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  • Altria to Host Annual Meeting May 15

    Altria to Host Annual Meeting May 15

    Altria Group, Inc. will host a live audio webcast of its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders May 15, 2025, at 9 a.m. EST. During the meeting, shareholders as of the 2025 Annual Meeting record date (March 25, 2025) will be able to vote their shares electronically and will be able to submit questions during the meeting as time permits. Although shareholders will be able to vote their shares during the meeting, they are encouraged to do so before the meeting using one of the methods described in the 2025 Proxy Statement.

    If you are not a shareholder, you may listen as a guest but cannot participate.

    Directions on how to participate in the meeting are posted at www.altria.com/proxy.

    Instead of a business update presentation at the 2025 Annual Meeting, the company encourages shareholders and guests to review resources before the meeting, available at www.altria.com/investors.

  • Illicit Cigarettes Costing Pakistan $1.1B Annually

    Illicit Cigarettes Costing Pakistan $1.1B Annually

    Tax evasion, weak enforcement of the track-and-trace system, and regulatory loopholes are crippling both public revenue and health safeguards, costing Pakistan over Rs300 billion ($1.1 billion) annually to the illicit cigarette trade, experts said. Speaking on “The Express Tribune Podcast,” in collaboration with #BehtareenPakistan, CEO of the Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR), Tariq Junaid, said, “This is not just a health issue—it’s an economic crisis. When more than 40% of the cigarette market goes untaxed, the state loses the ability to fund vital services. Smugglers are filling the gap while legitimate businesses suffer.”

    Panelists on the podcast said illegal cigarette manufacturers are exploiting the system by avoiding the Federal Excise Duty and producing below the legal price threshold. These untaxed products are then sold cheaply, undercutting lawful manufacturers and contributing to a shadow economy that thrives on regulatory inaction. The podcast also explored the broader impacts of the illicit trade. Experts emphasized that this is not simply a revenue issue, it also has dire implications for public health. Consumers of illegal cigarettes are often exposed to unregulated, potentially more harmful products.

    In response to these challenges, the panel advocated for the urgent implementation of a fully functional track-and-trace system to digitally monitor cigarette production and distribution. They also called for tougher penalties for violators and more transparent oversight by tax authorities.

    “There needs to be a serious political will to act,” Junaid said. “The solution is not just about enforcement—it’s about protecting Pakistan’s economy from systemic exploitation.”

  • Off-Stamp Adds Ice-Cube to Vape Lineup

    Off-Stamp Adds Ice-Cube to Vape Lineup

    Today (May 1), Off-Stamp launched Ice-Cube, the latest pod added to its flagship X-Cube kit. The pods and the matching kits will be available for sale on BestVape.com starting today.

    The Ice-Cube is designed with an adjustable cooling experience, offering personalized three-tiered sensations. The side button allows cooling level adjustment that offers different sensations. The pod features an 18 ml e-liquid capacity, bringing up to 25,000 puffs for long-lasting enjoyment.

    The line offers 10 flavors: four mint-based and six mixed fruity blends.

  • No Saint Latest Vape Offered in UK

    No Saint Latest Vape Offered in UK

    No Saint is a new vaping brand and technology platform launching in the UK today (May 1), offering what the company says is “a sophisticated, safer alternative that prioritizes quality, innovation, and responsibility.” Mladen Barbaric created the product and said he raised $50 million in funding from companies like Coca-Cola, Vitamin Water, and Patron, as well as health and wellness activist investors, such as HumanCo and Jason Karp.

    “Built with cutting-edge technology and premium ingredients, No Saint’s vaporizer can last up to two years and eliminates hazardous flavors and harmful chemicals found in many existing brands,” the company said in a press release. “This offers adults a safer, more refined vaping experience, with zero heavy metals and relentlessly tested formulations and emissions. The brand is also committed to transparency, publishing all its chemical analysis and emissions data that ensures the safest way to vape.”

    “We saw a big gap in the market for a responsible and premium vaping experience, so we set out to create a product that prioritizes quality, refinement, and safety,” said Barbaric. “No Saint offers a grown-up approach to vaping, delivering superior taste, cleaner emissions, and an overall more responsible alternative to traditional smoking, bringing some much-needed taste to the game.”

    The No Saint will be available to purchase at nosaint.co, two company stores in London, and at 500 independent retailers across London and the South East.

  • Capital Group Has Less Than 5% Voting Rights in Scandinavian

    Capital Group Has Less Than 5% Voting Rights in Scandinavian

    The Capital Group Companies, Inc., the world’s largest active fund manager, reported that it controls 4.91% of the total share capital in Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S. Capital Group controls 4,226,410 shares. This reporting is in reference to Section 38 of the Danish Act on Capital Markets (kapitalmarkedsloven).

    Scandinavian Tobacco Group has its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, and employs approximately 10,000 people in Europe, the U.S., Canada, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. 

  • Brazil Projected to Crack $3B in Tobacco Exports

    Brazil Projected to Crack $3B in Tobacco Exports

    According to yesterday’s projection by consulting firm Deloitte, Brazil’s tobacco exports are expected to surpass the $3 billion mark in 2025. The forecast anticipates an increase of 10% to 15% in volume and value. In February, the projection was $2.977 billion.

    According to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, Brazil shipped 104,000 tons of tobacco in the first quarter of 2025. The volume was 1.78% lower compared to the same period in 2024, however, the value of sales rose by 12.85%, reaching $744 million. The main buyers of Brazilian tobacco in the first quarter were China, Belgium, Indonesia, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

    In 2024, Brazil exported 455,000 tons of tobacco to 113 countries, generating around $2.9 billion in revenue. This figure exceeded the historical average of the past decade, which stood at $2 billion. Brazil has been the world’s largest tobacco exporter for over 30 years. About 90% of its production is destined for international markets. In terms of overall production, Brazil ranks second only to China.

    “The preference of international customers for Brazilian tobacco is a direct result of the product’s quality and integrity, guaranteed by the Integrated Tobacco Production System,” said Valmor Thesing, president of the Interstate Tobacco Industry Union.

  • Perdomo First Cigar Company to Add Tariff Increase

    Perdomo First Cigar Company to Add Tariff Increase

    Perdomo Cigars announced it will increase its prices 25 cents per cigar beginning May 1, the second time the company has raised prices 25 cents in 2025. The first was to adjust rising costs with wholesale pricing, the second is because of new U.S. tariffs.

    “As you may know, a new 10% tariff has been imposed on premium handmade cigars imported from Nicaragua, where every Perdomo cigar is proudly crafted,” said Nick Perdomo Jr., the company’s president and CEO. “This government-mandated cost affects every manufacturer in our industry, and once again, we are called to protect our customers, the end consumers, and our employees while navigating the challenging business environment we all face today.”

    Nicaragua was to have a 19% tariff, but the rate was dropped to 10%, through “a 90-day suspension.”

    “The tariff is applied to the ‘direct import price,’ which is neither the wholesale price that retailers buy the cigars for nor the price that consumers pay for cigars,” Charlie Minato wrote for Halfwheel. “Unlike state tobacco taxes, which are calculated based on the wholesale price, the tariffs are baked into the wholesale price. Because of this, the tariffs won’t simply be passed onto consumers, consumers will likely end up paying double whatever the increase is. In this case, that means the 25-cent increase is effectively 50 cents for consumers, though it will end up being more once state tobacco and sales taxes are applied.”

    Earlier this year, cigar manufacturers were taking a “wait-and-see” approach to see how competitors would handle the tariff situation, so this is likely the first of many price increases the industry will see due to tariffs.

  • IQOS System Commercially Available in Texas

    IQOS System Commercially Available in Texas

    Today, PMI U.S. announced its FDA-authorized IQOS system is now commercially available to residents in the Greater Austin, Texas, area online at www.IQOS.com/us, at select pop-up stores, and other 21+ venues. IQOS is available in more than 70 markets globally since launching in Japan 10 years ago. The launch in Texas marks the first in a series of introductions in markets across the U.S.

    “We’ve seen the impact that a diverse range of smoke-free alternatives—like IQOS and ZYN—can have in helping adults 21+ move away from cigarettes,” said Stacey Kennedy, PMI U.S. CEO. ”We are committed to raising awareness and educating both consumers and public health leaders about the progress being made in harm reduction with our smoke-free products.”

    The news that Austinite’s can now purchase IQOS onlinefollows the March announcement that a permanent IQOS store opened downtown. Since October 2024, more than 5,000 Austin residents signed up to “Be the First” to experience IQOS.

  • Black Buffalo Tabs Booth as Chief Legal Officer

    Black Buffalo Tabs Booth as Chief Legal Officer

    Black Buffalo Inc. announced the appointment of Kellsi Booth as its Chief Legal Officer. Booth joins the Black Buffalo executive team with over a decade of experience in heavily regulated industries, with a focus on nicotine and tobacco. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Turning Point Brands, where she oversaw regulatory strategy and compliance for a portfolio of established consumer brands, including Zig-Zag and Stoker’s. Prior to that, she held a series of progressive roles at Juul Labs, Inc., where she drove initiatives in regulatory, quality, and policy matters.

    “Kellsi brings an unmatched depth of experience in regulatory affairs, legal strategy, and quality oversight,” said Matthew Hanson, Chief Growth Officer of Black Buffalo. “Her leadership will be pivotal as we continue our responsible, rapid growth within leading retail chains across the United States.”

    Booth has built a career navigating complex regulatory frameworks and advocating for responsible innovation within the industry. She is actively involved in several industry trade associations, including the Coalition of Manufacturers of Smoking Alternatives, and serves as one of the co-founders and board members of OWNiT (Organization of Women in Nicotine & Tobacco) — an initiative dedicated to empowering women across the nicotine and tobacco space.

  • Study: Charcoal-Free Shisha Significantly Less Harmful

    Study: Charcoal-Free Shisha Significantly Less Harmful

    In what the company calls “the world’s first charcoal-free shisha product,” OOKA announced the results of a study conducted by ASL Analytic Service Laboratory GmbH in Germany that found emissions from its heated system showed zero detection of many of the most harmful by-products of combustion, including carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, and benzo[a]pyrene – substances typically found in both cigarettes and charcoal-heated shisha. The peer-reviewed study was published today (April 30) in Nature’s Scientific Reports. 

    “As the first electronically heated shisha system, OOKA represents a major advancement in inhalation technology, providing a charcoal-free, smoke-free experience without compromising flavor or ritual,” the company said in a press release. “The product’s multi-patented design eliminates combustion-related toxicants while offering consumers a consistent and premium experience.

    “The study provides substantive new evidence that OOKA is a breakthrough in harm reduction, delivering one of the cleanest inhalation experiences currently available without any compromise on flavor and experience for users

    The study tested emissions from OOKA across 37 toxicants and showed that emissions of key aldehydes—including acrolein, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde—were reduced by up to 96% in the charcoal-free device compared to traditional shisha. When typical real-world consumption is factored in, toxicant exposure was estimated to be up to 100 times lower than cigarette smoking.

    “These findings have significant implications, not just for public health but also for shisha regulation and consumer understanding,” Dr. Ian Fearon, study co-author and a leading global expert in the scientific basis for tobacco harm reduction, said. “Misconceptions around waterpipe use have gone unchallenged for too long, and studies like this help bring clarity and credible data to a rapidly evolving category.”

    OOKA is one of six shisha/hookah brands under AIR (Advanced Inhalation Rituals).