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  • Virginia Defends Flavored Vape Ban in Federal Court

    Virginia Defends Flavored Vape Ban in Federal Court

    Virginia’s Attorney General Jason S. Miyares and the state’s tax commissioner urged a federal court to reject a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on unapproved e-cigarettes, arguing the plaintiffs lack standing because their products are illegal under federal law. In filings, Virginia contended that Novo Distro Inc. and Tobacco Hut and Vape Fairfax Inc. cannot claim injury or seek an injunction since their products are unapproved by the FDA. The state emphasized that neither the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) nor the Tobacco Control Act preempts state authority to regulate tobacco, and that the ban applies equally to all sellers, prioritizing public health.

    The plaintiffs argue that the law disadvantages small businesses in favor of large tobacco companies. Virginia maintains that the statute simply requires FDA approval for all products and is not arbitrary, reflecting a public health-driven standard rather than favoritism.

  • AIR Acquires German Premium Hookah Brand NameLess

    AIR Acquires German Premium Hookah Brand NameLess

    Global hookah company AIR Limited announced the acquisition of NameLess, a well-known German brand of premium flavored hookah products. The move strengthens AIR’s leadership in the global flavored hookah market and expands its portfolio alongside flagship brand Al Fakher, the company said.

    The acquisition allows AIR to leverage its global distribution network across more than 90 markets to introduce NameLess’ offerings, including its top-selling Black Nana grape-mint flavor, to new audiences worldwide. The deal aligns with AIR’s strategy to meet rising demand for reduced-risk social inhalation products with premium flavors and fortifies its presence in Germany, a key growth market, the company said.

    CEO Stuart Brazier emphasized that the acquisition complements AIR’s product expansion initiatives, including the recent launch of Crown Switch, a rechargeable pod vape system in Germany featuring Greentank’s next-gen Quantum Vape and Coldstream technologies. AIR plans to roll out NameLess flavors internationally in the coming months.

  • Wales Backs Generational Tobacco Ban

    Wales Backs Generational Tobacco Ban

    Members of the Senedd, Wales’ devolved parliament, have approved UK government plans to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009. The UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill would also tighten regulations on vaping, including advertising restrictions, and a review of e-cigarette packaging.

    Health Minister Sarah Murphy described the legislation as a “unique opportunity” to tackle smoking, a leading cause of disease and premature death in Wales. The vote followed a legislative consent motion, meaning the Welsh Parliament agreed to Westminster passing a law that affects areas devolved to Wales. The motion passed 36 to 9, with two abstentions.

  • Study Focuses on Tobacco and Cannabis Habits of Young Americans

    Study Focuses on Tobacco and Cannabis Habits of Young Americans

    A University of Michigan study of 8,722 Americans aged 12–34 who had used a tobacco, nicotine, and/or cannabis product within the last month found that traditional smoking remains prevalent even as vaping and edibles grow in popularity. Researchers identified six main usage patterns: combustible tobacco (31%), multiple forms of cannabis (27%), nicotine vaping (18%), combined use of nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis (14%), cannabis edibles only (5%), and multiple forms of nicotine and tobacco (5%).

    The study also highlighted narrowing gender differences and higher usage rates among Black and African American youth and young men, suggesting targeted prevention and cessation programs are needed. The study appears in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and was funded by the National Cancer Institute and NIH.

  • Altria Declares $1.06 Regular Quarterly Dividend

    Altria Declares $1.06 Regular Quarterly Dividend

    Altria Group, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, payable on January 9, 2026 to shareholders of record as of December 26, 2025. The ex-dividend date is December 26, 2025.

  • KT&G Receives “AAA” ESG Rating from MSCI

    KT&G Receives “AAA” ESG Rating from MSCI

    KT&G said it received a “AAA” ESG rating from global investment research firm MSCI, marking “the highest rating ever achieved by a tobacco industry player,” according to the company. MSCI evaluates 8,500 publicly listed companies annually, with ratings ranging from AAA to CCC, which institutional investors use to assess sustainability and ESG competitiveness. The rating improved KT&G from its previous four-year streak of AA ratings.

    MSCI highlighted KT&G’s strong governance structure, systematic supply chain management, responsible marketing, and environmental management initiatives as key contributors to the top-tier score. Notably, KT&G’s governance practices—including separation of CEO and board chair roles, 75% independent director composition, and active committees—were singled out for recognition.

    KT&G received recognition for its supply chain labor management, expansion of on-site water reclamation infrastructure, and execution of responsible marketing practices. Young-ah Shim, Director of KT&G’s ESG Management Office, emphasized that the rating underscores the company’s global-standard ESG management and commitment to ongoing environmental and supply chain initiatives.

  • Report: FDA, DEA Lack Ability to Enforce Hemp Ban

    Report: FDA, DEA Lack Ability to Enforce Hemp Ban

    Last week the Congressional Research Service (CRS)—the nonpartisan investigative office that advises U.S. lawmakers—issued a report warning that both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) do not have the resources (i.e. funding, staff, and infrastructure) necessary to enforce the new policy set to take effect in 2026 that would ban “intoxicating hemp products.” The measure, added to last month’s federal spending deal, redefines hemp to prohibit products containing more than 0.4 mg of total THC per package, effectively banning popular hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, HHC, and high-THCA products.

    “It remains unclear if and how federal law enforcement will enforce the new prohibitions,” the CRS was quoted on December 3. “Both FDA and DEA may lack the resources to broadly enforce the laws prohibiting intoxicating hemp products on the market.”

    Industry participants cautioned that an unfunded ban could drive unregulated and illicit sales. Dino Awadisian, founder of Mamba Brand, said the lack of a regulatory framework risks expanding the black market and called for structured federal oversight instead.

    “A law with no funding is not enforcement—it’s theater,” Awadisian said. “This will not protect the public. It will only reward unsafe, unregulated, and untraceable products.”

    The report also flagged potential new restrictions on hemp and cannabis seeds, which could be regulated based on genetic potential rather than THC content, exposing seed distributors to legal risk. Industry advocates are urging lawmakers to replace prohibition with nationally funded licensing, testing, age restrictions, and packaging standards.

  • Habanos Launches Special Edition Punch Cigars in Cyprus

    Habanos Launches Special Edition Punch Cigars in Cyprus

    Habanos S.A. unveiled a limited-edition Punch Princesas cigar to mark the brand’s 185th anniversary, with the global premiere held on December 6 in Limassol, Cyprus. The special release revived a classic 1960s format and highlighted the heritage of one of Habanos’ oldest premium brands, founded in 1840.

    The launch event, organized by Phoenicia TAA Cyprus, brought together more than 550 cigar aficionados from around the world. The commemorative vitola will be introduced to additional international markets in the coming months.

  • BAT Extends £1.3B Share Buyback for 2026

    BAT Extends £1.3B Share Buyback for 2026

    British American Tobacco extended its 2024 share buyback program by up to £1.3 billion for 2026. The company has entered an irrevocable, non-discretionary agreement with UBS AG London Branch to execute the next tranche, expected to run from January 2 to February 11, 2026, during the company’s closed period.

    UBS will act independently in making trading decisions. All repurchased shares will be cancelled to reduce the company’s share capital, with purchases carried out under existing shareholder authority and in line with UK market regulations.

  • Bangladesh Schools Surrounded by Tobacco Outlets

    Bangladesh Schools Surrounded by Tobacco Outlets

    A new study by the Power and Participation Research Centre found that each school in Bangladesh is surrounded by an average of 5.5 tobacco-selling outlets within 100 meters, making cigarettes highly accessible to youth, according to New Age. The research, covering 121 schools in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna, identified 666 points of sale, with most selling single cigarette sticks.

    The study showed that 71% of outlets openly displayed cigarettes, often positioned at children’s eye level, while 66% placed tobacco products alongside chocolates, toys, and sweets. It also found that 68% of retail points used visible advertising such as dummy packs and posters, and 84% sold flavored cigarettes.