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  • UAE Points to Sweden in Approving Nicotine Pouches

    UAE Points to Sweden in Approving Nicotine Pouches

    The UAE approved the sale of synthetic nicotine pouches—subject to sellers meeting safety standards set out by the government—with the hope that the smoke-free nicotine alternatives entering the market would be helpful in helping people quit smoking. Smoking rates remain relatively high in the UAE and Middle East in general, with 12% and 20% of the people smoking, respectively.

    The UAE vaping market is expected to be worth $78 million this year, according to market analysts Statista.

    UAE officials pointed to the potential nicotine pouches showed elsewhere, particularly in Europe. With the help of alternative nicotine products, Sweden slashed smoking rates and transitioned toward harm-reduction public health policies on tobacco, reducing rates of lung, lip and oral cancer, as well as oesophageal, and stomach cancers considerably since 1980.

    “We have replaced cigarette smoking with alternative nicotine products, pouches, and that has really had a dramatic impact on the public health here in Sweden,” said Patrik Hildingsson, director of oral category communication at Philip Morris, producers of the globally popular Zyn nicotine pouch. “Cigarette smoking is harmful to health, there is no doubt about that. To reduce the harm, you need to quit, but many people just don’t, they stay with their cigarettes. For these people, we need to give them alternatives to get out of the combustions, the smoke process, and the chemicals that come with burning a crop.”

  • BAT Hosts Annual General Meeting

    BAT Hosts Annual General Meeting

    At its 2025 General Meeting, British American Tobacco (BAT) announced that its sales had fallen by 5.2% as reported in 2024, although has risen 1.3% organically. The company presented its updated strategy based on three pillars: quality growth, a sustainable future, and a dynamic company.

    “2024 was an investment year for BAT, with delivery in line with our guidance,” Luc Jobin said in BAT’s chair address. “I was pleased to see another solid performance in our new categories business. New categories’ contribution increased by £251 million, on an adjusted organic basis at constant currency rates, and category contribution margin is now at 7.1%.”

    BAT said it would continue its strategy towards a smoke-free world, aiming for a largely combustion-free business by 2035. Smokeless products now account for 17.5% of sales, with 29.1 million adult consumers. For 2025, BAT expects 1% sales growth, with its adjusted operating profit up by between 1.5% and 2.5%, with an unfavorable exchange rate effect. The company is targeting 3%-5% growth in sales for 2026, with adjusted profit up 4%-6%. The £900m share buyback program and a 2% increase in its dividend have been confirmed.
    The Board announced the addition of Soraya Benchikh as Chief Financial Officer and Uta Kemmerich-Keil as an independent director.

  • Zimbabwe to Double Shisha Output

    Zimbabwe to Double Shisha Output

    Despite only increasing planted land by 25%, Zimbabwe is expected to see its Shisha crop double in 2025. Mostly being produced under a contract spearheaded by Cavendish Lloyd Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd. (CLZ), the increase in production is being attributed to the adoption of good agronomic practices, collaboration between growers and technicians, and favorable weather conditions.

    “We are projecting a total of 800,000 kilograms of cured Shisha tobacco by the end of the season, a significant increase from last year’s 400,000 kg,” Dr Rebecca Manford, chief executive officer for CLZ said. “The price for the crop has remained strong, with the highest price recorded so far at US$5.75 per kg, an increase from last season’s US$5.70.”

    Shisha was introduced commercially in Zimbabwe in 2022, and last year was negatively impacted by the El Nino drought. The number of growers increased from 65 to 125 this year, yet the land committed only increased from 388 to 485 hectares. Production of the crop has presented farmers with more investment opportunities to widen their farming business as part of the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan.

  • Apostate Cigars Joins Oveja Negra Family

    Apostate Cigars Joins Oveja Negra Family

    Oveja Negra Brands announced that it will bring Apostate Cigars into its stable beginning in June, joining its three current brands, Black Label Trading Co., Black Works Studio, and Emilio Cigars. Oveja Negra Brands offers a unified sales and marketing team and centralized distribution through L.J. Zucca, a tobacco distributor since 1947.

    “We’re thrilled and honored to be joining the Oveja Negra Brands, which we have long admired,” said Kendrick Woolstenhulme, co-founder and president of Apostate Cigars. “We are excited for the things to come and look forward to adding our blends to this amazing table.”

    Brandon Oveson, co-founder and vice president at Apostate Cigars, called this a “melding of values,” adding that both companies have carved their own respective paths to this point.

    “Apostate is a great example of a uniquely different brand that fits what we’re looking for,” said James Brown, creator of Black Label Trading Company and a partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra. “Their predominantly Dominican portfolio and blend style will be a great addition to Oveja Negra Brands.”

  • CORESTA Announces Next Webinar

    The Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) announced its latest agro-phyto webinar, titled “Tobacco Genetic Resources: The Foundation for a Global Industry.” The webinar will be held May 13 at 1 p.m. CET.

    In addition to the tobacco genetic resources, the other major topic will be assessing flue-cured tobacco yield trends.

    “Tobacco genetic resources are the single most important component of the global tobacco industry, as genetics determine tobacco raw material performance, usability, and placement in manufactured products,” CORESTA said. “North Carolina State University maintains one of the most significant tobacco germplasm collections in the world.

    “Insight relative to this collection will be shared by Dr. Ramsey Lewis. In addition, Dr. Matthew Vann will present historical flue-cured tobacco variety performance data, which highlights a tangible, positive outcome that has helped to sustain leaf production since the 1950s.”

  • Illegal Tobacco Stressing Australian Emergency Responders

    Illegal Tobacco Stressing Australian Emergency Responders

    As illegal tobacco sales continue to increase across Australia, so too are violent crimes as organized syndicates get more brazen in their push for market share. There have been more than 100 fire bombings in Victoria in the last two years, with similar tactics being used in New South Wales and now spreading to Queensland.

    The Australian Medical Association Queensland warns that in addition to the obvious dangers of the fire bombings, the increase in violent attacks on tobacconists is also putting further pressure on overworked emergency departments, including police, fire, paramedics, and hospitals.

    “We are also concerned that a growing black market could see increased violence leading to avoidable emergency department presentations and pressure on our doctors and nurses,” said Nick Yim, president of the medical association.

    Queensland is attempting to battle the illicit market with more regulation, increasing fines tenfold. Individuals selling illegal products can now be fined A$32,260 ($20,646) while corporations can be fined A$161,300 ($103,232). Authorities now also have the option to close offending businesses for up to six months.

    The federal government announced in March it would pump A$157 million ($100 million) into federal health, crime, and tax agencies across two years to strengthen enforcement and target crime gangs.

    “This is a national issue that requires a national response, which is why the Albanese Labor government’s $156.7 million investment to tackle the tobacco black market is so critical,” said Mark Bailey, a spokesman for Shadow Health.

  • Altria to Host Webcast of 2025 First-Quarter Results

    Altria to Host Webcast of 2025 First-Quarter Results

    Altria Group, Inc. will host a live audio webcast April 29, 2025, at 9 a.m. EST to discuss its 2025 first-quarter business results. Altria will issue a press release containing its business results at approximately 7 a.m. the same day. The webcast can be accessed at altria.com.

    During the webcast, Billy Gifford, Altria’s Chief Executive Officer, and Sal Mancuso, Altria’s Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company’s 2025 first-quarter business results and answer questions from the investment community and news media.

    The webcast will be in a listen-only mode. Pre-event registration is necessary; directions are posted at www.altria.com/webcasts. An archived copy of the webcast will be available on altria.com.

  • Pakistan: Cracking Down on Illegal Sheesha Cafes

    Pakistan: Cracking Down on Illegal Sheesha Cafes

    In a coordinated move, district administration and police teams in Pakistan conducted surprise raids, shutting down nine sheesha cafes operating illegally in Bahria Town’s Civic Center. The operation, aimed at curbing unauthorized indoor hookah services, resulted in the arrest of 60 men and 4 women allegedly linked to the businesses.

    According to the spokesman of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, 110 hookah devices, along with flavored tobacco products, were confiscated during the raids. The crackdown follows growing concerns over violations of public health regulations and indoor smoking bans. Officials emphasized that the cafes were operating without permits and failed to comply with safety standards.

    District officials highlighted that the action aligns with broader efforts to enforce anti-smoking laws, particularly in indoor spaces. “These facilities posed risks to public health and ignored legal guidelines,” stated a spokesman. “We will continue targeting non-compliant businesses.”

    Authorities confirmed that further inspections are planned across the district to identify similar operations. Residents have been urged to report illegal shisha services via dedicated hotlines. The crackdown marks a renewed push to uphold public health laws, with officials vowing zero tolerance for unauthorized hookah businesses.

  • Maldives Sets Generational Tobacco Ban 

    Maldives Sets Generational Tobacco Ban 

    Maldives’ cabinet implemented a generational tobacco ban for those born on or after January 1, 2007. Under this ban, the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco for those born after the date will be prohibited.

    The cabinet decided to allocate a six-month grace period for enforcement authorities to revise existing regulations following the amendment of the law, thus the ban will come into effect on November 1. The cabinet also instructed the Ministry of Finance and Planning to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to facilitate access to tobacco cessation services.

    Prior to reaching this decision, the President conducted a public poll, finding most participants favored the generational ban be applied to those born 2000 onwards; however, the cabinet decided on the year 2007.

  • J.C. Newman Reintroduces Line First Rolled Out 125 Years Ago

    J.C. Newman Reintroduces Line First Rolled Out 125 Years Ago

    Established in 1895, J.C. Newman touts itself as “America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker.” This past weekend, during the PCA trade show in New Orleans, the company revived one of its most historic brands, reintroducing its Sarzedas line.

    The U.S. Patent Office records show that J.C. Newman first rolled Sarzedas cigars in 1900. A century ago, Sarzedas was widely known as “The Aromatic Cigar.” The new Sarzedas cigars are handmade at J.C. Newman’s PENSA cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

    “I have loved the Sarzedas name and the brand’s history as ‘The Aromatic Cigar’ for years,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “I have been wanting to bring this historic brand back, but had to wait until we could create a blend that lives up to the brand’s legacy. Sarzedas is the most flavorful cigar we have ever made.”

    Sarzedas cigars are rolled in four sizes, a 6” x 50 toro, a 4.75” x 52 robusto, a 7” x 48 Churchill, and a 5.5” x 43 corona. They were blended by Rich Dolak, J.C. Newman’s longtime Vice President of Operations who has blending the cigars with the Newmans for 29 years. Sarzedas features an Ecuadorian Shade wrapper, and binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic Nicaragua. J.C. Newman will set the suggested retail price when Sarzedas is ready to ship this summer but expects it to be between $8 and $10 per cigar.