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  • Amicus Briefs Back Altria, Juul in Antitrust Appeal

    Amicus Briefs Back Altria, Juul in Antitrust Appeal

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 14 states, and several legal groups are backing Altria and Juul’s appeal of a lower-court decision allowing antitrust claims against the companies to proceed as a class action. The briefs argue that the trial court improperly relied on California law to cover alleged conduct and purchases occurring in other states, where different antitrust laws and standards apply. The Chamber and other amici contend that applying California’s Cartwright Act across multiple jurisdictions creates significant legal and manageability problems for the litigation.

    The underlying lawsuit alleges that Altria’s 2018 investment in Juul, together with its decision to withdraw from the U.S. e-cigarette market, harmed competition and contributed to higher prices, which Altria and Juul dispute.

  • Nigeria’s Public Health Advocates Want 2,200% Increase for Tobacco Control

    Nigeria’s Public Health Advocates Want 2,200% Increase for Tobacco Control

    Public health groups are urging Nigeria’s federal government to increase annual tobacco-control funding from N13 million ($9,490) to at least N300 million ($219,000), saying current funding is insufficient for enforcement, public education, research, cessation services, and monitoring of the tobacco industry. Allocations increased from N4.7 million ($3,431) in 2023, but advocates say the program remains heavily dependent on international donors.

    The Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are calling for a dedicated funding mechanism, potentially through earmarking part of tobacco tax revenues for tobacco-control programs. They cited an estimated N526.4 billion ($384 million) in tobacco-related healthcare costs in 2019, and WHO estimates Nigeria has more than 3.5 million tobacco users.

  • Vietnam Advances Ban on New Nicotine Products

    Vietnam Advances Ban on New Nicotine Products

    Vietnam is amending its Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms to strengthen restrictions on new nicotine products. The government has endorsed a ban on the production, trading, storage, transportation, advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other novel tobacco products, along with a ban on tobacco-product displays at wholesale and retail outlets.

    The measures aim to curb rising use among young people. Health officials also cited the emergence of nicotine pouches and argued that a sale-only ban would be insufficient. Resolution No. 160/NQ-CP endorses the policy framework, with the amended law expected to define regulated products, restrictions and enforcement responsibilities clearly.

  • Iceland Proposes Plain Packaging, Tighter Controls

    Iceland Proposes Plain Packaging, Tighter Controls

    Iceland proposed plain packaging for all tobacco products and new restrictions on nicotine products under a draft bill from the Health Minister. The measures would standardize packaging, set a maximum nicotine content, allow restrictions on flavored nicotine products, and tighten online, cross-border, and home-delivery sales.

    The bill would align rules for cigarettes and e-cigarettes, strengthen penalties, and expand restrictions on where tobacco and nicotine products can be used, with exemptions for some nursing-home residents and hospital patients. The proposal follows Norway’s 2018 plain-packaging rules, although research cited in the draft material found little or no measurable effect from the policy.

  • EU: Italy, Greece Oppose Irish Bill on Nicotine Products

    EU: Italy, Greece Oppose Irish Bill on Nicotine Products

    According to Generation Sans Tabac, Italy and Greece submitted detailed opinions to the European Commission under the EU’s TRIS notification procedure opposing Ireland’s proposed legislation to tighten regulation of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The Irish bill would ban non-tobacco flavors, prohibit flavor-related product names, introduce plain packaging, restrict retail and online product displays, and extend these measures to nicotine pouches. Both countries argued that the proposals could create barriers to trade and conflict with the EU’s ongoing revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).

    Italy questioned the proportionality of measures such as flavor bans, plain packaging, and display restrictions, arguing that less restrictive alternatives — including stronger age verification and market surveillance — should be considered. Greece raised concerns over increased compliance costs and market fragmentation, particularly for manufacturers and exporters of nicotine products. The detailed opinions extend the standstill period for Ireland’s draft law until October 7, delaying its potential implementation while the European Commission reviews the objections.

  • July Rains Help N.C. Tobacco Crop Rebound

    July Rains Help N.C. Tobacco Crop Rebound

    Extension agents in Wilson County, North Carolina, said that heavy July rainfalls revived a drought-stressed flue-cured tobacco crop after prolonged dry conditions in May and June delayed crop development by an estimated two to three weeks. Officials said the rain restored soil moisture, allowing tobacco plants to absorb nitrogen and improve growth, although the later maturity is expected to push harvesting closer to the risk of early frost.

    Growers across Wilson, Nash, and Johnston counties reported significant improvement in crop conditions, with many saying the tobacco has recovered dramatically following the rains. While producers remain optimistic about yield potential, they cautioned that saturated fields and the increased risk of disease could complicate harvest as the Wilson tobacco market prepares to open on August 12.

    These counties are the heart of North Carolina’s tobacco crop, which, at an average of 100 to 120 million pounds, typically makes up 55% to 65% of total U.S. production.

  • Marijuana Passes Cigarette Addiction in U.S.: Survey

    Marijuana Passes Cigarette Addiction in U.S.: Survey

    New data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows marijuana use disorder is now the second-largest substance use disorder in the United States after alcohol use disorder. The survey found marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug, with 61.6 million people aged 12 and older reporting past-year use. According to the report, for the first time, daily marijuana use (21.4 million daily users) surpassed daily cigarette smoking (19.9 million).

    The survey also reported declines among adolescents and young adults in past-month tobacco, cigarette, nicotine vaping, and marijuana use, along with reductions in substance use disorders and suicide-related measures. Among 18- to 25-year-olds, past-month use of nicotine products, cigarettes, vaping products, alcohol, and marijuana all declined, while youth ages 12 to 17 also reported lower rates of tobacco use, nicotine vaping initiation, and marijuana use.

  • Philip Morris Italia Launches €1 Million Academy for Tobacconists

    Philip Morris Italia Launches €1 Million Academy for Tobacconists

    Philip Morris Italia announced the launch of the Trade Academy, a €1 million training initiative developed with the Italian Tobacconists Federation (FIT) to support the professional development of approximately 45,000 tobacconists across Italy. The program offers digital and in-person training in areas such as leadership, business management, and public speaking, as well as university scholarships and professional development opportunities for retailers and their families.

    The Trade Academy will run through the end of 2026 and is part of Philip Morris International’s broader investment in its Italian supply chain. The company said the initiative is designed to strengthen retailer competitiveness, improve customer engagement and build skills across its commercial network as part of its long-term investment in human capital.

  • Pilot Study Promising as AIR Invests $20M in Greentank

    Pilot Study Promising as AIR Invests $20M in Greentank

    AIR Global announced a $20 million investment in vaporization technology company Greentank Innovations, deepening a strategic partnership established in 2023. The investment gives AIR preferred shares based on a $170 million pre-money valuation, a warrant to increase its stake by an additional 20% over the next two years, a board nomination right, and enhanced commercial and technology access. AIR said the investment supports its growth strategy in reduced-risk nicotine products and its planned U.S. premarket tobacco product application for its Crown Switch vape.

    AIR also released results from an independent pilot study of its Greentank-powered Crown Switch device, reporting low or non-detectable levels of several harmful or potentially harmful constituents in the aerosol. According to the company, carbon monoxide, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene were not detected, while formaldehyde, nickel, and other constituents were reported at lower levels than published data for certain FDA-authorized e-cigarettes. AIR said the preliminary findings will be presented at the 2026 Tobacco Science Research Conference and will form part of its PMTA submission, noting that additional testing is underway and future results may differ.

  • Officials Urge Philippines to Prioritize Smoke- and Vape-Free Spaces

    Officials Urge Philippines to Prioritize Smoke- and Vape-Free Spaces

    Local government officials across the Philippines are calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent House Bill 9603, the proposed Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Act, ahead of his State of the Nation Address. The bill would establish national standards for smoke- and vape-free public spaces and workplaces, strengthen enforcement, and provide funding for local implementation, while not banning cigarettes or vaping products outright.

    The proposal is backed by governors, mayors, and health officials who argue national legislation is needed to reinforce local smoke-free ordinances. Supporters also want the removal of indoor smoking and vaping areas, expanded smoke-free zones, stronger enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for violations. The push comes four years after the Philippines’ Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act took effect and amid ongoing debate over youth vaping and secondhand smoke exposure.