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  • PMI Announces $37M Upgrade to Wilson, N.C. Facility

    PMI Announces $37M Upgrade to Wilson, N.C. Facility

    Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses today (October 2) announced a $37 million investment in its Wilson, North Carolina, manufacturing facility to expand operations and strengthen its production of smoke-free alternatives. The Wilson factory currently produces HEETS for IQOS 3.0, the only heated tobacco product authorized by the FDA as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) with reduced exposure claims. The new investment will add a production line for TEREA, the consumables for IQOS ILUMA, which is awaiting FDA authorization.

    “Our U.S. manufacturing footprint is critical to producing innovative smoke-free alternatives for adult consumers,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “We’re proud to increase our investment in Wilson and spur further economic growth in the area.”

    Ryan Simons, President of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the expansion, calling it a sign that Wilson is a place where global companies “can grow and thrive.”

    The Wilson facility employs more than 80 full-time staff and plays a key role in PMI U.S.’s strategy to replace cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives. The company has also announced major U.S. investments in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Aurora, Colorado, totaling more than $800 million and expected to create nearly 1,000 direct jobs.

  • EU Commissioner Accuses Tobacco Industry of Misleading Policymakers 

    EU Commissioner Accuses Tobacco Industry of Misleading Policymakers 

    EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra accused the tobacco industry of recycling old tactics, comparing claims that vapes are less harmful than cigarettes to past efforts promoting “light” cigarettes.

    “They mislead policymakers about the risks of these new products, just as they did with light cigarettes in the past,” Hoekstra wrote on LinkedIn, saying that nicotine in alternative products also damages blood vessels, impairs vascular function, and stimulates tumor growth.

    His comments come as the European Commission prepares its first assessment of the health effects of new tobacco and nicotine products, with a focus on preventing youth uptake. Hoekstra has also pushed for higher taxation, backing the proposed Tobacco Excise Duty Own Resource (TEDOR), which could contribute €11.2 billion annually to the EU budget by taking 15% of member states’ tobacco tax revenues.

    However, the plan faces resistance as 14 countries, including Italy, Greece, and Sweden, have already voiced opposition.

  • Unifreight Africa Expands Fleet Ahead of 2026 Tobacco Season

    Unifreight Africa Expands Fleet Ahead of 2026 Tobacco Season

    Unifreight Africa, a leading transport and logistics company that specializes in agricultural products—especially tobacco—announced it is set to grow its cross-border fleet from Q4 2025 through Q1 2026 to meet anticipated demand during the upcoming tobacco season. The move follows Zimbabwe’s record-breaking 2025 tobacco crop of over 350 million kilograms, which generated $1.2 billion in revenue, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).

    Unifreight’s operational readiness, including its expanding 4PL division and partnerships with third-party operators, positions it to handle peak tobacco volumes while maintaining service continuity. The company also plans to leverage its capabilities for other sectors such as lithium, maize, and cross-border trade, ensuring diversified growth even if the tobacco season underperforms.

  • Indonesian Cigarette Industry Shifting Toward Exports

    Indonesian Cigarette Industry Shifting Toward Exports

    Indonesia’s white cigarette manufacturers are increasingly turning to exports to sustain operations as domestic demand softens under the weight of excise hikes and weakened purchasing power, industry officials say. According to Benny Wachjudi, chairman of the Indonesian White Cigarette Entrepreneurs Association (Gaprindo), many domestic consumers are shifting to cheaper illicit products, forcing legal producers to allocate up to 30% of output for export to keep machines running and avoid layoffs. Despite regulatory risks abroad, cigarette exports rose more than 20% in the past three years, reaching $1.9 billion in 2024, Gaprindo said.

    Indonesia ranks as the world’s fourth-largest tobacco exporter with a 6.08% global share, driven largely by sales to ASEAN markets led by the Philippines, according to the Indonesia Business Post. Deputy Industry Minister Faisol Riza stressed that exports are vital for sustaining nearly 6 million domestic jobs and maintaining foreign exchange contributions.

  • Nearly Half of Gen Z Think UK is Becoming a ‘Nanny State’

    Nearly Half of Gen Z Think UK is Becoming a ‘Nanny State’

    New research suggests growing public unease in the UK with what many see as government overreach into private lives. According to data released today (October 2), 41% of Brits believe the UK is turning into a “nanny state.” The survey, commissioned by online nicotine pouch retailer Northerner, comes as debates intensify over policies such as junk food advertising bans, restrictions on vaping, and the rollout of digital ID cards.

    “It is a fine line between protecting and controlling the public, and it seems many people feel this line is being crossed,” said Markus Lindblad, head of legal and external affairs at Northerner. “Regulations like calorie labelling on menus or the disposable vape ban have not delivered the expected results. If the public does not see any real improvement to their lives from these additional regulations, then it is reasonable for them to question whether the UK is becoming a nanny state.”

    One of the more surprising findings Northerner researchers discovered was the generational divide on the question. Typically, older people tend to be more conservative and younger people more progressive; however, in this survey, 47% of Gen Z respondents  (aged 18 to 24) agreed the UK is becoming a nanny state, compared to just 32% of those aged 45 to 54. This shift, researchers say, suggests fatigue among younger voters, some of whom are increasingly open to alternatives like Reform UK, a party campaigning against lifestyle regulation.

    The UK currently ranks seventh in the 2025 Nanny State Index, placing it in the “least free” category among 29 countries for policies on food, alcohol, smoking, and vaping.

  • NSW Tobacco Licensing Enforcement Kicks In

    NSW Tobacco Licensing Enforcement Kicks In

    The three-month grace period for Australian retailers and wholesalers in New South Wales to apply for a license to sell tobacco and smoking products ends today (October 2). Enforcement of the Minns Labor Government’s new Tobacco Licensing Scheme begins tomorrow, meaning all businesses selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products must hold and display a valid license. Those trading without one risk heavy penalties, although applicants who lodged a valid application before the deadline can continue operating until their outcome is confirmed.

    The new Center for Regulation and Enforcement within NSW Health will oversee compliance, working with state and federal agencies. Under recently passed reforms, penalties for unlicensed sales will increase dramatically, with fines of up to A$660,000 ($435,600) for individuals and A$880,000 ($580,800) for corporations. New offenses also target illicit tobacco trade, carrying maximum penalties of A$1.54 million ($1 million) and/or seven years’ imprisonment.

  • BAT Korea Replacing Butts with Flowers

    BAT Korea Replacing Butts with Flowers

    BAT Rothmans Korea expanded its flower-planting campaign to eight districts across Seoul, aiming to curb cigarette litter and promote cleaner public spaces, the company announced. Carried out in partnership with the Seoul Chapter of the Korean National Council for Conservation of Nature, the campaign involves 700 volunteers from the company, civic groups, and neighborhoods.

    Since launching in 2023, the project has transformed 50 alleyways—often hotspots for discarded cigarette butts—into decorated streets lined with 3,000 trees and flowers from 17 species. Districts including Jung, Gangnam, Gangdong, and Jongno have been part of the initiative, which has drawn support from local residents who help maintain the plants.

    BAT Rothmans says the initiative improves commercial areas while promoting sustainable environmental practices.

  • Consumer Group’s Pouch Tour Hits Belgium

    Last week, the international consumer group Considerate Pouchers brought its Protect Pouches campaign to Brussels, calling for an end to Belgium’s ban on nicotine pouches. Volunteers engaged citizens and policymakers, distributed fresh Jet Pack coffee, and collected postcards urging Members of the European Parliament to lift restrictions.

    The campaign said that Belgium, with one of Western Europe’s highest smoking rates, denies smokers access to safer alternatives shown to be more than 95% less harmful than cigarettes. Global spokesperson Juan Rafael Taborcía emphasized that over-taxation and bans drive consumers back to cigarettes, and that Brussels should lead Europe in harm reduction.

    The Brussels action is part of a broader European tour.

  • Jordan Aiming to Cut One of the World’s Highest Smoking Rates

    Jordan Aiming to Cut One of the World’s Highest Smoking Rates

    Experts in Jordan warn that the country’s reliance on tobacco revenue undermines long-term economic growth and public health, and as such, advocates are calling for policy reforms that prioritize prevention, strengthen enforcement, and protect health systems from the economic and societal costs of widespread smoking, according to Ammannet, the Community Media Network.

    Jordan, with 71.2% of its male population smoking, faces a stark financial and health paradox, according to Ammannet, with tobacco tax revenues providing the government JD 1 billion ($1.4 billion) annually, yet the cost of treating tobacco-related diseases alone exceeds JD 1.4 billion ($2 billion).

    The article said weak law enforcement compounds the problem, with widespread smoking reported in universities, government offices, and even health facilities. Despite 37% of smokers attempting cessation in the past year, government programs remain insufficient.

  • Cigarette Manufacturers Raise Prices in Macedonia

    Cigarette Manufacturers Raise Prices in Macedonia

    Cigarette prices in Macedonia increased about 10 denars ($0.19) per pack beginning September 29, however, many consumers have yet to feel the impact due to retailers selling off old stock. Producers say the higher prices will be felt in the coming days, affecting leading brands such as Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, and Rothmans.

    The increase is not tied to new excise duties or state taxes, but stems from manufacturers’ pricing policies. Industry analysts link the move to rising production and logistics costs, as well as alignment with regional price trends, according to TV21.