TobaccoReporter logo

Blog

  • Tobacco Industry Alarmed at Bangladesh’s Policy-Making Exclusion

    Tobacco Industry Alarmed at Bangladesh’s Policy-Making Exclusion

    Bangladesh’s three largest tobacco companies—British American Tobacco, Philip Morris, and JT International—issued a rare joint statement criticizing the government’s move to advance amendments to the Tobacco Control Act without broad stakeholder consultation. The companies said several provisions in the draft ordinance are not evidence-based and would create “far-reaching, negative consequences” for the economy, tax revenue, foreign investment and millions of people connected to the industry.

    The firms argued that proposed ingredient bans would threaten cigarette production entirely, while new retail licensing requirements could disrupt sales for 1.5 million small retailers and impact the livelihoods of 150,000 tobacco farmers. They also warned that prohibiting smokeless nicotine and tobacco products would remove alternatives for adult consumers and likely expand an already growing illicit market, citing experiences in India and Australia.

    Industry leaders urged the government to re-engage manufacturers, farmers, retailers, and other affected groups, noting that previous reforms in 2005 succeeded because of inclusive dialogue. With tobacco tax revenue growth slowing and the sector supporting an estimated 4.4 million livelihoods, the companies called for a “balanced and comprehensive solution” to avoid unintended economic and public-health setbacks.

  • CTFK Accuses PMI of Targeting Youth with F1 Sponsorship

    CTFK Accuses PMI of Targeting Youth with F1 Sponsorship

    The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids criticized Philip Morris International (PMI) for its partnership with Ferrari to market Zyn nicotine pouches on Formula 1 race cars, calling it a tactic that exposes youth to tobacco marketing. Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO, said PMI’s claim that the sponsorship targets adults is “laughable.” Formula 1 previously said that Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) “is helping shape the rhythm of modern fandom,” but Richardson argued that F1’s audience now includes more than 4 million children aged 8 to 12, evidenced by collaborations with youth-oriented brands like Disney, Lego, and Hot Wheels.

    Richardson said that plastering Zyn logos on F1 cars associates the product with excitement and glamour, has the potential to attract millions of young people, and urged Formula 1 and its partners to end the sponsorship, calling on policymakers to prevent tobacco companies from targeting a new generation of consumers.

    When asked for comment, a spokesperson for PMI U.S. clearly disagreed.

    “Adult consumers of nicotine products do not live in a vacuum,” the spokesperson said. “They have hobbies, interests, and attend social gatherings and events—it’s vital to reach them where they are. Scuderia Ferrari HP at Formula 1 is a global platform where we can engage adult consumers worldwide with a message of choice and innovative alternatives to smoking.

    “CTFK’s allegation is nothing more than a tired, lazy, and erroneous characterization—absent of any facts. Formula 1’s and Scuderi Ferrari HP’s audience is overwhelmingly adult, and our brand presence is carefully assessed to ensure responsible marketing practices.”

  • Pyxus Publishes FY2025 Sustainability Report, Refreshed Strategy

    Pyxus Publishes FY2025 Sustainability Report, Refreshed Strategy

    Pyxus International, Inc. released its Fiscal Year 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting measurable impacts from the company’s global sustainability initiatives and unveiling a refreshed strategy to further enhance long-term value creation. Key FY2025 achievements include recycling or repurposing 69% of operational waste—reducing landfill contributions by 47% since 2020—cutting Scope 1 & 2 emissions by nearly 9%, and reducing water withdrawal by 6% year-over-year. The company also exceeded its annual community support target, benefiting over 323,300 people through approximately 100 initiatives.

    The refreshed sustainability strategy consolidates focus areas from 12 to eight, emphasizing climate action, regenerative agriculture, nature, farmer livelihoods, responsible supply, engaged workplace, stronger communities, and governance. Pyxus plans to report updated targets in FY2026, including regenerative agriculture adoption, farmer retention, and living income metrics. CEO Pieter Sikkel said the strategy strengthens stakeholder alignment, supply chain continuity, and sustainable growth.

  • Universal Secures $1.4 Billion Credit Facility

    Universal Secures $1.4 Billion Credit Facility

    Universal Corporation announced the closing of a $1.4 billion senior unsecured credit facility, effective December 9. The new 2025 Facility includes a five-year $780 million revolving credit line, a $275 million five-year term loan, and a $345 million seven-year term loan, replacing the company’s prior $1.15 billion facility.

    Chairman and CEO Preston Wigner said the refinancing enhances liquidity, lowers borrowing costs, and expands banking relationships, positioning Universal to advance strategic priorities and deliver long-term shareholder value.

    JPMorgan Chase, Truist Securities, and AgFirst Farm Credit Bank acted as joint bookrunners and lead arrangers for the facility.

  • Truth Initiative to Target Tobacco Use at Celebration Bowl

    Truth Initiative to Target Tobacco Use at Celebration Bowl

    Truth Initiative announced it will use its presence at this year’s Celebration Bowl in Atlanta to highlight tobacco-related health disparities in Black communities and promote its EX digital cessation program. The organization, long critical of historic tobacco marketing practices directed at Black Americans, cited smoking-related death rates and high menthol use as key public-health concerns.

    Throughout the event, Truth Initiative will run in-stadium messaging, digital advertising, and culturally focused outreach intended to engage HBCU students, alumni, and fans. Its programming, developed with Mayo Clinic, offers personalized quit plans and online community support.

  • SA Considering Tobacco Bans in Private Spaces

    SA Considering Tobacco Bans in Private Spaces

    South Africa’s proposed Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, 2018, includes “radical changes,” according to Caxton Network News, that would overhaul the country’s tobacco laws by introducing 100% smoke-free indoor public spaces, banning point-of-sale displays and vending machines, and bringing e-cigarettes under strict regulation. One of the most contentious provisions, according to the report, appears to extend restrictions to private spaces, including homes and vehicles, through a clause linked to the Sectional Titles Act. Despite enforcement concerns raised by the South African Police Service and National Prosecuting Authority, the clause was retained on the grounds of protecting workers’ constitutional rights.

    The bill would also mandate plain packaging for all tobacco products, while e-cigarettes and vapes would face rules identical to those for combustible cigarettes. Requests from industry to exempt vaping products from display bans, plain packaging, and smoke-free rules were rejected.

    Additional measures in the bill include bans on single-stick sales, vending-machine sales, and the public display of all tobacco and vaping products. After extensive public hearings earlier this year, the Department of Health was expected to present responses to submissions in November, but the parliamentary committee rejected its document and delayed the meeting to early next year. The bill remains under consideration in the Portfolio Committee on Health.

  • U.S. Tobacco Groups Urge Targeted Relief Amid Export Downturn

    U.S. Tobacco Groups Urge Targeted Relief Amid Export Downturn

    Fourteen U.S. agricultural and tobacco-sector organizations sent joint letters to President Donald Trump, Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Secretary Scott Bessent thanking the Administration for expressing willingness to support flue-cured tobacco farmers facing severe trade disruptions. The letters highlighted urgent challenges, including a 20–25% drop in exports, 15–20% decline in farm-gate prices, and shrinking demand from key markets like China. Rising input costs are also adding financial pressure as growers plan for 2026.

    “On May 29th, China wrote to the U.S. leaf merchants that it would not honor its purchase as much as 60 million pounds of flue-cured leaf in 2025. This exit resulted in adverse impacts on prices and values as the season progressed. The surplus created a soft demand that caused a market downturn of 27 cents per pound on average.”

    While the Administration recently announced the $12 billion Farm Bridge Assistance Program, tobacco is currently excluded. The coalition urged targeted relief, citing precedent from the first Trump Administration when tobacco was included in market facilitation programs. The groups emphasized the risk of lost family farms and the need for prompt inclusion of tobacco in relief measures.

    Tobacco Associates disseminated the letters to industry members and encouraged growers to contact local, state, and federal representatives to share personal experiences and the real impact of the downturn, stressing that these voices carry significant weight in shaping policy responses.

    The Honorable Donald J Trump_Tobacco TradeDownload
    Letter to USDA + Treasury – Tobacco TradeDownload

  • Altria CEO Gifford to Retire in 2026; Mancuso Named Successor

    Altria CEO Gifford to Retire in 2026; Mancuso Named Successor

    Altria Group announced that CEO Billy Gifford will retire following the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 14, ending a more than 30-year career with the company. Gifford, who has led the company since 2020, plans to remain as a consultant through at least the end of 2026 to support a smooth leadership transition. Company leaders praised Gifford for steering Altria through a turbulent period and emphasized continuity in advancing the company’s “Moving Beyond Smoking” strategy under the incoming leadership team.

    The board has elected Salvatore “Sal” Mancuso, currently Altria’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, to succeed Gifford as CEO. Mancuso joined Philip Morris USA in 1990 and has held senior roles across strategy, finance, and compliance. Board Chair Kathryn McQuade said his selection followed a long-term succession process evaluating both internal and external candidates.

    Heather Newman, Altria’s chief strategy and growth officer, has been named the company’s next CFO, also effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Newman, who joined Altria in 1999, previously served as president and CEO of Philip Morris USA.

  • Tobacco Retailer Fined $13M Under Wisconsin’s New Vape Law

    Tobacco Retailer Fined $13M Under Wisconsin’s New Vape Law

    Wisconsin regulators imposed some of the largest penalties yet under the state’s new vape-sales restriction law, fining Exclusive Tobacco nearly $13 million and issuing a separate $450,000 penalty to Green Bay–based Dave’z Smoke N Vape. The Department of Revenue said Exclusive Tobacco’s Oshkosh location was found selling vape products not included on the state’s approved directory and operating with an expired municipal license. Inspectors seized 1,244 illegal vapes, and because the law carries a $1,000-per-device-per-day penalty, the fine totaled more than $12.4 million. A follow-up inspection triggered an additional $431,000 fine. Both cases are under appeal.

    The state has stepped up enforcement since the law took effect September 1, issuing 42 removal orders and conducting 27 product seizures, including actions against shops operating without valid licenses. Regulators say the directory system—allowing only 303 approved products—is intended to standardize the market and reduce youth access. Store owners counter that the rule has wiped out much of their inventory, with some retailers reporting severe losses, employee layoffs, and even store closures.

    A legal challenge is underway, with the industry group Wisconsinites for Alternatives to Smoking and Tobacco appealing a federal judge’s refusal to block the law. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals began hearing arguments this week, and a ruling is expected early next year. Shop owners argue the law unfairly benefits large tobacco companies, while state officials maintain it is a measured approach to regulating a rapidly expanding market.

  • Vietnam to Ban Vape, HTP Starting 2026

    Vietnam to Ban Vape, HTP Starting 2026

    Vietnam will prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products beginning March 1, 2026, following the National Assembly’s approval of amendments to the Law on Investment, local outlet Tuoi Tre reported. The updated legislation places e-cigarettes and heated tobacco alongside other banned business sectors, including narcotics, certain hazardous chemicals and minerals, and prostitution.

    The move builds on a resolution passed last year that banned the production, trading, import, possession, transportation, and use of these products, according to Thanh Nien. Health officials say early effects are already visible. Angela Pratt, the World Health Organization’s representative in Vietnam, noted a 70% drop in e-cigarette–related emergency cases at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, along with a sharp decline in promotional activities for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.

    Vietnam’s decision positions the country among the most restrictive markets in Asia regarding novel nicotine products, as policymakers cite rising youth use and public health concerns as key drivers of the ban.