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  • Philippines Says 93% of Vape Brands Unregistered

    Philippines Says 93% of Vape Brands Unregistered

    The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said 292 of 313 vape brands (93%) identified in the market are not registered with the agency. DTI Assistant Secretary Marcus Valdez II disclosed the figures during an Aug. 25 House Ways and Means Committee hearing on tobacco and vapor excise taxes.

    Lawmakers and government agencies are considering a single excise tax rate for nicotine salt and freebase vapor products, arguing the current two-tier system contributes to tax leakage and illicit trade. “They will not register because the tax is too high,” committee chairman Miro Quimbo said. The Bureau of Internal Revenue reported 6,196 tobacco and vape enforcement operations in 2026, generating an estimated P1.7 billion ($27 million) in excise taxes.

    The Bureau of Customs reported 253 tobacco seizures worth P10 billion ($160 million) and 18 vapor-product seizures worth P1.6 billion ($25.6 million) this year, compared with P1.87 billion and P649 million ($29.9 million and $10.4 million), respectively, in 2025. Lawmakers cautioned that excessive taxes could drive more consumers toward illicit products, with Rep. Roberto Nazal saying authorities should avoid “overtax[ing] to the point that we will promote further smuggling.”

  • Australian Party Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut

    Australian Party Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut

    Australia’s federal opposition is calling for tobacco excise to be cut by up to 80% to undermine organized crime networks that it says now control much of the country’s tobacco market. A coalition task force report released today (Aug. 26) said as much as 80% of tobacco consumed in 2025 was illicit, up from 12% in 2017.

    Sen. Richard Colbeck and Monash MP Mary Aldred said high tobacco taxes have helped fuel an underground market linked to firebombings and arson attacks. “Criminals had taken ‘almost complete control of Australia’s tobacco market,’” the report said. Colbeck said the issue is no longer simply about smoking but “who controls a billion-dollar market in our economy: the Australian government or organized crime?”

    The report said tobacco excise revenue fell from about A$16 billion ($11.2 billion) in 2019-20 to A$8 billion ($5.6 billion) in 2024-25 and is projected to fall to A$4 billion ($2.8 billion) in 2025-26 and A$2 billion ($1.4 billion) by 2029-30. One Nation has proposed a 75% cut, while the Nationals and NSW Premier Chris Minns have also backed lower taxes. The Albanese government has opposed reducing the excise.

  • Value of Seized Tobacco in Philippines Quadruples

    Value of Seized Tobacco in Philippines Quadruples

    The Philippines’ Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it seized nearly P11.68 billion ($186.9 million) worth of illegal cigarettes and vape products from January through July 2026, up 464% from the P2.52 billion ($40 million) seized during all of 2025, according to Enforcement and Security Services data presented to the House Ways and Means Committee. Cigarette and tobacco seizures accounted for most of the total, with major confiscations at the ports of Surigao, Manila, Zamboanga, and Cebu, while vape seizures were valued at about P1.65 billion ($26.4 million), primarily at the Manila International Container Port. BOC said confiscated products are destroyed and do not enter the market.

  • Fla. Moves to Block Benefits for Tobacco, Vape Products

    Fla. Moves to Block Benefits for Tobacco, Vape Products

    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state will restrict Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits from being used to purchase tobacco and vaping products, along with video games, theme park tickets and several other goods and services.

    DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Children and Families to amend the state’s TANF plan. The program already prohibits benefits from being used for alcohol, gambling, and adult entertainment. The new restrictions also cover adult content, tattoos, spa services, tanning, and psychic readings.

    “Taxpayer-funded assistance should help families put food on the table, keep the lights on, purchase clothing, provide for their children, and overcome barriers on the path toward independence,” DeSantis said. He said the changes are intended to ensure taxpayer-funded assistance is focused on essential needs and support families’ path toward self-sufficiency.

  • Marijuana Use Hits High, Cigarette Low: Gallup

    Marijuana Use Hits High, Cigarette Low: Gallup

    Seventeen percent of U.S. adults say they smoke marijuana, matching Gallup’s record high, while cigarette smoking remains at a record-low 11%. The July 1-19 Gallup Consumption Habits poll also found that 15% consume marijuana edibles, 9% vape, and 4% use nicotine pouches. This is the first time Gallup included nicotine pouch use in its survey.

    Marijuana use is highest among younger adults, with 23% of those ages 18 to 29 and 25% of those 30 to 49 reporting smoking marijuana. Cigarette smoking is highest among adults ages 30 to 49 at 16%, while vaping reaches 17% among 18- to 29-year-olds. Nicotine pouch use is highest among adults ages 30 to 49 at 7%.

    Coffee remains the most popular nonalcoholic beverage, with 49% of adults drinking it daily. Tea and caffeinated soda each are consumed daily by about 20%, while 9% drink energy drinks daily. Gallup also found that 5% of Americans identify as vegetarian and 2% as vegan.

  • Tobacco Import Allowances Expanded for Returning Maldivians

    Tobacco Import Allowances Expanded for Returning Maldivians

    Maldivians aged 21 and older returning from overseas can now bring limited quantities of tobacco products for personal use without paying import duties. An amendment issued Aug. 24 allows up to 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, or 100 grams of tobacco, along with limited quantities of cigarette-rolling materials.

    The exemption does not apply to anyone born in 2007 or later. Sheesha, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and flavored cigarettes also remain ineligible for duty-free importation.

    The change comes despite the Maldives’ broader restrictions on tobacco use, including a ban on smoking for people born after a specified year and restrictions on vaping products.

  • JT Earns Platinum Kurumin Plus Certification

    JT Earns Platinum Kurumin Plus Certification

    Japan Tobacco Inc. received Japan’s “Platinum Kurumin Plus” certification for workplace initiatives supporting employees who are balancing infertility treatment with work. The certification is awarded by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to companies recognized for advanced childcare support and efforts to accommodate infertility treatment.

    JT has supported work-family balance through childcare and nursing care programs and workplace improvements. The company received its first Kurumin certification in 2008 and was recognized as a Platinum Kurumin company in 2018.

    JT said it has expanded its employee health initiatives to address issues including menstrual symptoms, menopause, fertility, and gender-specific cancers. The latest certification recognizes its efforts to create a workplace where employees can pursue infertility treatment while continuing their careers.

  • Altria, PMI Strike Manufacturing Deal to Boost U.S. Tobacco Operations

    Altria, PMI Strike Manufacturing Deal to Boost U.S. Tobacco Operations

    Altria Group Inc. and Philip Morris USA announced that they have entered into a contract manufacturing arrangement with non-U.S. affiliates of Philip Morris International (PMI), aimed at improving the efficiency of PM USA’s traditional tobacco operations. The companies have operated independently since their 2008 separation.

    Altria said the agreement supports its 2028 Enterprise Goals by enhancing manufacturing capabilities, generating economic benefits to support investment in its broader strategy, and strengthening capabilities that could eventually be transferred to its international nicotine efforts. “The arrangement supports our 2028 Enterprise Goals by enhancing operational capabilities, generating economic benefits to support investment in our vision, and strengthening capabilities that could be transferable to our international nicotine efforts,” Altria said. The company does not expect the deal to have a material impact on its 2026 financial results.

    The arrangement does not change the companies’ independence. “Altria and PMI will continue to operate independently and maintain responsibility for their own commercialization, distribution, and regulatory activities,” Altria said. The agreement comes as Altria continues its push to expand beyond cigarettes while maintaining PM USA’s traditional tobacco business. The company said the manufacturing capabilities developed through the arrangement could support its longer-term international nicotine ambitions.

  • Netherlands Smoke-Free Generation Goal Faces Setback

    Netherlands Smoke-Free Generation Goal Faces Setback

    About 40% of Dutch adults ages 18 to 29 smoke or vape, putting the government’s goal of a smoke-free generation by 2040 further out of reach, according to research by insurance comparison site Independer involving 2,000 people.

    The share of smokers declines with age, from 30% among people in their 30s to 17% among those over 45 and 10% among people ages 60 and older. The research also found a strong connection between social media and youth tobacco use: about 75% of young adults see smoking or vaping videos, and one-third of those viewers said the content had tempted them to start.

    More than a quarter of young adults who see such content said they buy cigarettes or vapes through social media, despite such sales being prohibited in the Netherlands since July 2023. The government’s 2040 target calls for no young people to smoke or vape and for adult smoking and vaping prevalence to fall to 5%.

  • FDA authorizes 11 additional ZYN nicotine pouches

    FDA authorizes 11 additional ZYN nicotine pouches

    Today (Aug. 21), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized 11 new nicotine pouch products from Swedish Match USA under the Zyn Ultra brand through the premarket tobacco product application pathway. The products include 10 9-milligram varieties and one 11-milligram variety, covering flavors such as Chill, Citrus, Cool Mint, Deep Freeze, Menthol, Peppermint, Smooth, Spearmint, and Wintergreen.

    The FDA said its review found the products contain lower levels of most harmful and potentially harmful constituents than other oral and smokeless tobacco products. The agency also said product-specific data indicated the pouches appeal primarily to adults who currently smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco and could provide sufficient nicotine to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, potentially supporting switching among adult tobacco users.

    “We are delighted with the FDA’s decision to authorize a range of ZYN ULTRA products, which will build on ZYN’s position as America’s leading smoke-free product brand,” said Stacey Kennedy, PMI U.S. CEO. “We look forward to expanding our portfolio of better choices for the 45 million Americans who consume nicotine products.” 

    The authorizations bring the number of FDA-authorized nicotine pouch products to 43, including 23 approved through the agency’s nicotine pouch pilot program. The FDA said the pilot has streamlined PMTA reviews and reduced the time needed to resolve deficiencies, with efficiencies now being applied to other tobacco-product applications.