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  • Finland Seizes 10M Cigarettes in Transnational Network Case

    Finland Seizes 10M Cigarettes in Transnational Network Case

    Finnish Customs has uncovered a large-scale cigarette smuggling operation involving more than 10 million cigarettes illegally brought into the country, with unpaid import duties exceeding €3.5 million, according to the Helsinki Times. Authorities said the cigarettes were transported using regular logistics channels in a way that closely mimicked legitimate cargo operations. The shipments were ordered, collected, and stored through standard delivery procedures to conceal their illicit nature.

    “The pick-up, transport and storage of illegal goods was ordered just as in a legal delivery,” said Janne Mikkonen, the customs officer leading the investigation. “In this case, all of the imported cigarettes were brought in by the same driver, who is one of the suspects and remains in pre-trial detention.”

    The case is linked to a broader criminal investigation that began last autumn that has grown into a transnational case involving multiple suspects and law enforcement agencies. Four suspects from Baltic countries are currently in custody in Finland, and additional arrests have been made in Estonia and Latvia, where several individuals are being held in connection with the operation. Customs officials have not ruled out further arrests and say the investigation is ongoing. The operation is considered part of an organized network that exploited legal transport systems to distribute untaxed tobacco products across borders.

  • Pakistan Insists No New Taxes on Tobacco Farmers 

    Pakistan Insists No New Taxes on Tobacco Farmers 

    Pakistan’s Federal Law Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, said the government is committed to the promotion of agriculture and to providing all necessary facilities to farmers, and that no new regulations or taxes have been imposed on the tobacco crop or landowners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

    Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday in response to concerns raised by Syed Waseem and Asad Qaiser regarding the tax on tobacco crop, the minister informed the House that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the government believes in the development of agriculture and in supporting farmers.

    He said that two major multinational tobacco companies pay Rs 250 billion ($900 million) in taxes annually and hold a 44% market share, while local companies hold a 56% share but contribute only slightly more than 3% in taxes.

    Azam said that industries earning profits have a responsibility to contribute their fair share to the national treasury, and that government oversight begins when the crop moves into the processing phase. He said there are some proposals regarding raw tobacco and assured that the government is aware of the challenges faced by farmers.

  • Ispire Announces New CFO, Operations Savings

    Ispire Technology Inc. today announced the appointment of Jie “Jay” Yu as the new Chief Financial Officer of the company, after serving as the company’s vice president of finance since June 2023. Yu was the CFO of MTI Environmental Group from 2016 to 2018 and Luokung Technology Corp. from 2018 to 2023.

    “Jay is a well-rounded public company accountant with a strong track record of diligence and professionalism,” Michael Wang, Ispire’s co-Chief Executive Officer said. “He has excelled in his role as vice president of finance, building extensive credibility within the company and thorough knowledge of its financial and corporate structures. I look forward to working with him more closely in his new role as CFO.”

    Ispire also announced that its reduction in workforce and termination of several contractor agreements resulted in a $3.6 million savings in May 2025, and that it will look to cut an additional $6.6 million in operating expenses over the next three months, bringing the total estimated annual operating expenses cut to $10.2 million during the company’s fiscal year of 2025.

  • Riot Labs Launches Four New 0MG Flavors

    Riot Labs Launches Four New 0MG Flavors

    In advance of the UK’s June disposable vape ban and other global regulatory pressures, Riot Labs launched four new 0mg flavors for its popular Connex device. Ben Johnson, the founder and CEO of Riot Labs, said the launch of 0mg for the revolutionary device will give adults an easy-to-use alternative to disposables to quit smoking.

     “Amid increased government regulation on the sector and the impending disposables ban, we must not forget the hundreds of thousands of adult smokers who are currently using disposables, proven to be the most effective quitting tool, as part of their quitting journey, Johnson said. “Those who are now faced with having to learn an entirely new system, or an alternative method to help them quit smoking altogether. 

     “In a pivotal year, Connex 0mg will play a crucial role in smokers turning to vaping to help them kick the habit. The device has been designed to be as easy as possible to use, as easy as any disposable vape, featuring a clever closed-pod magnetic system and the ability to be recharged 500 times. Whilst the 4-strong range of 0mg flavors aims to provide a seamless transition off nicotine.”

    Connex 0mg launches with the campaign tagline “Cold Turkey Never Tasted So Good” and will be available in vape retailers and online starting today (May 14) at an RRP of £2.99 per flavor capsule, available in blueberry sour raspberry, pineapple ice, strawberry blueberry ice, and cherry cola. 

  • Foundation Cigar Latest to Up Prices from Tariff

    Foundation Cigar Latest to Up Prices from Tariff

    Foundation Cigar Co. announced it will increase the prices of most of its cigars beginning June 1 due to the Trump Administration’s April tariff announcement. Nicholas Melillo, Foundation’s owner, told Halfwheel that the increases would not apply to the company’s limited edition releases like the Highclere Castle Senetjer, The Tabernacle Knight Commander, or the upcoming Foundation 10 Year Aniversario. Foundation is the fifth major cigar company to make such an announcement, but did not detail the amounts of the increase.

    “At Foundation Cigar Company, we have always prioritized price stability while remaining dedicated to delivering premium cigars rooted in tradition, quality, and craftsmanship,” the company said in a letter to retailers. “Over the past several months, we have worked diligently to absorb a portion of these rising costs to shield our partners from disruption. However, the magnitude of the current tariff structure necessitates a modest adjustment in pricing across select product lines to ensure we can continue upholding the standards you expect from us.”

  • Papua New Guinea Bans Vapes

    Papua New Guinea Bans Vapes

    Papua New Guinea’s Health Department declared an immediate ban on the importing and use of any form of vape products, effective immediately. Health Minister Elias Kapavore announced the ban May 13, saying he was concerned about the effects tobacco products had on people between the ages of 11 and 17 in the country.

    “As of [May 13], I want to say that we are signing off [on] the ban on e-cigarettes and it will be now formally issued though gazettal notice,” Kapavore said. “And once it’s published on the gazette, it will take seven days to get full effect for its full implementation, and any e-cigarette products coming to our country will be deemed illegal under our law.”

    The proposed ban prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes and their components. Those guilty of breaching the ban would face a K10,000 ($2,400) fine as an individual and K100,000 ($24,000) fine for a company. The company fine could be doubled for a “tobacco company.”

  • Study: Shisha to Increase 90% at Hospitality Venues

    Study: Shisha to Increase 90% at Hospitality Venues

    The global hospitality sector is experiencing a shisha boom, with venue owners worldwide expecting demand to surge over the next two years, according to new research from AIR, a global social inhalation business.

    The study, conducted with 400 hospitality businesses in Spain, Germany, the U.S., and the UAE that offer shisha, aimed to explore future demand and trends in those growing shisha markets. The study said 90% of the businesses expect to see demand for shisha increase over the next two years, with overwhelming backing seen across all four markets.

    The research also revealed that businesses are exploring ways to meet evolving consumer expectations and gain a competitive advantage, with 87% of the venues saying they are open to introducing charcoal-free alternatives, recognizing the value of offering a cleaner, safer, and more efficient experience that aligns with the growing focus on health-conscious options. 

    “Venues that embrace cutting-edge shisha innovations are not only future-proofing their operations but also building loyalty by enhancing the overall customer experience,” Ronan Barry, chief legal and corporate affairs officer at AIR said. “By improving operational efficiency and meeting evolving expectations, these businesses are positioning themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market.”

    The research also said charcoal-free shisha would reduce staff workload (28%), appeal to health-conscious consumers (27%), boost revenue (25%), and help meet regulatory requirements (25%).

  • Imperial’s CEO, Bomhard, Retires

    Imperial’s CEO, Bomhard, Retires

    Imperial Brands announced today (May 14) that CEO Stefan Bomhard will retire after five years in the job. He will continue to serve on the company’s board until December 31 and be available until May 2026 to support the transition. Chief financial officer Lukas Paravicini will be promoted to CEO October 1.

    “While Bomhard’s retirement is disappointing, this doesn’t imply any change to the plans laid out at the company’s recent investor event,” Panmure Liberum analyst Rae Maile wrote. “The transition will be seamless given Paravicini’s skills.”

    Paravicini, CFO since May 2021, has been instrumental in driving consistent growth over the past four years and leads the long-term program to transform the company’s tech and data capabilities, the company said. Chief strategy and development officer, Murray McGowan, will replace Paravicini as CFO.

    With the news, Imperial’s shares dropped more than 7% as investors reacted to the unexpected loss of a leader credited with turning the company around. The company recently reported a 1.8% rise in first-half adjusted operating profit and reaffirmed its annual forecast after reporting market share growth in its five priority markets.

    “Prior to Bomhard’s arrival, Imperial had lost market share in its core tobacco business and failed to gain any real traction with new products like vapes, resulting in years of missed sales targets and a 2020 write-down,” Shashwat Awasthi and Emma Rumney wrote for Reuters. “Bomhard restored that market share, sales growth, and healthy investor returns by retreating to focus on traditional tobacco in Imperial’s key markets.

    “He also fine-tuned the company’s strategy on smoking alternatives – a portfolio which delivered double-digit growth in the first half of this year.”

    Paravicini told investors on an analysts’ call he was committed to Imperial’s five-year strategy set out in March and a capital allocation framework based around healthy returns for shareholders. Under that strategy, Paravicini is tasked with stepping up growth in smoking alternatives, where Imperial lags competitors, and compounding progress on tobacco in difficult markets like Germany, where Imperial has struggled to regain lost share amid stiff competition.

    Bomhard said he did not plan to take any other executive role and was retiring, and that his departure was “a very personal decision” related to freeing up personal time for himself and his family after 11 years leading large UK companies. He was previously CEO of car distributor and held senior roles at Unilever and Bacardi.

  • SKE Unveils Eight New Products Ahead of UK Disposables Ban

    SKE Unveils Eight New Products Ahead of UK Disposables Ban

    With the UK’s impending ban on disposable vapes looming, SKE recently unveiled a portfolio of eight new devices spanning pod systems, refillables, and advanced reusables to retailers, distributors, buyers, and the media.

    “We firmly believe that the regulatory changes within the UK represent an opportunity for innovation and change,” SKE’s UK Regional Director Chris Dong said. “As we launch our new brand look, SKE will keep leading the way — focusing on quality, ethics, and providing the products our customers really need.

    “This is a defining and significant moment for SKE as we introduce a more diverse product lineup which includes refillable pod systems, open systems with replaceable tanks, and vapor-free products, catering for all retail formats and to a wide range of consumers, from entry-level to premium product lines.”

    Upcoming devices in the new lineup will include the SKE BAR, a pre-filled pod system; the SKE 600 PRO, which contains magnetically-secured pods; a two-pod SKE CL2000 with transparent casing; the compact 8,000-puff SKE Airy 8000; the SKE PULX Air – an entry-level open system; the SKE PULX open system that features a 2.21 inch touchscreen display, smartphone Bluetooth pairing, and puff tracker; the SKE Edge X with triple-layer leak-proof technology; and the SKE Airknows, which features ceramic air heating without vapor production.

  • Philippines’ Vape Stamp System Working 

    Philippines’ Vape Stamp System Working 

    The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) says the Philippine government’s crackdown on illicit trade is working, collecting P942 million ($17 million) in excise taxes on 130 million milliliters of vape products in the six months since the vape stamp system was introduced. In 2023, those numbers were only P224 million ($4 million) and 11.2 million milliliters for the year.

    Tax authorities vowed to intensify efforts to catch and charge noncompliant players in the growing vape market.

    “There will be no letup in our fight against illicit trade,” BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said. “Just recently, we filed criminal cases against importers of vape products. This shows that the campaign against the illicit trade in vape products is continuous, and we will not stop until we address this issue.”

    The BIR chief was referring to tax evasion cases filed in April against large-scale illicit vape businesses for failure to pay P8.68 billion ($156 million) in taxes. The charges involved illegal vape traders selling the brand names Flava, Denkat, and Flare. The BIR also recently combined with the Bureau of Customs to destroy P3.26 billion ($58.7 million) of seized vape products.

    Lumagui said BIR’s efforts extend beyond distributors and importers.

    “All those involved in the trade of untaxed vape products, including sellers, endorsers, and influencers, could face tax evasion charges under the tax code,” he said.