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  • Korea’s Tobacco Plan Draws Criticism Over Gaps, Cuts

    Korea’s Tobacco Plan Draws Criticism Over Gaps, Cuts

    South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced the country’s first five-year tobacco harmfulness management plan, covering 2027-2031. The plan calls for expanding the number of harmful substances tested by 2030 to about 50 for conventional cigarettes and heated tobacco products and 30 for liquid e-cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco and water-pipe tobacco would also be added to the testing program. The government also plans to accelerate testing requests for new products by up to 17 months and develop additional testing methods for harmful substances and additives.

    The plan has drawn criticism for largely excluding nicotine analogs and nicotine-free products, which are not classified as tobacco under South Korea’s Tobacco Business Act. Imports of nicotine-free products have doubled this year, while online sales of nicotine analog products have increased. Critics also questioned the plan’s limited provisions for flavored tobacco products, whose market share rose from 9.8% in 2013 to 46.5% in 2023. Separately, the proposed 2027 budget for smoking prevention and cessation programs is 79.5 billion won ($58.8 million), down 14.4% from this year’s 92.9 billion won ($68.7 million).

    (Nov. 4 update)

    Details of South Korea’s Plan to Expand Tobacco Ingredient Testing

    South Korea offered more details about its plan to expand testing of harmful ingredients in tobacco products under its first five-year Tobacco Hazard Management Plan for 2027–2031, announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. By 2030, testing requirements for heated tobacco products and cigarettes will increase from 44 to about 50 ingredients, while testing for liquid e-cigarettes will expand from 20 to about 30. Smokeless tobacco and hookah will also become subject to testing.

    The plan will require manufacturers and importers to provide more detailed ingredient information, including the intended use of each ingredient, and establish random, unannounced inspections to verify submissions. Companies will also have to request testing for new tobacco products within one month of launch, rather than six months. The government plans to expand public disclosure of ingredient information and use the data to inform tobacco-control policies. It aims to reduce adult tobacco-use rates by 2030 from 36.3% to 29% among men and from 8.6% to 6% among women.

  • FDA Authorizes 24 VELO Pouch Products

    FDA Authorizes 24 VELO Pouch Products

    On Oct. 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued Marketing Granted Orders to Modoral Brands Inc., a Reynolds American subsidiary, for 24 VELO nicotine pouch products, marking the first FDA marketing authorizations for British American Tobacco’s VELO brand in the United States. The orders cover eight product varieties across three packaging configurations, all containing 4 mg of nicotine. VELO Mini Pouch flavors include Crema, Lime, Orange Crema and Passion Fruit, while VELO Mini Pouch 2 comes in Crema, Lime, Orange Crema and Cinnamon. Each pouch weighs 400 mg.

    The FDA said its scientific review found that the authorized products contain lower levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents than cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, with several carcinogenic constituents, including those associated with oral cancer, below measurable levels. The agency evaluated whether the products could benefit adults who switch completely from other tobacco products while considering potential risks to youth and nonusers. The FDA emphasized that marketing authorization does not mean the products are safe and that adults who use tobacco must switch completely to potentially lower-risk alternatives to realize the full health benefits.

    The decision brings the total number of FDA-authorized nicotine pouch products to 67, including products marketed by Swedish Match USA’s ZYN and Altria’s Helix Innovations. The authorizations also give BAT a place alongside its two major competitors in the FDA-authorized U.S. nicotine pouch market. Only nicotine pouch products listed on the FDA’s authorized products list may legally be sold in the United States.

  • Universal to Report Fiscal Q2 Results Nov. 4

    Universal to Report Fiscal Q2 Results Nov. 4

    Universal Corp. will release its fiscal 2027 second-quarter results after market close Nov. 4 and hold a conference call at 10 a.m. Eastern on Nov. 5. The call will be available via live webcast on the company’s website, with a replay accessible through Feb. 5, 2027.

  • Cigar Aficionado Founder, Publisher Dies at 83

    Cigar Aficionado Founder, Publisher Dies at 83

    Marvin R. Shanken, founder, editor, and publisher of Cigar Aficionado, died Oct. 29 at age 83, the magazine reported. Shanken launched the publication in 1992, helping expand the audience for premium handmade cigars. His publishing business covered wine, spirits, and cigars, while his philanthropy supported scholarships, prostate cancer research, and autism services. He acquired Impact in 1972 followed by Wine Spectator in 1979, and later established the Big Smoke cigar events.  He is survived by his wife, Hazel; three daughters; two sisters; and four grandchildren. Read Cigar Aficionado’s obituary.

  • PA Can Enforce Vape Directory Law During Appeal

    PA Can Enforce Vape Directory Law During Appeal

    A federal judge has rejected a request from vape businesses to temporarily block enforcement of Pennsylvania’s Act 57 while they appeal a ruling upholding the law. U.S. District Judge Julia Munley denied the request, allowing enforcement to continue. The law, which took effect Oct. 19, prohibits the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes not listed in the state’s approved product directory.

    The plaintiffs, including MMA Group 1 Inc., which operates Tobacco Hut stores, and several distributors and vape businesses, sued in May, arguing that Act 57 is preempted by federal law and interferes with the FDA’s regulatory authority. Munley granted summary judgment to Pennsylvania on the federal preemption claims Oct. 14, finding that the law regulates retail sales rather than imposing separate federal premarket approval requirements. The plaintiffs appealed to the Third Circuit and sought a temporary stay, which Munley denied Oct. 28.

    Act 57 requires nicotine e-cigarettes to have FDA marketing authorization or qualify under specified pending application provisions to be listed in the state directory. Unlisted products are subject to seizure and destruction, with penalties ranging from $500 per product for a first violation to $1,500 per product per day for repeat violations.

  • UK Bans Sales of Nicotine Products to Under-18s

    UK Bans Sales of Nicotine Products to Under-18s

    The U.K. extended its age-of-sale restrictions to all nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, strips, and pearls, as well as nicotine-free vapes, effective Oct. 29 under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026. The changes apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The law also prohibits adults from buying vaping or nicotine products on behalf of under-18s and bans promotional giveaways, substantial promotional discounts, and vending-machine sales of vaping and nicotine products. Retailers face fixed penalty notices of £200 for relevant offenses in England, Wales, and Scotland, with Northern Ireland’s penalty subject to approval by its assembly.

    Haypp’s Dr. Marina Murphy said the new age restrictions close a legal loophole that had allowed nicotine pouches to be sold to under-18s because they contain no tobacco and are not inhaled.

    Scotland is separately requiring retailers selling tobacco, vaping, nicotine, and herbal smoking products to register by April 29, 2027.

  • Sweden Opposes EU Tobacco Tax Increase Ahead of Meeting

    Sweden Opposes EU Tobacco Tax Increase Ahead of Meeting

    Sweden is expected to oppose a proposed European Union overhaul of tobacco excise taxes at a Nov. 9 meeting of EU finance ministers, according to an EU official cited by Law360. The proposal would substantially increase minimum excise duties on cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products and introduce EU-wide minimum taxes for nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco. EU tax legislation requires unanimous approval by member states, meaning Sweden’s opposition could block the proposal in its current form.

    Sweden has objected particularly to proposed minimum taxes on tobacco-free nicotine pouches, arguing that member states should retain the ability to set tax rates according to differences in product risk. The European Commission’s July 2025 proposal would also introduce new tax categories for e-cigarette liquids and heated tobacco, while excluding traditional tobacco snus. EU ambassadors discussed a revised compromise in October, and finance ministers are scheduled to consider the package on Nov. 9.

  • Altria Raises 2026 Earnings Guidance After Third-Quarter Growth

    Altria Raises 2026 Earnings Guidance After Third-Quarter Growth

    Altria Group reported third-quarter net revenue of $6.13 billion, up 1% year over year, while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 4.8% to $1.52. Revenue excluding excise taxes rose 3.6% to $5.44 billion, driven primarily by higher revenue from smokeable products. Cigarette shipment volume fell 2.9%, including a 6.4% decline for Marlboro, while discount cigarette shipments increased 40.5%. Oral tobacco revenue declined 0.1%, and operating companies’ income for the segment fell 5.4%.

    For the first nine months of 2026, net revenue increased 1.4% to $17.67 billion, while adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 5.1% to $4.33. Altria raised its full-year adjusted earnings guidance to $5.66-$5.74 per share, representing growth of 4.5%-6% from 2025. The company also authorized a $1 billion expansion of its share repurchase program, bringing the program’s expiration date to Dec. 31, 2027.

  • Japan Tobacco Raises 2026 Earnings Forecast After Nine-Month Profit Growth

    Japan Tobacco Raises 2026 Earnings Forecast After Nine-Month Profit Growth

    Japan Tobacco Inc. reported revenue of ¥2.99 trillion ($18.8 billion) for the first nine months of 2026, up 13.6% year over year, while operating profit increased 24.2% to ¥947.7 billion ($596.6 million). Profit attributable to the company’s owners rose 20.9% to ¥618.9 billion ($3.9 billion). Adjusted operating profit at constant exchange rates increased 16.9% to ¥934.7 billion ($5.9 billion), driven by pricing contributions across several markets, including the Philippines, Russia, Türkiye, the UK, and the U.S. Tobacco business core revenue rose 14.5% to ¥2.75 trillion ($17.3 billion), while reduced-risk product volume increased 31.1% and heated tobacco product volume grew 39.6%.

    JT raised its full-year 2026 forecast, projecting revenue of ¥3.9 trillion ($24.6 billion) and operating profit of ¥1.04 trillion ($6.6 billion). Adjusted operating profit is forecast at ¥1.08 trillion ($6.8 billion), up 21.9% from 2025, while profit attributable to owners is expected to reach ¥662 billion ($4.2 billion). The company also raised its forecast for adjusted operating profit at constant exchange rates to ¥1.03 trillion ($6.5 billion), an increase of 16.1%.

  • S.Korea Releases Harmful-Ingredient Results for Tobacco Products

    S.Korea Releases Harmful-Ingredient Results for Tobacco Products

    South Korea released its first product-level harmful-ingredient test results for 465 tobacco products on Oct. 29, covering 256 conventional cigarettes, 104 heated-tobacco products, and 105 liquid e-cigarettes. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety found formaldehyde, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in all 256 cigarette products, all 104 heated-tobacco products, and 99 of the 105 e-liquids tested. The tests covered 44 ingredients in cigarettes and heated-tobacco products and 20 in e-liquids, including nicotine, tar, and other potentially harmful substances.

    The government said it plans to develop testing methods to measure emissions generated during e-cigarette use, rather than testing liquids alone, and to begin testing and disclosing results for synthetic-nicotine products in 2027. The initial testing covered tobacco-derived nicotine products. Results for e-liquids reflect the contents of the liquids themselves and do not establish users’ exposure during inhalation or allow direct comparisons of health risks between product categories.