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  • Filtrona Report Touts ESG Progress

    Filtrona Report Touts ESG Progress

    Filtrona announced the release of its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting a shift from environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments to measurable performance across its global operations. The company reported a 51% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in line with its Science Based Targets, alongside achieving zero waste to landfill across its sites and increasing the share of sustainable or plastic-free products to 24% of its portfolio. Filtrona also strengthened responsible sourcing, with 88% of wood-based materials certified or controlled, and continued investment in workforce development and governance practices.

    The company said its progress reflects a broader transition toward embedding sustainability into day-to-day operations, supported by external recognition, including EcoVadis Gold status and CDP “B” ratings across climate, forests, and water. Filtrona reported no substantiated incidents related to corruption, discrimination, or human rights violations during the period, and emphasized that ESG is now being operationalized as a core component of long-term business performance and value creation.

  • Germany Plans to Ban Disposable E-Cigs

    Germany Plans to Ban Disposable E-Cigs

    Germany is preparing legislation to ban disposable e-cigarettes, with Environment Minister Carsten Schneider last week citing safety and environmental concerns as the primary drivers. The government plans to introduce a draft bill in the coming months that would effectively end sales of single-use vapes, following reports of increased fires at waste facilities linked to improperly discarded devices.

    Officials said the lithium-ion batteries in disposable e-cigarettes pose a risk when crushed during waste processing, endangering workers and infrastructure. The proposed ban also aligns with broader environmental goals, as authorities seek to address the growing impact of electronic waste and improve recycling outcomes.

  • Texas Court Says Nicotine Pouches Taxable as Tobacco

    Texas Court Says Nicotine Pouches Taxable as Tobacco

    On May 8, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that oral nicotine pouches qualify as taxable tobacco products under state law, finding that they fall within the definition of “tobacco substitutes.” The court determined that because the products contain nicotine derived from tobacco and are combined with plant-based materials, they meet the criteria for taxation despite not containing traditional tobacco leaf.

    According to Law 360, the decision clarifies the tax treatment of nicotine pouches in Texas, aligning them with other tobacco products and potentially affecting pricing and regulatory obligations for manufacturers and retailers operating in the state.

  • Finland’s Kokoomus Plans Generational Tobacco Ban

    Finland’s Kokoomus Plans Generational Tobacco Ban

    Finland’s National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) proposed a generational tobacco ban as part of its long-term policy platform, aiming to prohibit tobacco sales from 2030 to individuals born in 2015 or later. The proposal, included in a broader program outlining policy goals through 2040, will be voted on at the party’s congress in June.

  • Spain’s Tobacco Prices Rise Again

    Spain’s Tobacco Prices Rise Again

    Spain implemented another round of tobacco price increases, with new adjustments for cigars, cigarillos, rolling tobacco, and pipe tobacco published in the official state gazette on May 8 and taking effect the following day. The changes, which follow earlier revisions in April, reflect a pattern of frequent, incremental price updates driven by manufacturer submissions, rising production and transport costs, and broader inflation pressures. Premium cigars and imported products have seen notable increases, while rolling tobacco and pipe tobacco prices have also climbed across multiple formats.

    The latest update reinforces a broader trend in 2026 of gradual but continuous price increases across tobacco categories rather than single large adjustments. Under Spain’s pricing system, manufacturers regularly submit revised price lists for approval, resulting in ongoing shifts in retail pricing, particularly in non-cigarette segments.

  • Philippines’ Health Renews Total Vape Ban Push

    Philippines’ Health Renews Total Vape Ban Push

    The Philippine Department of Health renewed its call for a total ban on vaping products, citing public health risks and positioning prohibition as the most straightforward and cost-effective solution. While a full ban is not yet in place, the agency is urging stricter enforcement of existing regulations under the Vape Regulation Act, particularly provisions restricting flavored products that may appeal to minors.

    The DOH pointed to regional precedents, noting that several neighboring Asian countries have already implemented comprehensive vape bans. In the interim, officials are prioritizing the removal of flavored vape products from the market, emphasizing that flavor descriptors linked to fruits, candy, desserts, or cartoon imagery are considered to disproportionately attract youth.

  • Indonesia Stepping Up Vape Surveillance

    Indonesia Stepping Up Vape Surveillance

    Indonesia’s National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is set to gain oversight of vape distribution nationwide, working alongside the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) following reports of drug-laced e-liquids in the market. BPOM said it will develop technical regulations under the country’s recent health laws to determine which vape products are permitted and which will face sanctions, with decisions guided by scientific assessment.

    While BNN has proposed a total ban on e-cigarettes to combat narcotics risks, BPOM signaled a more targeted approach, focusing on stricter control of illegal products lacking excise stamps rather than blanket prohibition. Authorities noted that illicit vapes are the primary source of drug contamination.

  • Haypp Resumes Sales in Alabama

    Haypp Resumes Sales in Alabama

    Haypp Group announced that it has resumed operations in Alabama, expanding access to nicotine pouch products for verified adult consumers as part of its broader U.S. growth strategy. The company said its platforms, Nicokick and Northerner, will offer more than 300 products in the state through direct-to-consumer delivery, particularly targeting areas with limited retail availability.

    Haypp emphasized that its return to the Alabama market will operate under strict compliance standards, including robust age and identity verification to ensure sales are restricted to adults 21 and over. The move reinforces the company’s focus on regulated online distribution channels as it continues to expand its presence in the U.S. nicotine market.

    In June 2025, Alabama enacted major changes to its vape and alternative nicotine laws, prompting many companies in the industry to pause sales as parts were clarified and enforcement evolved to ensure compliance.

  • FDA Changes PMTA Structure

    FDA Changes PMTA Structure

    On May 8, the FDA issued updated guidance outlining its current enforcement approach for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and nicotine pouch products without premarket authorization, emphasizing that its policies are nonbinding and reflect the agency’s current priorities. The guidance indicates that while unauthorized products remain illegal, the FDA does not intend to prioritize enforcement against products with pending and sufficiently complete applications under scientific review, allowing the agency to better allocate resources.

    The document also clarifies that enforcement will focus on products with higher public health risks, including those appealing to youth or lacking required safety features, while encouraging manufacturers to provide transparency around application status. The FDA said it will maintain a public-facing list of products under review, as part of efforts to improve visibility for stakeholders and streamline regulatory oversight.

    “For four years, nicotine pouch manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers like Nicokick.com have been patiently waiting for authorization decisions, and this guidance finally gives them the ability to stop operating in a grey area of regulation,” said Laura Leigh Oyler, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Nicokick.com. “For an agency that typically operates without much clarity, this is mind-blowingly clear — file a PMTA for your product that includes everything the FDA has explicitly listed they expect to see, wait 180 days, and then you can launch your product in the market. This is a ground-breaking announcement for American consumers who deserve a wealth of options as they try to leave cigarettes behind.”

  • WSJ: Trump Ready to Fire Makary

    WSJ: Trump Ready to Fire Makary

    According to The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump signed off on a plan to remove FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, though the decision has not yet been finalized and could still change. The report, citing people familiar with the matter, said Makary has faced mounting criticism within the administration over his management of the agency, including clashes with officials at the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House. His handling of key policy areas—including drug approvals, vaccines, and vaping regulation—has drawn particular scrutiny.

    The reported move follows a turbulent period at the FDA marked by leadership turnover and internal disruptions, including recent high-profile departures and ongoing restructuring efforts. Earlier in the week, Trump reportedly criticized Makary for not moving quickly enough on authorizing flavored vaping and nicotine products, an issue that has become a point of tension within the administration.

    Makary, a former Johns Hopkins surgeon nominated in late 2024 and confirmed in 2025, has been a visible figure in the administration’s health agenda, including its “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. While no official confirmation has been issued by the White House or HHS, sources cited in the report indicated growing consensus among senior officials that a leadership change at the FDA may be imminent.