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  • CORESTA Hosting Tobacco Plant Breeding Webinar June 24

    CORESTA Hosting Tobacco Plant Breeding Webinar June 24

    CORESTA announced that it is hosting a tobacco plant breeding webinar on June 24 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. CET, moderated by Mitchell Richmond, a professor and extension specialist from the University of Tennessee.

    The webinar will provide an overview of plant breeding, focusing on how new tobacco varieties are developed. According to CORESTA, it will cover basic terminology, key methods, and the timelines involved, along with the importance of understanding crop characteristics such as growth, disease risks, and end use. The session also explains how new varieties are tested in the field, including how trial design changes depending on the type of tobacco and stage of development, building on concepts introduced in a previous webinar on tobacco field research. Click here to register.

  • Tennessee Amends Penalties for Underage Tobacco Use

    Tennessee Amends Penalties for Underage Tobacco Use

    Tennessee enacted new penalties for minors purchasing or possessing tobacco products under legislation signed by Governor Bill Lee on April 27 and approved as a Public Chapter yesterday (May 4). The law allows courts to impose a range of measures, including up to 50 hours of community service, completion of a court-approved education program, and/or civil fines between $10 and $50. Fines for minors younger than 18 may be levied on a parent or guardian.

    The legislation also introduces escalating consequences for repeat violations, including a 90-day informal adjustment period for first offenses and up to six months of probation for subsequent violations, alongside mandatory community service and participation in programs focused on the risks of tobacco and vapor products. The law will take effect July 1.

  • Turning Point Announces Quarterly Dividend

    Turning Point Announces Quarterly Dividend

    Turning Point Brands, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per common share, payable on July 10 to shareholders of record as of June 19. The company said it will continue its regular dividend program as part of its shareholder return strategy.

  • The FDA’s evolving approach to youth-risk mitigation

    The FDA’s evolving approach to youth-risk mitigation

    ~ The latest updates on regulating next generation nicotine products in the United States ~

    Since December 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started to develop a more targeted and consequential regulatory landscape to help improve transparency and efficiency in next-generation nicotine and tobacco product review, while reinforcing expectations around enforcement, youth-risk mitigation, and product-specific evidence. Here, Lilian Ortega, founder and chief regulatory compliance strategist of WOW Solutions, a regulatory consultant partner of nicotine testing expert Broughton, explains the latest developments from regulators across pouches and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and the latest enforcement of rules in the United States.

    Nicotine pouches

    The FDA’s authorization of six nicotine pouch products under its pilot program suggested a shift to faster product reviews and approvals. However, since the on! PLUS range was approved there have been no additional authorizations, leading to questions about whether it’s a scalable pathway or a one-time demonstration. Simultaneously, Refuse-to-File (RTF) decisions – where an application is deemed insufficient or incomplete – are being challenged in court, highlighting the challenges for the regulator at the filing stage of approval. The FDA has shown it can move quickly, but only for a narrow subset of applications. We’ll be keeping a close eye out for any additional nicotine pouch marketing decisions to see if the pilot expands.

    ENDS

    Following a roundtable on February 10, 2026, where small manufacturers shared their challenges with the PMTA process with the FDA, there is now a greater expectation of greater transparency, particularly with ENDS products. The overarching message was that the FDA is working to clarify what kind of evidence and how much of it is required, in turn helping to increase predictability. This makes the process more nuanced and should not be confused with any lowering of standards.  

    The FDA’s drafted guidance ‘Flavored Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Premarket Applications – Considerations Related to Youth Risk’ further reinforced this by emphasizing that youth risk remains the central driver, reiterating concerns around fruit, dessert, and sweet flavors, while introducing a more refined ‘risk-proportionate, product-specific approach.’

    The document acknowledges that flavored ENDS may provide benefits to adults, including switching, cessation, and reduction, but makes clear that they must outweigh youth risks. The guidance also introduces the concept of ‘differential youth appeal’ across flavor categories, signaling that flavor-specific evidence will increasingly be required. Also, the FDA clarifies that Device Access Restrictions (DAR), including age-gaiting, can support an application but cannot replace scientific evidence of adult benefit.

    This was followed by the first FDA authorization of an age-gated ENDS product – the GLAS device – which contains a tobacco-flavored pod, developed by a small US-based manufacturer. However, the lack of detail via a press release and publication of the Technical Project Lead (TPL) leaves some uncertainty about the remaining portfolio covered in the PMTA.

    Like pouches, there is potential for a streamlined pilot review for ENDS to help combat illicit trade.

    Enforcement

    In late 2025, U.S. Congress provided funding direction with the hope of kickstarting the FDA’s enforcement drive. The provision requires $200 million in user fees to be directed toward ENDS enforcement, mandates updated to enforcement priorities, including flavored disposable devices, and introduces semi-annual reporting to Congress.

    However, with 65 warning letters issued so far in 2026 compared to over 200 at the same stage in 2025, along with minimal penalties suggest there hasn’t been a meaningful increase in enforcement. The required update to enforcement priorities guidance may serve as the inflection point, particularly as Congress has signaled a focus on flavored disposable ENDS.

    Further enforcement priorities guidance should be available in the near future, so we’ll be looking for any initial reporting and if any enforcement activity materially increases.

    To ensure your tobacco and nicotine products comply with the latest FDA regulations and guidance, it’s important to work with a trusted regulatory specialist, so your product can navigate the PMTA pathway as smoothly as possible. Visit Broughton’s website to find out more about how working with a partner can bring your product to market.

  • Dutch Flavor Ban Backfires: Report  

    Dutch Flavor Ban Backfires: Report  

    A report by advocacy group Prohibition Does Not Work (PDNW) claims the Netherlands’ 2024 ban on flavored vaping “backfired,” with over half of consumers reportedly shifting to illicit or cross-border sources. The report states that youth vaping rates increased from 3.7% in 2023 to 7.6% in 2024, while adult vaping declined from 3.86% to 2.3% by 2026. It also cites data indicating that 27% of users purchased products abroad, 31% used illicit online sellers, and 33% continued to access products through local retail channels despite the ban.

    According to the report, cigarette consumption rose by approximately 1% in 2024, equivalent to around 60 million additional cigarettes, while 27% of former vapers reported increased smoking or initiation after the policy change. The findings also note that 42% of inspected retailers were non-compliant and that most consumers reported ease of access to flavored products. PDNW said the data reflects a shift toward unregulated channels following the restriction, with implications for enforcement and market oversight.

  • Nicokick, Northerner Expand GOVX Discount for Military Appreciation Month

    Nicokick, Northerner Expand GOVX Discount for Military Appreciation Month

    Nicokick and Northerner announced a promotion offering a 35% discount to verified GOVX members in recognition of Military Appreciation Month. The offer, available from May 20 through May 25 on both retailers’ websites, expands on an existing year-round 25% discount program for eligible adults aged 21 and over, including military personnel, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, and government employees who use nicotine products.

    The companies said the promotion will be automatically applied at checkout for verified users, with eligibility confirmed through GOVX at no cost. The initiative is positioned as an extension of ongoing discount programs aimed at public service workers, with the temporary discount intended to coincide with Memorial Day observances.

  • 22nd Century Announced May 7 Financial Call

    22nd Century Announced May 7 Financial Call

    22nd Century Group, Inc. announced that it will host a webcast on May 7 at 8 a.m. ET to discuss its first-quarter 2026 financial results, which are scheduled to be released earlier that day. Company executives, including CEO Larry Firestone and CFO Dan Otto, will review performance, outline progress during the quarter, and provide an update on plans for the remainder of 2026.

    The webcast will be available live and archived on the company’s investor relations website, with participants encouraged to register in advance.

  • Survey Says Pakistan’s Tobacco Control Not Working

    Survey Says Pakistan’s Tobacco Control Not Working

    A nationwide survey in Pakistan found widespread non-compliance in the cigarette market nearly four years after the introduction of the Track and Trace System. Conducted across 1,520 retail outlets in 19 districts, the study found that only 22 of the 477 identified brands in circulation were consistently compliant, with 455 failing to meet at least one regulatory requirement, including missing tax stamps, health warnings, or printed retail prices.

    The survey also found that 392 brands were being sold below the government’s minimum price of PKR 162.25 ($0.58) per pack, with some as low as PKR 50 ($0.18), indicating a significant presence of untaxed and non-compliant products. Both smuggled and locally produced duty-unpaid cigarettes were widely available, with higher non-compliance rates in rural areas. The findings point to ongoing challenges in enforcement, monitoring, and market control, despite the formal rollout of digital tracking systems.

  • Clashing Protests On Both Sides of Bangladesh’s Tobacco Tax Debate

    Clashing Protests On Both Sides of Bangladesh’s Tobacco Tax Debate

    Civil society groups in Bangladesh formed a human chain and called for higher tobacco taxes and pricing reforms ahead of the 2026–27 national budget at a protest in Tangail today (May 4). Organizers, including the Development Organization of the Rural Poor (DORP), urged the government to merge lower cigarette price tiers and raise minimum prices, proposing Tk100 ($0.81) per 10-stick pack for the lowest tier and a uniform 67% supplementary duty alongside a specific tax of Tk4 ($0.03) per pack. Speakers said low and mid-priced cigarettes account for nearly 90% of sales, contributing to accessibility and rising use, particularly among youth.

    Participants also highlighted the broader public health and economic impact, noting that tobacco use prevalence in Bangladesh stands at 35.3%, and that tobacco-related costs reached more than double industry revenue, and called for stronger pricing policies and alternative employment options for bidi workers as part of broader tobacco control efforts.

    Concurrently, bidi workers called for higher wages and the removal of taxes on the sector during a May Day rally organized by the Bangladesh Bidi Sramik Federation in front of the National Press Club. Workers demanded the withdrawal of taxes on the bidi industry, the elimination of advance income tax on bidis and cigarettes, improved wages, ration support, and action against counterfeit products. Union representatives also raised concerns about industry conditions and alleged financial outflows by multinational companies, while emphasizing the need for policy changes to support workers in the bidi sector.

  • Forbes Includes PMI Near Top of Net Zero Leaders List

    Forbes Includes PMI Near Top of Net Zero Leaders List

    Philip Morris International was named to Forbes’ 2026 Net Zero Leaders list, which recognizes U.S.-listed companies demonstrating measurable progress toward achieving net zero emissions. PMI ranked first in the fast-moving consumer goods category and fourth overall, based on assessments of governance, risk management, decarbonization performance, and financial resilience using data from Sustainalytics and Morningstar.

    The company reiterated its target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2040, ahead of the 2050 benchmark used by most companies. Recent milestones cited include the launch of its Value Plan 2030+, publication of an updated Climate Transition Plan, and continued progress toward science-based emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.