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  • 75 Tax Evasion Cases Filed in Philippines Crackdown

    75 Tax Evasion Cases Filed in Philippines Crackdown

    The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines filed 75 tax evasion complaints against vape retailers nationwide, accusing them of evading a combined ₱711.3 million ($12.8 million) in taxes by selling smuggled and unstamped products.

    BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the cases, lodged with the Department of Justice today (August 20), involve violations ranging from unpaid excise duties to failure to file tax returns. The crackdown follows earlier billion-peso cases against major brands like Flava, Denkat, Flare, and Tap Fog.

    “The government loses billions from illicit vape sales — money that should fund health care and infrastructure,” Lumagui said, vowing continued action against both big and small operators.

  • 22nd Century Touts VLN Growth, FDA Regs in Shareholder Letter

    22nd Century Touts VLN Growth, FDA Regs in Shareholder Letter

    22nd Century Group, Inc. is doubling down on its push for very low nicotine (VLN) products, highlighting new partnerships, regulatory momentum, and expanded product development in a shareholder letter released yesterday (August 19). CEO Larry Firestone said the company’s VLN cigarettes, the first FDA-authorized combustible products designed to reduce smoking harms, are gaining traction through stocking orders with Smoker Friendly and Pinnacle, with more partners expected.

    A looming FDA proposal, set for September 15, could mandate a cap of 0.7 mg/g nicotine yield in cigarettes, a standard built on 22nd Century’s own clinical trials. Firestone said the move “could be the most groundbreaking and effective tobacco regulation in a generation.”

    Beyond cigarettes, 22nd Century is developing VLN filtered cigars, 100mm formats, and international variants, supported by ongoing FDA filings. The company is also studying whether its low-nicotine genetics reduce cancer-causing TSNAs.

    With a growing IP portfolio in plant genetics, the company said it is aiming to cement its position as the leader in tobacco harm reduction. Firestone framed the mission as both business and public health: “Our technology and products have the capability to dramatically improve public health and the welfare of smokers worldwide – hopefully even save lives.”

  • Turkmenistan Ramps Up Tobacco Ban Ahead of 2025 Deadline

    Turkmenistan Ramps Up Tobacco Ban Ahead of 2025 Deadline

    Turkmenistan is pushing to go tobacco-free by the end of 2025, forcing its few smokers underground with bans, high taxes, and fines of up to 200 manats ($57). Cigarettes now cost $14–$49 a pack — up to 11% of the average monthly salary — with many buying single sticks from kiosks supplied by neighboring countries.

    According to the WHO, only 4% of the Central Asian nation’s residents smoke.

    While authorities stage cigarette burnings and televised pledges to quit, residents say tobacco won’t vanish but will move to the black market.

  • Dog Helps Seize £200K of Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in U.K.

    Dog Helps Seize £200K of Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in U.K.

    A specially trained dog helped authorities uncover a major haul of illegal tobacco and vaping products in a raid in Dunstable, U.K. Leo, from Specialist K9’s Limited, assisted Central Bedfordshire Council’s trading standards team, HMRC, and Bedfordshire Police in locating nearly 300,000 illegal cigarettes, 11.3 kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and 303 disposable vapes. A nearby flat, accessed via keys carried by a man found at the shop, held a “significant quantity of illicit goods,” bringing the total value of seized items to around £200,000.

    John Baker, Independent executive councilor for finance and highways, said the operation highlighted the risks posed to public health and legitimate businesses by the sale of illicit products. “We will continue to take firm action against those who break the law,” he said.

  • Taiwan Groups Accuse HPA of Undermining Tobacco Control

    Taiwan Groups Accuse HPA of Undermining Tobacco Control

    The Alliance of Banning Cigarettes Taiwan and parent groups accused the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) of undermining tobacco control by greenlighting 14 products recently without disclosing details on brands, devices, or flavor additives, despite Taiwan’s flavored tobacco ban.

    Warning that illegal online ads for newly approved heated tobacco products threaten students’ health, parents cited dozens of websites and social media channels openly promoting flavors, fast delivery, and new models.

    The HPA defended its approvals as based on risk assessments and promised stricter enforcement, including fines up to NT$25M ($766,000) for illegal online sales and penalties for retailers selling to underage patrons.

  • Study: Korean Tobacco Tax Hikes Lose Impact Within Four Months

    Study: Korean Tobacco Tax Hikes Lose Impact Within Four Months

    Cigarette tax hikes in South Korea only curbed smoking briefly, with sales rebounding to normal levels within four months, a new study found. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs reported yesterday (August 18) that demand for cigarettes is “highly inelastic,” with a 10% price rise cutting consumption by just 4.2–4.4%. Researchers said non-price measures like warning labels or e-cigarettes had little measurable impact.

    “Sudden hikes result in hoarding and brief behavioral change, but smokers adapt,” the report said. “Incremental increases aligned with inflation are more likely to gradually shift consumption patterns and reinforce anti-smoking behavior.”

  • Gibraltar Moves Toward Generational Tobacco Ban

    Gibraltar Moves Toward Generational Tobacco Ban

    The Gibraltar government is pressing forward with draft legislation that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. If passed, the law would take effect on January 1, 2027, the date that age group turns 18. Health Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez, who launched a consultation period in March, said the government received feedback from around 28 to 30 respondents, including retailers and industry stakeholders. Concerns focused on the economic impact for small and medium businesses.

    The proposal would not criminalize smoking itself, but rather the sale or transfer of tobacco products to those covered by the ban. Retailers who break the rules could face fines of up to £10,000, or £20,000 and licence revocation for repeat offences. The bill also includes a ban on single-use vapes, regardless of age, and prohibits the sale of vending-machine tobacco, as well as sweets, snacks, or toys imitating tobacco products.

  • KT&G Names First-Ever Master Craftsmen

    KT&G Names First-Ever Master Craftsmen

    KT&G Corp. introduced a master craftsman system, appointing three veteran engineers as its first honorees. At a ceremony today (August 19), the company named Cho Young-il (cigarette machinery), Shin Dong-guk (packaging machinery), and Kang Tae-hoon (electronics and systems) as inaugural master craftsmen.

    KT&G said the program aims to preserve technical expertise, mentor younger engineers, and boost manufacturing efficiency through process innovation and new technologies.

  •  Zonnic Ban Accused of Driving Canada’s Surge in Black-Market Pouches

     Zonnic Ban Accused of Driving Canada’s Surge in Black-Market Pouches

    One year ago, Health Canada restricted the sale of Zonnic, the country’s only regulated nicotine pouch for smoking cessation, to pharmacy counters, banning convenience store sales. Imperial Tobacco Canada says the policy has backfired as cigarette purchases jumped 2.8%, and more than 500 million unregulated nicotine pouches flooded the black market.

    Eric Gagnon, Imperial’s VP of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, called the move “punishing innovation” and warned that rural smokers now face barriers to quitting while pharmacists bear added administrative burdens. He urged the government to ensure frontline access to regulated products like Zonnic to support Canada’s goal of under 5% smoking prevalence by 2035.

    Imperial emphasizes that Zonnic—which is produced by Nicoventures Trading, a sister company to Imperial—remains the only nicotine pouch meeting national safety standards, and the company is pushing for collaborative solutions with Health Canada to improve accessibility while curbing illicit sales.

  • Hong Kong Tobacco Inspectors to Wear Body Cameras

    Hong Kong Tobacco Inspectors to Wear Body Cameras

    Hong Kong’s Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office will equip inspectors with body cameras starting today (August 20) as they enforce the city’s smoking ban. The move comes after fixed penalty notices for smoking offences rose nearly 31% last year, with 13,488 citations. New enforcement measures, including plain-clothes officers and extended surveillance, have been credited with the increase in penalties.

    The Department of Health said cameras will document enforcement activities and conflicts, with individuals notified before recording. Footage without evidential value will be deleted after 31 days.

    Lawmakers are also reviewing broader anti-smoking proposals, including expanded non-smoking zones near entrances to schools, hospitals, and elderly homes, a ban on public use of alternative smoking products from April 2026, and restrictions on flavored tobacco sales from mid-2027.