The study also found that about 40% of men in their 30s used some form of tobacco in 2024, down only 4.9% from 2019. For men in their 40s, total tobacco use increased slightly despite a small decline in cigarette smoking, reflecting the growing shift toward alternative products.

    Health officials attribute part of the trend to changing perceptions about harm. A September 2025 survey of students found that 32.2% believed e-cigarettes were less harmful—or not harmful at all—compared to cigarettes. While authorities welcome the decline in cigarette use, they warn that misconceptions about alternative products may slow broader tobacco harm-reduction progress.

  • Tanzania Gives Tobacco Buyers Three Weeks to Pay Farmers

    Tanzania Gives Tobacco Buyers Three Weeks to Pay Farmers

    Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister Hussein Mohamed Bashe ordered all tobacco-buying companies to settle more than $5 million in overdue payments to farmers by October 20. He further instructed companies to include interest as compensation for delayed payments and to submit written explanations to the police detailing the reasons for the arrears, along with payment schedules to ensure full settlement.

    “I am giving you 21 days, until the 30th of the month,” Bashe said during an Oct. 9 meeting with company executives, bankers, and buyers. “I don’t want to hear of any farmer complaining about unpaid dues. It is unacceptable that a new farming season starts while farmers are still waiting for payments from the previous one.”

    In support of the directive, Tabora Regional Commissioner Paul Chacha ordered companies still owing money to report regularly to the police “until they have paid everything,” warning that these companies “have been a constant source of trouble” for farmers.

    Bashe also called for creating a national digital farmer registry, jointly managed by tobacco buyers, banks, and the government, to record data on farm size, crop type, and output for greater transparency.

  • Tobacco Farmers Biometrically Registered in Zimbabwe

    Tobacco Farmers Biometrically Registered in Zimbabwe

    Zimbabwe has biometrically registered more than 113,000 tobacco farmers since the program began earlier this year, as part of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB)’s drive to improve transparency and security in the sector. The initiative links each farmer’s unique grower number to their fingerprints, GPS coordinates, and demographic information, ensuring that only genuine growers participate in the market and helping protect farmers from exploitation.

    TIMB public affairs officer Chelesani Moyo Tsarwe said the biometric system will help eliminate fraud, curb side marketing, and enhance efficiency across the industry. “TIMB has rolled out a biometric grower management system to address the longstanding challenges within Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector,” she said. “The new system introduces biometric data capture, linking each farmer’s unique grower number to their fingerprints, GPS co-ordinates of their household and farm, and demographic data.”

  • Northern Ireland Busts ‘One of the Largest’ Illegal Tobacco Factories

    Northern Ireland Busts ‘One of the Largest’ Illegal Tobacco Factories

    Authorities in Northern Ireland dismantled what is believed to be one of the country’s largest illegal tobacco factories, following an October 5 raid by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with support from the police. The operation uncovered a “state-of-the-art factory” equipped with expensive machinery, professional extraction equipment, and soundproofing insulation. Officers seized nine tons of tobacco and 1.3 million cigarettes, with an estimated value of over £3 million in unpaid duty. Seven men were arrested on suspicion of fraudulent evasion of duty, and investigations are ongoing.

    Dermot Clarke, operational lead in HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, described the site as “one of the most sophisticated tobacco factories we have ever uncovered in Northern Ireland,” warning that illicit trade harms public services, undermines legitimate businesses, and funds other criminal activity.

  • War Devastates Lebanon’s Historic Tobacco Heartland

    War Devastates Lebanon’s Historic Tobacco Heartland

    Tobacco farming, a cornerstone of southern Lebanese life for over a century, is facing its most severe crisis following last year’s Israeli attacks. Production has plunged 64%, from 5 million kg to 1.8 million kg, leaving thousands of farmers unable to access lands now under Israeli control or contaminated by unexploded ordnance, according to Engineer Abdul Mawla al-Mawla, director of Lebanon’s Tobacco Administration, the Régie.

    In Aytaroun, the south’s largest tobacco hub, only 840 of 1,700 families returned to cultivate. “How can I plant while [Israeli] planes fly over my head daily?” Fatima Awada, whose family lost access to 2.5 acres under Israeli control, asked. Others have rented land elsewhere, but rising costs, damaged equipment, and toxic contamination have drastically reduced profits. The Régie increased the state-guaranteed purchase price for 2025 to between $8.50 and $10 per kilogram to help farmers cope, and also provided in-kind support such as pesticides, gloves, and school grants.

    Hassan Faqih, president of the Tobacco Unions Federation, called for greater government support and inclusion of farmers in Lebanon’s National Social Security Fund, noting that agriculture is “the first guarantee for people to remain on their land away from displacement.”

  • Correcting Nicotine Misperceptions Takes Coordinated Action

    Correcting Nicotine Misperceptions Takes Coordinated Action

    At the Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum (GTNF) in Brussels, experts from science, medicine, and industry agreed that misinformation about nicotine remains one of the greatest obstacles to tobacco harm reduction, and that changing those perceptions will require more than data alone. Moderator Dr. Mohamadi Sarkar, Fellow in Scientific Strategy and Analysis at Altria Client Services, opened the discussion by urging a focus on solutions rather than problems. He pointed to persistent misconceptions that distort both public and professional understanding. “According to analyses from the National Institutes of Health’s PATH study, 94% of smokers think e-vapor products are as harmful or more harmful than cigarettes,” he said. “And 63% believe nicotine causes cancer, despite evidence showing otherwise.” Sarkar noted that even among doctors, misinformation is widespread, with 80% of U.S. physicians believing nicotine is directly responsible for smoke-related diseases. His team’s modeling suggests that as many as 800,000 premature deaths could be prevented over the next 50 years if these misperceptions were corrected. “If doctors don’t have accurate information, how can they educate their patients?” he asked. For Sarkar, the path forward depends on credible voices, evidence-based messaging, and a “groundswell” of informed advocates within healthcare and beyond. “To change intentions, you first have to change attitudes and beliefs,” he said.

    Dr. Jasjit Ahluwalia, Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Medicine at Brown University, lamented that scientific research rarely informs public policy in a meaningful way. “You’d think research would inform policy, but it doesn’t,” he said. “People don’t listen to scientists or regulators; they listen to their own physicians. It doesn’t matter how good or bad they are.” Ahluwalia believes that changing physician behavior could be the key to improving patient understanding. He suggested borrowing tactics from behavioral economics and academic detailing to equip doctors with accurate, accessible information about lower-risk products. He also stressed the importance of engaging the media, which he described as “unbelievably powerful” but largely absent from the current dialogue. “The media could change public understanding overnight,” he said. “We’re not taking advantage of that.”

    From the perspective of Dr. Pritika Kumar, Director of Scientific Engagement at Philip Morris International, the problem begins within the healthcare community itself. PMI surveys found that two-thirds of healthcare professionals were unsure what nicotine is or believed it to be carcinogenic, and only one in five felt confident discussing alternative products. “They operate in a system that has not kept up with the science,” she said. “Physicians don’t know what products are authorized, and they’re competing with time constraints and mixed messages that put all nicotine in one bucket.” Kumar called for a shift in tone from blame to collaboration. “If we don’t talk to them, we lose a powerful opportunity,” she said. “They told us that if the FDA provided clear guidelines, they would be happy to share that information with patients, but they’re not going to read a policy paper. They need practical guidance at the point of care.” She also warned that the proliferation of illicit and unauthorized products complicates physicians’ willingness to recommend alternatives. “Illicit trade is not just an enforcement issue,” she said. “It’s a public health issue.”

    Italian researcher Dr. Riccardo Polosa, founder of the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, reflected on a decade spent countering myths about vapor products. “In 2012, we were debunking claims about antifreeze and heavy metals,” he recalled. “I’m afraid we haven’t made much progress.” To improve communication, Polosa proposed what he calls the “3M framework”—message, messenger, and moment. “We need evidence-based messages, credible messengers, and the right moment to reach people,” he said. He outlined three target groups: healthcare professionals, who must be empowered to discuss harm reduction; researchers, who need better tools for peer review and interpretation; and the public, who must be reached directly through social media and community influencers. His team has even trained an AI-based system to assist in scientific peer review. “Researchers keep repeating the same mistakes,” he said. “Better peer review will mean better science and fewer misperceptions.”

    For Dr. Christopher Russell, Director of Russell Burnett Research and Consultancy, the issue is one of legitimacy and communication. “It’s an awkward position for a doctor to talk about a product that hasn’t been approved,” he said. “A lot of people would feel better about getting their nicotine from a doctor rather than a gas station.” Russell argued that regulatory authorization can give both doctors and consumers greater confidence in alternative products. He also believes that packaging and labeling should be used to communicate accurate information about reduced risk. “The best time to reach an adult smoker with information is at the point of purchase,” he said. “Consumers deserve access to facts that help them make safer choices.” Russell cautioned against directly engaging with misinformation online, noting that “when we reply to false information, algorithms actually push it in front of more people.” Instead, he urged amplifying credible voices and increasing exposure to accurate messages.

    Dr. Carrie Wade, Global Regulatory Science Liaison at BAT, emphasized that the concept of the continuum of risk remains poorly understood, even among professionals. “How can we expect the public to understand it when the message hasn’t even reached all our colleagues?” she asked. Wade argued that the industry spends too much time reacting to misinformation and not enough time being proactive. BAT’s internal research reflects the same challenge: while most employees recognize that non-combustible products are less harmful, a significant minority still do not. For Wade, this underscores how deeply misconceptions about nicotine are embedded and how urgently the message must be reframed.

    Across the panel, there was broad agreement that correcting nicotine misperceptions will take coordinated action across science, medicine, regulation, and media. The facts about nicotine, they said, are clear, but unless they are delivered by trusted voices, at the right moments, and in the right way, those facts will continue to be lost amid noise and misunderstanding. “Science alone doesn’t change behavior,” Sarkar concluded. “People do. And that means every one of us has to be an ambassador for harm reduction.”

  • Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Shops Near Schools and Mosques

    Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Shops Near Schools and Mosques

    Saudi Arabia has enacted a ban on tobacco shops within 500 meters of schools and mosques, according to the Saudi Gazette.

    The ban applies to all stores selling tobacco products and accessories, including cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes. According to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, obtaining a retail license for tobacco products requires a valid commercial registration, Civil Defense approval, and full compliance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its executive regulations.

    Tobacco products and their derivatives must also comply with the standard specifications approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Prices for these products cannot be reduced, and they cannot be given as gifts, prizes, or free samples. Import, sale, or offer of any product advertising tobacco or its derivatives is banned.

    Requirements to sell tobacco in the kingdom are specific, involving spatial and architectural requirements and advertising requirements.

  • Nicotine Prohibition ‘Profoundly Immoral,’ Andrews Says in GTNF Closing

    Nicotine Prohibition ‘Profoundly Immoral,’ Andrews Says in GTNF Closing

    In a forceful closing keynote at the Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum (GTNF), Tim Andrews, Director of Consumer Issues at Americans for Tax Reform and the Tholos Foundation, called global bans on vaping and other reduced-risk nicotine products “profoundly immoral,” arguing that prohibition is fueling crime, costing governments billions, and depriving smokers of lifesaving alternatives.

    “What we have is the greatest medical breakthrough since penicillin,” Andrews said. “It has the potential to save millions of lives—and yet, these products are being made illegal.”

    Andrews described his frustration in engaging with policymakers. “I’ve talked to so many politicians. I present the science, the evidence—and the next day, they go and vote against it,” he said. “But when you start talking about the cost to their state budgets, that’s when they start listening.”

    Citing examples from around the world, Andrews said prohibition consistently drives consumers to illicit markets. “In Brazil, e-cigarettes were banned in 2009. Adult smoking rates have gone up. When legal products don’t exist, people either go to the black market or go back to smoking cigarettes,” he explained. “In Germany, 1.4 million people use despite a ban. In Mexico, usage has increased by 400%. Prohibition doesn’t work—it never has.”

    He argued that criminal organizations have been the biggest beneficiaries of restrictive nicotine policies. “Cartels have been enriched by prohibition,” he said. “We speak often about the human cost of lives lost to smoking, but now we’re seeing people murdered, and money flowing to sex traffickers and drug cartels. That’s the true cost of bad policy.”

    Andrews highlighted new research from a coalition of think tanks showing the economic toll of nicotine bans, including lost tax revenue and enforcement costs. “We launched a campaign with a dozen think tanks around the world,” he said. “Our evidence-based report on the costs of prohibition—on lost revenue and the growth of criminal gangs—has already been downloaded by 50,000 people in Germany alone. When we say prohibition doesn’t work, it’s a fact.”

    The data, Andrews said, also show that “about 80% of people say they will go to the black market or return to smoking if safer alternatives are banned—and that’s probably a low estimate.”

    Describing Australia’s recent crackdown as “profoundly immoral,” he said, “It breaks my heart that we are ground zero. But once you start taking what politicians care about—the bottom dollar—they start listening.”

    Andrews closed with a call to action: “Hundreds of millions of lives can be saved if we get this policy straight. We owe it to future generations. If we can’t convince politicians to do what’s right for human lives, then we must convince them with the economic reality. Either way, prohibition must end.”

  • Track and Trace Adds Value Across Supply Chain

    Track and Trace Adds Value Across Supply Chain

    At a special session of the Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum (GTNF), industry and technology experts agreed that robust track-and-trace systems are becoming essential for both compliance and consumer protection, as governments tighten oversight and illicit trade continues to rise. Moderated by Christopher B. Greer, CEO of the Nicotine Resource Consortium, the discussion — “Solutions for Track and Trace” — brought together Nick Daly, Senior Solutions Consultant at Systech International, and Maria Levanova, Product Manager of Connected Logistics at Honeywell.

    Greer opened the session by framing the issue within the broader concept of responsible innovation. “Track and trace — we know it’s coming,” he said. “Governments are demanding it, but it’s not just about compliance. Done right, it adds value for manufacturers across the entire supply chain.”

    Daly described the growing threat of counterfeit products, calling it “a real epidemic.” “Counterfeiters can invest $1,000 and see a return of $500,000,” he noted. “I don’t usually throw that number out there because it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true — and it’s why regulation is changing dramatically around the globe.”

    Daly explained that while Europe has developed a relatively consistent model, “each country still does things differently.” He highlighted Russia’s complex system, which “tracks every single movement of a product” and even charges companies for participation.

    “Harm reduction starts with the manufacturer,” Daly said. “If you’re not doing anything about falsified products, your brand reputation is what gets smeared.” He emphasized that effective traceability doesn’t require a full technological overhaul — “it just has to be affordable and accurate.”

    Among the innovations he cited were microscopic barcodes and AI-driven inspection systems capable of identifying counterfeit goods at any point in the supply chain. “AI can scan your packaging, learn it in a couple of hours, and then go into stores and detect which products on the shelf aren’t legitimate,” he explained. “If a parent finds a vaping device in a child’s hands, a proper track-and-trace system should tell you exactly which seller it came from.”

    He urged manufacturers to partner with technology providers experienced in the rapidly evolving regulatory environment. “Regulations don’t just ‘dot the i’s and walk away’ — they change every year,” Daly said. “Your partner should be the one keeping up.”

    Levanova echoed the importance of adaptability and data intelligence. “In seven years, being compliant isn’t enough — you have to use the data your system generates,” she said. Honeywell’s connected logistics tools, she explained, can map the entire product journey, from manufacturing to disposal.

    “Modern systems can not only show what happened in your supply chain but prevent issues from happening,” Levanova said. “AI gives you visibility into where something was compromised, provides insights into specific markets, and helps you stay compliant while optimizing your operations.”

    She emphasized that track-and-trace must evolve alongside business needs. “Machine learning lets us fix problems on the fly, resend messages, and ensure continuous compliance,” she said. “This is about turning data into foresight — and keeping your business one step ahead of both regulation and risk.”

    Together, the panelists underscored that effective track-and-trace systems are no longer optional — they are central to building trust, maintaining safety, and protecting legitimate manufacturers in a globalized, fast-changing market.

  • Sustainability in Nicotine Must Extend Beyond Environmental, Social Criteria

    Sustainability in Nicotine Must Extend Beyond Environmental, Social Criteria

    Speakers at the Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum (GTNF) in Brussels urged policymakers and industry alike to put consumers at the center of the sustainability and harm reduction agenda, warning that public health progress cannot come without empowering adult choice and truthful communication.

    Moderated by Dr. Sudhanshu Patwardhan, Co-Founder of the Centre for Health Research and Education, the panel “Sustainability at the Consumer Level” featured Niccolò Balzini, Regional Corporate Affairs Director Europe at Imperial Brands; Judy Gibson, Global Harm Reduction Advocate; Axel Klein, Director at ROM Expert; and Pieter Vorster, CEO of Hexis Capital Management.

    Patwardhan opened by emphasizing the need for a pro-consumer mindset across both policy and industry. “Consumers should be at the heart of the tobacco industry,” he said. “Public health policies aren’t even there yet. We need to move from simply extending life spans to improving health spans—and that has to include consumer well-being.”

    Balzini echoed the call for consumer empowerment, arguing that “supporting consumers through harm reduction starts with the consumer.” He criticized restrictive regulations that “limit access to less harmful alternatives,” noting that “reducing and restricting innovation only hurts the consumer.” Balzini added, “We operate by providing consumers the choices they are asking for. If regulators want to see meaningful progress, they must see this journey through the same eyes as consumers.”

    Gibson warned of what she called a “torrential monsoon of misinformation” surrounding nicotine and reduced-risk products ahead of November’s WHO FCTC conference. “The WHO is preparing an all-out assault on reduced-risk products,” she said. “People are being told vaping will kill them, when the science shows it is far less harmful than smoking.” Gibson urged better education and funding for consumer advocacy: “A consumer organization, no matter how well-intentioned, can’t work without funding. We need to reach vape shops and retailers so they can communicate the truth directly to consumers.”

    Klein argued that harm reduction and consumer well-being must be understood as part of broader human-centered policy. “We must put the human being—the consumer—at the center,” he said. “All interventions must be simple, transparent, and avoid unintended consequences.” Klein called for a shift away from “crusades against certain substances” and toward “celebrating reputable producers who provide quality products.” He added, “Public trust in health experts is low. That’s an opportunity to educate and rebuild confidence through honesty.”

    Vorster took a pragmatic view, defining sustainability as “the ability to continue what you’re doing—responsibly.” He argued that this requires accurate information and consumer transparency. “If nicotine use continues but kills you, that’s not sustainable,” he said. “Regulators should provide consumers with accurate information so they can make informed choices.” Vorster also urged the industry to “admit that nicotine exists because people enjoy it,” warning that denial risks future credibility.

    Throughout the session, panelists agreed that sustainability in the nicotine industry must extend beyond environmental or social criteria—it must also include respect for adult choice, accurate science, and transparent regulation. As Balzini concluded, “We are all consumers at heart. The most unsustainable thing of all is denying people the right to better, safer choices.”