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  • Pakistan Pressed to Investigate Cigarette Smuggling Ring

    Pakistan Pressed to Investigate Cigarette Smuggling Ring

    ACT Alliance Pakistan called for a nationwide investigation into what it describes as a highly organized network smuggling Afghan-linked cigarette brands, including Milano and Mond, into Pakistan. The group alleges the illicit trade is costing the government billions of rupees in lost tax revenue annually while funding cross-border money laundering and organized criminal activity. According to ACT Alliance, the cigarettes are smuggled through Balochistan and distributed across Pakistan using sophisticated logistics networks, sometimes concealed within shipments of legitimate goods.

    The organization urged Pakistan Customs, the Federal Board of Revenue, and law enforcement agencies to dismantle the alleged smuggling and financial networks, arguing the issue has evolved beyond tax evasion into a broader national security concern.

  • Philippine Tax Hikes Reduced Revenue, Fueled Illicits: Economist

    Philippine Tax Hikes Reduced Revenue, Fueled Illicits: Economist

    American economist Arthur Laffer said the Philippines may have reached the point where continued increases in tobacco excise taxes are reducing government revenue while accelerating illicit cigarette trade. Citing government data, Laffer said tobacco excise collections peaked at PHP176 billion ($2.8 billion) in 2021 before declining to PHP134 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2024 despite ongoing annual tax increases, arguing the trend reflects the “Laffer Curve” effect.

    He also referenced a University of Asia and the Pacific study estimating illicit cigarette trade cost the government PHP22 billion ($352 million) in lost tax revenue and contributed to broader economic losses. Laffer urged policymakers to adopt a data-driven approach that balances public health and fiscal objectives, including lower tax rates for smoke-free nicotine products to encourage adult smokers to switch while helping curb the illicit market.

  • Velo and McLaren Offer F1 Dream Competition for Fans

    Velo and McLaren Offer F1 Dream Competition for Fans

    British American Tobacco’s Velo nicotine pouch brand and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team launched a global “Live Your Fandom” competition for the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, inviting adult fans to submit creative ideas for exclusive McLaren-themed experiences. The campaign, which builds on last year’s partnership, will reward selected entrants with fan-inspired experiences ranging from behind-the-scenes access to custom merchandise and meetings with McLaren executives.

    BAT said the promotion is designed to strengthen engagement with adult nicotine consumers while reinforcing Velo’s branding through its ongoing Formula 1 sponsorship with McLaren.

  • Virginia AG to ‘Aggressively Enforce’ New Tobacco, Vape Laws

    Virginia AG to ‘Aggressively Enforce’ New Tobacco, Vape Laws

    Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones said his office is preparing to aggressively enforce the state’s new tobacco and vape law, which took effect July 1 and expands the attorney general’s authority to pursue businesses selling illegal products. The law requires retailers to obtain permits to sell tobacco and vaping products and authorizes the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to conduct regular inspections, including undercover compliance checks involving underage buyers and verification that only approved products are being sold.

    Jones said his office will target retailers violating the law while working with local governments, which are also adopting measures such as zoning restrictions on smoke shops.

  • Philippines Tightening Controls on Growers After 27% Surplus

    Philippines Tightening Controls on Growers After 27% Surplus

    The Philippine National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is tightening production controls for the 2026-2027 planting season following a tobacco leaf surplus in the previous crop year. Citing a volatile global buyers’ market, NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez said the agency will emphasize contract growing, premium leaf quality, and production aligned with market demand to protect growers from oversupply and rejected crops.

    The NTA is encouraging the country’s approximately 35,000 uncontracted tobacco farmers to join its Tobacco Contract Growing System, after reporting that flue-cured Virginia tobacco production exceeded purchase commitments by about 27% (5 million kg) last season. The agency is also promoting soil-area matching requirements to improve leaf quality and better meet buyer specifications.

  • Pneumofore’s Vacuum System Cut KTI’s Consumption by 30%

    Pneumofore’s Vacuum System Cut KTI’s Consumption by 30%

    Pneumofore announced it has completed the installation of a new centralized vacuum system at KT International’s cigarette manufacturing facility in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, designed to improve production reliability and reduce energy consumption. The company commissioned two UV16 VS30 rotary vane vacuum pumps, allowing KT International to replace much of its existing vacuum infrastructure, improve vacuum performance on its high-speed cigarette production and packaging lines, and eliminate vacuum fluctuations that had caused production interruptions.

    According to Pneumofore, the new system reduced total power consumption by 30%, from 127 kW to 90 kW, while improving vacuum levels and delivering estimated annual electricity savings of €44,400 to €48,600.

  • Pakistan Warns Companies Against Delaying Tobacco Purchase

    Pakistan Warns Companies Against Delaying Tobacco Purchase

    The Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) warned tobacco companies and dealers to immediately begin purchasing flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco or face enforcement action under the PTB Ordinance of 1968. In a notice to the industry, the board said companies had failed to open buying centers within the July 8-11 procurement window established under the Marketing Control Rules, 2016, putting them in violation of the regulations.

    PTB directed companies to begin purchases and submit compliance reports within three days. The warning follows last year’s delayed buying season, when some manufacturers and dealers waited until tobacco was declared surplus before purchasing at lower prices, a practice growers say resulted in significant financial losses.

  • 22nd Century Tabs New Marketing VP

    22nd Century Tabs New Marketing VP

    Last week, 22nd Century Group appointed Katherine Rouse-Bailey as vice president of marketing as the company steps up efforts to expand awareness and sales of its reduced-nicotine VLN cigarette brand and Pinnacle products. Rouse-Bailey brings two decades of consumer health and brand-building experience from Johnson & Johnson, Galderma and Nestlé Health Science, and will lead initiatives aimed at increasing adult smoker trial, strengthening retail sell-through, and supporting the company’s broader commercialization strategy.

  • Zimbabwe Cracking Down on Illegal Tobacco Seed Varieties

    Zimbabwe Cracking Down on Illegal Tobacco Seed Varieties

    Zimbabwe launched a coordinated crackdown on the cultivation of illegal tobacco varieties as part of its strategy to grow the sector into a $7 billion industry. Authorities warned that growers using unregistered seed face prosecution and destruction of their crops, citing recent convictions of farmers growing the banned KamuZambia variety, including one producer fined $10,000 after DNA testing confirmed the violation.

    Officials said illegal varieties threaten export markets, product quality, and Zimbabwe’s reputation for premium tobacco, as the country targets annual production of 500 million kg under its Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Strategy. Industry stakeholders are also urging merchant buyers to reject illegal tobacco, expand access to certified seed, and strengthen enforcement through DNA testing, inspections, and grassroots reporting networks.

  • FDA Rolls out New Features in CTP Portal to Assist Submission Process

    FDA Rolls out New Features in CTP Portal to Assist Submission Process

    Today (July 17), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration introduced new enhancements to its Center for Tobacco Products Portal NextGen, expanding its web-based submission system for premarket tobacco product applications and substantial equivalence (SE) reports. New features include the ability to upload folders and subfolders, label submission documents directly within the portal, and save contact information for future filings, reducing administrative burden and improving submission consistency. Based on user feedback, the updates are intended to streamline the application process for tobacco manufacturers and applicants.

    As part of the transition, the FDA will phase out eSubmitter for PMTA and SE submissions after Nov. 14, with applicants expected to use the web-based forms in CTP Portal NextGen. PDF forms will remain available for those unable to use the portal, while eSubmitter will continue to support other submission types, such as ingredient listings and harmful and potentially harmful constituent reports, until additional web forms are introduced. The agency said it plans to provide further training and guidance as it expands the portal’s capabilities.