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  • UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Faces Scrutiny as it Goes to Committee

    UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Faces Scrutiny as it Goes to Committee

    The UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill enters its committee stage in the House of Lords today (October 27), drawing sharp focus from the vaping and retail sectors over its potential market impact. The bill aims to ban tobacco sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009, and introduces new limits on vape advertising, flavors, and packaging. While positioned as a public health milestone, industry stakeholders warn that the legislation could disrupt the legitimate vape trade and accelerate the illicit market if not implemented carefully.

    John Patterson, president of IKE Tech, said that while the government’s intent is commendable, the proposals rely too heavily on traditional retail enforcement.

    “The current proposal won’t make the vision of a vape-free youth generation a reality,” Patterson said. “The UK has a unique opportunity to set a global benchmark for responsible vaping regulation. To make a real difference, we must move beyond surface-level fixes and shift the focus to preventing access at the point of use, using robust, technology-driven age verification.”

    Retailers also voiced concern over compliance burdens and unfair competition from unregulated sellers. Kay Patel, of Best One, said responsible retailers already face rising costs and enforcement pressures, while illicit sellers continue to “flood the market unchecked.” He urged lawmakers to include manufacturer-level safeguards and coordinated supply-chain accountability. Industry figures warn that without such measures, the bill could penalize compliant businesses while failing to achieve its youth protection goals.

  • Australia Sees Record Surge in Illegal Tobacco and Vape Seizures

    Australia Sees Record Surge in Illegal Tobacco and Vape Seizures

    Australia’s border authorities have reported a sharp rise in the interception of illegal tobacco and vapes, with the Australian Border Force (ABF) seizing 586 million cigarettes and more than 3 million vapes between July and September, the highest quarterly total in recent years. Officials say the spike reflects both growing criminal activity and enhanced border intelligence.

    ABF Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said the results highlight how syndicates are becoming more sophisticated, but “not beyond the reach of border intelligence.” He credited the agency’s success to stronger cooperation with international partners, enabling authorities to identify high-risk shipments before arrival.

    Major seizures were reported nationwide, including two tons of undeclared tobacco in Queensland, over 4 million cigarettes in Western Australia, and 95,000 vapes hidden in a Port Botany shipment. Dowse said continued collaboration and intelligence sharing remain crucial to preventing illicit tobacco and vape products from reaching Australian consumers.

  • ‘Science Must Lead Policy,’ Say South African Harm-Reduction Experts

    ‘Science Must Lead Policy,’ Say South African Harm-Reduction Experts

    Health and policy leaders at the Progressive Business Forum (PBF) Colloquium on Wellness and Healthy Lifestyles in South Africa called for a science-driven approach to public health, urging the government to prioritize harm reduction over ideology. Former Gauteng Health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa said South Africa must extend harm reduction principles—long used in HIV prevention and road safety—to emerging health risks such as tobacco and substance use. “Harm reduction is not permissiveness, it’s progress,” she said, noting that public health must help people make safer choices rather than impose moral judgments.

    Dr Percy Selepe, Acting COO of the Gauteng Department of Health, said “science must lead policy.” He and other speakers argued that South Africa’s punitive, abstinence-based approach has failed to curb smoking and substance use. Harm reduction advocates, including Professor Monique Marks, criticized the lack of government funding for evidence-based interventions, noting that all existing programs are run by non-profits. Marks stressed that switching from combustible cigarettes to regulated smoke-free products could dramatically reduce health risks and ease the burden on the healthcare system.

    Professors Obedy Mwantembe and Tivani Mashamba-Thompson called for African-led research into nicotine science and integrated harm reduction services addressing HIV and Hepatitis C. They emphasized that compassion and science must work hand in hand to reduce stigma and improve outcomes. If Gauteng’s evidence-first stance becomes national policy, speakers said, South Africa could modernize its public health strategy — replacing bans and punishment with regulation, education, and empathy. “Better health contributes to positive growth,” Ramokgopa said. “Collaboration between science, policy, and society is not optional — it’s essential.”

  • Modernization and Enforcement Needed for Pakistan’s Illicit Crisis

    Modernization and Enforcement Needed for Pakistan’s Illicit Crisis

    Pakistan’s tobacco industry is facing mounting pressure as illicit cigarettes tighten their grip on the market, eroding government revenue and undermining the legitimate sector, according to experts. Macroeconomic analyst Osama Siddiqui said the country needs a robust track-and-trace system and stronger coordination among enforcement and revenue authorities to monitor production, distribution, and retail.

    “Without a decisive crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade, Pakistan’s legal industry will continue to suffer while the black market thrives unchecked,” Siddiqui said. “A modernized supply chain and sustained enforcement are the only ways to reclaim lost revenue and restore market fairness.”

    Recent estimates indicate that illicit cigarettes now make up more than half of total sales, costing the national exchequer over Rs 415 billion ($1.5 billion) annually. The smuggled, untaxed, and/or products sold below the legal minimum price continue to weaken the formal industry’s competitiveness while fueling organized black-market networks, experts say.

  • Nigeria Health Advocates Push for 50% Tobacco Tax

    Nigeria Health Advocates Push for 50% Tobacco Tax

    Health stakeholders and tobacco control advocates at the Gatefield Health Summit 2025 urged the Nigerian government to raise tobacco taxes to 50% of the retail price, citing the measure as a key tool to reduce smoking, prevent related illnesses, and protect public health. Experts highlighted that Nigeria’s current tax level of about 25% falls well below the World Health Organization’s recommended 75% of retail price.

    Michael Olaniyan, Country Representative for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, claimed that higher taxes are effective in deterring youth smoking, while Chibuike Nwokorem of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance criticized tobacco companies for exploiting weak enforcement mechanisms and influencing policy decisions through industry associations.

  • Maldives Faces Surge in Smuggled Cigarettes and Vapes

    Maldives Faces Surge in Smuggled Cigarettes and Vapes

    The number of smuggled cigarettes in the Maldives has now surpassed legally imported, duty-paid cigarettes, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim said today (October 27). Speaking on behalf of the Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee), Nazim said that recent increases in cigarette import duties and the ban on vapes have fueled a spike in illicit trade, costing the state significant revenue.

    Nazim said that smuggled cigarettes and vapes are widely available, often sold openly through social media, and are entering the country through customs channels. He emphasized that the committee’s recommendations, if implemented, would be critical to curbing smuggling and protecting state revenue. “People’s tax money is being lost while others profit,” he said.

    The warning follows a major seizure in April when customs intercepted two containers carrying 13.6 million sticks of cigarettes disguised as plywood cargo, with an estimated value of MVR 122 million ($7.9 million). The containers remain under investigation at Maldives Ports Limited, pending referral to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

  • Cresco Labs Moves to Dismiss Labeling Class Action

    Cresco Labs Moves to Dismiss Labeling Class Action

    Cresco Labs, the Chicago-based cannabis company, asked a federal judge in Illinois to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the company and its subsidiaries of mislabeling cannabis products. The lawsuit alleges that Cresco’s products were inaccurately labeled, potentially misleading consumers about potency and content.

    In its motion, Cresco contends that the claims lack sufficient legal basis and argues that the company has complied with applicable state and federal regulations. The company is seeking to have the case dismissed before it proceeds to discovery or trial.

    No court date has been set yet for a ruling on the motion, and the case remains under review. The outcome could have broader implications for labeling standards and consumer protection in the rapidly growing cannabis industry.

  • Juul Aims for Comeback with Adult-Focused Vape Device

    Juul Aims for Comeback with Adult-Focused Vape Device

    Juul Labs is attempting a comeback, refocusing on its original mission of helping adult smokers transition away from cigarettes. Investor James Sagan of Architect Capital, who invested in Juul in 2023, told NYNext, “Everybody kind of thought Juul was dead and evil. But the early investors and founders have poured a bunch of capital back into the company to save it.”

    Central to the revival is Juul2, a new vaping device. Users who age-verify as 21+ can access an optional smartphone app. Juul founders James Monsees and Adam Bowen initially developed the technology at Stanford to provide an alternative to cigarettes. The company has undergone a reset to steer the company back toward harm reduction while preventing underage use.

    The device is currently awaiting regulatory approval in the U.S.; it’s already for sale, in the UK.

    “We’re all of the belief that Juul is a mission-driven company tackling the most important public health problem,” Sagan said. “That truth will reveal itself at some point in time.”

  • Former CTP Director Says Tobacco Control Burden Shifts to States

    Former CTP Director Says Tobacco Control Burden Shifts to States

    Former director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products Dr. Brian King, said the Trump administration’s reductions in federal funding, including millions of dollars previously allocated to tobacco control and prevention programs, have shifted the responsibility for such efforts to state and local governments. King, who is now the executive vice president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, highlighted the implications during a keynote address at the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i annual meeting, urging local leaders to document tobacco’s impacts and advocate for continued public health protections.

    King pointed to cuts affecting major agencies, including the CDC, NIH, and FDA, which traditionally provide funds for state-level tobacco control initiatives. Hawai‘i Public Radio said the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health was eliminated, resulting in a loss of $70 million annually for tobacco control programs and $15.1 million for state quitlines. While the full impact of these federal cuts has yet to be felt, King warned that once programs lose funding entirely, many initiatives may face staffing reductions or elimination.

  • Tobacco Stocks Stumble as ‘PMI Results Weigh on Sector’

    Tobacco Stocks Stumble as ‘PMI Results Weigh on Sector’

    Tobacco and nicotine stocks slipped yesterday (October 24) as shares of Philip Morris International fell following the company’s third-quarter results. While the company reported stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue, investors reacted negatively to a modest increase in full-year profit guidance and concerns over slowing growth in its smoke-free division. PMI shares dipped around 3–4% after the announcement, according to MSN’s Seeking Alpha.

    The sentiment rippled across the sector, pulling down other major players, according to Seeking Alpha. British American Tobacco traded about 2% lower, Turning Point Brands dropped nearly 4%, and Greenlane Holdings fell more than 5%. Altria Group also edged down around 1.5% ahead of its own quarterly earnings report, expected next week.

    Analysts at Morgan Stanley and BofA Securities maintained their “buy” ratings on Philip Morris, emphasizing its strong growth potential in reduced-risk products such as Zyn nicotine pouches. However, market watchers noted that investor expectations remain high even as the industry faces regulatory scrutiny and shifting consumer trends. The broader tobacco sector continues to balance solid cash flow and dividend stability against slower growth and rising public health pressures.